The Inside Track with Michael Wildes

This episode explores one of the most profound shifts happening in marketing and media today — the collapse of traditional vanity metrics like likes, views, and impressions, and the rise of trust as the defining measure of influence.The discussion begins by unpacking the saturation of the digital world — endless content, AI-generated posts, and consumer fatigue leading to widespread skepticism. Audiences are overloaded, advertisers are frustrated, and the old playbook of counting followers or

YouTube just ate television—and it’s still hungry. In this episode, we unpack how the world’s largest video platform quietly became the most powerful media network on Earth. What started as cat videos and vlogs has evolved into a $100 billion creator economy—one that’s now rewriting the rules of sports, entertainment, and storytelling itself. You’ll hear how YouTube’s payout model is shifting wealth from studios to individuals, how creators like MrBeast, Dhar Mann, and Kinigra Deon are building

This podcast first existed as a newsletter. Read it here. When 27-year-old Shayne Coplan sold his belongings to pay rent, no one imagined he’d one day be sitting across from the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange, closing a $9 billion deal. But that’s exactly what happened when ICE—the parent company of the NYSE—invested $2 billion into his company, Polymarket. In this episode, we unpack the real story behind Coplan’s rise—from FBI raids and regulatory shutdowns to becoming the youngest self-made

This podcast first existed as a newsletter. Read it here. More Americans need multiple jobs just to stay afloat. What used to be a “side hustle” has quietly become a second paycheck, a safety net, and for millions—a way to survive when one full-time income no longer covers the basics. In this episode, we break down how the old social contract—one job, one income, one safety net—has unraveled. We look at the data behind the shift, from rising 1099 filings to falling wage security, and hear the

Welcome to the Inside Track. My Name is Michael Wildes, Founder and CEO of Drive Phase Holding Co. I’m producing The Inside Track because I’m fascinated by how the world around us is shifting: how people work, live, and build the future. It's also the flagship show for Drive Phase. Drive Phase is a permanent‑capital firm dedicated to building the next generation of enduring companies across five core sectors—Business, Aviation, Media, and Philanthropy. Rather than buying and flipping assets,