Tag: Interview

Creators and Experts Talk the Future of Podcasting at Spotify’s All Ears Summit in Berlin

May 6, 2022

graphic image that says the conference name "all ears" in big font

What can we learn from podcast analytics? What’s the future of podcasts? What are podcasts doing to drive change? These are just a few of the questions addressed yesterday at Spotify’s All Ears Summit in Berlin, Germany. Creators, producers, publishers, advertisers, and more convened for a conference to talk about the local and global podcast market.

The daylong summit had something for everyone. Fans had the opportunity to hear interviews from popular podcast producers and hosts like Sarah Koenig (Serial), Ira Glass (This American Life), and Tommi Schmitt (Gemischtes Hack). 

  • “I think for the kind of work I do, which is being a journalist, people have to believe that I am telling them what I know to the best of my knowledge. They have to trust me that I’ve done my homework as a reporter. . . . They have to trust you, that you’ve done your job well. That is huge for the kind of work I do.” – Sarah Koenig

In ‘Looking for Esther’ One Woman Searches for Answers to Her Past

April 25, 2022

the cover art for the podcast looking for esther

Esther Robertson wasn’t born an “Esther.” In fact, the Scottish woman had three different names before she was three years old. This is just one of the unusual circumstances surrounding Esther’s adoption—and readoption—in the 1960s. Now, in a new Spotify Original podcast, Looking for Esther, she’s ready to discover the truth about her past.

The idea for the series was born out of Spotify’s 2019 Sound Up program, in which Esther was a participant. During the intensive, weeklong U.K. program, Spotify provides education, mentorship, and support to train the next generation of underrepresented voices in podcasting. Esther used this time to polish the idea for her podcast, learn from other successful podcasters, and even acquire hands-on experience with the equipment that would help bring her voice to life.

Over the last two years, Esther and Gayle Anderson, the series writer, executive producer, and Esther’s partner, have been on a search for the answers that make up Esther’s past. What they found is detailed in the eight-episode series. “What a journey it’s been working with Esther Robertson on bringing her remarkable story to life,” shared Natalie Tulloch, Sound Up Global Lead. “Our longstanding Sound Up program is all about supporting underrepresented voices in podcasting—whether in front of or behind the mic. We are so excited that the world finally gets to listen to her remarkable story.”

For the Record had the opportunity to chat with Esther about her personal journey and the challenges she faced along the way.

What prompted you to embark on this journey to discover more about your past?

A cancer diagnosis in 2018. I was told that I had stage four ovarian cancer. It was a huge shock and it gave me time to reflect on my life. I found I had a few regrets and one of my biggest regrets was not finding my birth mother. I’d made a few attempts to trace her over the years, but every time I tried, it opened up another can of worms. I suppose I was too afraid to follow it through. But this time it was different. The way I see it is, if you can face up to cancer, you can face up to pretty much anything. I’m currently in remission, by the way, and loving life.

Considering how much time had elapsed since your adoption, what challenges did you face as you searched for answers?

I had a bag full of old social work notes that I’d been given when I was in my early twenties and pretty much nothing else. I didn’t even have any pictures of me as a baby and I still don’t. Gayle and I had to basically become private investigators to try to piece the jigsaw together. This was made even more challenging as a lot of it was done during COVID restrictions. We contacted the social work department, the Church of Scotland, the Moving Image Archive of the National Library of Scotland, and hundreds of other people and organisations. I reconnected, too, with my siblings, the Robertsons, and also my Uncle Eddie Lindenberg. They were all really helpful and were able to shed light on a lot of things—but not by any means everything. 

a school photo of esther robertson at the age of 11 or 12What made you want to document your story in a podcast format?

Because I feel that it’s a very powerful medium and this is a very powerful story. The immediacy of it would allow listeners to join me on my journey, share my happiness and my disappointments along the way. They’d get a sense of the urgency of this real-time search for my mum. I’m a huge podcast fan and listen to hundreds of them. I was working on an outline for a podcast series for my story when I happened to read a tweet about Sound Up U.K. in 2019. The rest, as they say, is history!

The series writer and executive producer is your partner, Gayle Anderson. What was it like working on this project with someone you’re so close with? 

I’m not going to lie, we both found it extremely challenging at times. We’ve been together over 13 years. Getting through the cancer diagnosis and treatment had made our relationship stronger, but we did need to draw on those reserves to get us through making the podcast series. To keep it real and demonstrate just how much stress we were under, we even use a phone conversation of one of our rows in an episode. I’d accidentally recorded and we just decided to put it in. We’re totally fine now, of course, and we have zero regrets about doing it. We’re both very, very proud of what we’ve managed to produce. 

What advice do you have for anyone else who’s been in a similar situation and feels they either don’t belong or have unknowns about their past?

My advice would be, don’t be afraid to face up to the truth. It’s better to know than not to know. A sense of identity is vital. Without it, life can feel so rootless, so transient. Be yourself and speak your truth. And remember, it’s never too late to begin your journey.  

If you could rewrite the adoption or foster care systems, what are some of the changes you would make to help kids today have easier access to their histories? 

Huge changes have already been made. We talk to social workers in the podcast to find out if what happened to me in Scotland in the early 1960s could happen now, and we’re pleased to report that it definitely couldn’t. There’s a whole system of checks and balances to ensure that everyone understands the child’s circumstances and identifies the right solution for them. If that’s adoption then that’s absolutely great, but prospective adopters now require a real understanding of the impact adoption might have on a child. The preparation prospective adopters go through is really thorough. These days, many adopted children also receive “later life letters.” These are written by social workers to a child who’s being adopted to help the child make sense of their past. But they’re kept and read later in the child’s life when they’re old enough to process it all. What a wonderful idea! 

esther robertson as a flower girlCan you tell us about your experience with the Sound Up program? What part of it did you find the most valuable?

It was a week of intense podcast boot camp—but I loved it. My cohort was full of creative, talented, and super supportive women. There was a real feeling of camaraderie. Hearing their personal stories and listening to their pitches was incredibly inspiring. 

Learning to pitch was invaluable. Things like, how to get your idea across clearly and concisely, how to make it stand out, and how to make it memorable. We received lots of advice on this from established podcasters such as Tolly T from The Receipts and Chantelle Miller from the Island Girls Rock Podcast. How to use the Zoom H5 recording equipment that was supplied was incredibly important too—we recorded all of Looking For Esther on it. I left the week exhausted but with renewed confidence and determination to make Looking For Esther happen.

