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Artwork for Small Press, Big Ideas

Small Press, Big Ideas

Paul Gewuerz
Local News
Artificial Intelligence
Local Media
AI In Journalism
Local Journalism
Social Media
Tapinto
Journalism
Bridgetower Media
Nonprofit Journalism
Southpoint Access
Substack
Nonprofit News
Revenue Models
Google
AI In Publishing
Tiktok
Youtube
Advertising Revenue
Events

Small Press, Big Ideas is a podcast about the business of local news and community journalism in the US. Host Paul Gewuerz interviews entrepreneurs and journalists in the field to get their take on what's working, what isn't, and how local publishers can thrive in today's rapidly changing media landscape.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes131Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessBusiness NewsNews

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Artwork for Small Press, Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

Julie D'Aloiso built a Northeast Ohio local news network almost by accident, and in this episode she traces the winding path that got her there.

A former COBOL programmer turned early social media adopter, she launched SpiderCat Marketing, ran an in... more

Sophie Culpepper covers local news for Nieman Lab, the Harvard based publication tracking how journalism is evolving in a digital age. She joins the show to map what is actually working in local media right now, from a Provincetown newsroom that ran ... more

YouTube

Brian Kennett is the founder of Built Revenue. He argues that local publishers are sitting on the most valuable asset in their market, a trusted audience, and monetizing almost none of what it is worth.

In this conversation Brian breaks down why the... more

YouTube

Uriah Kiser has spent more than three decades in local media, from interviewing President Clinton as a teenage TV reporter to launching Potomac Local two years before the Virginia newspaper he grew up delivering shut its presses for good. Sixteen yea... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sophie Culpepper
Staff writer for Nieman Journalism Lab
Nieman Journalism Lab
Episode: What local news is trying next
Brian Kennett
Founder of Built Revenue
Built Revenue
Episode: Funding journalism with the tools that threaten it
Uriah Kiser
President and publisher of Potomac Local Media
Potomac Local News
Episode: How AI rewired a one person newsroom
Brandon Mercer
Vice President of Ad Product Integrated Solutions at Hearst
Hearst
Episode: The firewall between business and editorial is becoming a half wall
Justin Rushing
Co-founder of HBCU Collaborative
HBCU Collaborative
Episode: What Blockbuster and Redbox reveal about local news
David Arkin
Founder of David Arkin Consulting, focuses on audience growth, branded content, AI, SEO, and newsletters for local media
David Arkin Consulting
Episode: Vertical video is where your audience already is
Donnell Suggs
Editor-in-Chief of The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Voice
Episode: Sixty years of covering Black Atlanta
Peter Stuart
Co-founder of Velora Digital
Velora Digital
Episode: Using AI to eliminate the grunt work
Lorne London
Publisher at Post City and Streets of Toronto
Post City and Streets of Toronto
Episode: The indie rock station model for local media

Host

Paul Gewuerz
Host of the show, focused on local journalism business models and technology

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Best on the ground insight for publishers

    As a local newspaper publisher in my 30’s I’ve struggled to find insight in the industry. Paul brings that insight right to my phone and I’m not saying that because I’ve been on the show a couple of times. If you’re in the business of local news, this must be a part of your information ecosystem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaliEditor
    United States5 months ago
  • Great insights

    Well worth your time if you are in the biz.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DanO1234554321
    United States2 years ago
  • Very good. Good ideas about local news innovation.

    I only give 5 stars to things I really love. Wish others would raise your standards, too.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    curmudgeon
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistently highlights practical funding and revenue ideas for small outlets
Gives a clear picture of the nonprofit and hybrid funding landscape in local journalism
Local publishers get concrete, battle-tested advice you can apply today.
Thoughtful exploration of AI in local news—useful for strategy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Funding journalism with the tools that threaten it
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what led you to focus on Built Revenue for local media?
I've been in the commercial side of local media for over 20 years, built experiences around agency-like services for publishers, and saw a fundamental misalignment: publishers needed more revenue and smarter systems tailored to local markets. That drove me to create Built Revenue to help publishers understand their business, plug revenue leaks, and develop tools that actually fit local media instead of relying on generic tech.
Pulitzers and playbooks for local news
Q: What is the core philosophy behind Lookout's expansion strategy?
A pragmatic plan to grow the Lookout network with a playbook built on proven local-market success, transparent operations, and a focus on reader revenue and community involvement to scale responsibly.
Pulitzers and playbooks for local news
Q: How do you finance and sustain Lookout's growth across multiple markets?
They used a mix of philanthropy for seed capital and a strong push toward earned revenue, including memberships and advertising, while maintaining a mission-driven approach and transparency to funders.
Pulitzers and playbooks for local news
Q: What has Lookout done right to achieve a Pulitzer within five years of launching?
The combination of a clear mission, a sustainable revenue mix, and a strong focus on community impact—through direct reporting, community forums, and local engagement—has driven their success and recognition.
Inside the Mission Driven News Revolution
Q: Could you give me your take on the pros and cons of nonprofit versus for-profit in today's media landscape?
The biggest positive is that every dollar supports journalism, with a culture focused on public good rather than maximizing shareholder value, allowing coverage decisions to be guided by democratic value rather than profit pressure.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Press, Big Ideas

What is Small Press, Big Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A digest of practical, revenue-minded strategies for local journalism, with a focus on sustainable business models, technology adoption, and audience development. Conversations frequently center on monetizing assets beyond traditional ads, the role of AI in newsroom workflows, nonprofit and hybrid funding, community engagement, and partnerships that scale local news. Guests tend to be publishers, editors, and product leads from local outlets, storytelling-focused entrepreneurs, and nonprofit newsroom founders who share hands-on lessons, cautionary tales about vendor lock-in, and real-world experiments that illustrate what works in small-to-midsize markets. The show is likely to appeal to publishers, newsroom leaders, and media entrepreneurs... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Small Press, Big Ideas?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Small Press, Big Ideas:

1. The Daily
2. WSJ What’s News
3. Today, Explained
4. Pivot
5. Apple News Today

How many episodes of Small Press, Big Ideas are there?

Small Press, Big Ideas launched 3 years ago and published 131 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 Small Press, Big Ideas?

Recent guests on Small Press, Big Ideas include:

1. Sophie Culpepper
2. Brian Kennett
3. Uriah Kiser
4. Brandon Mercer
5. Justin Rushing
6. David Arkin
7. Donnell Suggs
8. Peter Stuart

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