We break down AI-generated podcast “slop,” Spotify’s leadership shift, and why attention—not downloads—should be the metric brands care about. Fresh Air’s Neil Cowling joins us to explain how branded podcasts create real value, and where video fits in.

• reactions to Jeanine Wright's interview and AI content quality
• risk to advertisers from bots and low retention
• International Podcast Day and the case for open RSS
• Spotify’s co‑CEOs move and DDEX‑based AI disclosures
• YouTube AI features and Riverside prompt editing
• why branded podcasts target niches and measure attention
• funding models for originals and talent partnerships
• the rise of video as a content engine for brands
• SoundStack’s HLS launch, costs, and app support
• research on podcast reach and high‑attention media
• events, awards, and tool updates from Buzzsprout
• X402 micropayments, wallets, splits, and V4V

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Fresh Air's branded podcasts; and Spotify looks to disclose AI use