Podcasting’s Multi-Format Future | Sharon Taylor #659

Podcasting is entering a new phase, and this episode goes straight into the infrastructure, business models, and platform shifts shaping what comes next.

On episode 659 of The New Media Show, Host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee shares the microphone with Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital (Spreaker & Omny Studio), for a deep conversation about where the podcasting market is heading right now.

Sharon brings years of experience from Omny Studio, Triton Digital, and Spreaker, making her one of the best people to help unpack what is changing across hosting, monetization, video, AI, advertiser demand, and measurement.

We talk through why podcasting is not simply becoming video-first, even as video becomes a bigger part of how shows are discovered and monetized.

Sharon makes a strong case that audio remains at the center of the medium, but the future is clearly becoming more multi-format. That means creators, publishers, and platforms need to think differently about how they distribute content, measure audience behavior, and build sustainable business models for both audio and video.

A big part of this conversation focuses on Triton Digital’s role in the market today and why its combination of Omny Studio, Spreaker, and broader ad tech infrastructure makes it an important player in podcasting’s next chapter.

Sharon explains the unique roots of Omny Studio as a platform built for large-scale broadcast and enterprise publishing needs, while Spreaker helped pioneer early podcast programmatic monetization for creators. That combination gives Triton a unique perspective on both professional publishing and creator-driven growth.

We also spend time on Apple’s HLS video move and what it may mean for podcasting’s future. Sharon shares how Triton had already been preparing for a broader video environment and why Apple’s support for HLS is such a meaningful shift.

We discuss how HLS could improve flexibility around delivery, ad insertion, and measurement, while still raising important questions about RSS, open distribution, and whether major platforms may slowly pull podcasting into more platform-specific publishing models over time.

Another major topic in this episode is trust.

From programmatic advertising to AI-generated content to labeling and transparency, Sharon and I explore how podcasting can continue to grow without losing the authentic connection that made the medium valuable in the first place.

We both agree that podcasting still has enormous strength as an audio-led medium, but the industry is now balancing openness, innovation, and monetization in ways that will define the next few years.

This is a wide-ranging and important discussion for anyone watching the evolution of podcasting, video, ad tech, platform power, and the future of open media.

Topics covered

– Why Triton Digital matters in podcasting right now
– Sharon Taylor’s path from Omny Studio to Triton CRO
– What Triton is seeing in audio versus video audience behavior
– Why podcasting is becoming multi-format, not simply video-first
– How Omny Studio and Spreaker fit different parts of the publishing market
– What Apple’s HLS video move changes for publishers and hosting platforms
– Why advertiser confidence and better measurement matter more than ever
– The future of RSS, open podcasting, and platform fragmentation
– How AI-generated content is affecting publishing growth and industry trust
– Where Sharon sees the next big opportunities for podcast growth

Guest

Sharon Taylor is the Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital. She was appointed to the CRO role in August 2025 after helping lead Triton’s podcast and content delivery efforts. Before joining Triton, Sharon was CEO of Omny Studio and played a key role in building it into one of the leading enterprise podcast platforms before its acquisition by Triton Digital.

Triton Digital: https://www.tritondigital.com/
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/
Omny Studio: https://omnystudio.com/

Host

Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer, Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame, and leader behind Trust Factor Lab and Trust Creators Community at M3Linked.

New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/
Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/
Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/
Trust Creators Community: https://m3linked.com/

Supporters:

Get a $10 StreamYard Video Recording and Live Streaming tool Discount using this LINK – https://streamyard.com/pal/c/5606177711325184

Podcasting pros use Podpage – Build a podcast or video show website that updates itself and showcases your show beautifully. Start for just $12/month! –>podpage.com?via=adore

Can Fiction Story Podcasts Survive Video Push | Lauren Shippen #652

New Media Show #652 with Rob Greenlee and Lauren Shippen

On Episode 652 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee shares a screen with Lauren Shippen, Creative Director at Atypical Artists, to tackle a growing tension in creator media around audio fiction, which is thriving as a storytelling format but is being pressure-tested by the industry’s video-first discovery push.

