

Chris Best
Co-founder and CEO of Substack, a platform for independent writers and creators. Previously the CTO and co-founder of Kik Interactive.
Top 10 podcasts with Chris Best
Ranked by the Snipd community

350 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 37min
Building Substack: Reinventing Culture through Subscriptions
Chris Best, co-founder and CEO of Substack, shares insights on redefining media through email, a tech from 1971. He discusses Substack's remarkable rise to over 3 million paid subscribers and the shift creators are making from traditional platforms to direct audience connections. The conversation touches on navigating the impact of AI in media, emphasizing the importance of human authenticity. Best reflects on lessons from his previous venture, Kik, and highlights how Substack empowers creators to achieve financial independence and thrive in a changing landscape.

205 snips
May 12, 2025 • 1h 18min
Substack: Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie
Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie, co-founders of Substack, aim to transform the writing landscape by enabling writers to connect directly with their audiences for financial support. They share their hurdles in launching the platform amidst skepticism, while also detailing their evolution from past ventures like Kik. Topics include the balance of creativity and technology, and the cultural shift in media during the COVID-19 pandemic that has empowered numerous independent voices. They also touch on strategic lessons learned and the unexpected nature of entrepreneurship.

94 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 26min
The Substack Playbook: Inside The $650M Platform Rewriting Media, Trust, and Creator Economics | Chris Best & Hamish McKenzie (Co-Founders)
Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie, co-founders of Substack, discuss how their platform empowers independent writers through a subscription model that fosters a direct creator-audience connection. They explore the impact of AI on creativity and contrast their approach with traditional media, highlighting a pivotal clash with Elon Musk that ultimately strengthened their vision. The conversation covers the transformative potential of Substack for diverse content creators and addresses the changing economics of the media landscape.

87 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 48min
What Replaces Twitter? With Noah Smith & Chris Best, CEO of Substack
Chris Best, CEO of Substack, joins to discuss the transformative role of AI in news media. He envisions Substack as a new breaking news hub amidst Twitter's decline. The conversation delves into the rise of independent voices and the impact of AI on content creation, including live blogging. Best addresses the evolving landscape of media platforms like TikTok and explores the geopolitical nuances of U.S.-China relations. He emphasizes the need for strong alliances to navigate global challenges while enhancing American competitiveness.

70 snips
May 16, 2025 • 2h 56min
OpenAI Launches Codex, Meta Delays Llama 4 Behemoth | Matt Grimm, Kevin Weil, Blake Scholl, Tim Fist, Chris Best, Sean Henry
Join tech visionaries Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer at OpenAI, and Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, as they delve into the groundbreaking launch of OpenAI's Codex and its potential for revolutionizing coding. Tim Fist discusses AI infrastructure policies, while Chris Best shares insights on Substack's rise amidst today's media landscape. The discussion highlights the fusion of advanced tech and geopolitics, addressing AI’s impact on various industries and how companies are navigating challenges in innovation and regulation.

22 snips
Apr 13, 2023 • 1h 8min
Is Substack Notes a ‘Twitter clone’? We asked CEO Chris Best.
Chris Best, Co-founder and CEO of Substack, discusses the recent launch of Substack Notes, drawing comparisons to Twitter amidst competitive tensions. He shares insights about the platform's shift from enterprise software to consumer-focused products. Best reflects on the challenges of content moderation, emphasizing a unique subscription model that prioritizes community. Delving into algorithms, he contrasts Substack’s user-centric approach with traditional ad-driven platforms, highlighting the importance of trust and financial transparency in nurturing writers and their audiences.

18 snips
Dec 8, 2020 • 1h 1min
Can Substack CEO Chris Best build a new model for journalism?
Chris Best, Co-founder and CEO of Substack, discusses how his platform is transforming journalism by empowering independent writers to monetize their work through subscriptions. He explains Substack's unique business model, focusing on legal protections and content moderation challenges faced by independent journalists. The conversation touches on the impact of social media on writing and the need for sustainable practices in subscription journalism. Best also shares insights into the future of reader platforms and potential subscription bundles.

17 snips
Apr 13, 2023 • 56min
Inside the Elon-Substack Drama with Chris Best & Hamish McKenzie
Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie, co-founders of Substack, dive into the turmoil surrounding their platform amid Elon Musk's recent criticisms. They clarify the intentions behind Substack Notes, countering the notion it's a Twitter clone. Highlighting the challenges of newsletter monetization versus social media models, they reflect on the impact of their platform's approach to free expression. The duo discusses how current tensions shape the future of content creation, emphasizing Substack's growth and evolving dynamics in the industry.

11 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 49min
The Future of Media with Noah Smith and Chris Best, CEO of Substack
Join economist Noah Smith, who pens insights on economics and technology, and Chris Best, CEO of Substack, in a lively discussion about the future of media. They explore the potential decline of Twitter, the critical features needed in a successor platform, and how AI is reshaping content creation. The conversation touches on the rise of independent voices and real-time news reporting, while also pondering the transformative power of open-source intelligence using platforms like Substack. Dive into the evolving landscape of media and technology!

11 snips
Aug 11, 2022 • 2h 41min
#1855 - Chris Best
Chris Best, the tech entrepreneur and CEO of Substack, shares his insights on the evolution of the media landscape and the empowering role of independent writing. He discusses the complexities of content moderation and the importance of free speech amidst rising censorship. Best highlights Substack's mission to create direct connections between writers and their audiences despite initial skepticism. The conversation explores the intersection of culture and technology, emphasizing the need for diverse voices in combating media chaos.