Smart Girl Dumb Questions

Episode: Why Does Everyone Have a Podcast? (Nayeema & Sammi Cohen)
Host: Nayeema Raza
Guest: Sammi Cohen (Host, Social Currency podcast)
Date: March 31, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Nayeema Raza sits down with her friend and fellow podcaster Sammi Cohen for a candid, meta conversation about the podcasting boom: why everyone seems to have a podcast, what it takes to “make it,” how social media and podcasting intersect, and whether the business is a scam or the new frontier of media. With both guests coming from opposite ends—Nayeema from traditional journalism leading into podcasts, Sammi from viral social media content transitioning into long-form—this episode is a blueprint of the modern creator journey, as well as a frank conversation about their finances, doubts, and the realities behind the glamorous podcasting trend. They also break down the challenges, rewards, and the shifting media landscape shaped by tech, the “manosphere,” live-streaming, and AI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Podcasting Boom—Why Does Everyone Have a Podcast?

• Nayeema’s Perspective:
  • “I want to pull back the curtain on this multi-billion dollar podcasting boom. What it takes to actually make it and what I’ve learned.” [00:01]
  • Views podcasting as combining editorial, audience, and monetization—a “flywheel” of content, listenership, and business. [03:02]
• Sammi’s Insight:
  • “This is just a point of validation to say that you’re on the right path. Clearly your point of view, the people you’re talking to, there is a space for it in...the wildly saturated space of podcasting.” [02:21]

Notable Quote

• “Wildly saturated. And I think...I want to move on from this win. Cause I feel like this is like if I talked about best all-round student in the seventh grade...I think of content as three things: editorial, the audience, and the money. The monetization." – Nayeema [03:02]

2. Social Media vs. Podcasting: Crossing Over

• Sammi’s Path:
  • “I started...my first video ever on TikTok in March of 2022. So now I’ve been four years in...Short form is where I initially got my reps in.” [03:57]
  • Her content focuses on “mini business deep dives or just hot takes.”
• Why Switch to Podcasting?
  • Sammi: “My goal was always to drive people to long form because there’s only so much you can really convey to an audience in these 60-second clips...what people should do is start there...then funnel people to long-form. And what is the long-form medium now? It’s podcasting.” [05:13]

Notable Quote

• “Everything’s a show, everything’s TV. Podcasting is TV. This is a thing.” – Nayeema [06:12]

3. The Parasocial Revolution & The Manosphere

• Podcasting’s Intimacy:
  • “What’s different about podcasting from, say, Hollywood, is it feels this very intimate format. People have parasocial relationships with people they consume content from.” – Nayeema [06:33]
• Discussion of the Netflix ‘Louis Theroux’s The Manosphere’ Documentary:
  • Sammi: “The fans are so obsessed it really, to me, feels more like a cult than anything...what stood out was how sad the situation was, because you’re getting all of these young men who are idolizing these individuals who are sharing conspiracy theories...misogynist...every type of worry that you have about the future of young men growing up in America.” [07:27]
  • Nayeema: “I hadn’t seen how toxic it had gotten in certain elements...I was so interested in the upstream of what drives people to this level of despair that they seek such domination.” [09:26]
• On Ragebait & Media Symbiosis:
  • “...him doing this documentary and being there gave them content to make their audiences mad about being targeted...And then you’d have podcast episodes where, like, women were showing up to be berated.” – Nayeema [10:46]

4. Creator Funnels, Live Streaming & Monetization Lessons from the ‘Manosphere’

• Sammi’s Creator Lessons:
  • “I really believe that we’re gonna see this massive move towards live-streaming for different types of creators. I myself intend to get really big into live-streaming over the next 12 months.” [12:30]
  • Recognizes the “funnel” strategy—using controversial content for ragebait, funneling to more extreme or monetized platforms (Telegram, crypto, etc.).
  • Reflects on her own approach: “I just thought, oh, he is really looking at this from a purely strategic and business perspective. And I oftentimes don’t really think about the business side. I think about the creative first.” [13:05]
• Nayeema’s Reflection:
  • “Live is where it’s at, always-on is an option...you have to have massive cultural relevance and resonance. ...having a problem that your audience all feels [is] really important.” [14:17]

