Erika Ayers Badan joined Barstool Sports as CEO in 2016 when the company was generating about $3 million in revenue, and she stepped down in 2024, with the company's revenue reportedly reaching around $250 million by the time she left.

Show notes:

0:00 Intro

1:27 Alex Cooper leaving Barstool Sports

4:41 Brand vs Personality

7:13 The growth of Call Her Daddy

8:33 Pat McAfee leaving Barstool Sports

9:00 Erika joins Barstool Sports

11:32 The underdogs who won

14:06 Leaving corporate for Barstool

17:11 Handling controversies - Mintzy

20:31 Vice News is bankrupt 

21:48 Barstool's business

24:47 Was Barstool Gold a failure?

28:09 The Quiet Quitting Debate

31:39 Dave Portnoy's hustle

32:39 I am a fan of Erika

34:24 Barstool Sport's sold back for $1

35:48 Why Barstool didn't fit PENN

37:42 Erika has a new job!

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

David Hookstead and  I work in the news and have covered every crazy news story possible since 2016. The day Trump got shot, we had to pause and think about what could have happened if the shooter hadn't missed. Where would the country be today? What went wrong that day? Where do we go from here? Has Trump already won 2024?

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

0:30 What Tucker Carlson told me

02:20 What went wrong 

03:24 Pennsylvania's open carry laws

05:29 Why did they wait 30 seconds

08:23 Why weren't the police outside the building?

09:45 DEI in Secret Service

12:57 The presidential race is over

16:21 What lead to this?

18:43 Covering CHAOS for a living

22:08: What if the shooter didn't miss

25:00 Living through history 

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesagnikbasu

About this podcast:

Being a creator today has no rulebook so the best you can do is ask people who are doing it right.

Hey - my name is Sagnik and I have worked in the media industry for the last decade, ranging from broadcast news to YouTubers. Now I am hosting conversations with creatives and entrepreneurs driving the creator economy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sssagnic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_sagnikbasu

Jack Barrett and his brothers Max, and Sam are the founders of Friday Beers. We chatted about the company's founding, raising $6 million, building out an iconic sketch crew, and reviving comedy.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:14 Friday Beers' Beer launch 

03:00 Founding of Friday Beers' Instagram

06:37 Dealing with copyright

09:14 Bring back comedy

11:53 Raising $6 million 

13:33 Almost Friday TV: Will Angus &  Liam Cullagh

15:12 Fundraising from Jared Goff

17:27 Scaling sketch comedy

21:06 Barstool Sports' influence 

23:22 Scripted comedy on social 

26:33 Brand deals

29:46 Almost Friday IG posts 

33:20 Political correctness in comedy

36:07 Winning in digital media

40:17 Why sell beer?

44:40 How Jack runs Friday Beers

46:45 Leaving finance for media

50:54 Almost Friday Media's mission

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

Caitlin Clark is making $338,056 over four years under her contract with the Indiana Fevers. In contrast, last year's No. 1 NBA draft pick bagged a $55 million four-year contract. But is that all there is to the story? How much will Caitlin make through brand deals? And why exactly is there a disparity between male and female athletes?

Show Notes:

0:00 Why is Caitlin Clark's salary so low?

2:36 NIL money and brand deals

4:45 Caitlin Clark's humility
 
6:34 Hating on Caitlin Clark?

9:17 WNBA players jealous of Caitlin?

11:26 Why is the WNBA wage so low

14:51 Should the networks pay Caitlin

16:13 Why did the NBA's ratings crumble

18:53 The pressure on Caitlin Clark

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesagnikbasu

About this podcast:

Being a creator today has no rulebook so the best you can do is ask people who are doing it right.

 Hey - my name is Sagnik and I have worked in the media industry for the last decade, ranging from broadcast news to YouTubers. Now I am hosting conversations with creatives and entrepreneurs driving the creator economy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sssagnic/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/_sagnikbasu

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

You know Tommy G as the guy who would go anywhere and film anything, but I have always been interested in Tommy as a person and the story that led to his YouTube success. After spending time with Tommy In Milwaukee I learned a lot about him on a personal level and I hope you do too.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

