Stay ConnectedEvery Friday media reporter Max Tani and Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith pull back the curtain on the most important stories about media, revealing why you see and hear what you see and hear.
Mixed Signals from Semafor Media is supported by Think with Google.
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Zohran Mamdani, until recently a little-known lawmaker, surprised New Yorkers by winning the Democratic primary for mayor last week. He broke out through vertical video on social media in ways that few political candidates have been able to pull off. This week, Ben and Max talk to the candidate’s media team, Rebecca Katz, founder of the political ad agency Fight, and Morris Katz (no relation), the lead media strategist for the campaign. They get the behind-the-scenes scoop on how viral videos like “Halalflation” came about, why Mamdani’s videos worked, and what future political campaigns can learn from his success.
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Steve Inskeep has one of the most recognizable names and voices in the country, greeting millions of Americans every morning since the 2000s. This week, Ben and Max bring on the Morning Edition host to talk about NPR’s battle with the Trump administration, the role of public radio in an overcrowded media landscape, and why local journalism matters more than ever. They also discuss the conflict in Iran – a place that Steve has been to 6 times as a reporter – and whether Americans are less informed about global politics now than they were at the start of his career.
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The New York Times has weathered incredible changes in the media industry throughout its 174 years – and it’s managed to stay on top through the recent shift to digital, topping podcast charts and becoming a daily app for games and cooking. This week, live from the Cannes Lions festival, Ben and Max are joined by CEO Meredith Kopit Levien to talk about how she keeps the company relevant, where journalism fits into the business, and how they’re navigating challenges like Trump and AI. They also ask her about acquiring The Athletic and Wordle, and what the Times might buy next.
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Cleo Abram left Vox and started her YouTube show, Huge If True, 3 years ago. Since then, the channel has grown to nearly 6 million subscribers and she’s become one of the most important tech journalists in the world. This week, Ben and Max talk to Cleo about why she started an optimistic show in an age of pessimism, the time she got space-sick in zero gravity, and how she navigates conversations with tech titans like Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang.
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The media industry has spent the last decade talking about its own decline — but where is it actually headed? This week on Mixed Signals, Ben kicks off a special three-part crossover with Peter Kafka of Channels and Brian Morrissey of The Rebooting. In part one of the conversation, the three discuss the future of media bundles, why everyone seems to be canceling and re-subscribing to streaming services, and whether Substack’s business model is sustainable. They also talk about selling ads as a solo operator, the false nostalgia for cable, and whether journalism is better — or just lonelier — outside of institutions.
To hear parts two and three of the conversation, head to Channels and The Rebooting.
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Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Top Chef, which is airing its 22nd season finale next week, has been shaping how we think and talk about food for the past 2 decades. This week, Ben and Max talk to Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, longtime judges since the first season, about how the show influenced the restaurant industry, how food media has changed, and why the show has gotten nicer over the years. And – they also share the social media food trends they hate the most.
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Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Adam Friedland represents a new kind of comedian—one who rose up through podcasting and now hosts a late night-style weekly interview show… on YouTube. This week, Ben and Max bring on the comedian to talk about why he’s reviving a 1960s Dick Cavett-style talk show for the Internet, if podcasts have become too dumb, and whether he’s the long anticipated Joe Rogan of the left. They also talk about why he thinks phones are making people weirder, how Trump legitimized podcasting, and his fateful run-in with Swifties.
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Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Christiane Amanpour has been on the front lines of global media since the 80s, while her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin, held top State Department jobs in the Clinton and Biden administrations. Now, with Jamie freshly out of the White House, they’ve come back together to make a podcast. This week, Ben and Max bring on the divorced couple to talk about why they decided to get into the digital media space now, what the role of media is in shaping foreign affairs, and how the information landscape has changed over their careers. They also talk about Jamie’s role in fighting Russian propaganda with the State Department’s Global Engagement Center and Christiane’s thoughts on the relevance of foreign correspondents in the internet age.
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Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Chris Black has gone from managing a pop-punk band to becoming a fashion-world insider, podcast host, and brand consultant for labels like J. Crew and Thom Browne. This week, Ben and Max bring on the How Long Gone co-host to talk about building a cult hit podcast, the surprising comeback of media gatekeepers in 2025, and why he still believes in the power of institutions – including a high-production video version of How Long Gone. Also: his thoughts on Substack fatigue — and what it was like to interview the guitarist of the Smiths.
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For more from Think with Google, check out the article called “How well do you know Google Search?” on ThinkwithGoogle.com
Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Clay Travis started his career with a stunt on his blog involving a pudding strike and NFL streaming rights. From roots in new media, he founded OutKick, a conservative sports and politics site that Fox Corp acquired in 2021. This week, Ben and Max bring on the outspoken media entrepreneur to discuss how sports and conservative politics have become intertwined, how gambling and sports media became intertwined, and how to attract an audience of men. They also ask about his current role as a Fox News personality and his 11 interviews with Donald Trump. Plus, he and Max duke it out over the NBA’s ratings.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from Think with Google, check out the article called “How well do you know Google Search?” on ThinkwithGoogle.com
Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani
If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
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