Tangle Podcast Episode Summary Title: Thank you. For everything. And see you in 2025.
Host: Isaac Saul
Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction and Season's Greetings

In the heartfelt end-of-year episode titled "Thank you. For everything. And see you in 2025," Isaac Saul, host of the Tangle podcast, delivers a comprehensive update to the Tangle community. Released on December 24, 2024, this episode serves as both a reflection on the past year and a forward-looking statement about the organization's future endeavors.

Mission and Transparency

Isaac begins by reiterating the foundational mission of Tangle: to create a trustworthy, non-partisan news platform that bridges ideological divides. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, a core value that Tangle upholds by publicly tracking and explaining corrections in their daily podcasts.

"I was going to build a news organization that everyone can trust, regardless of their political affiliation."
— Isaac Saul ([01:59])

Year in Review: 2024 Highlights

Isaac reflects on 2024 as a landmark year for Tangle, detailing several key milestones that signify significant growth and increased visibility in the media landscape.

1. Live Events and TED Talk:

   • April: Hosted their second live event in New York City, which sold out and featured prominent guests.
   • After the event: Isaac delivered a TED Talk in Vancouver on the importance of language in media, marking a personal bucket-list achievement that attracted new attention to Tangle.

2. Democratic National Convention Coverage:

   • August: Executives John Law and Isaac covered the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, marking the first time Tangle was credentialed for such a major political event.

3. Podcast Features and Awards:

   • October: Featured on Brian Reed's podcast, Question Everything.
   • November: An episode was rerun on This American Life, significantly boosting their audience.
   • End of November: Won a prestigious Shorty Award for News and Media in both audience and panelist categories.

4. Membership and Revenue Growth:

   • Expanded the mailing list from 88,000 to nearly 300,000 subscribers.
   • Surpassed $2.5 million in membership revenue, doubling initial revenue goals.

5. Team Expansion:

   • Hired key team members including Ari, John, Will, Russell, Sophia, Aidan, Shaurya, and Nathan, with plans for further hires in early 2025.

"At the end of the year, I like to demonstrate that transparency in a different way. I write a note like this to our entire mailing list and podcast listenership every year..."
— Isaac Saul ([01:59])

Product Enhancements and Platform Growth

2024 saw substantial improvements and expansions in Tangle's product offerings and digital presence:

1. Podcast Expansion:

   • Launched premium, ad-free podcasts, including the Sunday edition featuring Isaac and Ari discussing weekly news with guests.
   • Achieved hundreds of thousands of downloads monthly, attracting a broader audience beyond the newsletter subscribers.

2. Fiscal Sponsorship and Donations:

   • Established fiscal sponsorship, enabling supporters to make tax-deductible donations.
   • Focused on expanding the YouTube channel to engage a younger demographic.

3. Website and Social Media Overhaul:

   • Complete website redesign launched in January, enhancing user experience with a sleeker and more engaging interface.
   • Grew the Instagram following to over 40,000 followers and expanded presence on platforms like X, Blue Sky, Truth Social, and TikTok to reach diverse audiences.

"Our Instagram channel broke 40,000 followers, which is a great platform for us to reach a younger audience..."
— Isaac Saul ([08:15])

Community Engagement and Feedback

Isaac highlights the importance of listener feedback in shaping Tangle's future. He encourages the audience to participate in the end-of-year survey, which aims to gather constructive feedback and understand the listener base better. Participants are entered into a drawing for a $250 gift certificate, fostering greater community interaction and support.

"If you could take a few minutes to complete our end of year survey... it would be incredibly helpful for us as we try to improve Tangle for our audience."
— Isaac Saul ([05:50])

Future Plans for 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, Isaac outlines several ambitious goals and projects aimed at further enhancing Tangle's offerings and expanding its reach:

1. Core Products Focus:

   • Continued refinement of the newsletter and podcast to ensure high-quality, balanced content.
   • Introduction of opinion pieces, essays from notable writers, and more original reporting.

2. Enhanced Subscriber Experience:

   • Hired Nathan, the first head of customer service, to improve subscription management and technical support.
   • Plans to bundle the newsletter and podcast memberships, simplifying the subscription process on the newly redesigned website.

3. Content Diversification:

   • More in-person events and live streams planned.
   • Increased focus on YouTube reporting to connect with younger audiences.

4. Team Growth:

   • Ongoing expansion of the team with a focus on editorial hires to maintain ideological diversity and uphold the "Tangle Way."

"Early next year we are hoping to complete a membership bundle of our newsletter and podcast so people can buy and manage memberships to unlock premium ad free content."
— Isaac Saul ([09:45])

Conclusion and Gratitude

Isaac closes the episode by expressing profound gratitude to the Tangle community for their unwavering support. He reflects on the collective achievements and underscores the pivotal role of members in sustaining and growing the organization. As the team prepares to take a holiday break until January 3, 2025, Isaac encourages listeners to take time for themselves amidst the often overwhelming news cycle.

"I just want to say thank you. Every year around this time I feel incredibly grateful to be leading a media organization like this one..."
— Isaac Saul ([12:00])

He concludes with warm holiday wishes to all listeners, highlighting the importance of taking a break and recharging for the upcoming year.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Isaac Saul: "I was going to build a news organization that everyone can trust, regardless of their political affiliation." ([01:59])
• Isaac Saul: "Our Instagram channel broke 40,000 followers, which is a great platform for us to reach a younger audience..." ([08:15])
• Isaac Saul: "If you could take a few minutes to complete our end of year survey... it would be incredibly helpful for us as we try to improve Tangle for our audience." ([05:50])
• Isaac Saul: "Early next year we are hoping to complete a membership bundle of our newsletter and podcast so people can buy and manage memberships to unlock premium ad free content." ([09:45])
• Isaac Saul: "I just want to say thank you. Every year around this time I feel incredibly grateful to be leading a media organization like this one..." ([12:00])

Final Thoughts

This episode of Tangle serves as a poignant thank you to its dedicated audience, celebrating a year of significant growth and laying out an exciting roadmap for the future. Isaac Saul's transparent and heartfelt communication underscores Tangle's commitment to its mission of fostering a trustworthy, non-partisan news environment. As the team takes a well-deserved break, listeners are left with a sense of anticipation for the continued evolution and impact of Tangle in the coming year.