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Artwork for Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Semafor Podcasts
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Donald Trump
Youtube
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Kamala Harris
Digital Media
Tiktok
Podcasting
Elon Musk
Marketing
Ozy Media
Creator Economy
Joe Biden
Fraud
Trump Administration
Media Industry
Carlos Watson
Creativity
Twitter

Every Friday media reporter Max Tani and Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith pull back the curtain on the most important stories about media, revealing why you see and hear what you see and hear. Mixed Signals from Semafor Media is supported by Think with Google.

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Artwork for Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Latest Episodes

Steve Hilton has lived many lives: a key strategist to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, a populist Fox News host, and — after renouncing his UK citizenship — the Republican nominee in California’s gubernatorial race. Max and Ben ask him a... more

Sports media host and "Casuals" podcast creator Katie Nolan joined Mixed Signals live at Cannes to talk about navigating two decades of upheaval in sports media. Max and Ben ask Katie why she turned down gambling advertising when it was everywhere, h... more

Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman joins Mixed Signals during the platform's 21st birthday to talk about what it means to be the internet's anti-social media hub. Max and Ben ask Steve how Reddit thinks about its partnerships, why the company is... more

Call Her Daddy host and Unwell co-founder Alex Cooper joins Mixed Signals live at Cannes Lions to talk about what it takes to turn a hit podcast into a real media business. Max and Ben ask Alex how Unwell's creative agency ended up going toe-to-toe w... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Cooper
Founder/CEO of Unwell and host of Call Her Daddy
Unwell
Episode: Alex Cooper on flipping "Call Her Daddy" into a media business and entering the creative agency space
David Droga
Advertising industry veteran; former CEO of Accenture Song
Accenture Song / Droga5
Episode: David Droga on being “the last Don Draper,” AI’s impact on creativity, and why the boldest ads are the easiest sells
Eli Pariser
Co-director of New Public; former co-founder of Upworthy
New Public
Episode: Eli Pariser on the end of the feed and how AI will change your morning routine
John Caramanica
Popcast host, New York Times music critic
New York Times
Episode: The “Popcast” hosts on interviewing Taylor Swift, killing the written review, and whether literacy is over
Joe Coscarelli
Popcast host, New York Times music journalist
New York Times
Episode: The “Popcast” hosts on interviewing Taylor Swift, killing the written review, and whether literacy is over
Bret Baier
Host of Special Report on Fox News; veteran journalist
Fox News
Episode: Bret Baier on golfing with Trump, his 2028 predictions, and making the case for civility
Audie Cornish
Former All Things Considered host, now engaging in Engagement Party on CNN
CNN
Episode: Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro’s journey from radio to podcasts — and what amateurs can learn from pros
Ari Shapiro
Former NPR host, now engaging in Engagement Party on CNN
CNN
Episode: Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro’s journey from radio to podcasts — and what amateurs can learn from pros
Joe Weisenthal
Co-host of Odd Lots, Bloomberg's finance podcast
Bloomberg
Episode: Joe Weisenthal on the business of business media and why AI won’t replace podcasters

Hosts

Max Tani
Host and media editor at Semafor; experienced in covering media, politics, and technology.
Ben Smith
Editor-in-chief and co-host; veteran journalist with deep ties to media industry reporting.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 392 ratings
  • Slightly bizarre approach

    Great calibre of guests. But god - Ben thinks we’re all utterly thick. I really dislike the “here’s what you’re going to hear” and “hear’s what you’ve heard” intro/ends. Just let the interview speak for itself!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Miscellany 86
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 5 Star

    FANTASTIC!!! Content is always great. Max is quick on his feet, articulate, & overall very good host. Ben is Ben: connected AF, the OG young-guy in the newsroom, now Perfect in role as the Wise Owl. He is the Godfather of The New-News. Can we make this a 3 times a week Podcast release? Need more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tommy2Floor
    United States7 months ago
  • Enjoyed the smart discussion, but suffers from NYT syndrome

    I had to take a break for a bit after a host claimed NPR had “down the center” journalism takes. Such a statement requires a certain type of bubble to believe, and frankly you lose people’s respect when you say it. I will try again in the new years. One mishap won’t turn me away, I don’t mind challenging myself, but the hosts shouldn’t either.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Miriad
    United States7 months ago
  • A-List media guests, D-bag media hosts

    The hosts really bring smarmier-than-thou, death-to-traditional media energy. The Google interstitials are 100 percent skippable. I listen to the show in spite of Ben and Max, not because of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    BBQ Calendar Guy
    United States7 months ago
  • Always interesting

    I really enjoy the broad scope of your guests. They are always interesting and provocative. I also like that you treat all the guests with respect, yet still ask the tough questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Californiaal
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts are deeply knowledgeable about media ecosystems and bring high-profile guests.
Guests and topics consistently push toward the future of media, tech, and content creation.
Listeners appreciate the breadth of guests and candid conversations about industry trends.
Some criticisms focus on host personas and perceived ideological slant, which can polarize audience segments.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Eli Pariser on the end of the feed and how AI will change your morning routine
Q: What does this mean for news organizations and publishers?
There will be a major reconfiguration of value in information production, with emphasis on trusted sources, narrative, and community-building beyond what centralized platforms offer.
Eli Pariser on the end of the feed and how AI will change your morning routine
Q: How soon do you think morning routines will change with AI mediating information?
We could start seeing tangible changes within a year, with tools that pre-synthesize and tailor content across devices, replacing parts of the current morning information load.
Flynn McGarry on growing up as a food prodigy and the waning power of restaurant reviews
Q: What is your view on the role of social media in building a restaurant and a chef's career?
He describes a dual approach: DIY, authentic posts that showcase day-to-day progress and a more polished production strategy as the two main forms that work now, with emphasis on connecting audiences to the restaurant's farms and supply chain rather than generic content.
Flynn McGarry on growing up as a food prodigy and the waning power of restaurant reviews
Q: How do you explain yourself to people who follow your trajectory?
Flynn explains that while early media attention framed him as a prodigy, he emphasizes ongoing growth beyond that label, acknowledging how public narratives can misrepresent the realities of starting and running a kitchen, and stressing the importance of following true interests rather than chasing sensational headlines.
Angel Studios is crowdsourcing a "values-based" alternative to Hollywood
Q: Why do you think Angel Studios is a good fit for this show and what makes your model different?
They explain that their model shifts power to the audience via the Guild, allowing viewers to vote on films and thereby influence what gets produced and released, which they frame as a more authentic alignment with audience values.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

What is Mixed Signals from Semafor Media about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced analysis show focused on the media landscape, storytelling, and the business of news. Episodes frequently dissect evolving models in media—from crowdsolicited projects and creator-driven journalism to AI-assisted publishing, platform dynamics, and the economics of independent outlets. Guests range from media founders and newsroom leaders to tech and entertainment executives, providing sharp, insider perspectives on how power, money, and technology shape what audiences see and hear. The format blends candid interviews with high-level market context, often interleaved with strategic branding segments, making it useful for listeners in PR, marketing, or sponsorship roles who want to understand media trends and how to navigate them... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Mixed Signals from Semafor Media?

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1. The Grill Room
2. Channels with Peter Kafka
3. The Powers That Be: Daily
4. Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Mixed Signals from Semafor Media are there?

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media launched 2 years ago and published 112 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media?

Recent guests on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media include:

1. Alex Cooper
2. David Droga
3. Eli Pariser
4. John Caramanica
5. Joe Coscarelli
6. Bret Baier
7. Audie Cornish
8. Ari Shapiro

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