Fiction podcasts did not stop working. What changed is how platforms signal value, how audiences discover new shows, and how creators feel forced to look video-ready to compete.

The real question for fiction creators in 2026 is not “How do I force my story into video?” It is “How do I protect the magic of audio storytelling while adding the right discovery layers for today’s platforms?”

Lauren shares what fiction creators often misunderstand about sustainability, what typically breaks first when the story stalls, and where video helps, hurts, or becomes unrealistic.

Rob lays out a practical framework for separating audio as the product from video as the discovery layer, plus realistic tiers of visual strategy that will not turn your show into a second production company.

Quick answers for creators

What is the episode about
A practical conversation about protecting audio fiction storytelling while adapting to video-driven discovery across platforms in 2026.

Should fiction podcasts become video podcasts to grow
Not automatically. The strategy is to keep audio as the core product and use video selectively as a discovery layer when it improves reach without breaking the production model.

What is the biggest mistake fiction creators make
Trying to solve growth with promotion before fixing story retention fundamentals like onboarding, pacing, cadence, and season design.

How should fiction shows think about video?
As budget tiers. Start with lightweight discovery assets and only move toward full narrative adaptation if the economics and workflow support it.

Topics we cover

– Why fiction creators feel pulled between story-first goals and video-first platform expectations
– The top growth inputs fiction creators still control, even when platforms shift
– Story architecture that drives retention before promotion pacing, onboarding, cadence, and season design
– Video pressure: what is real, what is hype, and what creators should ignore
– Audio only vs video for fiction when format helps and when it hurts
– Budget tiers for video lightweight discovery assets vs full narrative adaptation
– Trailers as conversion assets and how to build a simple start here listener path
– Why human recommendations still beat algorithm chasing for story shows
Community reality checks what to prove before building Discord or fan spaces
– Where AI helps scripted storytelling workflows, and where it can damage authorship and trust
– A practical 30-day growth plan for fiction podcasters

Chapters:

00:00 Story Versus Screen
01:41 Meet Lauren Shippen
03:22 What Counts As Podcast
06:00 Video As Discovery
08:18 Netflix Podcast Strategy
15:30 Monetization And Paywalls
19:48 Apple Video Feed Tension
22:36 Always On Audio Fiction
27:47 Audience Growth Beyond Podcasts
32:50 AI Slop Versus Art
40:21 Sports Analogy For AI
42:38 Why AI Lacks Heart
43:31 Gaming and Interactive Futures
45:03 If Everyone Can Generate It
47:10 The Internet Shapes AI Adoption
48:45 Podcasting as Human Story
51:14 Blurring Fiction and Truth
54:01 Atypical Artist Slate Tour
57:17 Making Shows Work Economically
01:03:54 Producing and Adapting Workflow
01:06:04 Origin Story Bright Sessions
01:10:21 New Projects and Immersive Marketing
01:14:14 Serial Model and Journalism Worries
01:15:38 Fiction Podcast Evolution
01:17:22 Wrap Up and Next Episode Tease

Featured projects mentioned

The Bright Sessions
Rebel Robin
2000 and Late
Breaker Whiskey

Resource Links:

Host: Rob Greenlee [https://robgreenlee.com]
The New Media Show [https://newmediashow.com/]
Adore Network [https://AdoreNetwork.com]
Podcast Hall of Fame [https://PodcastHall.com]
Rob on YouTube [https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee]
Rob on LinkedIn [https://LinkedIn.com/in/robgreenlee]

Guest: Lauren Shippen [https://www.laurenshippen.com/]
Atypical Artists [https://www.atypicalartists.co/]

Book Rob Calendly [https://calendly.com/robgreenlee]

How AI-Created Podcasts Impacting Humans? | Jeanine Wright #650

AI-generated podcast hosts and shows are rapidly changing podcasting, video podcasting, and the creator economy across all distribution platforms, including AI LLMs.

In this episode of The New Media Show Live #650 from Feb 4th, 2026, Host Rob Greenlee, CEO/Founder of Trust Factor Lab, explores how AI-generated podcasts affect people, trust, and the future of media with Jeanine Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Inception Point AI.

