521. I’m Your Biggest Fan!

Podcasting started as a niche-nerd pursuit. Now it’s a $9 billion industry. Is that a lot? The strange economics of this thing we do. SOURCES:Jim Bankoff, chairman and C.E.O. of Vox Media.Ben Davis, head of digital at WME.Will Page, former chief economist at Spotify and author of ...  Show more

An economist calls America’s beef industry a “miracle.” An antitrust scholar calls it “broken.” Maybe they’re both right? SOURCES:Austin Frerick, agriculture antitrust expert, fellow at Yale University, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry ...  Show more

Zoe Strimpel reflects on the 'commercial exploitation' of fandom. From Swiftie 'friendship bracelets' to beauty products and sportswear, she argues that you can no longer be a true superfan, or a true popstar, without the merch. 'But it is striking,' writes Zoe, 'that rather than ...  Show more

The girlies talk stan culture and come for all your faves. From the Directioners of the mid-2010s to Nicki Minaj's digital paramilitary, fandom has pushed the bounds of internet friendship, devotion, and doxxing. Digressions include a brief review of Jennette McCurdy's memoir, wh ...  Show more

When you think of fangirls, what comes to mind: large swaths of fandom (usually for a boyband) whose feelings culminate in tears and joyful screams? Perhaps you grimace or roll your eyes at the thought. In this fun, lively talk, playwright Yve Blake asks us to reevaluate our reac ...  Show more

Sierra Schultzzie, Riayn Christina, and Paloma Malfavon discuss how it’s cool to care about the things you love (whether it be concerts or sports)! As they declare their undying love for David Archuleta, we delve deeper into the differences & similarities between the arts & sport ...  Show more