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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
Advertising Revenue
Events
Baltimore Banner

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes129Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsBusinessBusiness News

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Artwork for Small Press, Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

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

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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

Brandon Mercer is the Vice President of Ad Product Integrated Solutions at Hearst, where he builds the programs that sit between editorial and advertising across the company's local newspaper properties. Brandon argues that the old firewall between t... more

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Justin Rushing has spent more than fifteen years on the revenue side of local news. Today he is cofounder of the HBCU Digital Media Collaborative, which partners with historically Black colleges and universities to help students build campus publishi... more

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Recent Guests

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
TJ Ortenzi
Deputy Managing Editor of Audience and Digital at the Baltimore Banner
Baltimore Banner
Episode: Building local news from scratch in Baltimore
Melissa Taboada
Editor-in-Chief of the Austin Current
Austin Current
Episode: Launching a nonprofit newsroom in Austin
Eli Wohlenhaus
Director of Digital and AI News Strategy at Adams Multimedia
Adams Multimedia
Episode: How a skeptic became his company's AI strategist

Host

Paul Gewuerz
Host of Small Press Big Ideas; discusses business of local news and community journalism with guests and entrepreneurs.

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 States4 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.

Quality hosting with actionable takeaways for sponsors and guests alike.
Audience-centric episodes that connect fundraising, tech, and community impact.
Guests provide real-world, implementable insights for nonprofit and traditional outlets.
Shows how local publishers can turn challenges into practical strategies.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Local news without an audience is just creative writing
Q: Are there specific real-world examples that illustrate the nonprofit approach working in small communities?
Yes, examples like community-driven reporting in Western Massachusetts, Marfa's cafe-and-news model, and newsletters initiatives show that embedding the community in the process—through participation and events—can sustain and even grow local journalism without relying solely on traditional ads.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Small Press, Big Ideas

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

The show centers on the business of local news and community journalism, exploring sustainable models for publishers, editors, and practitioners navigating a rapidly changing media landscape. Recurring threads include nonprofit newsroom startups, revenue diversification, audience engagement through social and AI-powered tools, and the balance between print, digital, and community events. Episodes frequently feature operators and journalists who are hands-on with local beats, sharing practical approaches to funding, governance, and partnerships, along with candid reflections on platform dependencies and the evolving role of local journalism in civic life. The program often highlights ambitious experiments—from nonprofit transitions to AI-ena... 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. "E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
2. Local Media HQ
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Channels with Peter Kafka
5. 'LetterLand

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

Small Press, Big Ideas launched 2 years ago and published 129 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. Brandon Mercer
2. Justin Rushing
3. David Arkin
4. Donnell Suggs
5. Peter Stuart
6. Lorne London
7. TJ Ortenzi
8. Melissa Taboada

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