Jeanine Wright will help us better understand what Inception Point AI is building and why AI-generated personalities are different from human-created podcasts and AI-assisted editing tools.

This conversation is designed to help podcasters, creators, media executives, and advertisers understand AI-generated podcast content without fear. It will be a clear, accurate discussion about how synthetic hosts work, how audiences respond emotionally, and what the next 12 to 24 months may look like as AI improves.

As humans seem to be rejecting AI-generated content, its human consumption is growing and quality is rapidly improving.

Key topics covered in this 60-minute conversation
-AI-generated podcast hosts and synthetic media explained in plain language
-How AI personalities are created using story plus technology
-How listeners build trust and emotional attachment with AI voices
-Disclosure and transparency for AI-generated content
-Authenticity and credibility in AI-created podcasts versus human-created podcasts
-Ethics, consent, voice, likeness, and IP issues in synthetic media
-Brand safety, advertising readiness, and monetization for AI-hosted shows
-Platform discovery and distribution when AI content volume explodes
-What human creators should do now to stay differentiated and future-proof?
-Practical strategies for building trust and growth in 2026 and beyond

Who this episode is for
-Podcast creators and video creators
-Media companies, podcast networks, and platform teams
-Advertisers and brand safety leaders
-Listeners curious about AI-generated content and the future of podcasting

Watch live at YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee and join the conversation
Watch On-Demand/Podcast Audio and Video Versions at https://newmediashow.com 

Guest
Jeanine Wright, Inception Point AI
https://www.inceptionpoint.ai

Host
Rob Greenlee
https://robgreenlee.com
https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee
https://www.youtube.com/@spokenhuman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee
https://www.instagram.com/robwgreenlee
https://x.com/robgreenlee
https://AdoreNetwork.com
https://PodcastHall.com

00:00 Introduction to the New Media Show
00:55 Guest Introduction: Janine Wright
01:42 Addressing AI Controversies
05:18 AI’s Impact on Jobs and Content Quality
13:36 Exploring AI-Generated Content
14:41 AI Personalities and Content Creation
22:42 Future of AI in Content Creation
31:32 Transparency and Ethical Considerations
43:25 Human Creators in an AI-Driven World
46:40 Exploring Swap Farms and Bot Traffic
47:28 The Evolution of Podcast Quality
50:45 AI in Video Content Creation
52:20 Digital Clones and Ethical Considerations
56:50 AI Personalities and Content Creation
01:04:19 The Future of AI in Podcasting
01:23:09 Advertiser Reactions and Industry Impact
01:25:43 Final Thoughts and Future Conversations

What Actually Grows a Podcast or Show Now? | Jordan Harbinger #649

New Media Show #649 - Guest Jordan Harbringer and Host Rob GreenleeThis week in episode 649 of the New Media Show, Rob Greenlee is joined by Jordan Harbinger to unpack the question creators ask nonstop in 2026:

What actually grows a podcast or show (and what doesn’t)?

– Jordan’s core answer is refreshingly “boring,” but real: long-term consistency, and realistic expectations about how long monetization can take—even for shows that eventually become huge.

From there, the conversation expands into the bigger shift happening right now:

– Audio podcasts increasingly competing (and collaborating) with video ecosystems especially YouTube where the “rules” and algorithmic expectations are fundamentally different from audio distribution.

They also dig into platform strategy and brand-fit tension like whether “talk show” style content truly belongs on Netflix, and why creators may face tough tradeoffs when platforms want exclusivity that can limit reach elsewhere.

After Jordan wraps and leaves the show, Rob closes with a rapid-fire, ranked set of growth plays emphasizing that none are magic bullets, but together they form a practical menu you can test based on your format and audience:

– Short-form clips (done well) to reach different audiences while recognizing shorts viewers don’t always convert to long-form listeners/viewers.

– Guest/social amplification that’s genuinely value-add (not generic promo spam).

– Niche community, value-first posting built around knowing exactly who your show serves.

– Owned audience via email/newsletter + even a WhatsApp group concept.

– AI clip volume + testing (alternate cuts, tighter versions, experimentation).

