Erik Torenberg sits down with Packy McCormick of the newsletter Not Boring and Not Boring Capital. For many, Packy is the epitome of the single creator-led media empire.Riverside.fm is a presenting sponsor of Media Empires. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/MediaEmpires + use code MEDIAEMPIRES for 20% off individual plans.

In this conversation, they discuss: how Packy evolved his content format, why a venture model is the business he wanted to build, and his plans for experimentation with Not Boring. They also analyze the opportunities for successful media businesses that should exist in the world.

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

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Media Empires is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co

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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:00) Sponsor: https://creators.riverside.fm/MediaEmpires

(03:07) The story and evolution of Not Boring

(07:58) Breaking into venture through media

(09:45) What have you chosen not to do with Not Boring?

(12:11) ProductHunt for fundraise announcements

(16:03) Packy's investing style and how its changed

(20:46) How Packy's content has evolved

(24:40) Content formats to experiment with in the future

(26:29) A museum where you could see what the world is like in 2050

(28:06) Rap Genius for S-1

(30:30) Competing with Crunchbase or PitchBook

(31:44) Not Boring in a universe where Packy didn't start a venture fund

(34:30) If Packy built a tech media company today, how would he do it?

(37:06) Topics in tech media to cover

(39:48) Workweek vs Not Boring approach

(41:07) Would Packy have taken a Workweek offer instead of starting Not Boring?

(42:30) Investing in creators vs startups

(45:08) Exploring other content platforms

(46:21) The future of tech media

(48:26) Is there a book in Not Boring's future?

(50:26) Financing good businesses that are not venture-backable

(52:31) The full-time fan and the idea of fans investing in media businesses

LINKS:

Not Boring: https://www.notboring.co/

TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg

@packym

@notboringco

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