Now that you’ve wrapped this podcast, what are you looking forward to working on next?

First of all, this has been super emotional so I’m planning a looooooong break. Gayle and I are off to Turkey for six whole weeks in early June. We can’t wait. I’m hoping that my next project could be to trace my birth father. All I know is that he was an African American Air Force man called Bob Hubbard who was based in Scotland in 1960-1961. I do a shout-out for information on the podcast and I’m hoping it leads somewhere. I still very much need to find out about my paternal heritage.

 

Join Esther on her journey by streaming the first episode of her podcast below:

‘Sounds Like A Cult’ Podcast Gets Its Own Fervent Following as It Rises in the Charts

February 24, 2022

With more than 3.2 million podcasts on Spotify, it’s impossible for listeners to know every show that drops. Fortunately for fans, our Podcast Editorial team is here to help. They follow the trends, listen to new episodes, and determine what shows should be recommended to Spotify users across a variety of genres. By highlighting different shows and topics—such as true crime—the team gives podcast creators a way to build new audiences while helping listeners discover a new binge.

So when Sounds Like A Cult was placed in the coveted spot on Spotify’s main podcast page, it was thus propelled into the earbuds of new listeners.

Cohosted by Isa Medina and Amanda Montell, Sounds Like A Cult offers a humorous take on the true crime genre as each episode examines modern-day “cults.” From cheerleading to astrology, they analyze what it is about the topics, people, and companies that results in such a loyal fanbase. And it seems that the creators struck a chord with listeners because their show soon made its way onto Spotify’s Top 50 charts and even ranked in the top 10 in the Comedy category. 

Fans have been craving more from Isa and Amanda, so Spotify worked with the duo to create a new curated playlist called The “Cults” We All Follow. The collection features some of their favorite episodes across a variety of podcasts, giving listeners who love Sounds Like A Cult new shows to check out. For the Record recently spoke with the hosts to learn more.

What gave you the idea for this podcast?

The podcast initially stemmed from Amanda’s book Cultish. There were so many fascinating “cults” from pop culture and the zeitgeist that didn’t make it into the book, and we wanted to explore them in a fun and conversational, but still insightful, way. We were inspired by the juicy-meets-bantery format of “cult-followed” podcasts like My Favorite Murder and Be There In Five, so Isa’s hilarity combined with Amanda’s nerdiness felt like the perfect way to cover the “cults” we all follow!

When it comes to the people and things who are at the center of these “cult” groups, are there any shared characteristics or qualities that lend themselves to this level of fan worship?

You can’t earnestly compare the “cults” of Trader Joe’s (which happens to be our favorite cult that we’ve covered) and The Bachelor franchise to flat earthers and multilevel marketing schemers, but that’s why we have our three cult categories—Live Your Life, Watch Your Back, and Get the F*ck Out—which we use to classify the “cult” of the week at the end of every episode. 

As a broad generalization, though, what these different groups offer is the promise of belonging, ritual, and meaning, which are fundamental human drives that a lot of us find ourselves sorely lacking during this turbulent time in history. Some groups mostly deliver on their promises, but some become powerful by way of deception and exploitation. We genuinely hope these conversations make people feel better equipped to engage in life’s “cultiness” the healthy way. That’s why our sign-off at the end of every episode says, “Stay culty . . . but not too culty!”

How has working with Spotify helped you broaden your audience reach?

Spotify is the perfect platform for us. The core Spotify listener seems savvy and curious, and that’s exactly the type of listener who vibes with our show. We would not be where we are today without Spotify’s support. Almost 90% of our listenership comes from Spotify.

How was having your podcast featured on Spotify’s “True Crime Scene” section on the main podcast page impactful?

The Spotify true crime feature was vital for us. True crime fans are always thirsting for new pods, but it’s becoming harder to find ones that add something new to the mix—not to mention, in these tough cultural times, we don’t always want to listen to a pod that’s going to make us feel worse! We basically made this show for Spotify’s true crime listener demo, and Spotify’s audiences really trust their playlists, so getting that exposure was like lightning in a bottle for us.

After the Spotify feature, we saw a significant uptick in streams and shares on social media. Appearing in this section seems to have caused a word-of-mouth snowball effect, and we’re so grateful for it.

What are some ways you’ve seen success with the podcast? 

Sounds Like A Cult wound up on Spotify’s Top 50 charts (and Top 10 in the Comedy category), and after gaining some traction, we were able to sign with the podcast network All Things Comedy to receive production help and actually start earning revenue from the pod! Up until a couple weeks ago, we just made the whole thing on our own in our bedrooms for free. We’ve also seen a flood of new followers engaging with us on social media. Our listeners are so engaged, constantly messaging us and recommending episode topics.

You recently announced that the podcast is moving to a weekly format. What factored into the decision to release episodes more frequently?

The least we can do for our supportive listeners (or “culties,” as we call them) is to use these new resources to deliver the show weekly! Our team agrees it’s also just better for the growth of the podcast not to have long mid-season breaks. Consistency is everything.

Can you tell us about the curated playlist you made for Spotify? What podcasts made the list?

We wanted to curate a diverse mix of episodes from shows that you might not think of as “cult” podcasts but that comment on the cultiness and scaminess in various corners of everyday life in a smart, entertaining way.

 

All you “culties” out there, are you ready for more? Check out what shows made it onto Isa and Amanda’s The “Cults” We All Follow playlist.

 

Filipino Boy Band SB19 Brings P-pop to the World With Their New EP

July 21, 2021

Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, the five members of Filipino boy band SB19, are leading the Philippine-style pop movement known as P-pop with lively hits and coordinated dance moves. The band has seen increased popularity around the globe from 2020, when they joined RADAR, our emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the world, to 2021, when they were nominated for a Billboard Music Award. 

With Spotify’s RADAR support, SB19 has found new listeners in markets like the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, and Australia to add to their ever-growing fan base. The popularity of SB19’s music is representative of a love for the genre of Filipino pop music. There’s a growing appreciation and pride for local Filipino music, and Spotify’s Tatak Pinoy playlist has more than 1.3 million followers, with streams continuing to increase year over year. 

