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PODCAST

Trapital

Trapital is where technology meets culture. Hear breakdowns on the most important trends in tech, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the moves that shape the rest of society. Learn more

technology

All Episodes

18:45

How TikTok Got Caught in the Trade War

Trapital ·

2025/04/14

Our episode today is a two-parter. I start at the top with my take on TikTok. We then transition to our partner spotlight! Part 1: The April 4 deadline has passed, and there’s still no deal on TikTok. The app got caught in the middle of the U.S. - China trade war and the ongoing tariffs. How will this all play out? Part 2: I’m joined by beatBread’s CEO Peter Sinclair as we discuss the company’s Deal Comparison Tool and how it helps both artists and labels make the best possible decisions. 00:10

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36:13

Inside Spotify’s $10B Payout to the Music Industry

Trapital ·

2025/04/10

It’s Data Week at Trapital and for part 2 in this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Spotify’s economic structure and the platform’s evolving role in the music industry.Spotify’s Head of Marketing & Policy for Music, Sam Duboff joins me as we take insights from the company’s Loud and Clear report, we explore how money flows through the system, what it means for both major and independent artists, and the ongoing conversation around fairness and sustainability. 01:27 Loud and Clear

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32:36

Streaming Growth Slowed Down. What’s Next?

Trapital ·

2025/04/07

It’s Data Week at Trapital! In 2024, music streaming revenue growth slowed down, but not for everyone! MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan joins me to break down the compaby’s annual report and the latest trends. How will the rise of the global south shape the industry? Which sectors of the “indie” market are actually growing? Will expanded rights be the next big thing? 03:18 MIDiA Research’s Recorded Music Report 08:57 Expanded Rights and Fandom 13:06 Independent Music Growth 18:05 Non-Major Labels and

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29:37

Apple Music Turns 10: Is It a Success?

Trapital ·

2025/04/03

Is Apple Music shaping the future of streaming, or is it just playing catch-up?In this episode, we discuss the past ten years of Apple Music, its role in music streaming, and whether it’s more important to the music business than it is to Apple overall. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down the moves that led to this point, the exclusives, its stalled growth in recent years, and how it fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem. 00:15 Drake Announcing Apple Music at WWDC in

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34:24

Reddit: How To Monetize a Marketer’s Goldmine

Trapital ·

2025/03/31

The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread.Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcultures, and how the business has evolved. 02:08 Reddit as a Market Research Tool 04:54 The Power of Community and Moderation 15:29 Will Monetization

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30:49

Do True Moguls Still Exist?

Trapital ·

2025/03/25

In today’s entertainment landscape, with more platforms and formats than ever, do true moguls still exist? If we’re being honest, they may have more power today than ever before. From Lew Wasserman’s Hollywood dominance, to Ted Turner’s cable news empire, to today’s tech titans, we explore how these power players shaped the industry, and who might be next in line. Join me and Web Barr, Founder and CEO of Hi Barr Media. Web recently launched Media Moguls, where he dives deep into Ted Turner’s

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36:24

WhatsApp is a Cultural Force. Will it Make More Money?

Trapital ·

2025/03/17

What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all?In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide.Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “everything app,” how it differs from iMessage and texting, and why Meta has struggled to monetize it despite its massive reach.04:33 WhatsApp's Global

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38:40

Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars...

Trapital ·

2025/03/11

It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? .In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore how artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny are navigating the ever-changing music landscape. What does it take to break through

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32:16

Who is ‘Spotify Music Pro’ Really For?

Trapital ·

2025/02/25

According to Bloomberg, Spotify is exploring a new premium tier, Music Pro, which will include several new features and perks. But given what we know about music streaming, consumers, and record labels, who is this product really for? Will it work?Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano break down all aspects of the industry’s goal to get consumers to pay more for music streaming.05:15 Breaking Down Music Pro07:52 Challenges in Music Streaming15:56 How Concert Presale Tickets Work20:33

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34:33

Meta’s Media Strategy: An On-Again, Off-Again...