– Structured cross-promos / feed drops with comparable shows and fair “impressions”-style thinking.

– Video distribution expansion including Spotify video (if Spotify makes changes) as another potential growth surface—and the emerging “start audio, finish video” behavior across devices.

Guest: Jordan Harbinger
Website: https://www.jordanharbinger.com
Podcast: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanHarbinger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanharbinger/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharbinger
X: https://x.com/jordanharbinger

Host: Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links
Rob Greenlee Websitehttps://robgreenlee.com/
New Media Show (Audio & Video) – https://newmediashow.com/
New Media Show Audio (Apple Podcasts) – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649
Rob Greenlee on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee
Podfest Expo – https://podfestexpo.comhttps://podcasthall.com

Digital Creator 2026 Money Playbook | Ralph Estep Jr. #647

The New Media Show Episode 647 Live on Jan 21st, 20026 at 6pm ET.

Show Topic: Digital Creator 2026 Money Playbook

Content Creator’s Business and Financial Strategies are moving faster than ever with video, audio podcasting, AI tools, and nonstop platform changes, but many are still running the business side like a hobby.

New Media Show #647The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee is joined live by Ralph Estep Jr, licensed accountant and host of The Content Creators Accountant, to break down the simple money systems creators need to turn creator chaos into calm financial clarity. If you earn from YouTube AdSense, brand deals and UGC, affiliate income, memberships and subscriptions, courses, coaching, digital products, or PayPal and Stripe payouts, this episode is built for you.

Topics we cover:

– How to separate business money from personal without overcomplicating it
– How to track income across multiple platforms without headaches
– How to set aside taxes automatically even in uneven months
– How to make smarter gear decisions without wrecking cash flow
– How to build simple repeatable financial systems that creators can follow
– What to focus on in 2026 to run a real creator business that lasts
– 2026 Podcast Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Jan 16th, 2026

Watch Live and Subscribe:

New Media Show Website – https://newmediashow.com
Rob Greenlee Website – https://robgreenlee.com
Rob Greenlee YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee
Podcast Hall of Fame – https://podcasthall.com
Adore Creator Network – https://AdoreNetwork.com
Passion Struck Network – https://PassionStruckNetwork.com
Rob Greenlee LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee
Book Rob Greenlee – https://calendly.com/robgreenlee

Ralph Estep Jr Links:
Content Creators Accountant Website and free resources https://contentcreatorsaccountant.com
The Content Creators Accountant Podcast https://contentcreatorsaccountant.com/podcast

What’s a Podcast Era Is Over – Welcome Liquid Content Era #645

New Media Show with Rob Greenlee and Cliff Ravenscraft #645This week (December 17th, 2025) on episode #645 of The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee host is joined by longtime podcasting pioneer and returning guest co-host Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man, for a wide-ranging and timely conversation about where podcasting has been and where it’s heading next.

The episode opens with a reflection on the long-running industry debate around the definition of a podcast and why that question has resurfaced so often over the last few years. Rob and Cliff explore how audience behavior has quietly moved ahead of industry debates, shifting consumption toward a mix of audio, video, livestreams, and platforms like YouTube, often without waiting for permission or consensus.

Cliff shares the full story behind his return to the Podcast Answer Man brand after stepping away years ago, including why he left, what he focused on during his time away, and what changes in the podcasting and creator landscape made this the right moment to come back. He reflects on two decades in podcasting, helping tens of thousands of creators launch shows, and why many creators today feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice around video, algorithms, and monetization.

Rob introduces the concept of podcasting’s evolving eras, beginning with the often-forgotten “Zero Era” where audio and video podcasting coexisted early on, followed by the MeUndies era, the experimentation and acquisition boom, and the more recent identity-crisis phase defined by the question “What is a podcast?”

Together, Rob and Cliff discuss why the industry may now be entering what’s being called the Liquid Content Era, where shows are no longer confined to a single format and content flows across feeds, platforms, and experiences.

The conversation digs into the tension between creator intent and audience convenience, the role of RSS in a changing ecosystem, and the risks of letting algorithms dictate creative decisions.

