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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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Ever wondered why you feel more connected to certain creators than others? In this episode, Harry Fitzgerald, co-founder and COO of Fanvue, reveals how the way we interact with our favorite artists, athletes, and influencers is fundamentally changing—and why that matters to you as a consumer.
Harry breaks down the seismic shift happening right now in the creator economy. For years, creators have been monetizing through brand deals and ads that interrupt your experience and dilute authentic connections. But a new model is emerging: direct-to-fan platforms where connection becomes the currency, and you're no longer being sold to—you're being engaged with.
What makes this particularly exciting? AI is making it possible for creators to have meaningful, personalized interactions with thousands of fans simultaneously. This means you can finally get that one-on-one connection with creators you admire, scaled in a way that was impossible just a few years ago. From musicians who can now create despite physical disabilities to fitness instructors who can provide personalized guidance at scale, technology is democratizing access to the people you care about.
Harry also shares his vision for where this is all heading: a future where you'll spend less time scrolling through algorithmically-fed content from strangers and more time deeply connecting with the handful of creators whose work truly resonates with you.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The Evolution from Ads to Authentic Connection – Why the creator economy is shifting away from brand deals and ad revenue toward direct subscription models where fans pay for genuine interaction rather than being sold products, and why only 2% of creators currently use this model.
- How AI Enables Personalized Fan Experiences at Scale – The technology breakthrough that allows creators to have authentic one-on-one conversations with thousands of fans simultaneously, making deep connections possible without sacrificing the creator's time or the relationship's authenticity.
- The Netflix Moment for Creator Platforms – Harry's comparison of the current creator economy to Netflix's early DVD-by-mail days, predicting that mainstream adoption of direct-to-fan monetization will happen in less than 18 months rather than the 10-15 years it took streaming to dominate.
- The Future of Social Media: Discovery vs. Connection Platforms – Why consumer behavior is shifting away from algorithmic feeds that push irrelevant content toward dedicated platforms focused solely on consuming and connecting with your favorite creators.
- Democratizing Creativity Through AI – The inspiring story of Lucas, a musician who overcame physical disabilities through AI music tools, and how technology is enabling more people to become creators and share their talents with the world.
Harry's Consumer Pick: Yuka—a free app that scans food and cosmetic products to reveal hidden additives and help you make healthier choices (his shocking discovery: that "healthy" oat milk brand had nine critical additives!).
Connect with Harry:
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18 episodes