Trapital ·

2025/02/17

Every few years, Meta makes a big push with a media-related product, but few of then have lasted long.Instant Articles, Facebook Watch, Instagram Live, podcasts, music videos and more. Why don’t these initiatives stick? Is this similar with most social media platforms that try new things? How will this evolve in the future?Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we discuss Meta, its suite of apps, and why these initiatives come and go.04:32 Entertainment vs. Social Platforms12:29 Meta’s

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34:31

The Biggest Surprises in Streaming

Trapital ·

2025/02/10

The most streamed song on Spotify from the 1980s is not from Queen, Michael Jackson, Prince, or Madonna. The most streamed Spotify song from the 2000s is not from Eminem, Usher, Beyonce, or Kanye West.The streaming data is full of unique takeaways about what people really listen to.Join me and Zack O'Malley Greenburg as we delve deep into Spotify and YouTube data, unraveling the surprises and the complex layers of music consumption.04:10 Queen vs. Michael Jackson07:23 The Rise of 'Mr

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36:26

Disney’s Pop Star Pipeline

Trapital ·

2025/02/03

When it comes to music, Disney is a generational hitmaker. From Miley Cyrus to Hilary Duff, Disney has consistently produced some of the biggest names in music over the past few decades. We break down what worked well, what hasn’t, and how it has evolved with artists like Olivia Rodrigo.Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we dive in Disney’s enduring influence in the music industry.02:00 The Pop Star Pipeline05:16 The Eras of Disney’s Pop Stars09:04 Why Nickelodeon Doesn’t Have a

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25:14

What’s Next for TikTok?

Trapital ·

2025/01/27

Join me and Billboard’s Kristin Robinson as we break down everything from the political context up to creator reactions to TikTok’s Shutdown.9:11 Stalled Antitrust Efforts14:12 How Creators Reacted to the Ban16:05 TikTok's Role for Creators25:12 Predictions on TikTok OwnershipThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your

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36:35

How the Podcast Mega Deals Evolved

Trapital ·

2025/01/21

In the podcasting world, audio quality used to be king. Today, however, video elements have become increasingly essential. As platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts continue to shift their strategies, the landscape of audio content is changing faster than ever.Join me and Ashley Carman of Bloomberg News as we break down everything about the podcast business, the current state of podcast deals, and paid podcasting and subscription models.08:48 Video's Impact on Podcasting12:44

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33:39

How YouTube Became Every Company’s Competition

Trapital ·

2025/01/13

YouTube turns 20 this year, and it’s influence continues to grow. In music, video, podcasts, advertising, entertainment, attention, and more. It’s in a unique role, where plenty of companies compete with YouTube, but few compete with it on all levels. But what does the future look like? Despite its edge, what are the challenges ahead?Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano to break it all down.08:45 Video Podcasting Trends11:56 YouTube Premium20:52 Paying for Ad-Free Experience29:42

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34:20

Spotify’s Road to $100B and Profitability

Trapital ·

2025/01/06

Spotify went from a $14 billion market cap in 2022 to crossing $100 billion toward the end of 2024. A lot has changed in two years, but there’s more to the story than just the past 24 months. Join me and Sleepwell Capital, an investor, to break down Spotify’s journey to profitability. Hope you enjoy!04:59 Spotify vs Big Tech DSPs10:16 Spotify's growth signifies change in music distribution.14:26 Netflix comparisons21:44 YouTube vs Spotify28:19 Is Spotify's PE ratio too high?32:31 Major

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30:15

Winners and Losers of 2024: Part 2

Trapital ·

2024/12/24

Here’s Part 2 of the winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label with Zack O’ Malley Greenburg. We talked about the shifting terrain of the music industry, down to the decline of festival headliners and the emergence of “Peak Superstar”. Hope you enjoy!02:00 Live music - winners and losers08:22 M&A - winners and losers24:38 Comeback players of the year28:13 Honorable mentions

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36:00

Winners and Losers of 2024: Part 1

Trapital ·

2024/12/24

Here are our winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label. Part 2 coming in a few days. Hear me and Zack O’ Malley Greenburg break it all down!00:00 Streaming - winners and losers15:23 Artist - winners and losers26:00 Record Label - winners and losersListen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!

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29:04

What Superfans Really Want with SoundCloud CEO Eliah...

Trapital ·

2024/12/19

Here’s my fireside chat with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud, from our Trapital Summit. We talked about the company’s sale process, how it became profitable, SoundCloud as a platform for tastemakers, and more. Hope you enjoy!06:25 Connecting music creators and fans07:48 How SoundCloud became profitable13:30 Adding value for superfans20:24 Helping smaller artists monetize and engage fans25:26 The latest on the sale process29:42 AI and artist autonomy will alter music

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27:27

The State of Hip-Hop with Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun -...

Trapital ·

2024/12/16

Here’s my fireside chat with Tunji Balogun, Chairman and CEO of Def Jam, and our Trapital Summit. We talked about the evolving landscape of Universal Music Group, fluidity of music genres, the state of hip-hop, and the role of artist development. Hope you enjoy!04:31 Def Jam's evolution11:32 Hip-hop’s current state and influence across genres20:29 Artist development28:11 Afrobeats' global rise.This episode was brought to you by music creation platform Splice.

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