Of all the people in the world to interview no thanks lol bye

Ben’s a hack. One sided news.

“Mixed Signals” is a stale leftist echo chamber that self-importantly thinks itself anything & everything but a stale leftist echo chamber.

Was encouraged by Smiths appearance on the 5th Column podcast but after trying out this podcast and listening to the Nov 8 episode, yeah no. Especially grating was the ‘state of the entertainment industry’ segment where they talked to someone who (speaking as a film industry veteran) clearly didn’t know what she was talking about. The view that ‘resistance media’ and DEI was somehow a good thing in film and TV was really off base IMO and she received little pushback. The fried vocal qualities of the hosts did not not help matters.

Why don’t tech people do more interviews with mainstream media? Ben I know you know that much of the media has been fully discredited- with their TDS and their far left activism and their ridiculous obsession with racism and white supremacy. Wash Post, NBC, CNN, LAT, etc have morphed into Vice (2022) meets Al Jazeera meets Daily Beast. Jason is right- they’re liars and activists and not credible.

Good show that’s entered my regular rotation. Nayeema’s rich person stories are ridiculous. Every episode she’ll casually drop an anecdote that makes her sound like Jack Donaghy or Tahani from The Good Place.

Love the way the topics are curated and the depth Ben brings with his experience covering campaign politics. It’s a great pairing. Nayeema provides the perfect balance, often highlighting cultural insights that don’t always make it into my newsfeed. Definitely worth checking out.

I overall think this is a great podcast and feel like it is differentiated from other media podcasts. In particular, I love the blindspots section—definitely helps me get out of my news bubble!

Topical, informative, and they always have interesting guests. Plus, I love Blindspots with Max Tani.

Ben and Nayeema bounce conversation off each other like old friends catching up. This podcast is easy listening and I feel like I take away a new view on topics I deeply follow that I would not have thought about before. The media is a strange place, born to make money but left for dead in its current state. This show is helping me uncover it all.

If there were no other podcasts that addressed current events or interviewed people, then maybe. Ben Smith is interesting when he is being interviewed. I don’t think he shines as an interviewer. Personally don’t connect with Nayeema (this pod or her prior role with Kara). Never found the questions or commentary differentiated or insightful. Description promises to explain “why you see and hear what you see and hear across the media landscape”. Didn’t deliver that for me

Zach Woods has a show that is a wonderful parody of the dynamics of this podcast. The gist is this faux-thoughtful tone of voice and delivery being used to deliver inane and frankly dumb messages. In the Woods show ‘In The Know’ that leads to punchlines and absurdity. Here it just leads to a grating podcast. Hearing Ben Smith in particular reminds me of the decline of Ezra Klein. I often wonder if I was just taken in by these folks previously or if they really are captive to their own success and ego.

Special kudos for the interview with Dr Fauci, I have listened to many of his interviews and this one was genuinely deep and helped us understand the man and his work as never before. The rest of the podcast was just as good.

five stars cuz i recognize it’s free and i could have stopped listening (eventually i did) but these two lack all self awareness need a producer. tone is masturbatory

Chemistry is off, topics are forced. Trying to be too many things

Really like these two hosts and their dynamic. Have followed Nayeema since Kara Swisher days and Nayeema is a great interviewer (better than Kara)

Fusing news with culture. Show feels fresh and not geriatric like our current political playing field. Only note is for more banter please!

Can’t seem to get past the nasal fry voices of the hosts, especially Ms. Raza. She had the same issue when she worked with Kara Swisher and I was hoping for a speech therapist intervention prior to this new venture, but no such luck. (Think of the commercial with the guy getting coffee from the barista with the affected voice — it’s not that extreme but it’s hard to listen to.)

I can’t figure out why this pod exists. It feels like a pet project that doesn’t live up to the level of the hosts. Maybe it only matters if you’re in DC or NYC media and be damed with the rest of the world. I tried but it’s a waste of time.

…Who don’t take it all so seriously. Refreshing and smart. Great way to process media and politics like a normal person who balances between the seriousness of the topics with a good sense of humor.