Cliff offers a counterbalance to the pressure many creators feel to be everywhere at once, emphasizing that audio-only podcasting can still succeed when aligned with clear goals, sustainable workflows, and meaningful audience relationships.

The episode also explores production quality, evolving audio standards, video integration challenges, international podcast growth, and why podcasting remains a powerful global medium despite constant claims that it’s “over” or “dead.”

This episode is both a reality check and a recalibration, encouraging creators to stop defending definitions, focus on serving audiences, and choose formats intentionally rather than reactively.

Join the conversation in comments, and be part of the discussion about what podcasting really means now and what it can become next.

Rob Greenlee
Rob Greenlee Website
https://RobGreenlee.com
New Media Show for Audio and Video RSS feeds
https://NewMediaShow.com
Adore Podcast Network
https://AdoreNetwork.com
Adore Creator Community on Skool
https://Skool.com/AdoreNetwork
Podcast Hall of Fame
https://PodcastHall.com
https://YouTube.com/@OfficialPodcastHallofFame
The Pro Creator Playbook with Rob Greenlee
Audio podcast
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-audio/
Video show
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-video/
Spoken Life Show
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/spoken-life-show/
Spoken Human show on YouTube
https://YouTube.com/@spokenhuman
Rob Greenlee YouTube channel
https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee

Cliff Ravenscraft
https://CliffRavenscraft.com
https://PodcastAnswerMan.com

Rebooting the Show: Video, AI and Revenue #643

New Media Show with Rob Greenlee and Rob WalchIn this episode, we relaunch the New Media Show #643 with special guest Rob Walsh, VP of Libsyn.

After a difficult last few months following the passing of longtime friend and co-host Todd Cochrane, The New Media Show officially returns with a fresh format and a familiar voice. In this reboot episode, we again talk candidly about the process of bringing the show back, honoring Todd’s legacy, and where the podcasting industry is really headed in 2025 and beyond.

Rob Greenlee and Rob Walch dig into the renewed 2026 Podcast Hall of Fame, why hosting it at Podfest Expo matters, and how this year’s inductee class reflects both the early pioneers and today’s global voices.

They unpack what advertisers are actually buying right now, why mid sized loyal shows often outperform the “big names,” and how the shift from demographic targeting to psychographic and genre based buying is changing deals for creators at every level.

The conversation also explores the rise of private communities and paid video ecosystems on platforms like Substack and Uscreen, plus the relaunch of NewMediaShow.com with a fully restored archive of nearly 600 past episodes.

From YouTube and Spotify’s “top podcast” charts to Apple’s long running audio ecosystem, the two Robs wrestle with a core question: what truly counts as a podcast in an era where many YouTube only shows get labeled as such.

They contrast audio first and video first strategies, debate download versus HLS streaming, and talk through how measurement, attribution, and IAB revenue reports reveal a still under valued ad market relative to radio and other media.

Finally, they tackle the current wave of AI generated ads and shows, including legal requirements around disclosure and why so much AI content still feels soulless, even as tools get faster and more powerful.

Whether you are an indie creator, a network executive, or someone who has followed The New Media Show for years, this reboot episode sets the tone for a new chapter that stays true to the show’s roots while leaning hard into the realities of today’s business of podcasting.

Rob Greenlee

Rob Greenlee website
https://RobGreenlee.com
New Media Show for Audio and Video RSS feeds
https://NewMediaShow.com
Adore Creator Network and shows hub
https://AdoreNetwork.com
Adore Creator Community on Skool
https://Skool.com/AdoreNetwork
Podcast Hall of Fame
https://PodcastHall.com
https://YouTube.com/@OfficialPodcastHallofFame
The Pro Creator Playbook with Rob Greenlee
Audio podcast
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-audio/
Video show
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-video/
Spoken Life Show
https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/spoken-life-show/
Spoken Human show on YouTube
https://YouTube.com/@spokenhuman
Rob Greenlee YouTube channel
https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee

Rob Walch

Libsyn podcast hosting and network
https://libsyn.com
Podcast411 with Rob Walch
https://podcast411.com