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Blubrry’s Next Chapter | Barry Kantz, CEO/CFO #678

~ Rob Greenlee ~ Leave a comment

New Media Show with Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee and Guest Barry Kantz, CEO/CFO of Blubrry PodcastingIn Episode 678 of the New Media Show, host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Barry Kantz, CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting, for a candid conversation about Blubrry’s leadership transition, the legacy of (RIP) former CEO Todd Cochrane, independent podcasting, video, artificial intelligence, monetization, measurement, human support, and the changing podcast-hosting market.

For more than 20 years, Blubrry and its parent company, RawVoice, have helped build and support the open podcast ecosystem. The sudden passing of Blubrry founder and longtime New Media Show co-host Todd Cochrane forced the company, its team, and Todd’s family to navigate an unexpected personal and business transition.

Barry explains how Blubrry responded, how leadership responsibilities shifted, and how his management approach differs from Todd’s hard-charging entrepreneurial style. Barry is bringing a more data-driven and systems-focused approach while trusting Blubrry’s experienced remote team to carry the company forward.

The conversation also examines how podcasting itself is changing.

Audio remains central to the medium, but video has become part of how audiences define and experience podcasts. Rob and Barry discuss YouTube discovery, the overlap between watching and listening, short-form clips, RSS distribution, Apple’s HLS video support, alternative enclosures, Podcasting 2.0, and Blubrry’s Vid2Pod tool for turning YouTube videos into audio podcast episodes.

Barry also shares an update on Blubrry’s HLS video development and discusses the company’s new lower-priced starter plan introduced around the time of the recording.

Artificial intelligence is another major part of Blubrry’s next chapter.

Barry explains how he uses Claude as a daily assistant for analytics, automation, research, and company operations.

Barry sees AI as a way to make podcast creation and management easier, especially for creators who may not have extensive technical experience.

At the same time, Blubrry’s larger goal is to use technology to support human expression rather than replace the human connection that gives podcasting its value.

Rob and Barry discuss low-effort AI-generated content, synthetic media, voice cloning, the limitations of automated clipping tools, and the growing need to distinguish human-hosted shows from fully automated productions.

The discussion then moves into monetization and the opportunities still available to independent creators.

Barry argues that smaller shows can create meaningful business value when they serve a clearly defined audience and develop strong relationships with listeners. Creators do not necessarily need millions of downloads. A focused show with several hundred deeply engaged listeners can provide valuable access to a professional, geographic, or consumer community.

Barry also reflects on Blubrry’s early work with host-read advertising and Todd Cochrane’s long-running sponsorship relationship with GoDaddy as examples of how trust, consistency, niche relevance, and audience connection can create durable advertiser value.

Rob and Barry also examine the challenge of measuring audio and video under a common standard.

HLS video, progressive audio downloads, platform-controlled playback, and various delivery methods complicate the determination of what should count as a verified play. The discussion explores why common measurement matters to advertisers and why the industry may need different technical approaches for audio and video consumption.

The episode closes with a broader look at the increasingly competitive podcast-hosting market.

Hosting, storage, and delivery have become commodities. The competitive difference now comes from the tools, services, support, analytics, workflows, distribution options, and human expertise built around the infrastructure.

For Blubrry, that includes PowerPress, WordPress integration, video support, Vid2Pod, Podcasting 2.0 features, AI-assisted workflows, monetization options, analytics, and access to experienced human support.

Both reflect on the legacy Todd Cochrane helped create and provide a detailed look at how Blubrry plans to move forward in a media environment shaped by audio, video, AI, open distribution, creator ownership, and changing audience expectations.

Key Discussion Topics:

– Blubrry’s transition following Todd Cochrane’s passing
– Barry Kantz’s leadership and management approach
– How the Blubrry team responded to sudden change
– Todd’s influence on podcasting and the open ecosystem
– The evolving definition of a podcast
– Audience movement between watching and listening
– YouTube discovery and short-form video
– Blubrry’s Vid2Pod technology
– Apple HLS video support
– RSS, alternative enclosures, and Podcasting 2.0
– Blubrry’s lower-priced starter plan
– AI-assisted podcast production and operations
– Human-hosted media versus automated content
– Voice cloning, authenticity, and audience trust
– Monetization for independent and niche creators
– Host-read advertising and direct sponsorships
– Measuring audio and video consumption
– Podcast hosting as a commodity
– PowerPress and the continuing role of WordPress
– Human customer support as a competitive advantage
– The future of independent podcasting

