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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
Social Media
Artificial Intelligence
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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes109Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Business NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Latest Episodes

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

David Droga is the vice chair of Accenture Song and the most decorated creative in Cannes Lions history. He joins Mixed Signals to talk about what it actually takes to sell a CMO on a bold idea (and why the boldest of ideas are sometimes the easiest ... more

New_Public co-director and coiner of the "filter bubble," Eli Pariser, joins Mixed Signals to walk through his new report on what news consumption looks like when AI takes over. Max and Ben ask Eli how soon your morning routine will change, which pla... more

YouTube

The hosts of The New York Times’ Popcast show join Mixed Signals to talk about how a two-decade-old music podcast became one of the most coveted interview slots in music — landing Taylor Swift, A$AP Rocky, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bad Bunny — by offering ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Flynn McGarry
Chef and owner of Cove restaurant in Hudson Square, New York
Cove (Restaurant)
Episode: Flynn McGarry on growing up as a food prodigy and the waning power of restaurant reviews
Neil Harmon
Co-founder of Angel Studios
Angel Studios
Episode: Angel Studios is crowdsourcing a "values-based" alternative to Hollywood
Jeff Harmon
Co-founder of Angel Studios
Angel Studios
Episode: Angel Studios is crowdsourcing a "values-based" alternative to Hollywood

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 389 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 States6 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.

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.
Johnny Harris on building a journalism project that doesn't sell out
Q: What sparked Johnny Harris to leave Vox and start his own venture?
He wanted to fuse his two identities—an artsy filmmaker and an IR nerd—into a platform that could uphold rigorous journalism while enabling creators to pursue their own visions with institutional support.
Michael Lynton on the infamous Sony hack and learning from his mistakes
Q: What was the biggest mistake you made in your professional life, and why did you decide to greenlight The Interview despite the risks?
The decision was driven by a mix of optimism, pressure to capitalize on a popular franchise, and a belief that the project could be managed carefully, but it turned out to be a pivotal misstep with geopolitics and cybersecurity consequences that altered careers and Hollywood's trajectory.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mixed Signals from Semafor Media:

1. The Grill Room
2. Channels with Peter Kafka
3. The Powers That Be: Daily
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Pivot

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

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media launched 2 years ago and published 109 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. John Caramanica
2. Joe Coscarelli
3. Bret Baier
4. Audie Cornish
5. Ari Shapiro
6. Joe Weisenthal
7. Flynn McGarry
8. Neil Harmon

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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