The Now Podcast

Hosted by Now Media

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139

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May 2026

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The Now Podcast is your go-to source in the fast-moving world of digital culture. We interview visionary creators, builders, and industry leaders so you can stay up-to-date on the most important stories shaping the digital economy. To sign up for our newsletters, head to http://nowmedia.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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May 22, 20261 hr 0 min

Are AI Agents the New Media Business Model?

Michael Blau left a16z Crypto to build Drip, a marketplace where AI agents pay writers per article. No subscriptions. Just micropayments, settled on-chain, every time an agent reads.The thesis: everyone's about to give their ChatGPT or Claude a wallet, and when they do, those agents will need somewhere to buy premium analysis. Drip lets Substack and newsletter writers sell their work to agents on a pay-per-read basis, starting with finance and tech. Writers set their own price. A trading agent might buy 100 articles for pennies each before it ever places a trade.Matt Medved sits down with Blau to get under the hood of agentic commerce and what it means for the media model.In this conversation:– How Drip works and why it's additive to subscriptions, not a replacement– Why micropayments need stablecoins (credit cards can't process a one-cent transaction)– The x402 standard and why it feels like the early NFT/ERC-721 days– Investor brain vs. founder brain, and lessons from Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon– The three ways to play the agent economy: be the wallet, sell to agents, or own discovery– Blau's personal AI stack: Codex, "brain folders," and switching off Claude overnightSubscribe to Now Media: https://nowmedia.co/Drip: https://dripstack.xyzMichael Blau: https://x.com/blauyourmindMatt Medved: https://x.com/mattmedvedSubscribe and rate the show wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 20, 202629 min

An AI-Generated Epstein Files Podcast Just Hit 3.5 Million Downloads

Adam Levy built the first fully synthetic podcast to top the UK charts. His Neural Broadcast Network has crossed 3.5 million downloads with no human hosts.It started with a 48-hour thought experiment. The DOJ dropped a fresh tranche of Epstein files and Levy pointed Claude at the stack. Seven days after publishing, The Epstein Files had 100,000 downloads. WarDesk, Rex, and Neurodivergent followed. The catalog now pulls 70,000 downloads a week.In this conversation with Matt Medved:– How a tool for personal use became a media company– What "trustless media" means and why Levy borrowed the phrase from crypto– The legacy-press backlash and his response to it– Building toward an autonomous newsroom that produces series on demand– Where the synthetic-media audience is heading nextSubscribe to Now Media: https://nowmedia.co/Neural Broadcast Network: https://nbn.fmAdam Levy: https://x.com/levychainMatt Medved: https://x.com/mattmedvedSubscribe and rate the show wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 9, 202446 min

How Mendezmendez Beat the Bear Market

What does it take to create 300 consecutive days of art while redefining your place in a volatile NFT market? Meet Mendezmendez, a digital artist who turned a creative slump into a groundbreaking daily art practice that transformed his career. From viral Reddit posts to collaborating with top record labels, his journey merges timeless artistic inspiration with cutting-edge Web3 technology. In this episode, we dive into his bold pivot from editions to one-of-one pieces, how he’s navigating the evolving digital art space, and his sold out-release on LG Art Lab.Join us as we explore the stories behind his most compelling works, his approach to blending AI tools with traditional art aesthetics, and his insights on balancing digital platforms with the allure of traditional galleries. Plus, we uncover how consistency, community-building, and seizing opportunities have propelled his career, even in a challenging market.Presented in partnership with LG Art Lab. https://www.lgartlab.comFollow Mendezmendez on X here: https://x.com/mendezmendezartFollow nft now on X here: https://www.x.com/nftnowFollow LG Art Lab on X here: https://www.x.com/lgartlabTo listen to the audio version, go to https://www.pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 3, 202451 min

Inside AI Art's Evolution With Emi Kusano

In this episode, we chat with Emi Kusano, a multi-disciplinary Japanese artist blending AI and web3 in her work. Emi discusses her journey from music to creating AI-driven art, including her LG art lab debut, "Advertising Humanity," inspired by 1980s Japanese commercials. She reflects on the challenges of working with AI and the ongoing debate around its impact on art.Emi also shares key moments in her career, from collaborating on an NFT project with her son to being mentored by Claire Silver. She offers valuable advice for digital artists on building a collector base and finding the right platforms.Emi's 1/1 artwork, “Advertising Humanity,” is now available on LG Art Lab in the United States. https://www.lgartlab.com/drops/detail...Presented in partnership with LG Art Lab. https://www.lgartlab.comFollow Emi Kusano on X here: https://x.com/emikusanoFollow nft now on X here: https://www.x.com/nftnowFollow LG Art Lab on X here: https://www.x.com/lgartlabSign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 28, 202445 min