Chapter Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 678
00:44 Blubrry’s role in the open podcast ecosystem
02:03 Introducing Barry Kantz, CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting
03:31 The sudden loss of former co-founder/CEO of Blubrry, Todd Cochrane
05:22 How the Blubrry team responded
06:29 Barry’s leadership style compared with Todd’s
08:17 Bringing data and operational systems into the company
09:57 How Todd might view today’s podcast market
11:11 Video becomes part of podcasting
13:20 Blubrry’s Vid2Pod product
14:46 Barry’s transition from CFO to CEO
18:14 The opportunity for independent creators
20:00 Who now defines what a podcast is?
21:07 Audiences move between watching and listening
23:24 YouTube discovery and the importance of Shorts
24:55 The limitations of AI-generated clips
26:20 Blubrry’s Apple HLS video rollout
28:12 Blubrry introduces a lower-priced starter plan
29:08 Alternative enclosures and Podcasting 2.0
30:34 Barry’s use of Claude as an AI assistant
32:02 Supporting human creators while limiting AI slop
33:20 Voice cloning and the challenge of replicating humanity
36:18 Blubrry’s philosophy on podcast monetization
37:30 How niche shows can attract direct sponsors
39:27 Managing expectations for new podcasters
43:16 Measuring HLS video and audio downloads
46:45 New competition in podcast hosting
47:36 Why hosting has become a commodity
50:45 Product focus, acquisitions, and platform complexity
52:01 WordPress, PowerPress, and AI-assisted websites
55:00 Blubrry’s commitment to human customer support
57:31 Closing thoughts on Blubrry’s future

About the Guest:

Barry Kantz is CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting and one of the original founders of its parent company, RawVoice.

Barry has produced podcasts since 2005 and has worked with Blubrry throughout its more than 20-year history. His responsibilities have included company finance, legal affairs, human resources, analytics, operations, and business leadership.

Following the passing of Blubrry founder Todd Cochrane, Barry stepped into the company’s primary leadership role. He is now guiding Blubrry through its next chapter as podcasting expands across audio, video, artificial intelligence, open RSS distribution, WordPress, and creator-led media.

Blubrry Podcasting
https://blubrry.com

Blubrry Leadership and Company Information
https://blubrry.com/about

Barry Kantz on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kantzb

Blubrry Podcast Insider
https://blubrry.com/podcast-insider

About the Host:

Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, Chair of the Podcast Hall of Fame, and a longtime new-media executive, creator, strategist, and industry leader. He is the co-founder and current host of The New Media Show and the founder of Trust Factor Lab. Rob has worked across podcasting, radio, digital media, audio, video, creator platforms, partnerships, distribution, monetization, and emerging AI-assisted media for more than 26 years.

His previous leadership roles include Microsoft, PodcastOne, Spreaker, and Libsyn, where he helped shape the growth of podcasting, distribution platforms, creator partnerships, and digital audio.

Through The New Media Show, Rob explores how podcasting fits inside the larger new-media ecosystem, including video, livestreaming, artificial intelligence, platforms, audience ownership, intellectual property, advertising, trust, and sustainable creator businesses.

New Media Show
https://newmediashow.com

The New Media Show on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow

New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649

Rob Greenlee
https://robgreenlee.com

Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee

Rob Greenlee on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee

Podcast Hall of Fame
https://podcasthall.com

AI Disclosure:

AI tools were used to help organize and edit this episode description and create chapter markers from the completed episode transcript. The editorial direction, final review, industry perspective, and responsibility for the published content remain with Rob Greenlee. This description reflects the substance of the recorded conversation between Barry Kantz and Rob Greenlee.

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Can Human Critics Improve Podcast Discovery? | Imran Ahmed, Great Pods #662

~ Rob Greenlee ~ Leave a comment

#662-New-Media-Show-300x300-Episode-Imran-GreatPods.coIn episode 662 from May 6th, 2026, of the New Media Show, hosted by 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee, he talks with Imran Ahmed, founder of Great Pods, for a deep conversation about one of podcasting’s longest-running controversies: Discovery.