5. The “Is It a Scam?” Lightning Round [Dentistry, Glasses, Protein, Forbes 30 Under 30, Podcasting] [17:42]

• Dentistry:
  • Nayeema: Scam!
  • Sammi: Not a scam—"There is no better feeling for me than when you leave the dentist and your teeth are so clean.” [17:42]
• Prescription Glasses:
  • Both: Scam.
  • Sammi: “Once you get your eyes checked...I feel like you should just be able to get new glasses...The way that it feels extra regulated, I think is scammy.” [18:55]
• Protein:
  • Both: Not a scam, but agree it’s a fad.
• Forbes 30 Under 30:
  • Both: “Strong scam.”
  • Sammi: “I’d be embarrassed to lead with that in any conversation if I won a Forbes 30 Under 30. ...the bar is so low.” [19:27]
• Podcasting:
  • Hesitation; both ultimately say “not a scam,” but Sammi warns, “There is this glamorization...the pod fading that happens after podcast episode seven where 50% are basically gone...” [20:21]

6. Building a Media Business & The Silicon Valley Analogy

• Sammi:
  • “Media...it’s being disintermediated, but it’s also having this Silicon Valley moment...nimble...startups that challenge the legacy bigger players...I think if you take that same framework and apply it...we’re seeing that same Silicon Valley startup phase now apply to the world of media.” [21:09]
• Takeover of Hollywood:
  • Nayeema: “Netflix is doing deals with Spotify to like put...this kind of two people talking in seats next to super high production, multimillion-dollar shows...” [22:27]
• Sammi:
  • “Hollywood as we know it is basically...legacy. These...Warners of the world are...dinosaurs that will eventually...die out...” [22:44]

Notable Quote

• “Everything is going to exist in that many different formats, and you gotta make your stuff so that it fills all those formats.” — Nayeema [29:00]

7. Is Podcasting Saturated?

• Stats:
  • 4 million podcasts in the world; 500,000 active; 200,000 new in 2025. [26:25]
• Sammi:
  • “If you publish 21 podcast episodes, you are in the top 1%...of publishing, not audience.” [26:59]
  • “If you are consistent and stick with it, and...have a strong point of view...there’s a chance for many people...” [27:00]
  • “It takes around 100 episodes for interview format podcasts to actually get traction.” [27:00]

8. Monetization & Being Candid About the Numbers [32:29+]

• Podcast Revenue:
  • Nayeema: “Six figures of revenue...largely through sponsorships...also helps feed a speaking business, which is bigger than that...I make more than I was making as a journalist.” [32:34]
  • “This year I hope it hits seven...largely driven by podcasting.” [33:13]
  • Sammi (Social): “Seven figures in revenue” from social; “around 10% of that” from podcasting (~six figures, in profit). Podcast revenue is split 30% to network, 70% to her. [33:39]
• Studio Build:
  • Sammi built an in-home LA studio for $15,000. [34:33]
  • “I didn’t realize the economic side of podcasting would be as hard as it is.”
• Intangible Value:
  • Making a show opens up other opportunities—speaking gigs, business deals, social sponsorships, etc.

Notable Quotes

• “Most people are barely making ends meet or breaking even, rather. And most people are losing money.” – Sammi [28:52]
• “If you want to make it in media, it’s not about being in a single format. It’s about ubiquity.” – Nayeema [29:00]

9. Editorial Integrity & Guest Relations

• Nayeema:
  • “I never send questions to any guest...would never agree to doing an interview where I...off topic.” [37:00]
  • “The most interesting conversations are when they go places that are unexpected.” [37:38]
• On Journalistic Standards vs. Creator Content:
  • Sammi: “I’ve...been meaning to ask a journalist this...How do you feel as a journalist with this rise of people who may not be credentialed journalists sharing news?” [42:35]
  • Nayeema emphasizes fact-checking, protocol, and the importance of legacy organizations adapting distribution to meet audiences where they are. [43:40–45:28]

10. Burnout, Identity, and Almost Quitting

• Nayeema:
  • “16 episodes into my first season...I really thought about, what am I doing?...I hadn’t found the right production outfit...I was still producing because I couldn’t find people to care about it as much as I did.” [49:19]
  • “I almost quit, and I’m glad I didn’t because I beat a Kardashian.” [52:16]
• Sammi:
  • “I was worried about...putting so much time and effort into something...when that time could go towards putting an extra [short form] video out per week...” [47:12]
  • Quickly realized: “I love this. I love every element of it, because...I love the research element, the conversation, getting new insights out of a person.” [47:30]

11. What Counts as ‘Making It’ in Podcasting or Social Media?

• Both agree: It’s subjective, but “making it” is a mix of traction, recognition, and impact.
• Sammi:
  • On social, “the pull” she felt was stronger; for podcasts, it’s about reaching a similar level of influence—still in progress. [55:35]
• Nayeema:
  • Early signs: big guests agreeing to appear, viral moments, validation from outside their immediate circle, and meaningful audience engagement. [57:20]

12. Short-form vs. Long-form Audiences

• Sammi:
  • “I do believe that clips nowadays are really that ultimate chance to spike this viral moment, get mass awareness...And then obviously the hope...they recognized the show...and then maybe they stick around for more.” [59:53]
  • Admits “a lot of people just like replace the podcast with the clips.” [60:24]
  • Monetizes way more per social grid post ($14k+/clip) vs. a podcast episode. [61:07]
• Tradeoffs:
  • Podcasting boosts reputation and creates deeper connections, despite being financially less lucrative per minute of effort.

