CEO’s podcast sparks tensions atop The Atlantic

Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, recently sparked tensions within his organization while discussing the media business on Vox's podcast. During the conversation, Thompson mentioned making money off of his personal podcast, to which host Peter Kafka inquired about Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief. Thompson's response that he makes money from his podcast, led to raised eyebrows in The Atlantic's newsroom.

The Atlantic's podcast has become a source of contention between the magazine's business and editorial teams. Journalists have criticized the show, stating that it is not governed by The Atlantic's editorial rules, input, or oversight, despite being produced by the magazine's business side. The Atlantic has previously featured paid content through its creative marketing studio and custom events business, but as the podcast's profile has grown, so too has the internal consternation surrounding it.

Thompson, a former tech reporter and editor-in-chief of Wired, has been outspoken about his business role within the organization. He has booked high-profile guests, including OpenAI founder Sam Altman, which has reportedly caused friction between Thompson and Goldberg, who does not report to Thompson but to the Atlantic's board of directors. The podcast's rise in prominence has led to increased tension between Thompson's business interests and Goldberg's editorial efforts.

The traditional separation between news outlets' editorial and business sides is being challenged by various factors, including the growth of independent media and the rise of platforms like Substack. Thompson's podcast is not an isolated case, but it is another example of the struggles premium news outlets face in maintaining their brand and profitability in the post-traffic, AI-ascendant media landscape.