Now, SB19 is ready to take the world by storm with their latest EP, Pagsibol. “Pagsibol,” a Filipino word that translates to “germination” in English, celebrates the band’s journey in the music industry. It’s representative of how seeds grow into plants, or germinate. The EP’s tracks symbolize SB19’s beginnings—their roots. 

To celebrate Pagsibol through audio and visual art, Spotify and SB19 collaborated with six Filipino visual artists to bring the EP to life on jeepneys—the iconic Pinoy mode of public transportation. Each jeepney’s design is inspired by a track from Pagsibol. Fans can also look forward to exclusive SB19 content on Spotify’s Tatak Pinoy playlist. 

For the Record chatted with SB19 to learn more about their new EP and the creative process that went into recording it.

What can fans expect from Pagsibol?

SB19: Listeners will get to witness a more bare SB19 as we share our humble beginnings and how we persevere through hardships. Fans will get a glimpse of our paths and what we went through. We consider this EP to be very meaningful as everything is from us: the conceptualization, the creative process, everything in this product. Even though this is our “Ikalawang Yugto” or “Second Chapter,” we regard this as our brand-new start as artists. Also in this EP we offer different types of music to cater to various listeners. We hope to inspire and reach a bigger audience with Pagsibol.

What are the lyrical themes that you’ve tackled in the EP? 

SB19: Since the EP is about our beginnings, the themes we’ve incorporated are everything that got us to where we are right now. We first introduced “What?” as an empowerment song. This was followed by “MAPA,” which is a song for people who have been there with us since the start—our parents. There’s also “SLMT,” which is a play on the Filipino word “salamat” that means “thank you.” This song is dedicated to our fans, who we are eternally grateful for. Each single tackles different subjects, but they all still stay true to the theme of our origination. 

How does the group work together creatively? 

SB19: We are very hands-on with all our art. We make sure that what we release is genuine. The creative direction is mostly by Justin, and then we as a group conceptualize and find our common ground. Pablo will start on the formulation of our songs and we collaborate from there. Since this whole creative process is tedious, we make sure to support each other, hear everyone’s suggestions, and make it an easygoing and cooperative environment. 

What advice would you give fellow Filipino artists and bands looking to make their presence more global? What do you see for the future of P-pop?

SB19: Just YOLO! Find your strength and love what you do. Put your mind and soul in it. You’ll be successful in no time. We see P-pop as another strength for our country to show the world what we are capable of. 

Stream SB19’s new EP, Pagsibol, below.

Panamanian Artist Boza Brings His Local Sounds to the Global Stage With RADAR

June 22, 2021

Panamanian artist Boza is making waves far beyond his geographical roots, and as the latest artist to join Spotify’s RADAR roster in the United States, his rise may very well continue.

The singer-songwriter is the newest RADAR artist in the U.S., but he’s no stranger to the program, which spotlights emerging talent from around the globe. In 2020, Boza was chosen as the first March RADAR artist of the month for the Central America and Caribbean region. Listeners quickly gravitated toward his music, and his success in the program is what led him to be picked as a 2021 RADAR artist for the U.S. region. Boza’s tracks can be found on over 80 Spotify playlists and he has nearly 12 million monthly listeners. Fans particularly love his song “Hecha Pa’ Mi,” which has racked up more than 330 million streams. On his debut album, Mas Negro Que Rojo, listeners will find sounds that follow a mix of dancehall, reggaetón, R&B, and more.

“Over the last two years we have witnessed Boza develop one of the strongest fan bases in all of Central America, which has quickly scaled throughout the rest of Latin America and Europe,” shares Jose Nova, a Spotify Senior Editor for Latin America. “Boza consistently provides his fans with unique storytelling through his lyrics that have deep connections with audiences around the world.”

Through RADAR, Boza will be featured on the RADAR playlist and will record music for our Spotify Singles program, and Spotify will provide a full suite of on- and off-platform marketing and promotional support. Spotify also worked with the artist to release a mini documentary, out today. Taking place in his hometown of Panama City in the La Meri neighborhood, the film gives viewers an intimate look at Boza and his journey from the streets to the stage. 

Watch the documentary in Spanish.

For the Record caught up with Boza to ask a few questions about his first album release, his musical style, and how he’s using Spotify to reach fans all over the world.

The last year has been quite busy for you, with your first full album release and the popularity of the song “Hecha Pa’ Mi.” What has it been like to see your career take off? 

Seeing my career take off with “Hecha Pa’ Mi” marks a before and after. To really see a track like this hit the whole world is what every artist dreams of. Seeing that they write to me from countries where they don’t even speak Spanish is so exciting.

Your music includes elements of the Panamanian style “canela.” How would you describe this sound to new listeners?

Canela is a little bit of Panama in my music. It is “The Hood” (El Barrio) and represents my friends, my experiences, and my life experiences in words.

What artists have inspired you the most, in terms of their sound and lyrics?

I really like Bad Bunny. I also like Kafu Banton from Panama—he is one that I always listen to, and I like his way of composing. El Roockie was also an influence. I also like all kinds of music such as salsa, merengue, Haitian, and rock and roll. I learn, gain knowledge, and take elements from everything that I listen to.

You’ve been working with Spotify’s RADAR program since 2020, when you were named  RADAR artist of the month for Central America & the Caribbean. Now you’re expanding as a U.S. RADAR artist. What has this experience been like?

This is another dream that I didn’t think would come so soon. It is very important to connect and see this happening in my country and in Central America, but as an artist, to come to the United States and see that my music is sneaking in everywhere, it’s wonderful. This is going to help me to grow that dream!

Your music has found international popularity in countries like Spain and Italy. Do you think working with Spotify and the RADAR program has helped introduce your music to other areas of the world, outside of Latin American?

The data available to artists on the platform allows me to know how many people are streaming my music in real time, how the number of listeners change over time, where they live, and to also be able to know which of my songs are liked the most. It’s incredible.

You can’t imagine my, and all my team’s, excitement when we saw we were number three in Spain. We were jumping with joy, because really when we entered the top 200 it was already an achievement, then at 100, and then at 50 we said, “Wow, the dream came true.” But when we got to number three, it is one of those moments that you thank God and reflect on all the effort and sacrifice, because it is not easy. It is almost impossible to have a number three in Spain with so many good artists there. In Italy, we asked ourselves, “How did it reach number seven when the song is in Spanish?” That is where one learns that music has no borders. 

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

The best advice I can give you is to be prepared, and to 100% create your own style and your own music. Learn every day from everything you can in studios, in meetings—listen and know that your future depends on many things but the main one is that it depends on yourself.

