EPISODE · May 21, 2021 · 58 MIN
Boss Talk #14: New Media Models with Substack
from a16z Live · host Chris Best, Ali Ghodsi, Felicia Horowitz, Marc Andreessen, Hamish McKenzie, Ben Horowitz
What did Substack think about the NYTimes article "Why We’re Freaking Out About Substack" [1:01]What is Substack? [4:40]The issues with social media content models and how Substack is different [5:54]What about the echo chamber? [8:54]Turning cultural principles (e.g., freedom of the press) into actual culture [12:00]Will Substack replace traditional media? [14:01]Would Donald Trump be welcome on Substack? [20:35]Why do they pay writers advances? And why is that controversial? [23:33]The origins of American journalism aren't what most people think [27:20]Non-fungible writers and the Substack model [31:45]Ad-supported media predates the internet [39:21]How do I price my Substack? [43:39]Substack, political topics, and culture wars: "We knew we were running towards the fire." [45:01]How do you prevent algorithms from slanting the platform [51:06]Substack's vision for the future of media [55:27]Boss Talk is the Clubhouse show where a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz and Ali Ghodsi, the Founder/CEO of Databricks, discuss CEO stuff, leadership stuff, management stuff... boss stuff. Live every Tuesday 5-6pm on Clubhouse. For more a16z Clubhouse shows, follow the a16z Club on Clubhouse or visit www.a16z.com/clubhouse.
What this episode covers
What is Substack? How is it changing media? And who or what is a non-fungible writer? That and more with the founders of Substack.
NOW PLAYING
Boss Talk #14: New Media Models with Substack
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m
Nov 12, 2025 ·35m
Oct 17, 2025 ·40m