Mixed Signals from Semafor Media cover art

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Written by: Semafor Podcasts
Listen for free

About this listen

 Every Friday media reporter Max Tani and Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith pull back the curtain on the most important stories about media, revealing why you see and hear what you see and hear. Mixed Signals from Semafor Media is supported by Think with Google.2024 Semafor, Inc Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Undersecretary Sarah Rogers on free speech, Europe’s tech crackdown, and the internet she misses

    Undersecretary Sarah Rogers on free speech, Europe’s tech crackdown, and the internet she misses
    Jan 16 2026
    Sarah Rogers, the State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about free speech, tech regulation, and why she’s been rattling the patience of some European governments. Max and Ben press her on confronting Europe over X, the Digital Services Act, and online speech — including accusations that she’s carrying water for Elon Musk and the far right. Rogers traces her worldview back to the early internet, Gawker comment sections, and First Amendment litigation, and explains why she sees today’s speech rules as potentially dangerous.And, don’t miss this week’s bonus episode of Mixed Signals: Max turns the tables on Ben and brings on Semafor CEO Justin Smith to ask the two about their big media news.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Justin Smith and Ben Smith on Semafor's next chapter

    Justin Smith and Ben Smith on Semafor's next chapter
    Jan 15 2026
    Semafor CEO Justin Smith joins Mixed Signals for a candid discussion about why the digital media company raised $30 million late last year, and how it reached profitability in just three years. Max asks Justin and Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith about the company’s $330 valuation, the company’s planned investment in the Gulf and East Asia, and what it takes to build a modern media company in 2026. Justin and Ben reflect on lessons from earlier eras of digital media, and the triumphs and mistakes Semafor made in its first three years. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com. Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Ryan Lizza on Olivia Nuzzi, RFK Jr, and the Substack-ification of a scandal

    Ryan Lizza on Olivia Nuzzi, RFK Jr, and the Substack-ification of a scandal
    Jan 9 2026
    Media veteran Ryan Lizza joins Mixed Signals for a raw, sprawling conversation about why he chose to publish an eight-part (and counting) Substack series responding to the most personal and public crisis of his career. Max and Ben press him on whether this was ever just a breakup story, why he believes the real scandal involves RFK Jr. and journalistic failures, and how Substack gave him the only viable way to tell the story in the first place. Lizza reflects on leaving Politico, burning bridges with legacy outlets, the cost of going public, and what this episode taught him about our changing media landscape. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com. Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
No reviews yet