Interview starts at 10:48.

Check out The Ultimate 2026 YouTube Creator Marketing Playbook here.

In this episode, Lauren and Josh break down the "carcinization" of media (why Disney and others are turning into TikTok) and discuss YouTube’s strict new parental controls. Then, Arthur Leopold, CEO of Agentio, joins us to reveal The Ultimate 2026 YouTube Creator Marketing Playbook. He explains how they are automating creator integrations to finally unlock massive paid media budgets.

What you’ll learn:

-- Why everything is evolving into vertical video

-- How Agentio automates buying creator ads like Facebook ads

-- Why micro creators often convert better than macro stars

-- How the gap between influencer budgets and paid media budgets is closing

-- Kai Cenat's "retirement"

-- Fixated's acquisition of the world's largest Roblox creator rep firm

00:00 Introduction

00:25 The Carcinization of Media

02:13 Disney & Others Copy TikTok

06:38 YouTube’s New Parental Controls

10:48 Arthur Leopold & Agentio

12:01 Automating Creator Ad Buys

15:25 The Impact of Long-Term Deals

18:25 Why YouTube Ads Last Longer

20:02 Micro vs. Macro Creators

23:14 Unlocking Paid Media Budgets

28:30 Fixated Acquires Ellify

32:00 Kai Cenat "Quits" the Grind

33:40 Golden Globes & Final Thoughts

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Newman, Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, to break down the massive updates to the Spotify Partner Program. From lowered eligibility thresholds to video consumption payments that are beating advertising rates, Jordan explains how creators can stabilize their income in 2026.

Plus, we dive into Adam Mosseri’s controversial take on why the "aesthetic" Instagram feed is dead and how AI is forcing a return to raw authenticity.

It's 2026, so lean in and let's go.

What you’ll learn:

-- How to qualify for Spotify’s expanded monetization program.

-- Why Spotify's "consumption-based" payouts are higher than traditional ads.

-- The truth about the "AI vs. Authenticity" debate on social media.

-- New tools for managing baked-in sponsorships on Spotify.

00:00 Teaser

00:26 It's 2026!

01:44 Stranger Things Theatrical Release

04:40 Is Hollywood Dying?

06:33 The End of the Perfect Feed

09:21 AI vs. Authenticity

13:41 Jordan Newman Interview

14:40 Spotify Partner Program Updates

16:57 New Eligibility Thresholds

18:15 How Consumption Payments Work

21:05 Solving Baked-In Ads

22:02 Breaking the Walled Garden

24:16 Spotify’s New Video Studio

25:38 Are Spotify RPMs Higher?

30:04 Video vs. Audio Advertising

35:06 Golden Globes Predictions

39:06 MrBeast x Starbucks

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey

The Oscars are leaving ABC for YouTube. Here is what that means for the future of Hollywood and the creator economy.

In our final episode of 2025, Lauren and Josh break down the massive news that the Academy Awards are moving to YouTube in 2029. We analyze why this shift is happening, the history of the broadcast, and whether creators will finally get their moment on the red carpet.

We discuss:

-- Why the Oscars left ABC for YouTube

-- Instagram Reels coming to your living room TV

-- Our biggest predictions for the creator economy in 2026

-- New creator programs from Home Depot and Markiplier’s movie debut

00:00 Intro & 6th Anniversary Survey

01:09 Hanukkah Sweatshirts & Hannah Hart

02:57 Tyler Oakley & VidCon Story

05:35 Breaking News: Oscars Move to YouTube

08:24 The History of Oscars Distribution

12:49 Will Creators Take Over the Oscars?

16:15 YouTube VP’s Statement

17:22 Instagram Reels on Amazon Fire TV

20:40 Prediction: Brand Spend in 2026

22:51 Prediction: Media M&A Madness

24:10 Upload: Home Depot’s "Crew of Doers"

25:07 Upload: Markiplier’s Iron Lung Movie

26:00 2025 Sign Off

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Take the Creator Upload Survey: https://www.research.net/r/creatoruploadsurvey

Check out Jon’s new venture: https://www.boring-stuff.com/

In this episode, we break down the $82 billion battle for Warner Bros. Discovery and the controversial new law in Australia banning social media for everyone under 16. Plus, creator legend Jon Youshaei joins us to reveal his new company, "Boring Stuff," and why he’s solving the biggest headache for pro creators: taxes.

What you’ll learn:

• Netflix vs. Paramount: Inside the hostile bidding war for Warner Bros.
• The Social Media Ban: Why Australia is fining platforms $33M for underage users.
• Jon Youshaei’s Boring Venture: Why he launched a bookkeeping service for creators.

