The Journal

Notes on partnerships that actually work.

Strategy

Why niche beats reach: the math of high-intent audiences

A podcast with 4,000 listeners can outperform one with 400,000, if those 4,000 people actually trust the host. Here's the math brands keep missing.

June 2, 2026 · 6 min read

Case Study

Inside a sponsorship deal: what a $40K partnership actually looks like

We pulled apart the structure of a real six-month sponsorship arrangement between a fintech brand and three podcasts in the personal finance category.

June 10, 2026 · 8 min read

Playbook

The four deal structures every partnerships lead should know

Sponsorship, affiliate, equity-for-distribution, and everything else. A field guide to picking the right structure for your stage and budget.

June 17, 2026 · 5 min read

Behind the Scenes

How we vet creators before they ever reach your inbox

Every podcast that gets surfaced to a brand has already been screened for audience quality, category fit, and content risk. Here's what that screen actually checks.

June 24, 2026 · 4 min read

Playbook

Affiliate vs. sponsorship vs. equity-for-distribution: choosing the right model

The deal structure question isn't about which model is best. It's about matching the structure to your stage, your margin, and your risk tolerance.

July 1, 2026 · 5 min read

Strategy

What makes a podcast audience "high-value" to a brand

Download count is the least useful number in the room. Here's what actually predicts whether an audience will respond to your brand.

July 6, 2026 · 6 min read