 

Check out the latest music from Boza below and keep an eye out for his new track, “En La Luna,” coming out June 25.

Popular German Podcast ‘Talk-O-Mat’ Brings Its Unique Format to the U.S. With ‘Can We Be Friends?’

May 18, 2021

What happens when you put two unprepared celebrity strangers in a room together and ask them to talk about random topics? The result is great entertainment—and a lot of surprising moments.

This concept is the premise behind Talk-O-Mat, a popular German Spotify Original podcast. In each episode, two celebrities arrive at a studio without any idea of whom they will be talking to or what questions they will be asked. The discussion topics are randomly determined by an artificial intelligence system named Talk-O-Mat. 

The unique format of the show made it a hit with listeners in Germany, and the podcast is set to kick off its fifth season in June. And recently, the series saw such success that a new version of the podcast called Can We Be Friends? just launched in the U.S. The English version involves blindfolds for the guests and a friendly AI system who goes by Ruby. Some unexpected pairings that listeners will find for season one include Chelsea Handler and Bobby Berk, Ray-J and Tabitha Brown, and Margaret Cho and Adam Rippon. In this version of the podcast, the conversation between the celebs is analyzed by Ruby, and she ultimately determines if the duo would make for suitable friends outside of the studio.

To dig into this creative and unlikely podcast format, For the Record interviewed the man behind the original German concept, Daniel K. Nikolaou. Daniel is an executive producer at Spotify and the cocreator of the Talk-O-Mat series. What’s it been like for him to see the show flourish and expand beyond the German border? Learn that, and more, below.

How did you come up with this unique format for a podcast?

Spotify is in such a unique position to tell artist stories and shed light on creators in a new way—especially with podcasts. When we created Talk-O-Mat back in 2017, that idea was at the center of the show development. We really wanted to create something that helped fans connect with the artists they love in a different way and allow them to get to know another side of them, a side that they don’t get to show on TV or on social media. 

Why do you think this podcast format is so interesting and engaging for listeners?

I believe that what makes the show so exciting is that listeners really feel the thrill of the artists that are in the studio. You can almost literally hear the tension in the room. It’s such an exciting moment and encounter for the listeners, the artists, and the creators.

You’re about to embark on season 5. How has the show changed or evolved over the past 50+ episodes?

I’ve always found the more unlikely pairings the most fun. Hearing how two people who at first sight might not have that much in common and then witnessing how they do start to connect is always special to me. We also definitely learned a lot about the way people connect with each other, more specifically, what kind of topics or questions make them connect faster or on a deeper level. A secret that I’m not ready to reveal yet…

Do you have a favorite episode/celeb pairing from a past episode?

One of my favorite episodes is the one featuring Fynn Kliemann and Chilly Gonzales because Fynn is such a big fan of Chilly and was completely blown away. I also still love our very first episode with rapper Maeckes and model Micaela Schäfer. It was such a quirky pairing, and the birth of a very dumb running joke that led to a lot of celebrities talking about yogurt in countless episodes.

This show is now being adapted into an English version for U.S. audiences as Can We Be Friends? What was your reaction when you heard the news? 

I couldn’t be prouder! I’ve always believed that the concept of the show had potential for other markets because it’s so pure and fresh. I’m very excited to see how the U.S. audience responds to it! 

What are some opportunities for this show format now that it’s being brought to a new market and audience? 

I’m very excited to see original audio intellectual property not only traveling from the U.S. to other markets, as it is with most content and media, but the other way around. I think that the cross-border adaptation of audio IP to local cultures will open a lot of new creative opportunities and pathways for the future.

Whether you’re interested in the German format or the American version, either podcast will provide you with laughs. Check them out below.

Masked Wolf Brings His Flare of Fast Rap to Australian Hip-Hop

April 5, 2021

Rapping about personal struggles is one thing Harry Michael, musically known as Masked Wolf, isn’t afraid to do. The artist’s song “Astronaut in the Ocean” touches on what it’s like to not fit in: “I really wanted to express the meaning of feeling out of place. I had the suit on but wasn’t in the right environment,” Harry shared recently with For the Record. “It really speaks about the mental struggles from that specific situation.”

The song is resonating with listeners in a big way. Since its release, “Astronaut in the Ocean” has amassed more than 240 million streams on Spotify. “It has felt a bit weird, to be honest,” Harry said, when describing what it’s like seeing his song rise on the charts. “You never expect the moment to actually happen, and now it has. I honestly haven’t had time to relish the moment because it is full steam ahead.”

The Australian is finding fans far beyond the geographical boundaries of his region. In fact, Spotify data shows that the top three countries listening to the rapper are the U.S., Germany, and India. His single has also appeared on over 100 editorial playlists, including Today’s Top Hits, Hot Hits Australia, Hot Hits Turkey, and Viral Hits.

This global audience comes as a surprise to Harry. “In no way did I think I would reach these kinds of areas or levels. It has really, really shocked me.”

His thoughts on why his music has been so well received? It’s relatable to everyone. “It’s not just about the cars, jewelry and fame … It’s about how people are currently feeling,” explains Harry. “Astronaut in the Ocean” isn’t the artist’s only single that references mental health. Lyrics from other songs touch on topics of anxiety and peer pressure—things Harry feels his audience can relate to. “I never was like these are things I must speak about. It was more about me speaking about my own personal troubles and trying to give people the courage to speak about their own.”

Inspired by artists like Joyner Lucas, SAINt JHN, Hopsin, and Kevin Gates, Harry describes his sound as “authentic and original, with a flare of fast rap.” Hear it for yourself by listening below.

5 Questions (and Answers) with David Sang Wook Park, Spotify Korea Managing Director

March 23, 2021

In 2014, Spotify debuted our first K-Pop playlist, K-Pop Daebak, on the platform. From that day on, we’ve served as a global stage and partner for Korean artists and helped them introduce their music to the world. We doubled down on that commitment in 2015 with the launch of our K-Pop hub, enabling us to further introduce Korean music—including K-Pop, hip-hop, indie, OST, and R&B—to fans globally. 

Then, this February, Spotify launched in South Korea, creating an opportunity to amplify Korean musicians and spread their music to listeners like never before. And that opportunity expanded even more when, just 50 days later, Spotify became available across 80+ more markets for a total of 178.

