Latest news with #MikeDuncan
Time Magazine
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
How We Chose the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time
You're folding laundry or going for a run or prepping your kids' lunchboxes, and you need something in your earbuds. Maybe you want to catch up on the latest news or hear the hottest take on last night's game. Maybe you're eager to hear a film critic tell you what's worth streaming this weekend or listen to a celebrity interview that'll make you laugh—or inspire a cathartic cry. Maybe you want to play detective in a true-crime mystery. If you've ever stared blankly at Spotify or YouTube wondering what to press play on, there is something for you in this list of the 100 best podcasts ever made. Reviewing the nearly decade's worth of 'best of' lists I've compiled since I started on the podcast beat laid bare just how much the medium has changed. Once upon a time, you didn't have to be an A-lister with a professional studio setup to find overnight fame. The likes of Roman Mars, Mike Duncan, Sarah Marshall and Michael Hobbes, Hrishikesh Hirway, and Phoebe Judge all became famous names in the podcast space without the boost of a Hollywood career. Between the mid-2000s and the mid-2010s, all you needed was a microphone and a dream of cutting an ad deal with MailChimp. That low barrier to entry eventually led to a podcasting boom in the late 2010s that accelerated when so many of us were stuck at home during COVID-19 lockdowns and desperate to consume as much content as possible to stave off boredom and loneliness. No longer are podcast hosts just disembodied voices in a void. YouTube, the world's largest video platform, now claims it's also the world's largest podcasting platform, with 1 billion monthly viewers of podcasting content worldwide. As Vulture recently noted, publications like the New York Times are pushing their writers and podcasters to put their faces on camera as the way we consume news and other content evolves on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. With the change in medium has come a shift in focus. Major podcast producers have largely abandoned in-depth investigative reporting and quirky comedic voices in favor of buzzy names. This includes former upstarts like Alexandra Cooper (SiriusXM paid $125 million in 2025 for her Unwell podcast network) and Bill Simmons (Spotify acquired The Ringer for a reported $250 million in 2020). But more often, they cut deals with previously established celebrities like the Smartless actors or retired athletes like LeBron James—not to mention former royals and first ladies. But not every famous person is good at podcasting. (There's a reason the late-night gig is so tough.) Much of collating this list, when it came to this particular breed of pod, involved sorting out who can conduct an insightful interview or piece together a compelling monologue from who is just a big name. That said, we talk a lot at TIME about influence—we do publish an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, after all. And that list increasingly includes podcasters. The legacy of shows ranging from Serial to 2 Dope Queens to WTF With Marc Maron that pioneered their respective genres and set the course for what would follow factored heavily in this process. Serial helped spur the true-crime wave—and the many ethical quandaries that came with it. 2 Dope Queens represented an era when relatively unknown comedians could land an HBO special. Remember when Maron got then-president Barack Obama on WTF, and it was a huge deal? Trump doesn't make the rounds of the manosphere and Kamala Harris doesn't appear on Call Her Daddy had Obama not graced Marc Maron's garage. So I included some shows that have ended their runs. I tried to pick podcasts that, if not entirely evergreen, have a hefty archive that can be revisited—series that cracked jokes that haven't gotten old or covered books and movies you can still read and watch before tuning into a specific episode that will help you appreciate them more fully. With this list, I endeavored to find the best of the best, a database you can sort through by genre. Much ink has been spilled over the years about the parasocial relationships we form with podcast hosts, and, yes, while it's wise not to get too attached to a stranger, I certainly think of my favorite hosts as imagined buddies I get to visit with each week. I hope you can find new friends too.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jon Stewart Flips on Historian Who Confirms US Might Be on the Brink of Revolution: ‘I Was Trying to Be Delicate!'
