The Anycast with Matt Levine

Full episode launches on April 24

In Case You Missed It… Christoph Grasser, an audio virtuoso with a diverse background in engineering, music, and production, takes center stage to share his remarkable journey with us. From blending rock and metal concerts to orchestrating German Schlager stars' tours, Chris's career path is as eclectic as it is inspiring. Now leading the strategy at Alphonic, a cutting-edge audio post-production tool, Chris reveals how his passion for sound and desire for change aligned perfectly with the company's mission. His transition from a podcast lurker to a key player in the podcasting world is a tale of serendipity and ambition, as he now crafts an innovative toolbox for content creators seeking pristine audio. In this engaging conversation, Chris unveils his intrinsic motivation to elevate audio standards and his role in shaping Alphonic's strategic direction. We uncover the meticulous attention he brings from his days behind the soundboard and how that experience fuels his drive to perfect the auditory experience for content creators worldwide. Chris' story is one that resonates with anyone who believes in the power of sound to captivate and communicate. Tune in to glean insights from a seasoned audio engineer who knows how to make every note sing and every word resonate.     Auphonic.com Christoph Grasser on LinkedIn Pryne.org Pryne Band on Instagram theanycast.com/s2e9

Matt Levine sits down with Christoph Grasser, an audio engineer, musician, producer, and the head of strategy for Auphonic, an all-in-one audio post-production web tool. They discuss why finding a loyal niche audience is more valuable than chasing viral success, how to not let technical barriers kill your ideas, why most people still prefer audio podcasts, and how AI will make content creation more accessible. Chris starts by sharing his journey from supporting artists behind the scenes to becoming the head of strategy at Auphonic. Matt and Chris discuss why cleaning up audio is so satisfying. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment in taking raw, imperfect recordings and transforming them into something clear and professional. Chris’s #1 pet peeve in podcasting: poorly produced audio due to lack of effort. It’s not about having the most expensive gear—it’s about caring enough to make an effort. Chris explains why he gets frustrated when he hears podcasts with bad audio quality. The myth of the dying audio engineer—why AI and automation won’t replace them. Some people think that with AI tools, human audio engineers will become obsolete. Chris disagrees, explaining why technology can assist but not replace the ear, skill, and creative touch of a trained audio professional. Why most podcasters just want simplicity and getting content out matters more than perfection. Too many people with valuable stories never start a podcast because the technology seems overwhelming. Chris believes the real goal should be removing these barriers so that everyone can get their message out. Chris and Matt discuss the power of podcasting and why it’s one of the few art forms where creative independence still thrives. Unlike traditional media, podcasting doesn’t require approval from gatekeepers. Matt and Chris discuss how this freedom allows creators to experiment, find their voice, and connect with their audiences. Understand that not every podcast will blow up, and that’s okay. Your goal as a podcaster should be finding and serving your core fans who love what you do. Most podcasts won’t go viral, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t successful. Matt and Chris share how finding a loyal niche audience is often more valuable than trying to appeal to the masses. Chris on the unique element of podcasting: Unlike other media, podcasting creates an intimate connection between the speaker and the listener. This personal touch is what makes podcasts so powerful and enduring. In a world of AI-generated content and social media noise, people crave real, human interactions. Chris believes that the most successful podcasts in the future will be the ones that build genuine relationships with their audiences. Chris highlights why video podcasting is blowing up in the U.S. but still trailing in Europe. Learn how AI and better tools will lower the barrier to entry, making content creation easier than ever. Chris reveals what a new generation of podcast listeners wants, and how podcasters can serve younger audiences who are used to consuming content in quick, bite-sized clips. Why skill doesn’t equal popularity when it comes to podcasting—Matt and Chris share their thoughts on why some of the most talented creators go unnoticed, while others with less skill thrive. Success in the creative space is often more about marketing, timing, and audience connection than pure ability. The real reason top podcasts succeed. It’s not content quality, it’s marketing. Many of the biggest podcasts don’t have the best production or most insightful discussions. Chris explains how branding, consistency, and visibility often matter more than raw content quality. According to Matt, people don’t care if a YouTube video is in 4K or 1080p, but they do care if it’s blurry and unwatchable. Chris shares his thoughts on why the most extreme voices attract the biggest audiences. In today’s media landscape, anger and controversy generate more engagement than thoughtful discussion. Chris’s trick for getting the right answers online—just post the wrong answer. How AI is viewed differently in the U.S. vs. Europe. AI in podcasting: a tool or shortcut? AI can be a powerful assistant, but Chris believes using it to remove all effort from content creation leads to soulless, uninspired work. He believes effort and struggle are key parts of creativity. Chris’s advice for launching an audio career: Put yourself out there. No amount of theory or training can replace real-world experience.     Mentioned in This Episode: Auphonic.com Christoph Grasser on LinkedIn Pryne.org Pryne Band on Instagram theanycast.com/s2e9