For the Record caught up with David Park, Spotify Korea Managing Director, to talk more about why now was the right time to launch in South Korea, his own background supporting content creators, and Spotify’s mission to connect artists to fans in Korea and across the world. 

It’s been 50 days since Spotify launched in South Korea. What are some initial reactions you can share?

We’re taking into account feedback both from listeners and artists, constantly working to improve and innovate our service. From the artist community, we have generally received a warm welcome and positive feedback that our launch has activated the local music streaming market. We’re hoping that more listeners will be able to connect with a more diverse range of artists and music genres, both in Korea and around the world. Our team on the ground is deeply committed to this. 

From listeners, we continue to get extremely positive feedback on our unmatched personalization and discovery technologies. They’re seeing a very high level of music-related editorial input, powered by data and the depth of our algorithmic machine learning. We already see how listeners are discovering new artists and music, expanding their listening range and experience.  We believe in Spotify as more than a listening platform, but as a tool that brings the world of audio to you.

Tell us about your professional background prior to Spotify. How did that prepare you for your current role?

I’ve worked in the intersection of content media and IT/tech throughout my career, most recently founding a startup and setting up a business in Korea for a global company. One of the highlights during my career was definitely fostering and nurturing the video creator community and ecosystem in the APAC region. Helping Korean creators boost their presence not just in Korea but around the world—through the support of tools and data—was one of the key experiences that helped set me up for this role. There was one fact prevalent throughout the different roles I had taken: that content is king.

Spotify has been avid in serving as K-Pop’s bridge to the world years before launch. Can you talk about the timing of this launch? Why was now the right time?

While Spotify’s been very active in serving Korea’s music streaming market, it is a highly mature, unique, and complex one. With that, we had to invest an immense amount of time, resources, and research years before the launch. In every country we enter, we have to take market specificities into consideration and align with the local industry. 

All in all, building up a strong foundation to our long-term vision in Korea took some time, and we’re taking a step-by-step, hyper-sophisticated approach by considering market specificities and all relevant stakeholders. Our focus is on democratizing audio and music in the long run, and helping to accelerate the growth of Korea’s entire music streaming ecosystem, benefitting creators, labels, distributors, and fans. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

How will Spotify support Korean artists, both through launch and going forward?

We’re now hoping to take Korean music and artists’ global popularity to another level. Just recently we saw a variety of different artists, such as ROSÉ, DPR IAN, SHINee, Epik High, CHUNG HA, and more landing in the top 10 of the global Spotify debut charts. Korea’s music industry has been the epicenter of new cultural trends and music for many years, and it’s important for us to embed even further into this unique market, forging closer relationships with even more artists and labels and connecting them with fans across the globe. An example is our Spotify for Artists master classes, which we’ve proactively held for labels and artists so that they can better leverage our data and tools alongside our music team’s guidance and support. We want to empower them to connect with even larger audiences—both local and global.

What’s Spotify’s ultimate vision and goal in Korea?

Our ultimate goal is to provide the best audio experience to our listeners in Korea, and to continue to connect artists and fans on a scale that has never before existed. For listeners, we are committed to creating an environment in which they can enjoy a personalized experience tailored for their lifestyle, as well as diverse new content from all over the world. 

We see ourselves as a catalyst for additional growth in the market, with discovery of new artists and music being a key strength. We’re proud of that and are actively refining our algorithms to enable even more fan discoveries of new artists each month. We’re also confident that there is ample room for Korea’s music market to grow further as listeners’ audio and music consumption habits transform gradually. The shift has already begun. It’s only a matter of time and we’re working hard to speed things up. As our CEO, Daniel Ek, mentioned at Stream On, “It’s just the beginning.”

Ready to discover music and playlists for yourself? Check out David’s top working playlists—Lo-Fi Beats, Lo-Fi Cafe, and Lo-Fi House—or one of his new favorite playlists, In The K-Indie. “Recently, youra is a new gem I discovered through it. There’s just so much musical talent like youra in Korea that needs to be heard both in Korea and globally.”

런칭 50일 기념 박상욱 스포티파이 코리아 매니징 디렉터와의 5문 5답

March 23, 2021

스포티파이는 2014년 선보인 최초의 K팝 플레이리스트 ‘K팝 대박(K-Pop Daebak)’을 기점으로 한국의  아티스트 및 음악을 전 세계 청취자에게 소개하는 글로벌 무대 및 파트너의 역할을 해왔습니다. 2015년부터는 한국 음악 플레이리스트들을 총망라한 K팝 허브(K-Pop Hub)를 런칭, K팝, 힙합, 인디, OST, R&B 등 다양한 한국의 음악장르와 아티스트를 전 세계에 적극 소개해왔습니다. 

그리고 올 해 2월, 스포티파이가 드디어 한국에 런칭했습니다. 런칭 당시 93번째 국가였는데, 그로부터 겨우 50일이 지난 지금, 178개 나라에서 스포티파이를 만나볼 수 있게 되었습니다. 한국의 아티스트와 음악이 전 세계 178개 국가의 청취자 그리고 수십억명의 잠재적 신규 청취자들과 연결될 수 있게 된 것입니다. 

스포티파이 뉴스룸 ‘포더레코드(For the Record)’에서는 국내 론칭 50일을 기념해 박상욱 스포티파이 코리아 매니징 디렉터와 5문 5답 인터뷰를 진행했습니다.

한국에 스포티파이가 진출한지 겨우 50일이 되었습니다. 이제 막 발을 디디기 시작했는데, 초기 반응은 어떤가요?

수 많은 피드백을 항상 경청하고 서비스를 혁신해 나갈 수 있도록 집중하고 있습니다. 스포티파이의 런칭이 국내 음원 스트리밍 시장에 활력을 불어넣어준다는 긍정적인 피드백과 함께, 아티스트 커뮤니티로부터 따뜻한 환영을 받았습니다. 스포티파이를 통해 보다 다양한 아티스트와 음악이 조명 받을 수 있기를 기대하며, 더 많은 한국의 아티스트와 폭넓은 음악이 한국을 포함한 전 세계 청취자와 이어질 수 있도록 팀에서 최선을 다할 계획입니다.