0:55 Tommy's storytelling & journalism
 
5:50 Extremes in America
 
7:42 Immigration & American exceptionalism

11:55 Wokeness

15:33 Tommy's origin story
 
19:04 The Kia Boys documentary
 
21:23 Lack of male role models

26:39 Oblivious optimism

30:55 Day jobs to entrepreneurship
 
37:40 How to get lucky
 
40:13 What makes Tommy happy

43:05 Tommy's wife
 
46:39 Women and work

49:27 Negotiating with Indians
 
51:04 Mainstream news is broken

53:04 Tommy's politics
 
54:38 Rise of independent media

58:16 The coastal elite mentality

1:00:07 The border crisis

1:04:15 Corruption in politics

1:05:38 The outsider-insider complex
 
1:09:41 Cultural appropriation
 
1:15:09 Overtaking mainstream media

1:18:17 Capitalism vs Socialism

1:23:07 The American dream is over?

1:26:52 How Tommy G makes and spends money

1:32:48 Tommy's love for wrestling
 
1:35:12 Work and family

1:36:53 How Tommy met his wife

1:38:22 Big Dog's Gotta Eat

1:38:52 Advice for content creators

1:41:38 Thanks for watching!

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesagnikbasu

About this podcast:

Being a creator today has no rulebook so the best you can do is ask people who are doing it right.

 Hey - my name is Sagnik and I have worked in the media industry for the last decade, ranging from broadcast news to YouTubers. Now I am hosting conversations with creatives and entrepreneurs driving the creator economy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sssagnic/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/_sagnikbasu

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

I sat down for a very personal conversation with @JulianDorey to talk about how he left a lucrative career in finance to start his podcast. We ended up talking about dating, politics, family, and the American dream.

0:00 Intro

3:34 Leaving finance for YouTube

16:20 Is the American Dream over?

29:38 Moving to America

31:05 The underdog mentality: Money and Charisma

41:14 Trump vs Biden

46:33 Why GenZ hates America

50:54 The Fourth Turning

1:00:57 News and political division

1:03:36 Julian's political beliefs 

1:07:16 The rise of Donald Trump

1:15:37 The hidden forces in Washington DC

1:18:51 The battle of the sexes 

1:25:33 Is modern dating ruined?

1:29:23 Family and kids

1:36:32 Julian's parents support

1:40:32 Consequences of a single parent household 

1:47:32 Dating and Career  

1:56:15 End

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

Shawn Kanungo is a keynote speaker who left accounting to follow his passion for changing lives through the spoken word.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:54 Is disruption good or bad for business?

3:53 From CPA to keynote rockstar

10:35 How to create your luck

18:00 Winners keep on winning

22:22 How producers book guests

26:51 New media eclipsing broadcast 

28:10 Stephen A. Smith moving away from ESPN

33:22 The rise of niche creators

44:23 Innovation is not efficient  

48:06 Does new tech still make our lives better?

51:47 Has remote work made jobs worse?

1:00:53 Career advice for your 20s

1:08:09 How to land a special on AppleTV and Prime

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

Explaining the Pat McAfee vs ESPN drama.

Show Notes:

0:00 Pat McAfee vs ESPN

03:28 Does ESPN own Pat?

05:26 Vibe check on ESPN

07:12 Is ESPN trying to sabotage Pat?

09:02 Aaron Rodgers vs Jimmy Kimmel

11:51 Why are talents leaving television?

14:43 ESPN's talent disputes
 
17:25 Dave Portnoy buying back Barstool Sports

21:21 ESPN's programming, what works and what doesn't 
 
23:46 How should media executives handle talent?

26:22 Is it over for Pat McAfee and ESPN?

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

I went to Georgia to find out how Eric put gun owners on the YouTube map and has since built an empire with his successful YouTube channel IRAQ VETERAN talking about anything and everything related to the gun culture.

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu

Saagar is a friend, mentor, and journalist who helped me understand the world better. We chatted about the business of news, growing Breaking Points, and why he will never stop wearing suits.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

01:00 2 years since launch 

02:43 War coverage since Iraq

05:47 Saagar's big break at 25

08:57 Competing with mainstream news (during wars)

15:20 Distrust in media

21:34 Serving the audience

28:00 Doing the news while running a business 

30:16 Why Saagar always wears suits

33:04 Navigating news on YouTube

36:54 Pat McAfee's ESPN deal

39:00 Penn sells Barstool Sports

42:32 Will Saagar ever sell Breaking Points?

44:53 The growth of Breaking Points

47:33 Advice for young professionals 

51:10 Saagar's relationship with money 

52:55 Thanks Saagar

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu