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Small Press, Big Ideas

Paul Gewuerz
Local News
Artificial Intelligence
Local Journalism
Social Media
Journalism
AI In Journalism
Southpoint Access
Baltimore Banner
Berkshire Eagle
Midcoast Villager
Open Campus
Isthmus
Meet Near Me
Bridgetower Media
Trust In Journalism
Creator Economy
Portland
Mirror Indy
Hyperlocal Media, Nevada
Community Newspapers

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes126Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Small Press, Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

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

YouTube

David Arkin returns to the podcast to talk about the format reshaping local media right now: vertical video. He breaks down why reels are no longer a young person's medium, why dropping a two and a half minute TV segment into the feed never works, an... more

YouTube

Donnell Suggs is editor in chief of the Atlanta Voice, Atlanta's only Black newspaper, which marked its 60th anniversary in May without ever missing an issue. He joins the show to talk about two decades of reporting in Georgia, what it means to run a... more

YouTube

Peter Stuart spent 20 years in journalism before quitting his editorial role at in late 2025 to build an AI-powered publishing platform called Velora. In this conversation, he walks through what that platform actually does: a news discovery engine t... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Sara Hebel
Co-founder and editor-in-chief of Open Campus
Open Campus
Episode: Higher ed is a local story no one is telling
Will Bleakley
CEO of the Midcoast Villager, Maine
Midcoast Villager
Episode: From Facebook to the front page rebuilding local news in Maine
Gary Lavariere
Publisher, Berkshire Eagle
Berkshire Eagle
Episode: Building a sustainable model in New England
Pete Pachal
Founder of Media Copilot; AI expert in media space
Media Copilot
Episode: How AI is reshaping media workflows right now
Louis Amestoy
Editor and publisher at the Kerr County Lead (Kerrville, Texas)
Kerr County Lead
Episode: Building a one person newsroom that actually works
Eric Larson
CEO of the Org Detectives; managing partner at JHL Consultants
Org Detectives, JHL Consultants
Episode: Thinking like an organizational detective in local media
Grant Marek
Editor-in-Chief at Sfgate
Sfgate
Episode: The strategy behind SFGATE’s expansion across the West

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 States3 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.

Why local journalism needs operators, not just reporters
Q: What are the top issues publishers face today that you see repeatedly?
Updating and rewriting operations and HR manuals, insurance needs, and aligning governance with new ownership or organizational transitions are the most common recurring needs.
After the headlines fade: the real work of local news
Q: What went wrong with the industry's transition to digital, and how can local outlets adapt going forward?
The industry underestimated the complexity of digital monetization and talent shifts; success now hinges on deep-dive journalism, smart use of FOIA/open records, and sustainable models that balance page views with subscriptions, supported by investigative collaborations and staff who can leverage technology without sacrificing rigor.
After the headlines fade: the real work of local news
Q: Can you summarize how your perspective on local news has evolved after covering Columbine and 9/11?
Local news remains irreplaceable for community-level truth-telling; those events showed that local reporters can build deep, human-centered narratives with sources on the ground, and that devotion to accountability and transparency is what keeps communities informed as national attention fades.
Running a local newspaper across two states
Q: Could you tell me a little about your background and career in local media?
James Bright explains his path from editorial roles to general management and operations, highlighting how he moved into a combined editorial and business leadership position to oversee both content and revenue at Texarkana Gazette.
How hyperlocal print newspapers still make money
Q: What advice would you give somebody wanting to launch a community-focused print publication in a town of 40,000-50,000 people?
Start with a low-cost, monthly publication to keep expenses manageable, prove demand with a physical product, and use direct mail to reach target households. Focus on hyperlocal content and targeted local advertisers, and be ready to adjust distribution and pricing to show real value before scaling.

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?

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. The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis
3. Marketing Against The Grain
4. Pivot
5. SmartLess

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Small Press, Big Ideas launched 2 years ago and published 126 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. TJ Ortenzi
2. Melissa Taboada
3. Sara Hebel
4. Will Bleakley
5. Gary Lavariere
6. Pete Pachal
7. Louis Amestoy
8. Eric Larson

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