Podcasting has never had a shortage of content. The bigger challenge has always been helping listeners find the right shows and helping quality creators get noticed.

  • Charts often reward scale.
  • Algorithms can miss the human context.
  • Social media attention does not always create trust.
  • But human recommendations, professional reviews, and transparency. editorial signals may still play an important role.

Imran joins Rob to discuss how Great Pods is building a podcast discovery and decision-making platform around critic reviews, ratings, attribution, podcast search, user reviews, badges, and curated discovery.

The conversation explores why reviews differ from basic listener comments, why constructive criticism can help creators, and how professional critics can serve as trusted filters for listeners trying to decide what to hear next.

Rob and Imran also dig into the broader evolution of podcasting, including the role of word-of-mouth discovery, the limits of podcast app charts, the rise of YouTube as a major discovery platform, and the ongoing tension around what defines a podcast in a world of audio, video, RSS feeds, platform exclusives, APIs, Netflix-style talk shows, and AI-generated content.

The episode also connects Great Pods to larger trust and transparency issues in new media. As AI-generated shows, algorithmic recommendations, and platform-controlled discovery continue to grow.

Rob and Imran discuss why human editorial judgment, clear labeling, attribution, and credible review systems may become even more important for listeners, creators, and platforms.

Key Topics Covered

  • Podcast discovery in 2026
  • Why podcast charts and algorithms often fall short
  • The difference between reviews, ratings, and listener comments
  • Why constructive criticism can help creators improve
  • How Great Pods uses professional reviews and attribution
  • Why human critics can become trusted discovery filters
  • The role of word-of-mouth recommendations in podcast growth
  • Why YouTube has become a major podcast discovery platform
  • How video, RSS, APIs, and platform exclusives are changing podcast definitions
  • Why AI-generated content increases the need for labeling and transparency
  • How podcasters can use reviews, badges, backlinks, and SEO to build credibility
  • What creators should do to make their shows more discoverable

Guest and Host Links

Guest: Imran Ahmed, Founder of Great Pods

Host: Rob Greenlee

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Why “Fringe” Was the Wrong Word and What I Actually Meant About Podcasting 2.0

