The Colin and Samir Show

Today on The Colin and Samir Show we’re joined by Mark Rober, the former NASA engineer turned YouTube’s most prolific scientist, along with his Chief Content Officer, Scott Lewers. In this episode we explore why Mark is spending tens of millions to replace outdated classroom videos with free, high-production STEM content for teachers. We also dig into YouTube vs Netflix and the growing scale of the Mark Rober cinematic universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of the internet runs on negativity. But Yes Theory built a massive audience doing the opposite. They’re a group of filmmakers known for traveling the world, meeting strangers, and living by one idea: “seek discomfort” the belief that the best moments in life exist outside your comfort zone We’ve known Thomas Brag for years, watching his journey up close, and this is his third time on the show. In this episode, we talk about the real challenge of YouTube:how do you make people care? Virality vs. meaning, real human moments, and why authenticity might be the only edge left online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OpenAI just dropped $100M+ to buy a tech podcast that's only been around for 16 months. On the surface, it makes no sense. But when you look closer, this deal tells you everything about where media, marketing, and the creator economy are headed. We break down why Sam Altman called TPBN's founders "genius marketers," why storytelling is becoming the most valuable skill in tech, why live content is having a massive moment, and what this means if you're a creator building something right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first three months of 2026 revealed where the creator economy is actually headed. We broke down the three trends that defined the quarter: the livestreaming explosion and the clipping economy turning fame into an assembly line, AI video hitting mainstream audiences and getting banned at the same time, and the gamification of literally everything — from war to the Oscars. Plus, why the backlash to all of it might be the most important trend of all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apply to Press Publish LA - ⁠presspublish.la For years, platforms have operated under one assumption: They aren’t responsible for what happens on their apps. This case challenges that. A jury found YouTube and Meta negligent not for the content on their platforms, but for how those platforms are designed. In this episode, we explore the case, the legal shift it represents, and why it may mark the beginning of a new era for the internet...one where attention comes with responsibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode isn’t about AI tools. It’s about what happens when content makes itself. Adam (levy.eth) built a fully automated, AI-generated podcast about the Epstein Files. No hosts. No studio. No production team. It became the #1 podcast in the UK, beating ABC News, the BBC, and Audible — and he was doing about 5% of the work. In this episode, Samir sits down with Adam to break down exactly how he built it, what it cost, and what the numbers look like on the other side. But the conversation quickly becomes something bigger — a real-time reckoning with what AI means for the creator economy, for the people who've spent years building audiences by hand, and for what it means to make something worth making at all. They get into: How Distill became the foundation for a fully autonomous podcast network Why daily content is the stickiest product in media — and how AI is the only thing that can truly do it The economics that are breaking open: $1 per episode, profitable at 20 listeners What the five-minute mark tells us about where audiences are headed Why AI won't kill creative careers — but will force creators to be radically more honest This is one of the most important conversations we've had on the show. And it's only getting more relevant by the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COME TO PRESS PUBLISH LA: http://presspublish.la/ The creator economy is projected to reach $43 billion in ad spend this year. But a recent survey found that nearly half of creators make less than $10,000 a year. So where is all the money actually going? In this episode, Colin and Samir break down the economics behind the creator economy — and why so much of the money is concentrating at the top. As major brands shift billions of dollars toward creators, they’re increasingly partnering with a small number of highly organized creators who can deliver large, multi-platform campaigns. We explore: Why the creator economy is becoming winner-take-most How Fortune 500 brands are reshaping creator partnerships Why creators with teams and infrastructure are landing the biggest deals What smaller creators need to do to compete for brand dollars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking down the success of Markiplier's indie-horror film "Iron Lung" and what it means for creators and Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the "Abundance Era," a major shift where the supply of content has far outpaced human demand. We explore the rise of "AI slop" flooding our feeds, from 2 billion-view monkey channels to unhinged AI VTubers making $400,000 a month. As AI becomes indistinguishable from human creators, we discuss the looming threat to authenticity and the individual creator. We break down real-world examples, including digital twins of MrBeast and Snoop Dogg, and a "lawyer" channel rivaling Legal Eagle. To help you survive this wave, we outline two