청취자로부터는 저희의 독보적인 개인화(personalization)와 발견(discovery) 기술에 대해 ‘역시나’ 라는 호평이 많았습니다. 음악팀의 에디토리얼 전문성과 스포티파이의 독보적인 데이터, 알고리즘·머신 러닝 기술의 결합으로 이뤄진 결과물인 만큼, 전례 없는 서비스임을 저희 모두 자신합니다. 개인의 취향에 따라 새로운 아티스트와 음악을 발견하는 즐거움 외에도 듣는 음악의 스펙트럼을 넓혀준다는 피드백도 있었습니다. 분명한 것은 스포티파이는 단순 음원 플랫폼이 아닌, 전 세계의 오디오·음악 생태계를 청취자에게 선보이는 기술 서비스라는 것입니다. 

스포티파이 이전의 이력에 대해 말씀해 주세요. 이전의 경력이 지금의 역할에 어떻게 도움이 되었나요?

컨텐츠 미디어와 IT기술이 교차하는 분야에서 주로 경력을 쌓아왔고, 가장 최근엔 스타트업이나 글로벌 기업의 한국 지사 설립을 총괄한 경험이 있습니다. 아태지역 비디오 크리에이터 커뮤니티가 하나의 생태계로 자리 잡을 수 있도록 기여했던 경험도 중요하게 생각합니다. 당시 한국의 크리에이터들이 각종 기술, 툴과 데이터를 기반으로 한국 뿐만 아니라 전세계에서 존재감을 드러낼 수 있도록 지원했었는데, 그러한 경험이 스포티파이에서의 제 역할과 관련해 핵심요소 중 하나로 작용할거라 예상합니다. 

스포티파이는 한국 론칭에 앞서 이미 수년 전부터 K팝을 전세계와 잇는 교두보의 역할을 해왔습니다. 한국에서의 서비스 런칭은 왜 지금이 적기라고 판단했나요?

한국의 음원 스트리밍 시장은 특수하고 복잡한 편이며, 시장 자체의 성숙도도 매우 높습니다. 스포티파이는 수년간의 시장조사를 포함해 방대한 리소스와 시간을 투자하여 한국의 음원 스트리밍 시장을 연구해왔습니다. 더불어 어느 나라든, 해당 시장이 지닌 특수성을 고려해 서비스를 런칭해야 하는 것도 중요한 부분입니다. 

우리는 오디오·음악 산업의 수평화(democratizing audio and music)라는 장기적 목표이자 거시적 비전에 집중하는 기업입니다. 이 같은 비전을 한국에서도 이행하기 위해 오랜 시간 준비한 만큼, 앞으로도 다양한 이해관계자, 한국시장만의 특수성 등을 고려해 전진할 것입니다. 단계별로 정교하게 접근해 나감으로써 한국 음원 스트리밍 생태계의 동반성장에 함께할 수 있도록 최선을 다할 것입니다. 단거리 경주가 아닌 장거리 마라톤입니다. 

스포티파이는 한국에서의 런칭을 통해 앞으로 어떤 방식으로 한국 아티스트를 지원할 예정인가요?

더 다양한 한국의 음악과 아티스트들이 글로벌 인지도를 높일 수 있도록 기여하고 싶습니다. 얼마 전 로제, DPR IAN, 샤이니, 에픽하이, 청하 등 다양한 아티스트들이 스포티파이의 각종 글로벌 차트 탑10 안에 들었던 사례가 방증하듯, 한국의 음악은 전 세계와 통한다고 생각합니다. 한국의 음악 산업은 다년간 새로운 문화 트렌드와 음악의 중심지 역할을 해왔습니다. 한국이라는 특별한 나라에 스포티파이가 더욱 깊이 정착하고, 더 많은 아티스트·레이블과 협업하여 이들을 전 세계 청취자에게 소개하고자 합니다. 아티스트·레이블을 대상으로 진행해온 스포티파이 포 아티스트 (Spotify for Artists) 마스터 클래스 역시 다양한 노력의 일환입니다. 실제로 국내 런칭 후 더 많은 이들이 스포티파이의 아티스트 전용 플랫폼인 Spotify for Artists의 데이터와 각종 툴을 적극 활용하기 시작했습니다. 앞으로 많은 국내 아티스트들이 스포티파이의 기술을 통해 한국을 포함한 전 세계 178개 국가의 글로벌 청취자, 그리고 음악팬들과 연결될 수 있도록 하고 싶습니다.

한국에서 스포티파이의 궁극적인 비전과 목표는 무엇인가요?

궁극적으로는 한국의 청취자에게 최상의 오디오 경험을 제공하고, 계속해서 전례 없는 규모로 아티스트와 팬을 연결해 주는 것입니다. 청취자에게는 개인의 라이프스타일에 맞춰진 개인화(personalization) 경험과 전 세계의 다양한 신규 음원을 마음껏 즐길 수 있는 환경을 제공할 수 있도록 매진할 것입니다. 그리고 오디오·음악 산업의 수평화라는 장기적 목표이자 거시적 비전의 실현에 집중할 것입니다. 

한국에서 스포티파이는 ‘새로운 아티스트와 음악의 발견’을 강점으로 삼아 음원 시장 전체의 성장을 도모하는 촉매제의 역할(catalyst)을 하고자 합니다. 청취자의 오디오·음악 소비 패턴도 점진적으로 변화함에 따라 한국의 음악 시장 역시 더욱 성장할 것입니다. 변화는 이미 시작되었고 가시화는 시간의 문제이며, 스포티파이는 이러한 패러다임의 변화를 가속화하도록 전념할 것입니다. 최근 스트림 온(Stream On)에서 CEO 다니엘 엑(Daniel Ek)이 강조했듯, 스포티파이는 이제 겨우 시작점에 섰다고 할 수 있습니다 (“It’s just the beginning”). 

다양한 음악과 플레이리스트를 경험하고 싶은가요? 박상욱 매니징 디렉터가 업무 중 즐겨 듣는 Lo-Fi Beats, Lo-Fi Cafe, Lo-Fi House, 그리고 요즘 가장 좋아하는 In The K-Indie 플레이리스트를 확인해보세요. 유라(youra)처럼 원석 같은 아티스트들을 In The K-Indie를 통해 발견했다고 합니다. 박상욱 매니징 디렉터는 “한국에는 국내외 청취자와 전 세계 팬들에게 소개되어야 할, 유라와 같은 재능 넘치는 아티스트들이 너무나 많다”고 강조했습니다. 

