New Media in 2026: What Actually Works

Welcome to the first episode of the New Media Podcast with Matt McGarry and Kolby Hatch. In this episode, we break down the business of media—from newsletters and YouTube to events and monetization strategies. We also dive into lessons from New Media Summit, building profitable media companies, and what’s actually working right now. If you’re building in the creator economy, this is the behind-the-scenes conversation you don’t usually hear.🍿 Watch on YouTube here.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to New Media Podcast02:19 Inside the New Media Summit04:08 How Event Businesses Actually Make Money06:32 Sponsorships & Revenue Streams Explained08:23 Why Audience Engagement Matters More Than Ever10:47 The Truth About Growing a Podcast13:15 Why Most Content Fails (And What Works Instead)16:01 Where New Media Is Heading27:25 How Storytelling Shapes Media Success28:10 Lessons From Past Media Trends31:44 Gated Content: Smart Strategy or Bad UX?39:07 Email Growth Hacks & Automation Strategies44:59 Sponsorships Are Changing—Here’s How52:42 Is Email Marketing Still Worth It?55:31 Why Organic Subscribers Are 10x More Valuable57:40 The Real Business Models Behind Newsletters58:29 Are Newsletters Dead or Evolving?01:02:45 Why Conferences Are a Massive Opportunity01:04:11 IRL > URL: The Power of In-Person Networking01:06:54 Why Big Events Are Declining01:12:11 Building Community Through Local EventsCheck out Dylan's newsletter here!🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link.