paths: the McDonald's-style "Scale" model and the Rolex-style "Scarcity" model. We discuss why building deep connections and IRL experiences may be the only way to defend your brand against infinite slop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix just signed a major talent deal with Jordan Matter and his daughter, Salish, it's the next big step in the YouTube to Netflix Pipeline. In this episode, we break down what this deal actually is (and what it isn’t). Why Netflix didn’t ask for a pilot. Why Salish, not a show, was the bet. And what it means when a streaming platform starts backing creators the way Hollywood used to back talent. Jordan takes us inside how the channel started as a photography vlog, why it exploded once Salish became the focus, and how they built one of the most durable family franchises on YouTube. We also talk about the mechanics: long-form retention, audience trust, why showing up every week still matters, and why YouTube remains the foundation, even after signing a Netflix deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Jordi Hayes and John Coogan, the hosts of TBPN, a daily, live technology and business show that’s quietly become one of the most premium properties in modern media. TBN runs three hours live every weekday across YouTube, Twitch, and RSS, blending the format of legacy TV with the energy of creator-led streaming. In just over a year, the show has built a loyal audience, hosted over 1,000 guests (including Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and Satya Nadella), and sold out every ad slot for the year ahead. In the conversation, John and Jordi break down their “anti-scale” philosophy: why they’re intentionally staying niche, how they’ve built an influential audience of tech and business decision-makers, and why they believe the future of media belongs to great shows. We also go deep on their unique advertising strategy, which includes ultra-short host reads and season-long deals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Pumphrey and Jesse Wood helped build Donut Media into one of the most influential YouTube brands of the last decade. Then they walked away and started over. In this episode, they join us to break down what they learned building inside a YouTube incubator, what changes when a channel becomes a company, and what they’re applying now as the co-founders of Speeed. We dive into the structure of great YouTube channels, the importance of writing and formats, why entertainment has to come before everything else, and the nine principles they use to evaluate whether a YouTube media business actually works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We recorded this episode from Big Sky, Montana at the annual Spotter Creator Summit - four days with some of the top creators in the world talking about where this industry is actually headed. And one idea kept coming up over and over again: We’ve officially entered the era of abundance. There is more good content, more creators, and more competition for attention than ever before. Streamers are courting creators. AI is accelerating production. And brands have more options than they know what to do with. So the real question going into 2026 isn’t “How do I grow?” It’s: How do I become memorable? In this episode, we break down what we’re hearing directly from creators, platforms, and brands—including insights from Issa Rae, conversations happening inside the summit, and Adam Mosseri’s New Year’s post about authenticity and AI. We talk about: Why “just making good videos” isn’t enough anymore How creators need to start telling the story of the story What’s changing in brand deals (and why short-form and long-form are diverging) Why streamers are suddenly paying closer attention to creators How AI changes the meaning of authenticity And what it takes to make something that can’t be summarized This episode is about the next phase of the creator economy—and the shift from chasing views to building something people actually remember. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we break down our 2026 creator economy predictions and debate what we’re in and out on. From video podcasts and AI-generated content to creators working with streamers, the rise of IRL events, and how attention is changing online. We talk about why loyalty to creators is breaking, why summarization and AI tools are reshaping how people consume content, and why entertainment and perspective now matter more than information alone. Plus, our biggest predictions for how platforms like YouTube and Netflix will evolve in the next year and what it all means for creators building long-term careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instagram is coming to your TV. YouTube creators are showing up on Netflix and Hulu. And Disney just invested $1 billion into OpenAI. In this episode, we break down three headlines that point to the same shift: the living room is becoming the most important screen in the creator economy. We unpack what Instagram’s new TV app actually signals, why creator content is increasingly being syndicated to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Tubi, and how Disney licensing its characters to AI models could change the future of IP, entertainment, and creators themselves. The big takeaway? Platforms are changing—but the creators who win are the ones building shows, not just content. To close, we run through a rapid-fire “ins and outs” of creator economy trends heading into 2026—and ask you what trends you’d buy or sell next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something