
Tasteland
Creative takes on media, marketing and technology from Daisy Alioto and Francis Zierer. Daisy is the CEO of Dirt Media, a next-generation entertainment brand using emerging technology to tell the coolest stories about culture and collecting. Francis is the editor of Creator Spotlight, a weekly newsletter about creators across the world of newsletters.New episodes every Wednesday.
Latest episodes

Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep. 36: Future Commerce ft. Phillip Jackson and Brian Lange
This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Phillip Jackson and Brian Lange from the Future Commerce podcast. What is the future of art in an AI world? Do we need more friction in our lives? Should AI feel shame?Listen to Future Commerce: https://www.futurecommerce.com/episodes00:00 Introduction to Phil and Brian01:46 Blank launch party05:52 OpenAI’s Studio Ghibli marketing ploy11:45 All that we’re left with is aura19:27 The value of the art is the creator25:00 Losing control of the environment art is observed29:29 Our shitty robot future36:14 An Industrial Revolution for the minds39:23 Online shopping can diminish creativity51:50 The future of mobility is textiles55:28 Cultural change requires calamity01:01:47 Has frictionless gone too far?__ Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Mar 26, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 35: Retro Tech ft. Kori Fuerst
This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Kori Fuerst, co-founder of Retrospekt, a consumer electronics company specialising in reviving retro tech for a new generation.Retrospekt: https://retrospekt.com00:00 Introducing Kori and Restrospekt02:35 Awkward police encounters06:12 Defaulting to the classic08:09 The unique Retrospekt office space11:14 Retro collaborations and IP licensing14:53 Transitioning from hobby to business22:28 Challenges with repairing newer tech23:57 Pop cultures effect on retro tech hype27:05 The rise of digicams and the 2000's aesthetic29:22 Today's future retro tech37:27 Late 80's tech is the most accessible for refurbishment39:43 Dream retro tech collabs45:36 The natural draw to analogue and tactile interfaces51:29 The experience of film photos55:10 Balancing scale and sustainability in retro tech__Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Mar 19, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 34: Fragrance Rich ft. Trey Taylor
This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Trey Taylor, Gen Z consumer expert who has recently pivoted into the world of fragrances and just launched their perfume brand Serviette.Trey Taylor: https://x.com/treytylorServiette: https://serviette.nyc/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOorQMQdp9fVeRd_vV-aXXIsRid3t8o2z9NL0ZZU19-3ZWsdFridM00:00 Introducing Trey and Serviette00:55 The symbiotic relationship between oral and written culture04:00 Serviette launch party09:08 The art and struggle of perfume creation14:07 The monopolization of fragrance22:16 Bartering and trading culture with the fragrance world25:23 The role of contrast in color and scent31:13 Selling a lifestyle: Marketing an aspiration39:10 Taste is defined by perception, not possession45:34 The challenges of online perfume shopping54:45 Using taste to create something valuableOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Mar 12, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 33: On The Fence ft. Charlie Baker
This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Charlie Baker, editor of The Fence, a quarterly print magazine (and weekly newsletter) focused on life in the UK and Ireland.The Fence: https://www.the-fence.comCapital Letter: https://thefencecapitalletter.substack.com/00:00 Introducing Charlie Baker and The Fence01:51 The value exchange of a podcast appearance07:48 The Fence's unique and historic office space13:41 The Capital Letter: London's only newsletter20:52 Cultural exchange between the US and UK is growing23:47 Increasing London pub coverage27:54 London's entrepreneurial energy is rising29:26 Did ye hear mammy died?32:50 Defining the quintessential Fence story36:06 The most important job of an editor41:00 Publishing is an act of optimism47:39 The loneliness of leadershipOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 32: The Dark Mode Shift ft. Edmond Lau
In this conversation, Edmond Lau, a cultural strategist and designer known for his 'luxury memes,' shares insights on the 'dark mode shift'—a term he coined to illustrate societal transitions in digital interaction and emotional complexity. He discusses the evolution of LinkedIn as a networking tool, blending authenticity and technology. Edmond also critiques how the definition of luxury has changed, especially in relation to personal taste and societal values. His unique cultural perspectives from observing New York add depth to the discussion of modern identity.

Feb 26, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 31: Art of the steal
There's no guest this week, which gives Daisy and Francis the chance to discuss why people hate Renoir, the simultaneously growing and eroding types of media literacy, SEO arbitrage, and why we need pay people to build beautiful things.00:00 The five things we did this week02:38 The nuances of art deaccessioning08:48 Why Francis has stopped sports betting11:14 Different types of media literacy and their current state14:36 The need for working-class media24:28 The death of content website investing35:08 Islands and empires in the creator economy38:19 The dynamics of young lonely men44:48 The future of labor in America Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
Ep. 30: Mammalian E-girls ft. Katherine Dee
This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Katherine Dee, a reporter and internet culture writer since 2018. She's here to discuss the evolution of e-girls, their cultural significance, and the changing landscape of media and online identity.Katherine's X: https://x.com/default_friendKatherine's Substack: https://substack.com/@defaultfriend00:00:00 Unique art museum experiences00:04:15 Defining e-girls and their evolution00:10:50 Shifting media forms and declining media literacy00:19:55 The anti-woke movement is an entertainment genre00:27:07 Dolphin accelerationism00:31:00 The ethics of interacting with AI00:39:37 Internet history must always be an oral history00:50:28 The loss of quality local news00:57:41 The normie internet and subterranean internet splitOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Feb 12, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 29: Shelf life ft. Jad Esber
Daisy and Francis are joined by Jad Esber, founder and CEO of Koodos Labs, a product and research company focused on the next generation of the internet. Koodos Labs is the creator of Shelf.Shelf: www.shelf.imJad: https://x.com/Jad_AE00:00 Night Life02:20 Daisy smells like a donut08:33 Inverting the internet's personal data model14:47 Understanding the concept of data gravity19:56 The algorithms influence on interpersonal relationships30:53 Shelf: Your aggregator for taste39:00 The difficulties of tracking physical media consumption44:01 Connecting through shared media consumption50:40 The balance of friction and meaningful engagementOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Feb 5, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 28: Statues of critics ft. Tatum Dooley
Daisy and Francis are joined by art critic, curatorial consultant, and writer Tatum Dooley. She is the founder and editor of the newsletter Art Forecast. They discuss the balance of art and business, the importance of artist-first thinking, and the impact of social media on artistic identity.Art Forecast: https://artforecast.substack.com/00:00 Controversial college mascot rebrand07:23 The spectrum of artistry to entrepreneurship13:30 Rebranding for global recognition16:09 2025 trend predictions in the art world22:26 The power of the studio visit25:46 Balancing mentorship and free consulting30:31 The complexities of royalties in the art market32:26 Demonstrating the artist first approach36:34 Artistic identity and social media44:57 The right way to do criticism Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Jan 29, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 27: Take NOTES ft. Josh Zoerner of Night Gallery
This week features Josh Zoerner, founder of Night Gallery, known for his unique clothing designs and collaborative projects. He dives into the creative process behind the book 'Notes,' which showcases spontaneous iPhone notes. Josh reflects on the emotional ties to music and memory, revealing how nostalgia shapes artistic identity. The conversation also touches on the contrasting creative approaches in fashion and literature, as well as the significance of unique merchandise that carries personal history. Humor and anecdotes enrich their engaging dialogue.