Why does this show exist? Unclear! What is it about? Unclear! Conspiracies? Gaza? UFOs???? Interviews with Maggie Haberman and Vivek Ramaswamy were amateur at best. But that is because Ben and Nayeema are not journalists. I am not sure what they are. Maybe that is a good question for the show to pursue. Structure of episodes is confusing and hard to follow. “D List” Max Tani is a surprising highlight, although why they have him doing the weird segment they have him doing … confusing.

It’s encouraging to see a show examining the media—long overdue given its role in shaping our understanding of the world. Ben and Nayeema are each terrific, and terrific together as co-hosts.

Through three episodes I love the way these two hosts (an Max!) explain different stories and how they were covered, but I feel like the interviews are extraneous and less informative than hearing what Ben and Nayeema have to share as far as experience an analysis. Lose the interviews and make the show shorter!

For anyone interested in the media biz, this is unlike any other show or podcast. It’s by media insiders who don’t give you the conventional wisdom or media line. It’s unfiltered and honest. And that is refreshing.

You seemed to have started a conversation whilst your guest had not yet completed his answer to a question posed. Was that a technical issue or an expression of disdain for your quest’s views? Please clarify. Great show, second episode. JLB

Nayeema Raza always blends incisive commentary with current events. Big fan of the new show!

Nayeema and the other guy’s interview with Vivek was a model for main stream media interviewers. Also, to Vivek, giving unsolicited career advice to an accomplished woman is very on brand. Never stop.

In an age where reporting of the news can be so heavy, it’s refreshing to have a new concept that dives into weekly media stories through the lens of a refreshing media concept. Ben and Nayeema have great organic chemistry as hosts and are a joy to listen to. I especially like the end of each episode with the Blindspot stories of the week. Looking forward to the next weeks episode. - Randy

What a great combo! So glad they’re behind the mic together

When the drums hit I’m jamming out! Great start to my weekend.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ben and Nayeema, their conversation was pleasant to listen to. Most importantly, though, they did not accept false or inflammatory statements from their interview guest, Vivek Ramaswamy. They pushed back and explained the context of his misleading statements.

Ben Smith cares deeply about the future of journalism, the ethics of reporting, and a thoughtful and robust exchange of perspectives. Mixed Signals will quickly become a must-listen, for anyone who wants to be challenged, thoughtfully informed and delightfully engaged. I’m already looking forward to the next episode.

I’ve been a fan of Nayeema’s and it’s great to see that she’s hosting her own show. How the media explains the world to us is a big and complex challenge and we’ll all be better for her efforts.

Appreciate their insights at the intersection of new and “legacy” media. I look forward to hearing more, especially in this consequential year when responsible media matters like never before.

Ben and Nayeema have a great rapport and the show has a promisingly heterodox perspective. Can’t wait to hear more.

I’ve followed Nayeema’s podcasts for some time and I love her chemistry with Ben. They are media insiders breaking down how the machine actually works. And their first episode brought levity to me in a chaotic news week.

What an excellent way to process the week’s news. Excellent and insightful conversations from some of the smartest in the media business.

Smart hosts and interesting guests for their first episode. The hosts definitely held their own with the feisty (perhaps a tad bit arrogant) Vivek. And I loved the and interesting facts mixed with fun banter at the end during the “blindspots” segment.

It’s great to get a clear-eyed view of media during such an important year! Looking forward to more episodes

Incisive commentary and great interviews - love it!

Super smart and informative, and great energy between the hosts!

This podcast makes me feel informed about the news without it feeling like a lecture. I love their candor and honest look at the media

My new favorite media podcast from the people behind my favorite media newsletter.

Not what you expect from a media podcast. Unique insights and hot takes. Outstanding interviews!

Super informative and entertaining! Can’t wait to hear more!

Love the informal pace of the show, curious to hear more stories on the behind the scenes of the Media industry.

What a great rapport these host have. Loved the first episode and can’t wait for more.

If media is a conspiracy, but not the one everyone thinks, WHAT IS IT???

So excited for this new show! Semafor’s takes are always so perceptive, and this topic is incredibly timely, too. Subscribed and can’t wait to hear more.

Very excited to hear more of this.