strange is happening in media: you can now bet on everything. News events. Celebrity relationships. Short-form views. Even what MrBeast might say in his next video. In this episode, we unpack the rise of prediction markets like Kalshi and why they’re suddenly being plugged into major media companies, and into creator culture. We explore how this shift changes incentives, rewrites the rules of attention, and pushes creators into a new era where content isn’t just content… it’s a financial asset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something big is happening in the creator world: creators are turning their online audiences into real-world destinations. From tours to immersive pop-ups, we’re entering the Experience Economy — a shift that resembles the early days of Disney. In this episode, we talk about why creators are moving offline, what it says about the volatility of digital media, and where the creator business model is heading next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix just made its biggest move yet against YouTube, and it is happening in podcasts. In this episode, we break down Netflix’s new partnership with Spotify, why they are licensing more than a dozen video podcasts from The Ringer, and what it means that these shows cannot appear in full on YouTube. We explain the real strategy behind the shift. Netflix wants to win back daily watch time, compete with YouTube’s 12.8% share of TV viewing, and build a pipeline of cheaper, more culturally relevant programming. But does any of this actually work? And why would a top creator take their show off YouTube in exchange for a one year Netflix deal under ten million dollars? We dig into the incentives for creators, why long form podcasts may already be past their cultural peak, how volatility on YouTube is shaping creator decisions, and what Netflix needs to do if it wants to become a real home for talk content. We also look at the TikTok and iHeart podcast network, whether exclusives still matter, and what this all signals about the next era of podcasting. If Netflix wants to earn back our time, this is their first move. But is it the right one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Colin and Samir Show we break down how Instagram became the center of the creator universe in 2025. We explain why Instagram is now the first app people open, how it “owns the phone screen,” and why the DM has become the most powerful way to share and grow. We also talk through revenue on Instagram and what we're seeing on the platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Colin and Samir Show we speak with filmmaker Owen Reiser. When he realized his work in nature documentaries was drying up, he decided to make his own. The result was Listers , a two-hour birdwatching documentary he made with his brother. It cost him $16,000 and he uploaded straight to YouTube with the ads turned off. It reached millions of people, built a community around his work, and created an interesting revenue model for films on YouTube. We talk with Owen about how he pulled it off, how much he made, why he turned down Hollywood offers, and what Listers says about the future of filmmaking on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably don’t think of your inbox as part of the creator economy, but email is a big business, and Substack is leading the charge. In this episode, Colin and Samir sit down with Rachel Karten, writer of the Substack newsletter Link in Bio, which covers the world of social media and has grown to more than 105,000 subscribers. Rachel left her role at Bon Appétit to build her own business as an independent creator, and today she earns income through paid subscriptions and brand partnerships on Substack. Colin, Samir and Rachel break down how email newsletters became one of the most powerful tools in the creator economy and why Substack’s model of direct audience ownership is changing how writers, journalists, and creators make a living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Faze is building what might be the first true TV studio for TikTok. His company, Gymnasium, develops short-form shows that reach millions of viewers — sometimes for less than the cost of a dinner out. In this episode, we talk about how he’s rethinking the studio model for the vertical video era, what it takes to turn a 90-second TikTok into an ongoing series, and why he believes TikTok is replacing the traditional TV pilot. We also get into how these shows make money, what Hollywood can learn from short-form creators, and how the next generation of entertainment will be developed on our phones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Colin and Samir break down the launch of OpenAI’s Sora 2 — and what it means for the creator economy. They explore how this new generation of AI video could change everything from audience expectations to the way creators produce content, and share their predictions for what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Download Premiere for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-premiere-video-editor/id6742757464 Casey Neistat unfiltered on the state of modern YouTube from our event Press Publish NYC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Press Publish NYC, Colin & Samir sat down with Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett to unpack how he built one of the world’s top podcasts by embracing failure as a strategy. Steven shared how his “failure team” runs rapid experiments to learn fast and improve, and how tools like pre-watch testing