Rephonic
Artwork for The Kicker
Journalism
Donald Trump
Social Media
Disinformation
Ozy Media
Carlos Watson
Columbia Journalism Review
Gaza
Local News
2020 Election
Joe Biden
Climate Change
Silicon Valley
Fraud
New Mexico
Media Coverage
Political Journalism
January 6 Capitol Riots
The Washington Post
Wildfire Season

The Kicker is a podcast on the media and the world today. It comes out twice a month, hosted by Megan Greenwell and produced by Amanda Darrach for the Columbia Journalism Review. It is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes335Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Kicker

Latest Episodes

Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, had Matt Pearce sweating. Until the day before the signing deadline, Pearce didn’t know if the biggest piece of legislation he had ever worked on—one that creates a new standard for content-neutral government fund... more

YouTube

For me, and for most of my fellow millennials in the journalism industry, the idea of spending more than two decades in the same job seems unfathomable. It’s not that I wouldn’t like to, but I’ve never made it more than four years without being laid ... more

YouTube

If you had lots of money to give away, what kind of journalism would you fund? City hall reporting? Big-swing investigative projects? Detailed coverage of your favorite sports team? The magazine of every narrative writer’s dreams? 

Over nearly three... more

YouTube

Anna Sproul-Latimer, a literary agent, on what a shrinking market means for journalists.

After a boom time for nonfiction books during the pandemic, sales have been flat or down for multiple years running. Even veteran nonfiction authors are having ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

The New Yorker Radio Hour
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Recent Guests

Alison Gerber
Former editor, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Chattanooga Times Free Press (former)
Episode: A Victim of the ‘Elon Musk Playbook’
Ruth Ann Harnisch
Philanthropist and media investor
Open philanthropic efforts in independent media
Episode: Ruth Ann Harnisch on life as the fairy godmother of newsletters, podcasts, and blogs.
Anna Sproul-Latimer
Book agent and newsletter writer
Agent at StuartKatz? (implied industry role)
Episode: So Are Nonfiction Books Dead or Not?
Kenya Hunter
Former journalist and current doula
Public health and birth justice advocate
Episode: Kenya Hunter took a terrifying leap out of journalism. She couldn’t be happier.
Deb Perelman
Founder of Smitten Kitchen, 20-year food blog
Smitten Kitchen
Episode: Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.
Olivia Messer
Founding editor-in-chief of The Barbed Wire
The Barbed Wire (Texas publication)
Episode: What Went Wrong: A first-time editor in chief reflects on a startup that didn’t work
Melody Mercado
Reporter at Block Club Chicago covering downtown and the West Loop, with a focus on politics
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Why Do You Have to Run from Us? Local reporters are struggling to get answers from the politicians they cover.
Tim Marchman
Director of Politics, Science and Security at Wired
Wired
Episode: No Fanboys Need Apply: Wired bares real teeth.
Emma Baccellieri
Staff writer at Sports Illustrated specializing in women's basketball
Sports Illustrated
Episode: Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri on covering the changing world of women’s basketball.

Hosts

Megan Greenwell
Host of The Kicker
Heather Chaplin
Host of Journalism 2050 segment

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 107 ratings
  • Economic Voice of Reason

    I’ve never heard of this podcast before but I really enjoyed the most recent episode, “Kai Ryssdal Was America’s Economic Voice of Reason This Week.”

    Straight talk about an important subject from educated, thoughtful people. Who could ask for more.

    I’ll be listening to more episodes in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JTI O1
    United States2 years ago
  • Superb

    This is a Peabody-worthy podcast - a phantasmagorical tale - that’s real - told well with humor and sympathy, to a point. The format suits the listener with a wonderful Q&A format with mind boggling detail. Susie Banikarim is a superstar and Josh Hersh is a fantastic foil. I great listen without the usual tedious podcast repetition.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmRoo7
    United States2 years ago
  • Engrossing

    Great listen - very well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    arp83
    United States2 years ago
  • Ozy Media

    Really enjoying the episodes about the downfall of Ozy Media - thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kbm422
    United States2 years ago
  • Captivating

    Great interviews + fantastic series that goes deep on the rise and fall of Ozy media. Thoughtful and well-reported.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ……………..y2k
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audiences value coverage of media ethics, trust, and the evolving journalism landscape.
Guests are typically high-caliber journalists and scholars, adding credible expertise.
Listeners praise the thoughtful, deep-dive interviews and practical newsroom insights.

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PivotNew York Magazine
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The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
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The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
Psycho Politics with George Conway
Psycho Politics with George ConwayPsycho Politics with George Conway

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.
Q: Why do you avoid sponsored posts, and how has that stance evolved?
I prefer authenticity and align partnerships with products I truly use and believe in; I've done a limited amount of sponsored content when it fits naturally with the work and audience expectations, rather than chasing every opportunity.
Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.
Q: What are your thoughts on the changing landscape of food writing and blogs?
Blogging evolved into newsletters and social formats, but the core desire—well-tested, valuable recipes—remains constant, and creators should diversify without losing the essence of what makes their content real.
Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.
Q: What signals did it take for you to quit your job and do Smitten Kitchen full-time?
It was a gradual shift driven by revenue and the need to pay rent; ad revenue from the site and later YouTube provided the basis for deciding to go full-time, with the realization that sustainable income mattered more than just a large audience.
Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.
Q: How did you start building an audience?
I focused on creating work I personally loved and trusted that readers would connect with it rather than chasing an audience; the process was fueled by conversation and accessibility, not branding or hype.
A Victim of the ‘Elon Musk Playbook’
Q: What happened during the sale and how did it affect the newsroom?
Alison details the uncertainty, NDA-bound silence from corporate leadership, the chaotic post-sale reductions, and the emotional impact of seeing longtime colleagues lose their jobs, followed by a shift toward a leaner, more centralized operation.

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 The Kicker

What is The Kicker about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on media, journalism, and the broader information landscape, often featuring in-depth conversations with reporters, editors, and industry thinkers. Episodes frequently explore how reporting tactics, newsroom ethics, and power dynamics shape public discourse, with guests ranging from local and national journalists to scholars and nonprofit newsroom leaders. A notable strength is its ability to blend practical newsroom insights with broader political and technology issues, making complex dynamics accessible for fellow professionals and curious listeners alike. The format often includes rigorous analysis, personal storytelling from journalists, and thoughtful critique of modern media ecosystems, which can be especially valuabl... more

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How many subscribers and views does The Kicker have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Kicker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Kicker:

1. Fresh Air
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. On the Media
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Kicker are there?

The Kicker launched 10 years ago and published 335 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Kicker?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Kicker?

Recent guests on The Kicker include:

1. Alison Gerber
2. Ruth Ann Harnisch
3. Anna Sproul-Latimer
4. Kenya Hunter
5. Deb Perelman
6. Olivia Messer
7. Melody Mercado
8. Tim Marchman

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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