Full episode launches on April 3

In Case You Missed It… Erica Mandy, the pioneering force behind The NewsWorthy podcast, joins us for a riveting conversation on her transformation from a traditional TV news reporter to a leading voice in podcasting. Erica opens up about her motivation to create a platform that offers news in a way that informs without inducing anxiety, setting herself apart with a warm, relatable delivery. She takes us through her journey of embracing podcasting's flexibility, revealing how this medium empowers her to deliver impactful content while navigating the complexities of building a business in a rapidly changing industry. Erica's story is a powerful testament to the potential of following one's passion in the evolving landscape of media. As we continue the discussion, Erica shares her insights on changing trends in news consumption and the exciting opportunities that podcasting presents. Her experience highlights the challenges and successes of innovating in a space where larger players are making their mark. With her unique perspective, Erica sheds light on the future of media consumption, offering listeners a refreshing alternative to conventional news. This episode promises to keep you engaged with Erica's inspiring journey and thoughtful observations on how news can be delivered with both impact and ease.     TheNewsWorthy.com The NewsWorthy on Instagram EricaMandy.com theanycast.com/s2e8

Matt Levine talks with Erica Mandy, Founder and Host of The NewsWorthy, an award-winning daily news podcast. They discuss Erica’s bold leap from TV news reporting to podcasting and why she felt compelled to create a more accessible, less anxiety-inducing way for people to stay informed. She shares the challenges of starting and growing a news podcast, how she curates engaging yet unbiased content, and the lessons she’s learned from releasing over 1,000 episodes. Erica starts by explaining why she left TV news for podcasting. She wanted to create a better way for people to stay informed—one that didn’t rely on anxiety-inducing breaking news alerts or require hours of daily commitment. Why was podcasting the perfect fit? Unlike TV or print, podcasts let people listen on their own time—during a commute, while cooking, or even at the gym—making news more accessible. Erica shares how she overcame the fear of competition. She acknowledges that new podcasters often worry about competition, but she believes multiple voices can coexist, each bringing something unique to the table. Matt breaks down the biggest myth in entrepreneurship. People think an idea is the most valuable asset in a business, but in reality, execution determines success. Even a world-changing idea is worthless without action. Erica and Matt discuss what it’s like to be underestimated. She opens up about being doubted throughout the first months of launching a podcast and how she turned skepticism into motivation to succeed. Matt and Erica discuss the role of AI in podcasting. AI can streamline parts of the podcasting process, but it’s still just a tool, not a replacement for human creativity. Why AI isn’t ready to replace human storytelling. Erica believes AI can assist with production, but it lacks the depth, nuance, and emotional intelligence needed to create engaging content from scratch. The secret to making a podcast feel personal – listeners connect with hosts who feel and sound real. For Erica, a successful show isn’t just about downloads. It’s about engagement. Erica prioritizes interacting with listeners, gathering feedback, and making them feel heard. Erica breaks down the news curation process—how she picks what to cover – With so much happening daily, her key filter is: Does this story impact my listener? If it doesn’t, it’s not worth including. Erica’s goal isn’t just to update people—it’s to offer multiple perspectives, avoid bias, and ensure the news feels trustworthy. Erica and Matt discuss the challenge of capturing attention without clickbait. While sensationalism dominates the media, Erica believes you can be engaging without sacrificing integrity. Matt and Erica agree that extreme voices dominate social media. Algorithms reward outrage. Controversy keeps people engaged—even if they disagree—so the loudest, most divisive figures often rise to the top. Matt argues that media companies rely on polarizing pundits because conflict drives engagement, making society more divided than ever. News fatigue is real—two-thirds of Americans are burned out by news. Constant negativity has made many people disengage from current events. Looking back on 1,000+ episodes, Erica reflects on how her show has changed over time and what she’s learned since episode one. Why practicing in private matters – Before launching publicly, Erica sought feedback from close friends and family. Testing and refining early on gave her the confidence to succeed. Erica shares the reality of running a podcast as a business. The theory of starting a show is exciting, but actually growing and sustaining a podcast brand is a different challenge altogether. Why a little naivety can be helpful in business. If you knew everything before starting, you might be too afraid to take the leap. Erica believes that sometimes, blind optimism can be a good thing. The U.S. leads in entrepreneurship—until age 31, when rates drop sharply. According to Matt, a key reason could be that that’s when most people have kids, making risk-taking harder. The power of delegation—learning to let go. Every hire takes over a job you once did. Letting go of control can be tough, but it’s crucial for growth. Understand that hiring is not a cost—it’s an investment. Erica’s parenting advice—research, but trust your gut: No amount of reading can fully prepare you. Whether it’s raising a child or running a business, sometimes you just have to trust yourself.     Mentioned in This Episode: TheNewsWorthy.com The NewsWorthy on Instagram EricaMandy.com theanycast.com/s2e8

