How We Podcast

Key takeaways

The a16z Podcast started from a blend of a blogging culture, aimed at achieving authenticity and intimacy in communication.
Content programming requires a strategic approach, focusing on unique expert voices and rich narratives that offer valuable insights.
Editing is a vital and creative process, ensuring each episode maximizes insights per minute while preserving natural, engaging dialogue.
Upcoming plans include exploring innovative content forms and improving audience engagement through diversified podcasting strategies.
Listener engagement is important, framing the podcast as a tool for influencing and educating audiences, including policy-making circles.

Summary

The Origins of the a16z Podcast

In this celebratory episode marking its 500th installment, Sonal Chokshi, the editor-in-chief and showrunner, provides insights into the inception of the a16z Podcast, initiated around late 2013 or early 2014. The push for podcasting came from Chris Dixon and Kim Molosevich, who aimed to evolve the company's communication methods. Initially birthed from a robust blogging culture, the podcast's goal was to foster intimacy and authenticity in different mediums, mirroring the resurgence of podcasting that began to unfurl in the early 2010s.

Podcast Content Strategy and Programming

Sonal discusses how each episode is treated like an op-ed piece, focusing on defining a specific argument or angle, devoid of sterile scripting. Programming involves identifying unique, first-person expert voices that bring diverse perspectives. The show's editorial operation operates through two primary filters: editorial principles and insight metrics, ensuring that segments resonate with audiences while enhancing their understanding of tech trends.

The Art of Editing Podcasts

Editing is described as crucial to the podcasting process, where the goal is to maintain a high 'insights per minute' ratio—prioritizing raw, authentic conversation over heavily scripted formats. Sonal employs a unique method of editing: starting with transcripts to shape narratives before honing the audio itself, aiming to carve out an engaging journey for listeners while preserving the natural nuances of conversation. Importantly, she highlights the balance between maintaining listener engagement through structuring while allowing for organic flow.

Technical Aspects and Future Directions

The discussion turns to the technical needs for successful podcasting, with insights into their equipment choices and the importance of sound quality, made possible through a streamlined setup without unnecessary mixers. As the a16z Podcast looks to expand further, the conversation veers toward potential future content formats and the innovative experiments they hope to undertake, including adapting written material into audio formats and exploring varied types of shows.

Engagement and Audience Perspectives

Sonal reflects on audience interactions and the surprising ways the podcast has impacted listeners, emphasizing that the experience should feel personal. Stories like a U.S. senator citing their podcast content for legislative proposals emphasize the broader influence and responsibility they hold. There’s also a candid conversation about how listener preferences dictate content style, length, and delivery.

Show notes

"Hi everyone, welcome to the a16z Podcast..." ... and welcome to our 500th episode, where, for the first time, we reveal behind-the-scenes details and the backstory of how we built this show, and the broader editorial operation. [You can also listen to episode 499, with head of marketing Margit Wennmachers, on building the a16z brand, here.]

We've talked a lot about the podcasting industry, and even done podcasts about podcasting, so for this special episode, editor-in-chief and showrunner Sonal Chokshi reveals the how, what, and why in conversation with a16z general partner (and guest-host for this special episode) podcasting fan Connie Chan. We also answer some frequently asked questions that we often get (and recently got via Twitter), such as:

how we program podcasts
what's the process, from ideas to publishing
do we edit them and how!
do guests prep, do we have a script
technical stack

...and much more. In fact, much of the conversation goes beyond the a16z Podcast and towards Sonal's broader principles of 'editorial content marketing', which hopefully helps those thinking about their own content operations and podcasts, too. Including where podcasting may be going.

Finally, we share some unexpected moments, and lessons learned along the way; our positions on "tics", swear-words, and talking too fast; failed experiments, and new directions. But most importantly, we share some of the people behind the scenes who help make the a16z Podcast what it was, is, and can be... with thanks most of all to *you*, our wonderful fans!

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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