Helen Havlak, the Publisher of The Verge, joins Nilay Patel to discuss the recent launch of their subscription model. They dive into the pricing strategy and the complexities of ad-free podcasts. The conversation emphasizes the challenges facing journalism today, including the need for transparency and maintaining journalistic integrity while balancing revenue sources. They also explore the evolution of podcast advertising and the behind-the-scenes process involved, all while acknowledging listener feedback and plans for engaging the audience in the future.