Full episode launches on March 13

In Case You Missed It… Chris Penn, the pioneering mind behind TrustInsights.ai and a leading figure in AI analytics, shares his captivating journey through the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. From his early days in IT to his groundbreaking work with machine learning and generative AI, Chris offers a wealth of insights that illuminate the rapid advancements and future potential of AI technology. His firsthand experiences with transformative models like the GPT-J6B and insights on generative AI's promising trajectory make this a must-listen for anyone eager to understand AI's burgeoning role in our world. Join us as Chris paints an intriguing picture of where we stand in the technological timeline, emphasizing that despite decades of foundational technology, we are merely scratching the surface of AI's potential. With major players like Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI shaping the landscape, Chris explores the exciting possibilities and challenges that lie ahead. He candidly addresses the complexities and untapped power of AI, urging listeners to grasp its capabilities and future implications. For those looking to stay ahead in the tech world, his thoughts on this unfolding story of artificial intelligence are invaluable.     Christopher Penn on LinkedIn TrustInsights.ai theanycast.com/s2e7

Matt Levine sits down with Christopher Penn, the Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist at TrustInsights.ai. They discuss why we’re underusing AI, the biases holding us back, and how to embrace AI’s strengths for practical applications. Christopher shares insights on AI's role in content creation, the future of AGI, and how creatives can stay ahead in an AI-driven world. Chris starts by explaining why AI is here to stay. Even if the major players like OpenAI disappear, AI's capabilities will remain a core part of our future. Matt and Chris discuss how people can learn to overcome AI skepticism. Matt explains that the fear of AI making mistakes is what’s holding us back. Learn how to adopt a mindset that embraces its strengths over its imperfections. Chris highlights the real reason we’re underusing generative AI today. What makes AI adoption challenging? Matt explains how humans expect perfection from AI despite it just being “better” than us in many areas. He explains how embracing "better" over "perfect" can unlock AI’s potential. Matt and Chris agree that public skepticism grows because of how AI's mistakes are magnified by the media. You never hire full-time employees for something unimportant. You always hire for the critically important things. According to Chris, the one thing that will elevate AI in society is humans learning to use it beyond simple tasks like writing blogs. Chris shares practical ways generative AI can be leveraged in healthcare, education, and societal planning. Chris’s view on why we’re far from AGI. Despite fears about sentient AI, Chris explains that quantum computing is not yet ready for the challenge. Regression AI is an excellent tool for transforming complex data into actionable insights. However, Chris warns about its limits in unpredictable scenarios like elections. Understand that every profession that has humans working in it has human biases. Learn how AI-generated data can improve training models. Chris explains that initial machine-generated data is cleaner and less biased than much of the internet. What biases mean for AI training data. Chris and Matt discuss how AI consuming its own generated content can create feedback loops. Chris reveals why the current tools for detecting AI-generated content are unreliable. The skills you need to protect your career in the AI age. Matt and Chris cover what creatives and podcasters can do to stay relevant and get the most out of generative AI. While AI content isn’t Pulitzer-worthy, Matt notes it’s good enough for low-quality tasks. Humans are bad at rapid change, but are very good at gradual change. Chris’s advice for practical AI implementation: Every profession has biases, and AI reflects them. Learn how to use AI thoughtfully while addressing inherent human prejudices. Matt explains that expecting AI to be perfect misses the point—it’s meant to amplify, not replace, human ability. Adopting this view lets you leverage AI more effectively. The surprising power of classification AI. For Chris, this form of AI organizes massive datasets, making it invaluable for industries overwhelmed by information.     Mentioned in This Episode: Christopher Penn on LinkedIn TrustInsights.ai theanycast.com/s2e7

Full episode launches on February 20