remove guesswork from creative decisions. Try out Copilot here: https://aka.ms/CopilotHome Check out the Copilot Recap of all sessions here: https://aka.ms/CopilotRecaps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Colin and Samir Show, we break down the microdramas, the 1-minute movies that are making billions. Check out Epidemic Sound: https://share.epidemicsound.com/colinandsamirSEP25 Use code COLINANDSAMIR for 50% your first two months Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTuber Michelle Khare and director Garrett Kennell join us to break down their most dangerous video yet: recreating Tom Cruise’s airplane stunt from Mission: Impossible. We get into how they pulled it off, the team behind the scenes, and what it’s like to build an independent media company from the ground up. Michelle also opens up about her failed Emmy campaign, the line between YouTube and Hollywood, and where creators fit into the future of entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Download our Free 7-Point YouTube Checklist: http://colinandsamir.com/checklist We've asked 100s of professional YouTubers this question: How do you stand out on YouTube? We pulled out 37 minutes of the best advice from The Colin and Samir Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Josh Johnson is doing something almost no one else in stand-up is doing: releasing a new set every single week on YouTube. In this episode, we talk with Josh about how he’s built a 350M-view channel without Netflix or HBO, why stand-up comedians are some of the best observers of the human condition, and what creators can learn from the way he writes, performs, and publishes at such a relentless pace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come to Press Publish NYC: https://news.thepublishpress.com/press-publish-nyc In this solo episode, Samir breaks down the rise of Jubilee’s Surrounded series—and why the latest episode left him uneasy. He explores the line between conversation and spectacle, and what it means for the future of YouTube content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Colin and Samir sit down with Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and co-founder of DeepMind, for a conversation about the future of artificial intelligence and what it means for creators, culture, and the future of the internet. Mustafa shares how his journey from running a juice stand in Camden Market to building one of the world’s leading AI companies has shaped his view of technology and society. We dive into the emotional and creative potential of AI companions, the importance of trust and brand in the age of generative tools, and why the digital spaces we work in need more texture, personality, and "digital patina." Whether you're a creator, founder, or just trying to understand where the internet is going, this conversation will spark new ideas—and probably change the way you think about the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Try Spotter Studio: https://partner.spotterstudio.com/colinandsamir Nick DiGiovanni is one of the biggest food creators on the internet — and creators in every genre can learn a lot from his journey. On this episode of The Colin and Samir Show, we talk with Nick about how he went from studying at Harvard to building a global audience by making cooking fun, fast, and entertaining. We dive into how he approaches storytelling, scales his brand across platforms, and balances creativity with business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we catch up with Ryan Trahan midway through 50 States in 50 Days—his most ambitious YouTube series yet. Ryan breaks down how he's producing 20–30 minute daily videos while traveling to a new state every day, all to raise money for St. Jude (over $3.6M so far). We talk about building repeatable formats, interactive storytelling, and why this feels like YouTube’s version of “watercooler TV.” Plus, Ryan shares the discipline and intention behind the series—and what it’s taught him about impact, creativity, and generosity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Colin and Samir Show, we talk to Twitch CEO Dan Clancy about the platform’s unique place in internet culture, the creator economy, and the future of livestreaming. Dan shares why Twitch isn’t trying to compete with YouTube, how the platform supports community-driven creators, and what really happened with those exclusive Twitch contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out Epidemic Sound and get 50 in Five: https://share.epidemicsound.com/colinandsamirJUN25 YouTuber Anthony Potero aka Anthpo is one of the brightest minds when it comes to storytelling on the internet. He's responsible for the Timothee Chalamet Lookalike Contest, Cheeseball Man, and Kid with Crocs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We just got back from the most powerful week in advertising—and it wasn’t in New York or L.A., it was on the beaches of France. In this episode, we break down the 3 biggest takeaways from Cannes Lions 2025 that every YouTube creator needs to know. From why brands still struggle to measure creator impact, to the rise of deficit-financed YouTube series, to a major shift from the attention economy to the connection economy—this is what the future of the creator business looks like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to Lexar for sponsoring this episode On this episode of The Colin and Samir Show, we sit down with Niko Pueringer—co-founder of Corridor Crew, the minds behind VFX Artists React, one of YouTube’s longest-running and most beloved