00:00 Intro & Common Tax Mistakes

01:58 Mariah Carey's $3 Million Season

04:07 6th Anniversary Survey

05:32 Netflix vs. Paramount: The Bidding War

09:10 Foreign Funding & Regulatory Hurdles

12:12 Australia Bans Social Media for Under 16s

16:10 Can They Actually Enforce the Ban?

18:09 Impact on Marginalized Communities

21:33 Interview: Jon Youshaei Joins

22:42 What is "Boring Stuff"?

25:36 Why Traditional Accountants Fail Creators

30:20 Education vs. Execution

33:01 Scaling a Service Business Slowly

36:44 MrBeast Pivots to Storytelling

38:50 WNBA Cards Explode on Whatnot

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey

Today we begin with the massive success of Dancing With the Stars, specifically highlighting ABC's strategic partnership with Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper for the finale and the inclusion of creator talent like Whitney Leavitt. In a finding fit for "No Duh" Magazine, traditional media embracing digital creators is expanding viewership, evidenced by the finale drawing over 9 million viewers.

The episode also covers the "Recap Wars," comparing Spotify Wrapped’s new Creator Wrapped features to YouTube’s.

Plus, Tubefilter’s Sam Gutelle joins for an interview to discuss Twitch’s 2025 performance and the rising trend of professional athletes, such as Cam Skattebo, using streaming to build personal brands independent of their teams.

Finally, our uploads and downloads cover the shutdown of MKBHD’s "Panels" app and the Rockefeller Foundation’s new partnership with Beast Philanthropy.

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

00:00 6 Years & The Audience Survey

01:09 Intro: Party Hopping in NYC

03:07 Dancing With The Stars Embraces Creators

05:19 The Alex Cooper x ABC Partnership

07:34 Why Broadcast Needs Creators (The Numbers)

12:44 Sponsor: Viral Nation

13:12 Spotify Wrapped for Creator

14:40 YouTube Recap & Personality Types

16:56 Sam Gutelle on Twitch's 2025 Stats

18:17 Why Athletes Are Taking Over Twitch

23:44 The Shift in Sports Fandom

28:11 Download: MKBHD Shuts Down Panels

30:14 Lessons for Creator-Founders

31:48 Upload: MrBeast Partners with Rockefeller

Thanks for Viral Nation for partnering with us for this video.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey

Is Tubi the new home for top-tier creators? In this episode, we sit down with Rich Bloom (GM of Creator Programs & EVP of Business Development at Tubi) to reveal how the streaming giant is funding creator originals and merging Hollywood with the creator economy. Plus, we break down the massive $37B ad spend projection for 2025.

What you’ll learn:

-- Tubi’s "Rabbit Hole" Strategy: How they keep viewers watching longer.

-- The Ad Spend Boom: Why creator marketing is now a "must buy" for brands.

-- Screens in Schools: The debate over EdTech and declining test scores.

00:00 We need your help! (Survey)

01:09 Thanksgiving Turkeys & Spatchcocking

04:08 Are screens ruining education?

10:06 Intro to Rich Bloom & Viral Nation

11:14 $37 Billion Creator Ad Spend

16:50 Interview: Rich Bloom from Tubi

17:35 Creating "Rabbit Holes of Fandom"

22:31 Tubi’s Deal Structures for Creators

25:24 Exclusive Shows & Creative Freedom

28:07 The Fox & Super Bowl Connection

31:58 Is Tubi competing with YouTube?

37:33 Acquiring Creator Libraries

42:58 Upload: Investing in Taylor Cannon

46:39 Upload: Agentio Raises $40M

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey

Is TikTok building a new radio empire? The creator economy is buzzing about a "podcast gold rush," and the platforms are racing to stake their claim.

In this episode, we break down the massive new partnership between iHeartMedia and TikTok to launch a 25-creator podcast network. We explore why this move, along with new initiatives from Netflix and Threads, signals a major shift from "scale" to "curation." Plus, we discuss how reality shows like Dancing With the Stars are now just a launchpad for talent to get a podcast deal.

What you’ll learn:

-- How TikTok is building an "aspirational funnel" for podcasters

-- Why TikTok Shop's $19B in sales is terrifying eBay

-- The new Visa & Karat AI tools that analyze brand deals for creators

-- How creators like Alex Earle and Emma Chamberlain are changing media

00:00 Intro & Creator Upload Survey

01:09 The Rise of "Christmas Creep"

04:19 Are Creators Driving Christmas Creep?

05:22 Special Thanks to Viral Nation

06:15 TikTok & iHeartMedia Podcast Deal

08:35 Why This Deal is Smart for TikTok

11:17 Strategy: Scale vs. Curation

14:08 TikTok: Distribution to Production

16:10 Threads & Netflix Join Podcast Push

18:41 Thesis: TV is a Path to Podcasting

19:42 Dancing With the Stars Podcast

21:45 Upload: Visa & Karat AI Tools

24:26 Upload: TikTok Shop vs. eBay

25:32 Outro

Thanks for Viral Nation for partnering with us for this video.

