Exclusive: Emily Sundberg expands Feed Me with first podcast

What they're saying: Sundberg explained that while newsletters will always be core to the brand, she very much has a "studio mindset." She said besides the newsletter she's also interested in other formats like podcasts and movies.

• "I think that's the way that successful media businesses are existing right now," she said.

Zoom in: Feed Me's semi-anonymous restaurant critic J Lee will host the show, which will have the same name as his column, "Expense Account."

• Episodes will likely run about 30 minutes in length and be available in both audio and video formats. The show plans to publish weekly, though cadence is still being finalized as the team records the first season.
• Feed Me is partnering with Public Sound, a New York-based production company that has worked with brands like Nike and Supreme. Substack is the presenting sponsor.

Catch up quick: Sundberg launched Feed Me in 2022 and has quickly grown it into one of the top business newsletters on Substack with more than 150,000 readers. She recently hired a managing editor and associate editor to help expand coverage.

• The newsletter covers business and culture, recently breaking news on Erewhon opening a New York location. Ankler Media CEO Janice Min, who spoke alongside Sundberg on Thursday, previously described her as "almost like a Carrie Bradshaw of her generation" to the New York Times.

The big picture: Substack has helped empower an owner-operator era of journalism where individual creators can build durable media brands.

• Independents like Sundberg are investing in podcasts, in-person events and merchandise to foster community and grow revenue beyond subscriptions.

Go deeper: Independent journalists prioritize community building for growth