13. Industry Tips: Networks, Agents, Co-Founders (Lightning Round) [63:13+]

• Networks:
  • Sammi: “Yes, if you’re starting from ground zero...helpful to have someone who knows the industry.” [63:22]
  • Nayeema: “It depends...I chose not to have a network...better to be everyone’s girlfriend than someone’s wife in your first years of doing a show.” [63:37]
• Agents:
  • Both yes; valuable for synergies, negotiation, and growth opportunities.
  • “When you first sign on, it’s like you’re just 10% poorer...but the opportunities that come...” — Nayeema [64:53]
• Co-Founders:
  • Only if it’s someone you want to do it “a thousand times with”—otherwise, go solo. [66:03]

14. AI and the Future of Podcasts

• AI-Generated Podcasts:
  • Nayeema: “All of a sudden, in-person, live, and interviews...that chem chemistry you get between two people can be very hard to replace.” [67:46]
• Sammi:
  • “There will be a premium for human content that’s made by humans.” [68:33]
• Live Content as the Next Big Thing:
  • “There’s something that will still exist...that kinetic quality of the relationship between the two people.” – Nayeema [69:03]

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• “If you publish 21 podcast episodes, you are in the top 1%.” – Sammi [26:56]
• “What drives people to this level of despair that they seek such domination?” – Nayeema [09:26]
• “You want to love the format, you’re not going to pretend to be someone you’re not a thousand times.” – Nayeema [66:03]
• “I still believe in the morality of it all and creating content that you believe is helping people, making the world a better place.” – Sammi [15:30]
• “I almost quit, and I’m glad I didn’t because I beat a Kardashian.” – Nayeema [52:16]

Important Timestamps

• [00:01] Episode opens: Why does everyone have a podcast? Setting up discussion.
• [03:02] The “content flywheel” (editorial, audience, monetization).
• [06:33] The intimacy and cultural power of podcasting.
• [07:27] Louis Theroux’s Manosphere doc, dangers of rage-baiting.
• [12:30] Learning business lessons from fringe creators; live-streaming as the future.
• [17:42] “Is it a Scam?” segment—dentistry, glasses, protein, Forbes 30U30, podcasting.
• [26:56] The truth on podcast “saturation,” pod fade, and the 21-episode milestone.
• [32:34] Honest numbers: podcasting & social monetization.
• [49:19] On burnout, nearly quitting, sticking with the creative mission.
• [55:35] “Have we made it?” Defining success in podcasts vs social.
• [59:53] How clips drive awareness, stats on conversion.
• [63:13] Should I join a network? Get an agent? Bring in a co-founder?
• [67:46] AI and the irreplaceable human element in podcasts.

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a frank, comprehensive look at what it truly takes to make and grow a successful podcast/business in 2026—demystifying the process, confronting the hype, and offering real, actionable advice (and warnings) for creators. Both Nayeema and Sammi advocate for clarity of purpose, dedication to craft, and authenticity over easy viral wins or copying the most outrageous trend. They close with reflections on the future—AI, live-streaming, shifting platforms—and the one constant: “the kinetic quality of a real conversation.”

To sum up:

• Podcasting isn’t over-saturated—if you find a strong POV and stick with it.
• Publishing even 21 episodes puts you ahead of the majority.
• Social media is better for cash; podcasts are better for deep reach and reputation.
• The future is multiplatform, multi-format, and, for now, still depends on human connection.

“Do something you want to do a thousand times—and, if possible, with someone you want to do it a thousand times with.” – Nayeema [66:03]

Guest Plug:
Check out Sammi’s Social Currency podcast for sharp business insights and consumer culture breakdowns.

Contact:

• Send your “dumb questions”: nayeema.raza101@gmail.com
• Smart Girl Dumb Questions: wherever you get your podcasts or social media

Production: Desta Wonderad, Melissa Lee Gibson. Edited by Darlena Chiem. Mixed/engineered by Johnny Simon. Recorded at Spotify Studios, NYC.