Beyond the Headlines: Balancing Journalism, Community, and AI with Erica Mandy
Matt Levine talks with Erica Mandy, Founder and Host of The NewsWorthy, an award-winning daily news podcast.
They discuss Erica’s bold leap from TV news reporting to podcasting and why she felt compelled to create a more accessible, less anxiety-inducing way for people to stay informed. She shares the challenges of starting and growing a news podcast, how she curates engaging yet unbiased content, and the lessons she’s learned from releasing over 1,000 episodes.
- Erica starts by explaining why she left TV news for podcasting. She wanted to create a better way for people to stay informed—one that didn’t rely on anxiety-inducing breaking news alerts or require hours of daily commitment.
- Why was podcasting the perfect fit? Unlike TV or print, podcasts let people listen on their own time—during a commute, while cooking, or even at the gym—making news more accessible.
- Erica shares how she overcame the fear of competition. She acknowledges that new podcasters often worry about competition, but she believes multiple voices can coexist, each bringing something unique to the table.
- Matt breaks down the biggest myth in entrepreneurship.
- People think an idea is the most valuable asset in a business, but in reality, execution determines success. Even a world-changing idea is worthless without action.
- Erica and Matt discuss what it’s like to be underestimated. She opens up about being doubted throughout the first months of launching a podcast and how she turned skepticism into motivation to succeed.
- Matt and Erica discuss the role of AI in podcasting. AI can streamline parts of the podcasting process, but it’s still just a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.
- Why AI isn’t ready to replace human storytelling. Erica believes AI can assist with production, but it lacks the depth, nuance, and emotional intelligence needed to create engaging content from scratch.
- The secret to making a podcast feel personal – listeners connect with hosts who feel and sound real.
- For Erica, a successful show isn’t just about downloads. It’s about engagement. Erica prioritizes interacting with listeners, gathering feedback, and making them feel heard.
- Erica breaks down the news curation process—how she picks what to cover – With so much happening daily, her key filter is: Does this story impact my listener? If it doesn’t, it’s not worth including.
- Erica’s goal isn’t just to update people—it’s to offer multiple perspectives, avoid bias, and ensure the news feels trustworthy.
- Erica and Matt discuss the challenge of capturing attention without clickbait. While sensationalism dominates the media, Erica believes you can be engaging without sacrificing integrity.
- Matt and Erica agree that extreme voices dominate social media. Algorithms reward outrage. Controversy keeps people engaged—even if they disagree—so the loudest, most divisive figures often rise to the top.
- Matt argues that media companies rely on polarizing pundits because conflict drives engagement, making society more divided than ever.
- News fatigue is real—two-thirds of Americans are burned out by news. Constant negativity has made many people disengage from current events.
- Looking back on 1,000+ episodes, Erica reflects on how her show has changed over time and what she’s learned since episode one.
- Why practicing in private matters – Before launching publicly, Erica sought feedback from close friends and family. Testing and refining early on gave her the confidence to succeed.
- Erica shares the reality of running a podcast as a business.
- The theory of starting a show is exciting, but actually growing and sustaining a podcast brand is a different challenge altogether.
- Why a little naivety can be helpful in business. If you knew everything before starting, you might be too afraid to take the leap. Erica believes that sometimes, blind optimism can be a good thing.
- The U.S. leads in entrepreneurship—until age 31, when rates drop sharply. According to Matt, a key reason could be that that’s when most people have kids, making risk-taking harder.
- The power of delegation—learning to let go. Every hire takes over a job you once did. Letting go of control can be tough, but it’s crucial for growth.
- Understand that hiring is not a cost—it’s an investment.
- Erica’s parenting advice—research, but trust your gut: No amount of reading can fully prepare you. Whether it’s raising a child or running a business, sometimes you just have to trust yourself.
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