~ Rob Greenlee ~ Leave a comment

By Rob Greenlee
New Media Show with Rob Greenlee - NewMediaShow.comThis article provides context about my comments on New Media Show episode 660 with Libsyn CEO Brendan Monaghan, where we discussed Podcasting 2.0, RSS tag adoption, and the gap between innovation and mainstream platform implementation.
During my recent interview conversation with the Libsyn CEO, I used the word “fringe” when discussing Podcasting 2.0 RSS extension tag ideas. That comment in an extended audio clip was played and discussed on “Podnews Weekly Review“, and understandably, it raised concerns in parts of the podcasting 2.0 community, including Dave Jones and Adam Curry on the Podcasting 2.0 podcast.  Let me say this clearly. That was not the right word for me to use, and I regret saying it that way. Not because I am backing away from the broader point I was trying to make, but because the word itself does not reflect how I actually view the work happening in the Podcasting 2.0 and open RSS ecosystem.
The comment came out quickly in a live discussion and did not carry the full context I intended.
What I was trying to describe is something I have repeatedly seen said over the past two decades working with large platforms, hosting companies, and media organizations: there is a real difference between something that is not widely adopted yet and something that is not valuable.
Podcasting 2.0 Innovation Has Real Value
Podcasting 2.0 innovations are valuable. RSS namespace expansion, new tags, and experimentation around monetization, identity, transcripts, funding, and distribution all matter. This is where much of the real innovation in podcasting is happening.
At the same time, many of these capabilities have been around for several years, in some cases for close to five years. That historical context matters. My comment was not about the value of the ideas themselves. It was about the pace and pattern of adoption, especially among larger platforms.
When I used the word “fringe,” I was referring to the broader set of emerging and evolving tag ideas within the Podcasting 2.0 initiative.
There are many tags and concepts at different stages of maturity, market fit, timing, and implementation. Not all of them have broad agreement or adoption, even within standards-focused efforts like the Podcast Standards Project. From a product and platform perspective, this creates a spectrum of adoption rather than one unified standard that everyone has fully embraced.
What I Was Trying to Say
What I meant is that market fit and timing play a major role in what gets adopted at scale. Larger podcasting platforms tend to move more deliberately. Their decisions are shaped by user experience, engineering resources, monetization models, product stability, support complexity, and business priorities.
That often means only a subset of new capabilities gets integrated into mainstream products at any given time. That has been the pattern over the past several years. But it is also important to say this pattern is changing.
Momentum Started Very Slow, But Is Building
Over the past year or so, we have started to see real momentum around some Podcasting 2.0 tags and capabilities. More platforms are experimenting. More tools are supporting them. More creators are becoming aware of what is possible and how these features can be used in real workflows.
That has been great to see
I believe we will continue to see more adoption of certain RSS tags as platforms, tools, and creators find clearer ways to integrate them into everyday use.
Some Tags Are Seeing More Adoption
You can already see this progression in parts of the ecosystem.
Tags like transcript, chapters, and person have seen meaningful adoption because they provide immediate and understandable value. The Alternative Enclosure tag is being more widely adopted across platforms, too. They improve accessibility, discovery, context, and creator attribution.  The funding tag has gained traction within parts of the ecosystem, especially among creators and platforms exploring alternative monetization models. The value tag, which supports value-for-value and streaming payment models, has been adopted within specific apps and communities, though it has struggled more recently and has not yet become mainstream across larger platforms. Other tags and ideas are still at an earlier stage. Some are being tested. Some are evolving. Some are still looking for the right use case that will drive broader adoption. That is what I meant by a spectrum of innovation.
Innovation and Adoption Are Not the Same Thing
Podcasting operates across two layers simultaneously. 
There is an innovation layer, where developers, independent platforms, and forward-thinking creators create and test new ideas. Then there is a platform layer, where those ideas are evaluated, prioritized, supported, and integrated into products used by millions of people.  The gap between those two layers is where much of the tension comes from.
I have seen this pattern many times. Podcasting itself began outside the mainstream.
Mobile listening took time to become the default. Video podcasting has gone through multiple cycles before finding its current role. Programmatic advertising in audio took years to mature.  Innovation usually moves faster than adoption. Adoption follows when user demand, product fit, creator benefit, and business alignment come together.
That is where many Podcasting 2.0 capabilities have been.
My View of Podcasting 2.0 and the Podcast Standards Project
I also want to be clear that Podcasting 2.0 and the Podcast Standards Project are not the same thing. They overlap in some areas, but they do not necessarily embrace every tag or idea in the same way.
That is part of the larger point.
When standards-oriented efforts evaluate which capabilities to support, it shows that this is not simply a question of innovation versus resistance. It is about maturity, usefulness, interoperability, timing, and market fit.  That is the context I was trying to convey, though I did not do so well at the time.
I Respect the Podcasting 2.0 Community
So when I used the word “fringe,” I was trying to describe how some organizations have historically perceived ideas that had not yet reached scale or product integration. But I understand how that word sounded dismissive of Podcasting 2.0, and that is not how I really see it.

I respect and appreciate the innovation and work happening through PodcastIndex.org, Podcasting 2.0, and the broader open podcasting community, including the work and advocacy of Adam Curry, Dave Jones, Daniel J. Lewis, and many others.

The opportunity now is to build on the momentum emerging and move the most valuable ideas toward broader adoption. That means making these capabilities easier to use, improving listener experiences, aligning them with sustainable business models, and demonstrating clear value at scale. That is how innovation moves from experimentation into everyday use.
My Role in the Conversation
I do not want to frame this as one side versus another. I am focused on helping connect what is being built with what is actually being adopted and used at scale.
That is the conversation we are having every week on the “New Media Show“. Join us LIVE on Weds, 3 pm PST/6 pm EST, or on demand in all the podcast apps and live on YouTube.com/@robgreenlee, LinkedIn.com, Facebook.com, and X.com
So, yes, I regret the word “Fringe” I used.  But I stand by the broader point that there has been a gap between innovation and adoption in podcasting over the past several years. The good news is that momentum is building, and that gap is starting to close.  That is where the real opportunity is for all of us in this industry.

About the Author
Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots with its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the “New Media Show” and “Spoken Human”, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He’s held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Learn more at RobGreenlee.com and join the Trust Factor Lab Creator/Podcast Services.

Personal note: I used AI tools to help organize this article and hand-edited it; the views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine. I have been working in podcasting and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position. The original word choice was mine, and so is the clarification.