formats. With over 16 million subscribers across their channels, Corridor has cracked the code on how to blend filmmaking, format creation, and internet culture. We talk about how they stumbled into their viral hit, the creative philosophy that powers their work, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative business on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to the Publish Press to find out about Press Publish NYC. In this episode we're going to be breaking down the 3 Trends shaping the Creator Economy in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Colin & Samir Show we're dissecting Luke Nichols (Outdoor Boys) decision to walk away from 15 million YouTube subscribers at the peak of his career. Then we give our takeways from last weeks YouTube Brandcast event, helping to make sense of where YouTube is heading as a platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Colin and Samir Show, we speak with Reid Hoffman — LinkedIn founder, OpenAI investor, and now one of the first people to launch an AI version of himself. We interview both Reid AI and the real Reid to explore what AI means for the future of storytelling. We dive into the biggest questions facing creators today: Will AI help us scale or replace us? What happens to trust in an era of deepfakes? And how do creators stay ahead when anyone can prompt instead of produce? Reid shares his outlook on the creator economy’s next chapter — and how creators can use AI to turn disruption into opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Colin and Samir Show, we explore the Creator Camp Film Festival—a new experiment in creator-led cinema organized by Max Reisinger. Creator Camp is building a new economic model for film that bypasses Hollywood gatekeepers. We also talk with Max about the challenges of monetizing art on the internet, the evolving relationship between creators and studios, and what it might look like to build the A24 of YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get better ideas for YouTube — https://www.colinandsamir.com/ideas This week on The Colin and Samir Show, we sit down with YouTube strategist Paddy Galloway — the mind behind 10 billion views annually on YouTube. Paddy shares behind-the-scenes insights on how top-performing videos come to life, what separates average uploads from breakout hits, and the exact frameworks that are helping small channels go viral. We dive into real-world case studies from creators like Johnny Harris and MrBeast to brands like Red Bull and the Philadelphia Eagles, analyzing what made those uploads explode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Colin and Samir Show, we talk about YouTube's push for creators to win Emmys, answer questions from the audience, including how to find an "internship" to get experience as a creator, and share takeaways from SXSW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Try Airalo and use code COLIN&SAMIR3 for $3 off your first eSIM https://try.airalo.com/ColinSamir On this episode of The Colin and Samir Show, we sit down with Johnny and Iz Harris to talk about the future of news on YouTube. Johnny and Iz explain their mission to provide context-driven news with their company New Press, the evolution of Johnny's YouTube channel, and the business model for journalism on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the episode of The Colin and Samir Show, Patreon CEO Jack Conte joins us to share his advice for creators in 2025. We dive into the evolution of the internet from the follower model to the "For You" era, the impact of short-form content, and what it means for creators trying to build sustainable businesses. Join our free live workshop on the 3 rules of YouTube: https://courses.colinandsamir.com/3-rules-live-session Read the Patreon State of Create Report: https://news.patreon.com/articles/state-of-create Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we break down key insights from Spotter Summit, including Kevin Hart’s top advice for creators, what creators can take from Beast Games, and major trends shaping 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out InVideo AI: https://invideo.io/i/ColinandSamir In this episode with Pokimane, we dive into her early days on Twitch, the business moves that shaped her career, and the challenges of being both a creator and entrepreneur. Pokimane shares insights on diversifying income streams, launching a snack brand, handling internet drama, and navigating the evolution of live streaming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Colin and Samir Show, we sit down with Snapchat founder and CEO, Evan Spiegel, for a deep dive into the evolution of social media, the future of technology, and the role of Snapchat in the creator economy. Evan shares his insights on the future of wearables like Spectacles, the TikTok ban, how social media shapes culture and politics, what it takes to build a product that connects people, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out Spotter Studio: https://partner.spotterstudio.com/colinandsamir In our fifth interview with Jimmy Donaldson, we break down MrBeast's biggest year yet. From launching the most expensive unscripted reality show of all time—Beast Games on Prime Video—to scaling Feastables, and pushing the limits of YouTube, Jimmy opens up about the challenges of such fast-paced growth. In the interview, we cover the relationship between creators and Hollywood, his mission to disrupt Big Chocolate, how he continues to innovate on YouTube and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices