The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum It's Bari Weiss's World! with Mike Pesca
41 snips
Jan 6, 2026 
Mike Pesca, a journalist and podcaster known for hosting The Gist, delves into the complexities of the creator economy, discussing challenges in discovery and monetization on platforms like Substack. He shares insights about the outrage culture that often propels success and evaluates Bari Weiss's recent controversy with CBS News. Their conversation touches on the evolving media landscape, including debates over diversity and representation, and how statistics can mislead narratives about white millennial men in the industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovery Trumps Tools In Creator Success
- Discovery is the biggest hurdle for independent creators; tools help but can't replace audience access.
- Media martyrdom (claiming big-org firing) is the fastest way to shortcut discovery and attract subscribers.
Most Opinion Substacks Reinforce Beliefs
- Many popular political Substacks simply tell readers what they already believe rather than challenge them.
- Nate Silver is a rare exception because he uses data and surprises readers with neutral analysis.
Design Tiers That Match Your Strengths
- Offer tiered, specific benefits to convert superfans into paid subscribers.
- Make higher tiers scarce, aligned with your skills, and reject requests that don't fit your voice.