Spotify’s Emerging Artists Program, RADAR, Kicks Off in Russia

March 9, 2021

Last year Spotify launched RADAR, our emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the globe. RADAR’s goal is to help up-and-coming artists in all stages of their development as they connect with new audiences. Now, after working with creators in the U.S., New Zealand, Spain, and many other markets, the program is ready to launch in Russia.

Since Spotify’s launch in Russia in 2020, we’ve seen tremendous success with subscriber growth and service adoption. According to our 2020 Q3 results, Russia has been our most successful new market launch to date and represented the largest portion of subscriber outperformance for the quarter. 

With RADAR, we will amplify emerging artists in the region through ongoing marketing and editorial support. Artists will be featured in the local creative marketing campaigns, and their tracks will be added to the RADAR RUSSIA playlist in the global RADAR hub, helping fans from all over the world discover their music. For the Record had the opportunity to chat with two bands that are a part of Russia’s RADAR program.

Сёстры (pronounced “sestry,” translation: Sisters) is an indie pop duo that debuted their first album, Когда были волны (When There Were Waves), in October of 2020. The group has already seen success, including having recently performed on a popular Russian late-night talk show.

Три дня дождя (pronounced “tri dnia dozhdia,” translation: Three Days of Rain) is an alternative band that released their first album in February of last year. Their most popular track, “Не киряй,” has racked up more than 4.5 million streams on Spotify.

Read what the bands had to say about their music, their experience, and more below.

What are you looking forward to as a Spotify Russian RADAR artist?

Сестры: We have been watching the RADAR program for a long time now, as it’s helped us discover many talented foreign artists, and it is very unlikely we would have discovered them without it. Now, through RADAR, it’s amazing that many more listeners will learn about us—our tracks will become a part of Spotify’s global ecosystem, and our songs will be heard by many people all over the world. We are just at the beginning of getting to know our audience, and it is so important for us to develop strong relations with our fans. 

Три дня дождя: We have big plans and ambitions going forward, and we hope the support of Spotify can help us with establishing our name not only in Russia but also abroad. We are honored to have been chosen as one of the first artists to take part in the program in the country. Russian rock is not dead and we’d love to prove it! We are hopeful that RADAR can help us bring our art to the new audiences.

What advice do you have for fellow emerging artists?

Сестры: Trust yourself and your vision, work hard, and carry on no matter what.

Три дня дождя: First of all, don’t ever give up. Ever! And practice as often as possible. Secondly, try to minimize all factors that restrain you from doing what you love. Lastly, always believe in yourself and your art.

What message do you want people to take from your music?

Три дня дождя: With my music I’d love to convey the emotions everyone is familiar with. And about showing the listeners that love can be a very dangerous thing at times. 

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your musical career?

Сестры: 2020 is exactly the year when our music career began developing. The music industry turned to online, but it somehow brought us all even closer together. We are definitely looking forward to the day when live concerts and performances become possible again, but our approach to our music career has not changed a bit. We will continue gathering at home or at the studio to make new music together.

 

Ready to give these Russian artists a listen? Check out the new RADAR Russia playlist below.

Meet Flo Milli, the Alabama Rapper Speaking to Gen Z—and Spotify’s Fourth U.S. RADAR Artist

January 15, 2021

Stream rapper Flo Milli’s mixtape and you’ll hear simultaneously bubbly and assertive tracks covering the 21-year-old’s take on money, men, self-empowerment, and jealousy. The Atlanta-based Alabama native, who grew up singing in her church choir, has been using her voice for some time. “It was mandatory for me to be in the choir,” Flo told For the Record. “My mom used to sing all the time, so did my sister. I guess I was the only one who wanted to rap, though.”

Today Flo was named Spotify’s newest U.S. RADAR artist. Spotify created RADAR to help artists across all stages of their careers use the strength of our platform to deepen connections to their audiences. Now listeners can stream the 175 RADAR-affiliated emerging artists around the world in one palace on the RADAR Global Hub. 

As the latest RADAR artist, Flo will be featured in the RADAR playlist and create a Spotify Singles recording. She’ll also receive promotional support for her upcoming releases, a full suite of marketing, and social promotion. Flo Milli’s campaign will furthermore include a forthcoming mini-documentary to premiere later this year. Also out today is Flo’s glamorous new single “Roaring 20s,” which shows off the star power of the RADAR artist.

Flo’s long-standing musical aspirations were fueled by R&B TV show 106 & Park and the work of Nicki Minaj. These propelled Flo to record her own tracks as a high schooler. Her first two, “Beef FloMix” and “In the Party,” went viral among Gen Zers on social media and enabled Flo to release her first mixtape, Ho, why is you here? in 2020. It has now seen over 192 million streams on Spotify.

“Since the release of ‘Beef FloMix’ on Spotify in 2019, we’ve watched Flo Milli’s exponential growth with excitement,” says Ned Monahan, Spotify’s Head of Global Hits. “Her magnetism is indisputable, and she’s one of the most exciting new rappers in the game right now. We are beyond thrilled to partner with Flo as our next RADAR artist and can’t wait to see what’s next.”

For the Record chatted with Flo about her inspirations, accomplishments, and recommendations to young women looking to do what they love. 

Both your music and fashion have been compared to that of ’90s rappers. What about that decade excites or inspires you?

I think it’s interesting. As I’ve been going in my career, I’ve started to discover how times were back then. I didn’t, of course, grow up around that time. But I see clips all the time of the ’90s and how the music industry was just different. And I do admire it because I think it’s cool to see how everything has changed and how social media plays a big part into today’s music industry. But I wouldn’t have minded coming up in that era either. 

In the past two years, female artists have sung shamelessly about money or wealth in their songs, examples including Cardi B, Arianna Grande, and you. Why do you think it’s important to bring this topic into conversation?

I believe that whatever you put out into the universe, that’s what you’re going to get. So if you’re speaking about these things, you’re conjuring them up. Who doesn’t want to live a lavish lifestyle, especially when you come from nothing? 

Those things are power, and I think it’s important to make it a habit to speak the things that we want and let everybody know, especially young girls, that they can have those things. You can reach your goals and you can be great. You can get anything you want if you put your mind to it. 

Tell us a little bit about your creative process. 

It took me a long time to really learn my best process for making music. It was hard trying to find my niche. So I like to have fun. I just need to be in a space where I’m alone and I’ve got a variety of beats. I like to be myself and free and have my own space. That’s how I create. 

