Jordan and Sam reconnect to discuss recent updates in their lives and their return to the show. Highlights include Jordan buying an apartment in New York City and Sam working on big projects for Usher. They discuss the evolving role of AI in the creator economy and the impact of Rolling Stone's 25 Most Influential Creators of 2025 list. They also delve into a new media funding platform, Waterfall, that promises to shake up traditional film and TV funding models by offering fans and investors more power. The episode concludes with a discussion on how AI will shape content creation and what it means for the authenticity of creators.

00:00 Reunion and Catching Up

00:54 Big Life Updates

01:51 The Evolving Creator Economy

02:46 Rolling Stone's Influential Creators of 2025

11:44 Waterfall: A New Era in Film and TV

16:02 AI's Impact on the Creator Economy

28:41 Conclusion and Future Plans

Jordan and Sam delve into Publicis's recent $150 million acquisition of Captivate, an influencer marketing company known for its extensive creator network and advancements in affiliate marketing technology. Their discussion highlights the shifting landscape of ad spending, as revenue increasingly moves from traditional formats to user-generated content platforms, accelerating the growth of the creator economy. They also examine strategic moves by major brands, such as MLB, which signal a broader trend of investments in this space. Additionally, the conversation explores how traditional media can stay competitive by collaborating directly with individual creators, reflecting on the opportunities and challenges this evolution presents.

00:00 Morning Catch-Up

00:13 Weekend Adventures

01:06 Exciting Industry News

01:45 Publicis' Strategic Moves

03:58 The Future of Advertising

08:39 MLB's Strategic Investment

08:52 The Rise of Creator Platforms

10:01 Traditional Media's Response

In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of media with a focus on short form content and the economics behind it. Hosts discuss the rise in revenue from YouTube Shorts, new platforms like TTIKR, and the impact of podcasting giant PodX acquiring Lemonada. Discover how creators are navigating these changes, monetizing content, and the implications for the future of digital media. Plus, insights on the importance of repurposing long-form content into shorts and the potential of superfan platforms.

00:00 The Evolution of Short Form Content

00:25 Catching Up

01:47 Diving into Recent Industry News

02:03 YouTube Shorts Revenue Milestone

03:15 Strategies for Creators: Long Form vs. Short Form

08:41 TTIKR: A New Creator-First Platform

09:43 Discussion on TTIKR Potential Impact

17:00 Podcast Industry Insights and Acquisitions

18:44 Celebrity-Driven Podcasts vs. Emerging Talent

23:31 Closing Thoughts