Topic: Podshow Network

Reflecting on the very first episode from August 2007, the hosts recall their initial plan to keep the show under 40 minutes with only a few topics. The original format was envisioned as a simple conversation between friends, similar to a phone call, before it evolved into the current clip-heavy analysis style. They note the significant increase in bandwidth and processing speed since the show's inception.

The hosts analyze the 10th Annual Podcast Awards and the involvement of Podcast One, led by Westwood One founder Norm Pattis. Curry argues that the podcast network model is fundamentally flawed, citing his own experience with Podshow as evidence that centralized networks struggle with measurement and creator relations. They discuss the lack of a central authority like Nielsen or Arbitron in the podcasting space and the difficulties of scaling advertising across diverse shows.

The hosts reflect on the failure of the "Podshow" model from 2005 and compare it to modern podcast networks like Radiotopia. They argue that the overhead of network executives and venture capital requirements makes the traditional network model unsustainable for independent creators.

Akamai Technologies won a $45.5 million patent infringement suit against Limelight Networks in a Massachusetts court. The verdict caused a 40% drop in Limelight's stock and triggered a panic on Twitter among content producers at Podshow, who feared a network shutdown. The situation is cited as an example of "shoddy journalism" and mob mentality in the blogosphere.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak introduce their new program, No Agenda, on the PodShow Network. Operating from London and California respectively, the hosts describe the show's origin as a brief phone call aimed at creating an "agenda-less" conversational format. They compare the style to casual news analysis shared between friends or family members.