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

AUDIENCE SURVEY: bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey

Meta's Reels just hit a $50 BILLION annual run rate, but where is the creator's cut? Meanwhile, YouTube just revealed that Shorts now make MORE money per watch hour than long-form videos.

This week, Josh and Lauren break down the massive creator economy earnings reports from Meta and YouTube and debate what it means for creator monetization. Josh also takes us inside the opening of Whaler's new "Lighthouse" creator hub in Brooklyn , and the hosts analyze Netflix's new strategy to pull video podcasts (like Jay Shetty's ) off of YouTube.

In this episode:

-- Meta vs. YouTube: The $50B monetization fight

-- Inside Whaler's pencil factory turned creator hub

-- Why Netflix is licensing iHeart podcasts

-- Canon's new $100k creator initiative, and Lauren's pitch for it that was 10 years too early

After six years of the pod, we want to hear from you! Please fill out our first-ever survey:Thanks for Viral Nation for partnering with us for this video.

00:00 Creator Upload Audience Survey

01:09 Inside the Lighthouse Brooklyn Opening

03:59 Whaler's Creator Hub Model

07:08 Advertising Legends: Haggerty & Droga

11:29 Why This Hub Might Actually Work

14:20 Thanks to Viral Nation

14:41 Meta Earnings: Reels $50B Run Rate

18:21 The Creator "Uprising" Over Rev Share

20:28 YouTube Earnings: Shorts vs. Long-Form

23:20 Netflix's Podcast Exclusivity Play

26:43 Netflix and "Background Content"

28:47 Upload: TikTok's New Award Show

30:51 Upload: Canon's $100k Creator Contest

31:31 Lauren's Selfie Stick Pitch

34:08 Final Thoughts

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

We're in Los Angeles at Adobe MAX 2025 to break down the announcements that will change how creators work, including Adobe's game-changing partnership with YouTube.

We're joined by a legendary lineup of guests to discuss the future of creativity. Mark Rober reveals his $55 million secret project for the first time ever, Cleo Abram (Huge If True) shares her POV on editorial freedom and advancements in tech, and Adobe's GM of Creators Mike Polner, explains the new AI tools that will save you hours of work

.What you'll learn:

-- Mark Rober's strategy for building a 100-person company.

-- The AI audio tool that creates studio-quality sound anywhere.

-- How to edit YouTube Shorts inside the new Premiere Mobile app.

-- Why creative freedom is more important than ever for creators.

If you want to stay ahead in the creator economy, subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss our next episode!

00:00 Live From Adobe MAX!

01:01 Adobe's ChatGPT Integration

01:45 The New Adobe x YouTube Partnership

04:09 YouTube's New TV Experience

07:48 Welcome Mark Rober!

08:40 Is AI Cheating for Creators?

12:25 Building the Mark Rober Business

16:51 Mark Rober's $55M Secret Project

23:53 Welcome Cleo Abram!

26:12 Why I Left Vox

31:20 AI Tools Lower The Barrier

37:24 Welcome Adobe's Mike Polner!

39:31 Adobe's Top 3 New Tools

44:27 What is "Responsible AI"?

52:06 Upload: Steven Bartlett's Big Raise

Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.

Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/

Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/

Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/

Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Is the creator economy's future in micro-dramas and social commerce? This week, we're unpacking the billion-dollar rise of short-form dramas and whether they're just a smarter version of Quibi.In this episode, Lauren reports from Trilith Studios, the new home of the DC Universe, on the explosion of production in Georgia. Then, Josh unveils his new platform, Gospel Stats, and shares exclusive data on the YouTube sponsorship landscape that no one has seen before. We also sit down with Orca CEO and SoCom founder Max Benator to discuss everything you need to know about TikTok Shop, creator storefronts, and the future of social commerce. What you’ll learn:-- How micro-dramas are generating billions with a "predatory" monetization model -- Exclusive data on the growth of YouTube sponsorships -- The strategy behind successful social commerce on TikTok Shop-- Why professional sports leagues are partnering with creators00:00 Intro: Late Night Recording01:12 Lauren at Trilith Studios03:45 Are Micro-Dramas Just Quibi 2.0?05:50 The Business of "Bad" Content10:17 Announcing Gospel Stats12:28 How We Track YouTube Sponsorships15:25 Exclusive Sponsorship Data Revealed18:11 Interview: Max Benator of SoCom23:30 Why a Social Commerce Conference?28:55 The Future of Creator Storefronts35:42 Upload: Good Good Golf x PGA38:11 Download: Instagram's New "Rings" Awards40:23 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand