Podcast Summary: Trading Secrets Ep. 265 — Rayna Greenberg: From Leaving a $150k Salary at Amazon to Building Girls Gotta Eat, Taking Risks, Dating, & the Shocking $$$ of Podcasting

Release Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Jason Tartick
Guest: Rayna Greenberg (Co-host: Girls Gotta Eat Podcast)
Podcast: Trading Secrets (Audioboom Studios)

Episode Overview

This episode features Rayna Greenberg, co-host and media entrepreneur behind the hit podcast Girls Gotta Eat. Jason Tartick dives deep into Rayna’s journey from Amazon sales executive to podcast star, the business mechanics and risks behind Girls Gotta Eat, the realities of the podcasting industry, and candid, hilarious takes on dating, sex, and money. The conversation is uncensored, honest, and packed with actionable advice and surprising financial disclosures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rayna’s Background and Career Shift

• Leaving Amazon and Financial Safety Net

  • Rayna worked as a sales rep for Amazon, earning ~$150,000 plus commission and stock options.
    • “I was making a lot of money at Amazon...probably made $150,000 plus a lot of stock options, plus commission...” (29:51)
  • She left to pursue social media, ensuring she had $50,000 saved as a one-year runway.
    • “I made sure I had $50,000 in my bank account...cover my rent and bills for the year if I didn't make a dollar...” (30:46)

• Early Days of Social Media & Podcasting

  • Launched the viral Instagram account @onehungryjew before podcasting.
  • Met Ashley (her podcast co-host) in 2017, quickly clicked, and decided to start Girls Gotta Eat before podcasting was mainstream.

2. The Genesis & Business of Girls Gotta Eat

• Podcasting Beginnings

  • Neither host anticipated the level of business success or monetization.
    • “We launched hoping it would be a moneymaker, but I had no real idea how people made money in podcasting.” (32:24)

• Partner Dynamics and Revenue Splits

  • They agreed on a 50/50 split from the start and complement each other’s business strengths.
    • “You take half the work, I'll take half the work, and...half the money.” (33:26)

• Monetizing the Podcast

  • Monetized within six months; required 10,000 downloads/episode at that time.
  • CPM (Cost per Thousand impressions) for podcasts usually ranges $20–$50 (typically $25–$30).
    • “For every 1,000 listeners you have, you get 20 to 50. It usually hovers around $30.” (37:59)
  • Most profit comes from podcast ads, not touring.

3. The Real Economics of Podcast Touring & Merch

• Touring: High-Profile, Low Margin
  • Girls Gotta Eat shows are wild, interactive events—theaters, dancers, strippers, themed segments.
  • Revenue example:
    • Theater venue (NYC): Rent can run $60,000–$75,000 (47:12)
    • Top-line $130,000 may net $30,000 due to costs: rent, union fees, staff, tech, merch cuts, agents, and business managers. Final profit can be as low as 10% of gross.
      • “You will make a hunt... $130,000 that you brought in and you will take home $30,000.” (48:55)
      • “And then you gotta split it... and pay your agent 10%... your business manager 5%...” (48:57)
  • Clubs are a simpler profit model; theaters are complex and expensive but serve as brand/community builders.

4. Growth, Revenue, and the State of Podcasting

• Rapid Rise to 7-Figure Revenues

  • Girls Gotta Eat surpassed $1M in gross within a few years.
    • “Definitely within the first few years.” (52:20)
  • Higher revenues mean higher expenses: they’ve invested in studios, production, and staff as they scaled.

• Industry Insights

  • Oversaturation in podcasting has led to plateaus, but innovative live shows and business diversification keep them fresh.
  • Dear Media is their current network—praised for connecting podcasting and social audience monetization.

5. Diversification: Sexual Wellness Business

• Vibes Only Launch
  • Ashley & Rayna launched the direct-to-consumer sexual wellness company “Vibes Only” in Jan 2022.
  • Self-funded with $1M (fully recouped).
    • “We invested a million dollars of our own money.” (59:12)
    • “And have you guys made that million back yet? —Yes.” (59:14)
  • The business faces unique advertising and payment hurdles due to being classified as “vice.”
    • “You can't advertise on Facebook...credit card processors don’t want to work with you.” (59:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Money & Relationships:

  “A big part of relationships is finance…and it’s so taboo…It’s just as important as talking about sex or communication.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (07:15)

• Dating App Advice:

  “I think the dating apps are a means to an end…But I think that it’s not as heavy as people make it. You don’t have to mine a ton of information…Just exchange a little banter and go on a date.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (09:22)

• Financial Transparency & Risk-Taking:

  “I made sure I had $50,000 in my bank account…I could cover my rent and bills for the year if I didn't make a dollar…So I said, okay, let’s take this calculated risk.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (30:46)

• On Touring Profits:

  “I have seen deals where your top line will be $130,000 that you brought in, and you will take home $30,000.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (48:55)

• On Industry Trends:

  “Podcasting…the amount of people that have gotten into podcasting, the oversaturation is unbelievable. And also, people just get tired of things.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (66:43)

• Business Philosophy:

  “Build a life that you are really proud of and the partner will be an addition to that.”
  —Rayna Greenberg (70:24)

Rapid-Fire Dating Insight: Memorable Timestamps

• On Paying for Dates:
  “I don't need to pay first date. If I'm taking my card out, I don't like you.”
  (26:48)

• On Sex in Long-Term Relationships:
  “One to three times a week is a pretty sweet spot for most people until you have children.”
  (22:44)

• On Prenups:
  “I am absolutely team prenup because…the state will decide what money you owe each other no matter what.”
  (27:55)

• On Building Community & Brand:
  “Ashley and I each do a comedy set essentially where we talk about what’s been going on in our lives…We want people to have a wild and crazy night.”
  (43:51)

Money & Business Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Rayna’s salary at Amazon and risk planning | 29:49–30:54| | Monetizing podcast & CPM discussion | 36:49–37:59| | Touring business breakdown (expenses/profits) | 44:13–48:57| | Surpassing 7 figures in podcast revenue | 52:20–52:35| | Launching and recouping $1M for Vibes Only | 59:12–59:16|

Podcasting & Entrepreneurial Advice

• Don’t start a business (or podcast) purely for money—build something you’re passionate about.
• Know your “why”: Why would somebody listen? What gap in the world does your product or show fill?
• Diversify income streams—live events, product launches, and brand partnerships are crucial.
• Understand your business costs; high gross revenue doesn’t mean high take-home pay!

Final Trading Secret

“Build a life you’re really proud of and the partner will be an addition to that… surround yourself with people you are proud of and you will have a great life.”
—Rayna Greenberg (70:24)

Where to Find More:

• Girls Gotta Eat Podcast
• Vibes Only Sexual Wellness
• Rayna on Instagram: @raina.greenberg

Summary by Trading Secrets Podcast Summarizer
For those who want to laugh, learn, and be empowered—this episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, podcasters, and anyone curious about the business of being real.