Your single “Beef FloMix” had success on social media before hitting the number two spot on Spotify’s Viral 50 in April 2019. What changes did you observe after being featured on the playlist?

I think my streams went up even more, of course. I got more fans and just a lot of added traction towards my music and videos, everything. So I think it helped a lot. It’s dope to be put on those playlists, because a lot of like youth of course have Spotify and they listen on the app, and those playlists influence them. 

What would you say to aspiring young female rappers who aren’t sure where to begin?

I would encourage them to always follow what they feel strongly about. Don’t let anybody come in between your opinions about your craft and what you create and build. Stick to what you think is cool, because only you know what’s good. Surround yourself with people who have your best interests and never give up.

It’s a unique time for everyone. How have you stayed positive in spite of everything the year has thrown at us?

I just started to learn how food can affect you and your mood. I’ve also been going to sleep saying positive affirmations. There’s hella videos where you could just play them while you’re going to sleep. And like all those affirmations go into your subconscious mind. And before you know it, you’re going to have all these affirmations in your head. I would just encourage everybody to do that with everything going on in the world. 

What are you looking forward to as Spotify’s current U.S. RADAR artist?

I’m looking forward to just my hard work being highlighted. My goal is to get the messages of the songs across in the best way and to keep the ball rolling the entire year. 

Stream Flo Milli’s mixtape, Ho, why is you here? below. 

Join Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Gimlet’s Alex Blumberg as They Discuss ‘How to Save a Planet’ in Their New Podcast

August 20, 2020

Anyone can search “10 things I can do to help save the planet.” And according to marine biologist, policy expert, and Urban Ocean Lab founder Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, that’s a problem. “People feel satisfied when they’ve bought their reusable bag and water bottle and ride their bike everywhere.” It’s not enough, she says. To mitigate the effects of climate change, we need to take collective action by transforming electricity, transportation, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and land use, to name a few.

So where to begin? That’s the question that Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Gimlet cofounder Alex Blumberg seek to answer in their new podcast, How to Save a Planet.

Nine months ago, the pair started talking about producing a podcast on combating climate change with expert-led, actionable solutions. Then they recruited a knowledgeable team that includes journalists Kendra Peirre-Louis and Rachel Waldholz, Gimlet producers Caitlin Kenney and Anna Ladd, and sound engineer Emma Munger to help in creating a podcast that will continue to evolve as people take systematic action on climate change

In creating the podcast, the team aimed to engage listeners, give them concrete, large steps to take part in during every show, and tell the stories of people around the world already mobilizing around climate change. So in addition to interviews with academic leaders like Kate Marvel and youth activists like Varshini Prakesh, Alex and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will also talk to individuals like farmers and fishermen who’ve started to make changes after decades of not thinking about sustainability. And what they’ve found? It’s working for them—and the climate. 

For the Record sat down with the cohosts to get the inside scoop on How to Save a Planet. 

A lot of people feel that the issue of climate change is really out of our control. How do you think people can start to take the power back into their own hands when it comes to addressing the issue?

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: I think we need more journalism focused on solutions, because we’re finally at the point where we have the journalistic expertise and the media support for talking about climate science and how climate change is already impacting people. But we don’t have nearly enough media about what we should do about all the solutions that are already at hand and how people can be part of larger systematic change, instead of just being stressed out about their individual carbon footprint all the time.

Alex Blumberg: What we want to do is increase the range of options, because people are all different and you can probably engage in a way that leverages your particular skills and personality that isn’t just like a sort of one-size-fits-all solution. So hopefully, this podcast can provide more ways for people to plug into a more effective solution because it’ll be something that appeals to them particularly.

What have you learned about climate change in this process that you were not expecting? Anything that really blew your mind? 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: One of the things that’s really fascinating is how many people are working on climate solutions without ever talking about climate, even if it’s their motivation, because they just don’t want to complicate things or make them “political.” Whether that’s on how we manage the chemicals in air conditioners that are extremely potent greenhouse gases or how we transition agriculture or ramp up wind energy. There are often financial reasons for doing the right thing in terms of climate now, especially with how the technologies and the markets have evolved.

Alex Blumberg: The reason that people are actually taking action is because it’s usually better for them on a straight-ahead “what’s in it for me” calculation. And that’s what’s been sort of very surprising and very hopeful. Like, people who are doing regenerative farming are more profitable than when they weren’t doing it. There’s no downside. What’s been shocking to me is the more we talk to these folks, the more we realize there is literally no reason we shouldn’t make these changes, because they’re actually all-around better. I think people know that, but telling that story is really important. 

How is making this podcast different from the podcasts you’ve made in the past?

Alex Blumberg: The aim is a little bit different. The aim of every other podcast that I’ve worked on is to share a story, share experience, create understanding, but not to like galvanize action. That’s new. I think we all want this podcast to be part of a solution itself.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: If part of our goal is to help people be part of real systems-level change, as opposed to stressing out about whether they’re allowed to get on an airplane or eat a hamburger, then we need to actually point people towards things they can be part of. One of my hopes is certainly that in one of these episodes, each of our listeners will find a place where they feel like they fit in, where they have something they can contribute. Not everyone wants to go to utility board meetings or start farming seaweed, but hopefully some people will raise a ruckus for their local utility boards to transition to renewables or rethink their farming practices.

Alex has said that he’s a big believer in the power of podcasts. What do you each think is the power of this podcast?

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: I think there’s a very simple power, which is to help people not feel so alone, right? This podcast can help nurture a community of listeners that feel like we’re all in it together and perhaps feel informed and motivated enough to deepen their involvement in climate solutions, to understand where they can actually plug in and then charge ahead with it, and hopefully report back to us and let us know how it’s going, because we’re really excited for those stories, too.

Alex Blumberg: In the moment that we’re in right now with climate, a lot of people are very terrified. Justifiably, it’s a scary moment, but people don’t have anything to do with that terror, and they’re sort of sitting with it alone. And so a lot of people are like, “I believe you. I believe you, it’s bad. I just don’t know what to do.” We’re hoping that our podcast can be a place for people who feel that way to not be alone with that feeling and actually turn that feeling into action, which will make it feel less helpless and more positive.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: Alex, does it feel like the stakes are higher on this one?

Alex Blumberg: It does. Yeah, it does.

Tune into the first episode of How to Save a Planet now. Plus, preorder All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, coedited by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and featuring many of the podcast’s guests.