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What the Netflix and Barstool Sports Deal Means for You
This trend in podcast deals presents expanding opportunities for independent podcasters!
A new multi-year partnership between Netflix and Barstool Sports will make video versions of three of the brand’s biggest podcasts — Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Podcast, and Spittin’ Chiclets — exclusive to Netflix beginning in early 2026.
This deal highlights some of the trends we’re seeing in the podcast industry and highlights creative ways podcasters can position their content for potential monetization.
Specifically, the brands negotiated exclusivity but only for video versions of the shows, which wasn’t the first time for this structure but suggests a continuing or growing trend. Audio versions are available everywhere, still.
This deal structure highlights how some top brands are creatively structuring deals in a way that can benefit both creators and smaller audio and video platforms.
For example, podcasters could consider deals where only the video is exclusive to a platform, or even only the audio.
Podcasters could also negotiate a deal where some or all of the content is exclusive to a platform for a short period of time, such as the first 48 hours.
In the end, while these deals often generate backlash and strong opinions online, they move the industry forward for independent podcasters. This type of structure also means more platforms could afford to become players in making deals.
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Cliff Ravenscraft, also known as the Podcast Answer Man, just celebrated 20 years in podcasting. Since December 2005, he has produced more than 50 different podcast shows and published over 4,800 podcast episodes.
During Cliff’s first twelve years in podcasting, he worked as a podcast consultant and trained tens of thousands of people how to successfully launch a podcast. Among those early students were names you likely know today, including Pat Flynn, Amy Porterfield, John Lee Dumas and many other industry leaders who credit Cliff’s guidance as part of their origin story and who have since helped thousands or even millions of podcasters launch and grow their shows.
Podfest’s CEO, Nick Pavlidis, has had a long history with Cliff. More than ten years ago, Cliff was one of the experts Nick learned from when he was launching his podcast, Five Minutes With Dad, which he hosted with his two kids from when they were toddlers to teens.
Nick kept in touch with Cliff throughout the years while Cliff began helping people in other ways, including with business development, and is excited to be able to share with you that Podcast Answer Man is back!
After years of focusing on other areas of business development, Cliff has returned to teaching podcasting under the original Podcast Answer Man brand. He relaunched the Podcast Answer Man podcast, and new episodes are already live and gaining momentum.
Cliff is stepping back into this space to help independent creators build remarkable shows. His return is a major win for the podcasting community, and we’re thrilled that he’ll be bringing that energy to Podfest Expo in Orlando this January.
Cliff will also be speaking at Podfest Expo 2026. (Get Your Tickets Here)
Cliff will take the stage to share practical, actionable guidance for podcasters who want to grow their impact with less complexity and more intention. His session, “Why You Should Consider Creating a Separate Podcast with Only 5 to 10 Episodes,” reveals a strategy most creators overlook: the power of short, standalone podcast series.
Cliff will walk attendees through how a focused 5 to 10 episode show built around a single problem, topic, or audience can achieve results a long-form weekly podcast often cannot. You’ll learn why these one-time projects attract the right listeners, convert at higher rates, and continue working for you long after production is complete. It’s a practical look at creating evergreen audio assets that build trust, establish authority, and guide people directly into the next step you want them to take.
Podcasting A to Z returns
Cliff is also reopening his flagship training program, Podcasting A to Z. Many of the most successful voices in this industry started with that course, and for the first time in years, creators will have the opportunity to learn directly from Cliff in that environment again.
If you’ve been looking for a structured, start-to-finish path taught by someone who understands podcasting at the deepest level, Podcasting A to Z is worth exploring. Cliff will be available at Podfest to talk with attendees about the upcoming cohort.
Podfest Expo continues to be a place built for independent creators, and this year is shaping up to be something special. Pat Flynn will keynote. The Podcast Hall of Fame ceremony will take place during the event. And now Cliff Ravenscraft, Podcast Answer Man, is officially part of this year’s experience.
We’re thrilled to welcome Cliff to Podfest Expo 2026, and I can’t wait for you to learn from him, connect with him, and be inspired by what he’s bringing back into the industry.
143 Studios, LLC is looking for a hybrid producer in the Boston area.
OutKick is looking for an Associate Podcast Producer in the New York area.
Cato Institute is looking for a Podcast Host and Creative Producer in the Washington, DC area.
The Wall Street Journal is looking for a Host/Producer for a Personal Finance Podcast in the New York area.
7xContent is looking for a remote Content Lead - Leading Podcasts.
Raising ADHD is the go-to podcast for parents raising kids with ADHD who are done feeling overwhelmed, blamed, and burnt out. Hosted by Apryl Bradford, M.Ed., and her husband, Dr. Brian Bradford, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, each episode blends real talk, expert insight, and practical strategies to help you parent with calm, confidence, and clarity. From school struggles to meltdowns to late-night guilt spirals, Raising ADHD is the lifeline for parents who want to parent with strength, not shame. It’s the community and support you didn’t know you were missing.
The Made for More Momcast with Shannon Marie Bennett is for women raising the bar in business and motherhood simultaneously; the ones building a legacy, creating something meaningful, and still showing up at home with heart. Each episode blends honest mom-life stories with real business growth, as Shannon interviews mom entrepreneurs from all types of businesses, sharing what it’s really like to build a brand while raising a family and what being “Made for More” means when life is full, loud, and beautiful. If you’re craving motivation that feels like a deep breath, strategies that actually move the needle, and a reminder that you’re allowed to want more and go get it—this is your place.
Proof to Product is a weekly podcast for product-based business owners who want to sell more — wholesale, online, and beyond. Hosted by Katie Hunt, each episode delivers practical guidance on pricing, pitching retailers, marketing your products, improving margins, and building a sustainable business around physical goods. If you make and sell products and want clear, proven strategies (not fluff), this show is for you.
Podmatch: Automatically Matching Ideal Podcast Hosts & Guests For Interviews While Streamlining the Process
PodMatch believes that podcasting is the most powerful content medium for informing, inspiring, and motivating people to take action toward a more positive future. PodMatch’s purpose is to elevate independent voices on both sides of the microphone, empowering them to impact listeners in their own positive way, ultimately, making the world a better place.
Most podcast hosts and guests spend hours researching connections, coordinating interviews, and working on administrative tasks while only spending 10% of their time on what matters, recording impactful podcast episodes! PodMatch enables podcast guests and hosts to reclaim their time through automations and streamlined processes, so they can focus on creating content that serves listeners!
Publish Your Book with Morgan James
Turn your podcast into a powerful, profit-driving book with Morgan James Publishing. As the publisher for entrepreneurs, experts, and creators, Morgan James gives you the credibility of traditional publishing with the speed and flexibility today’s content leaders demand.
With Morgan James, you get to retain your valuable intellectual property rights, earn higher royalties than typical publishers, and plug into global distribution that makes your book available wherever books are sold. If you’re ready to elevate your authority, expand your platform, and create a book that drives real business growth, Morgan James Publishing is the partner built for podcasters.
