The Rebooting Show What we learned about media in 2025
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Dec 18, 2025 Sara Fischer, Axios media correspondent, and Lachlan Cartwright, founder of Breaker, delve into the shifting landscape of media in 2025. They discuss the rise of personality-driven journalism and the pressures facing legacy newsrooms amid political and AI challenges. Lachlan shares insights from Breaker's launch and monetization strategies, while Sara emphasizes the importance of team building for sustainable newsletters. They also analyze significant industry deals, workforce unrest, and the evolving role of journalists in today's creator economy.
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Decentralization Is Accelerating
- Brian frames 2025 as a continuing decentralization and partial disintegration of the media ecosystem.
- He links AI, search changes, ad compression, and politics as accelerants of that shift.
Startup Pain Before Product-Market Fit
- Lachlan describes Breaker's brutal early months, sleepless stress, and fear of losing his life savings.
- He says the product took off after four months and now has influential subscribers and strong engagement.
Stakeout Turned Licensing Win
- Lachlan recounts staking out the Sulzberger barbecue and making a cheeky food-review out of it.
- He turned those photos into licensing deals with the New York Post and Drudge, showing creative hustle.