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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

38:27

Inside Grammy Week: Galas, Deal Rooms, and “The Two...

Trapital ·

2026/02/04

We just came back from the 68th Grammy Awards. I am joined by Tati Cirisano of MIDiA Research break down what it’s actually like to the experience the Grammys up close from industry events and late-night conversations to crossing paths with artists, executives, and power players shaping the music business. We unpack standout performances, unexpected moments, and how attending the show in person is different from watching at home.CHAPTERS 01:43 Bad Bunny’s Big Night 05:11 The Grammys In

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18:59

Can YouTube Have It All?

Trapital ·

2026/01/23

YouTube is the biggest TV, music, and video platform in the world, but it’s not satisfied. The company still wants to compete for the dollars that go to traditional TV. But can YouTube have it all?In this episode, we examine YouTube’s push into the living room, from securing the NFL Sunday Ticket to becoming the exclusive home of the Oscars starting in 2029. But as YouTube chases TV legitimacy and higher profit margins, it faces a core tension: how can it get there without losing the

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22:58

The Rise of Reels: Meta’s $50B Ad Machine

Trapital ·

2026/01/15

Meta’s short-form video surface, Reels, now generates $50 billion in annual run rate. That’s more than some of the largest media companies like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube’s ad business.Reels may be less culturally relevant than those companies, and its users spend less time on the platform than others, but it prints money and shows no signs of slowing down. This episode explores how Meta’s infrastructure made Reels one of the most successful monetization plays in modern tech and what could

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35:18

Music is a $47 Billion Industry. Why Isn’t It Bigger?

Trapital ·

2025/12/23

In this episode, we sit down with Will Page, economist and author of Pivot, for a deep dive on the global economics of music. Using Will’s latest Global Value of Music Copyright Report, we explore streaming economics, global market gaps, AI, and where the music industry’s next phase of growth may come from.CHAPTERS 02:45 Global Value of Music: 10 Years in Review 11:24 Emerging Music Markets 13:37 Africa’s Music Economy 18:11 Brazil’s Music Market 21:12 The Crocodile Smile 33:18 AI and

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25:53

Polymarket and Kalshi: Financial Tools or Casinos?

Trapital ·

2025/12/12

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi have had a big year in 2025, but what are they really? Securities? Derivatives? Sportsbooks? They may be all of the above.Listen to my breakdown on how these markets have evolved over time, and what led to their current rise today. We then dive into the opportunities, risks, and the regulatory challenges that may shape their future. CHAPTERS 02:54 The Origin of Prediction Markets 06:43 Polymarket, Kalshi, and Modern Prediction Markets 09:16

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51:02

How MTV Lost Its Way

Trapital ·

2025/12/05

People say they miss when MTV played music videos, but their viewing habits say otherwise!We revisited one of our most popular episodes from 2023, but trimmed it down to include the best parts. I’m joined by Zack O’Malley Greenburg to unpack MTV’s rise from a scrappy video platform to a cultural powerhouse. We break down breakthrough moments like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, the rise of reality TV, the networks influence, rise, fall, and what’s next? CHAPTERS 01:04 The Birth of MTV 04:45

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15:45

Five Bold Predictions: Netflix and Spotify,...

Trapital ·

2025/11/20

We continue our Trapital Summit series with Dan and MiDIA Research’s Tati Cirisano sharing bold predictions from Trapital Summit attendees and sharing their thoughts.We debate the long-term viability of major record labels, whether a Netflix + Spotify merger make sense (we recorded this before the podcast partnership!), we also discussed whether we’ll return to mass mainstream monoculture, future growth opportunities, and which new opportunities will be unlocked by AI-powered

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38:08

What's a Grammy Worth? New Voters, New Winners, and...

Trapital ·

2025/11/13

This episode is in partnership and collaboration with our friends at The Recording AcademyYou’ll hear our deep dive on what we can learn from this years Grammys with our usual analysis and a few select guests including: Panos Panay (President of The Recording Academy), Tati Cirisano (MIDiA Research), Zack O’Malley Greenburg, author and investor. We discuss the biggest takeaways from the 2026 nominations, the rise of international music, how the voting body has evolved, and the economic lift of a

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25:52

Building Businesses Around Artists with Firebird...

Trapital ·

2025/11/06

At our Trapital Summit, Nathan Hubbard joined me in stage to discuss Firebird Music’s investment thesis, working with Yungblud, and the business of Taylor Swift.CHAPTERS 04:06 Firebird’s Mission 06:46 Yungblud’s Case Study 14:16 Investing in Management Companies 21:03 Finding New Talent 23:34 Is Taylor Swift the Best CEO in Music? SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. Splice: Learn more about Splice’s brand new virtual INSTRUMENT LINKS &

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25:41

Investing in Music Rights with Shamrock Capital’s...

