“More isn’t better. Better is better.”
It’s a mantra that’s often echoed by Pushkin Industries’ Chief Strategy Officer Eric Sandler and captures the Pushkin ethos. Co-founded by author Malcolm Gladwell, Pushkin is an audio-first production house built on the belief that great storytelling, when smart, emotionally resonant, and meticulously produced, will always rise above the noise.
“We believe audio has the ability to reach people emotionally in ways that’s harder to do in print,” Sandler said. “That’s why production quality is so important [at Pushkin]. We take pride not just in our creatives, but also in the sound engineers, mixers, and all the technical details that bring each episode to life.”
TechNexus has long invested at the intersection of emerging creators and the future of audio through our corporate partner Shure, as well as through Podfund, TechNexus’s fund that invests in media companies. Pushkin, an early Podfund portfolio company, proves how world-class storytelling, entrepreneurial vision, and sound innovation can reshape an entire industry.
For emerging brands like Pushkin and legacy audio giants like Shure, whose microphones and tools are trusted by the world’s top podcasters, the quality of the audio experience is inseparable from the impact of the story. It's part of TechNexus’s ecosystem approach to audio innovation and reflects our belief that investing in creators isn’t just about content — it’s about catalyzing the next wave of media innovation.
Operating as both a podcast network and an audiobook publisher, Pushkin is uniquely positioned to explore stories across formats. Pushkin’s portfolio includes thought-provoking shows like Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, the cult-favorite Heavyweight, and audiobooks such as Michael Lewis’ Liar’s Poker.
"We work with critical thinkers,” Morgan Ratner, director of marketing, said. “Our hosts bring unique perspectives and deep expertise, whether they’re historians, journalists, or subject-matter experts in fields like health.”
This commitment to thoughtful, deep storytelling has enabled Pushkin to produce standout shows like Deep Cover, now in its sixth season. Each installment unpacks a different case, led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern, whose on-the-ground reporting brings a level of rigor and credibility rare in the true crime genre.
Looking ahead, Pushkin is doubling down on innovation in both talent development and audio format. The company actively nurtures its in-house producers, creating clear pathways for them to develop into hosts and lead new projects. This approach has already shaped shows like Broken Record, where original hosts Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell passed the torch to producer Justin Richmond. It’s part of a broader commitment to developing voices from within, ensuring that the people closest to the storytelling are also the ones shaping its future.
“We’re not just looking for big names. We look for people who are genuinely passionate about audio as a medium and have a distinct voice,” Sandler said.
Pushkin is also keeping a pulse on how emerging technologies could transform the way audiences interact with audio. Sandler points to augmented reality as one potential frontier, noting that as AR becomes more widely adopted, it could create new opportunities for immersive listening and spatial audio experiences.
As the boundaries between podcasting, video, and interactive media continue to blur, Pushkin sees audio as a foundational layer that will continue to inspire and inform the next generation of storytellers.