The Future of AR Gaming With Onmi

In this episode, we dive deep into the groundbreaking world of AR gaming with the creators behind Onmi. Joining forces with the innovative minds from Borderless, the Onmi team shares their journey of merging the physical and digital worlds through cutting-edge XR technologies. From the inception of their project during the COVID-19 lockdown to the intricate partnerships with fashion icons and Web3 pioneers, this conversation unpacks the unique blend of technology, art, and culture that drives Onmi.Discover how Onmi plans to revolutionize mobile gaming with a blend of AR, fashion, and music, and hear about the exciting future ahead, including the launch of their native token, PVP games, and a global AR scavenger hunt. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, gamer, or someone intrigued by the convergence of fashion and digital assets, this episode offers an in-depth look at a project that's pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the gaming world. #partnerPresented in partnership with LG Art Lab.https://www.lgartlab.comFollow Onmi on X here: https://www.x.com/amadonFollow nft now on X here: https://www.x.com/nftnow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 22, 20241 hr 0 min

Amadon on Glitch Art, Activism and LG Art Lab Debut

In this episode, artist Amadon shares his transformative journey from graffiti to digital art. He recounts the intense story behind his controversial "No Rioters" piece, which sparked international attention and an arrest warrant in Hong Kong. Amadon dives into his passion for using art as a tool for protest and social change, highlighting the importance of privacy and freedom in the digital age.Amadon also discusses his groundbreaking collaboration with LG Art Lab, "Passive Observer," where he’s poised to push the boundaries of digital art distribution. He offers insights into why now is the perfect time for artists to create, despite market challenges, and how his multi-chain innovations are reshaping the future of the art world.Presented in partnership with LG Art Lab. https://www.lgartlab.comFollow Amadon on X here: https://www.x.com/amadonFollow nft now on X here: https://www.x.com/nftnowFollow LG Art Lab on X here: https://www.x.com/lgartlabTo listen to the audio version, go to https://www.pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 202449 min

How Jesse Pollak Built Base into the Hottest Layer 2

In this must-listen nft now podcast episode, Coinbase’s Jesse Pollak recounts his journey from launching the Base Layer-2 to scaling it into a powerhouse for builders and creators in a little over a year. He reflects on the 'chewing glass' periods—times of intense difficulty and doubt—but also on the triumphant phases of validation and growth spurred by community engagement and strategic pivots. Pollak speaks to critical growth catalysts like memecoins and the Farcaster ecosystem, weaving technical insights with personal reflections to offer a compelling glimpse into the transformative potential of blockchain technology for creating open, efficient digital platforms.Follow Jesse Pollak on X here: https://twitter.com/jessepollakFollow Base on X here: https://twitter.com/baseTo listen to the audio version, go to pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 18, 20241 hr 1 min

Are CryptoPunks the Safest Bet in NFTs?

How do you ensure that CryptoPunks age gracefully?In our latest nft now podcast episode, Natalie Stone, General Manager of CryptoPunks, dives into her ambitions for the historic project, emphasizing efforts to integrate the collection into both digital and traditional art worlds. She highlights initiatives aimed at establishing CryptoPunks not just as collectibles, but as key cultural and artistic phenomena. With plans to engage with traditional art institutions and enhance the cultural relevance of NFTs, Stone's leadership is focused on cementing CryptoPunks' position in digital art history, aiming to bridge the gap between innovative digital expressions and established artistic mediums.Follow Natalie Stone on X here: https://twitter.com/NaughtalieStoneFollow CryptoPunks on X here: https://twitter.com/cryptopunksnftsTo listen to the audio version, go to pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 4, 20241 hr 6 min

Is Digital Art the Next $1 Trillion Asset Class?

Is digital art the next trillion-dollar asset class?In this episode, Grail Capital founder Jean-Michel Pailhon, a key player who left a lengthy tenure at Ledger to launch his own fund, shares invaluable insights on how digital art is reshaping art collection and investment. Drawing from his journey and the parallels between street art and digital art, he highlights his investment thesis and details which projects he believes will stand the test of time and deliver exponential returns to investors. This episode offers a singular look into the evolving landscape of the digital art market, making it a must-listen for anyone keen to understand where art and blockchain intersect, straight from an industry insider's perspective.Follow Jean-Michel Pailhon on X here: https://twitter.com/jmpailhonFollow nft now on X here: https://twitter.com/nftnowTo listen to the audio version, go to pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 27, 20241 hr 10 min

Digital Art: Evolve or Die? With Pablo Rodriguez-Fraile

From traditional art collector to digital art visionary, Pablo Rodriguez-Fraile tackles the web3 art world with passion and, at times, controversial insight.This episode explores the evolving dynamics between collectors and artists and challenges preconceived notions about artist royalties and the need for broader audience engagement through the U.S. dollar denomination. With candid discussions around his historic $400,000 loan against a Beeple piece and the monumental donation of a Refik Anadol work to MoMA, Pablo details the path for digital art's integration into traditional cultural institutions.Follow Pablo on X here: https://twitter.com/pablorfraileFollow nft now on X here: https://twitter.com/nftnowTo listen to the audio version, go to pod.link/1561616636Sign up for our free weekly nft now newsletter: https://www.nftnow.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.