Trapital ·

2025/10/30

We continue our Trapital Summit series with Jason Sklar, a partner at Shamrock Capital, to explore music rights as an asset class, as well as gaming, film, and more. We discuss Shamrock’s perspective, market trends, valuation approaches, the role of AI, and cross-industry opportunities.02:27 State of Music Rights Investing 09:37 Shamrock’s Investment Approach 16:01 AI, Gaming, and Music 19:39 Why Investing in Film is a B2B Business 20:13 What’s Next for Catalog Deals This episode is

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28:04

Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez on AI’s Future in Music

Trapital ·

2025/10/23

We continued our Trapital Summit series with our talk with Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. AI is rapidly transforming how music is created, distributed, and experienced. You’ll hear them unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping this new era of sound. From redefining creativity to fostering trust between artists and technology, we explore how collaboration, ethics, and innovation can drive a more equitable and inspiring future for the music industry.03:36 AI

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27:45

Steve Pamon on How to Create Moments That Matter

Trapital ·

2025/10/16

At the Trapital Summit, we were joined by the CEO of VERZUZ, Steve Pamon. His career is all about turning events into big moments, from his time at McKinsey, HBO, NFL, WWE, IMAX, and more. We discussed how major shows scale into franchises, covering team execution, fan value, storytelling, and lessons from Beyoncé, Roger Goodell, and more.03:50 Story and Execution in Live Events 09:49 Music Industry Challenges 16:23 WWE and IMAX Takeaways 24:02 What’s Next for Verzuz This episode is

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23:11

Andreea Gleeson on TuneCore’s Next Chapter

Trapital ·

2025/10/09

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series with TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson. You’ll hear her and Billboard’s Taylor Mims discuss how TuneCore empowers artists worldwide, how indie artists break through the noise, successes, challenges, and more.03:48 Wins and Milestones 09:55 Superfans Opportunities 12:57 Future Tools for TuneCore Artists 15:33 Indie Artist Trends This episode is brought to you by beatBread a music funding platform that empowers independent artists to access advances

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23:54

Kakul Srivastava on Why Splice Acquired Spitfire Audio

Trapital ·

2025/10/02

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series. In this episode, we’re with Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, to discuss how technology is reshaping music. From Splice’s acquisition of Spitfire Audio to the rise of AI-powered tools, we explore innovation, M&A lessons learned, and more.03:51 Acquiring Spitfire Audio 10:24 Product and Data-Driven Growth 16:47 Royalty-Free Tradeoffs 20:22 Future of AI This episode is brought to you by Splice, a cloud-based music creation platform offering

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23:37

Oliver Schusser on Apple’s Strategy in Music, AI’s...

Trapital ·

2025/09/25

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Oliver Schusser, VP of Apple Music and International Content, to explore Apple’s journey in music. We dive into the state of music streaming, AI ‘s impact , and Apple’s partnerships in sports and live content.02:46 From iTunes to Apple Music 01:39 Focusing on Music 08:41 Apple Music Growth and Subscribers 11:40 AI 14:49 Halftime Show, MLB, MLS and more This episode is presented by

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20:01

Elliot Grainge on Atlantic’s Future, AI, and Selling...

Trapital ·

2025/09/18

We’re kicking off our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group.This was Elliot’s first public talk since becoming CEO in October 2024. We discuss his response to the fanfare around the Warner Music Group transition, Elliot’s experience selling 10K Projects, and adapting the 10K playbook for superstars like Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. We dig into Elliot’s view on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of

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42:33

Trapital Summit Recap: Venue Surprise, Highlights,...

Trapital ·

2025/09/15

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of last week’s second annual Trapital Summit. Listen to me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research break down what went into the event. From the NeueHouse bankruptcy to speaker selection, key moments, feedback from guests, curating the right room, and plenty more. 01:13 A Last-Minute Surprise 09:40 Curating the Room 12:05 Programming Decisions 25:45 AI and Industry Trends 36:43 2026 Summit Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

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9:38

How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth?

Trapital ·

2025/08/29

Our Trapital Summit is Wednesday, September 10 in Los Angeles! Get your tickets here.Today's mini-episode is a breakdown on The Weeknd's $1 billion music rights financing goals and whether it is worth that massive price tag. I also share a few words on the late Peter Sinclair, CEO and co-founder of beatBread. How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth? - Trapital Trapital Summit 2025

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17:52

Have Record Labels Turned Into Private Equity Firms?

Trapital ·

2025/08/07

Trapital Summit is on Sep 10 in LA. Join us! Get your tickets here.The major record labels are adapting for the modern era. Lately, that shift has them looking less like RCA and more like KKR. These companies have invested less in signing new artists and more in acquiring the legendary back catalog of music. With streaming driving steady royalties, the music rights of proven hits are valuable. Music companies have teamed up with private equity firms to cash in. I also break down how this changes

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19:13

The Business Behind Iconic Music Catalogs

Trapital ·

2025/07/30

In this solo episode, we dive into the most valuable music catalogs in the world, and what makes them stand out. From Queen and Michael Jackson’s deals and more, we explore why the top catalogs fetch massive multiples and how they operate at unique financial and cultural assets.03:19 Iconic Catalogs 07:07 Music Biopics 08:32 How Genres Imoact Catalog Value 13:07 Future of Music Rights Trapital Summit is on Wednesday September 10 in LA. Join us! This episode is presented by State Farm, the

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304 results

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