90% of Podcasts Are Doing It Wrong — Truth Behind Media Deals & Inside the Joe Budden Podcast Empire
Earn Your Leisure
iHeartPodcasts
4.8 • 7.8K Ratings
🗓️ 8 January 2026
⏱️ 78 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
On this episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with Ian Schwartzman (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=0), business partner and part owner of the Joe Budden Network (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=1), for a real behind-the-scenes breakdown of the podcast and media business. Ian opens up about how his partnership with Joe Budden was built, why most podcasts are operating the wrong way, and how content creators often undervalue what they own.
We dive deep into why streaming numbers alone don’t define your worth, how the Joe Budden Network operates like a data company, and why too many ad reads can actually hurt a brand. Ian also explains why so many podcasts fail on Patreon, how network breakups can lead to better ownership structures, and why making good business decisions shouldn’t be taboo in creative industries.
The conversation also breaks down the evolving media landscape, including the deal between Netflix (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=2) and iHeartMedia (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=3), negotiation strategies behind major partnerships, and whether podcasters are giving up video rights too early. From the podcast bubble popping to why experience matters more than an ad check, this episode is a must-watch for anyone building in media, content, or business.
EYL University: https://eyluniversity.com
#EarnYourLeisure #PodcastBusiness #IanSchwartzman #JoeBuddenNetwork #ContentCreators #MediaDeals #Netflix #iHeartMedia #PodcastIndustry #Ownership #DigitalMedia #Entrepreneurship
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is an IHeart podcast. |
| 0:02.5 | Guaranteed Human. |
| 0:05.2 | This episode is brought to you by PNC Bank. |
| 0:08.2 | A lot of people think podcasts about work are boring. |
| 0:11.2 | And sure, they definitely can be. |
| 0:13.5 | But understanding a professional's routine shows us how they achieve their success |
| 0:17.4 | little by little day after day. |
| 0:20.4 | It's like banking with PNC Bank. |
| 0:22.8 | It might seem boring to save plan and make calculated decisions with your bank, |
| 0:27.2 | but keeping your money boring is what helps you live on more happily fulfilled life. |
| 0:32.1 | PNC Bank, brilliantly boring since 1865. |
| 0:36.6 | Brilliantly boring since 1865 is a service mark of the PNC Financial Service Group, Inc. |
| 0:42.3 | PNC Bank, National Association member FDIC. |
| 0:47.1 | That's what you all. |
| 0:48.3 | I was telling you, probably the most impactful interview I've done in my career. |
| 0:55.0 | Heroes now, as real heroes. |
| 0:57.0 | I heard Rashad and Troy talk about the tags letter. |
| 1:00.0 | We talk about finance. |
| 1:02.0 | But we talk in a language that is common to the people that's from the communities that we grew up with. |
| 1:07.0 | You are the bright spot of real estate and entrepreneurship for black Americans. |
| 1:12.5 | This is the knowledge that actually matters. |
| 1:15.6 | I applaud both of you for this. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 19 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from iHeartPodcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of iHeartPodcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.