Jon Stewart was trying to be 'delicate' when 'History of Rome' and 'Revolutions' podcast host Mike Duncan confirmed the U.S. might be on the brink of another revolution. While talking with Duncan and 'Andor' showrunner Tony Gilroy on Thursday's episode of 'The Weekly Show' podcast, Stewart built up to his big question of how close the United States really was to a second revolution with his guests. Duncan and Gilroy's answers did not alleviate his fears. More from TheWrap Brendan Fraser Dramedy 'Rental Family' Sets November Release at Searchlight 7 Best Horror Movies Streaming on Netflix Right Now Guy Ritchie Drops Out as 'Road House 2' Director Jon Stewart Flips on Historian Who Confirms US Might Be on the Brink of Revolution: 'I Was Trying to Be Delicate!' | Video 'I have a hard time doing this, not looking at the present and gathering up those ingredients – that Tony you put into this brilliant show about a revolutionary and Mike you put into deconstructing – and not look at the ingredients of this moment and not think 'boy we are in a tinder box,'' Stewart said. Duncan interrupted and burst the host's bubble that the U.S. was very much on a brink of a revolution and it was not going to take much more pushing after just six months under Trump. 'A historian of revolution has just told us we're in it,' Stewart exclaimed. 'I was trying to be delicate.' 'Yeah, dude, people are flicking matches at a tinder box right now,' Duncan continued. 'Whether or not it's going to go off, nobody knows but yeah, dude, we're there. We've been there for years.' He continued: 'My point is that if something broke out tomorrow it would be the easiest thing in the world to explain the big major structural forces, and individual incidents, that brought us to this point.' For Gilroy, he pointed to the unfortunately prophetic nature of his Star Wars series and the response it garnered from many who asked him how close he thought the U.S. was to something similar. 'People talk about the predictive quality of the show, and as it started to click out all these things started happening,' he said. 'We had Ghorman and the mineral rights and that happens right when Greenland happens. Then we have the immigration issue and we have ICE, we have the Senator Oran arrested from the Senate at the same time as Padilla is being arrested.' Watch the full conversation between Stewart, Gilroy and Duncan in the video above. The post Jon Stewart Flips on Historian Who Confirms US Might Be on the Brink of Revolution: 'I Was Trying to Be Delicate!' | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Tourist tax Scotland: Aberdeen bosses 'gambling' over plan to introduce one of Europe's highest levies
Aberdeen's proposals for a 7 per cent levy could see tourists charged more than they would in major European cities like Barcelona and Rome. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Council bosses in Aberdeen are being warned their proposals to introduce one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe is gambling with the city's future. Aberdeen City Council is considering proposals to introduce a 7 per cent visitor levy, which they hope can generate millions of pounds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Should this proposal be accepted, it could see visitors to the city paying more than they would to stay in major European cities such as Barcelona, Rome, Prague and Budapest. The peloton make their way through Aberdeen's Union Street during stage one of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain. Picture: PA | PA The Federation of Small Businesses said the city council was gambling with Aberdeen's ambitions to establish itself as a tourist destination. Mike Duncan, the federation's development manager for north Scotland, said: 'A 7 per cent levy would be the most expensive so far proposed in Scotland and one of the very highest in Europe. 'Apart from the actual cost of the levy, Aberdeen needs to consider the perception this will create among potential visitors and whether this will put people off coming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The city quite rightly has ambitions to grow its visitor economy, but adopting a visitor levy at such a high rate represents a gamble with those ambitions.' Mr Duncan pointed to an impact assessment commissioned by the Welsh Government, which suggested visitor levies could reduce tourist numbers by up to 2.5 per cent. The assessment said this would cut visitor spending by as much as £35 million a year. 'So-called tourist taxes might be common in major destinations around the world, but there is research to suggest some such charges may deter visitors and negatively affect the local economy,' Mr Duncan said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Accommodation providers we spoke to are concerned that might happen here.' However, other local authorities such as South Ayrshire and the Western Isles have paused their plans to introduce such a levy over concerns about the impact it would have on the local tourist economy. The federation is now calling for a 'full Aberdeen-specific economic impact assessment', including researching the impact of a lower charge, to be carried out to understand the potential impact it could have on the city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Duncan said: 'It is crucial to appreciate one size most certainly does not fit all. What works in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Amsterdam or Berlin, for example, might be very different to what works for Aberdeen. 'That is particularly true when the neighbouring and nearby local authorities have yet to introduce a charge, and any local levy could place Aberdeen at a competitive disadvantage.' Should the city council introduce a tourist tax, the levy would come into effect on April 1, 2027.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bankjoy Unveils JoyCompass: A Breakthrough Financial Wellness Platform That Drives Growth for Community Financial Institutions
SAN DIEGO, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bankjoy, a leading digital banking provider, today unveiled JoyCompass, a next-generation personal finance platform that helps community financial institutions (CFIs) drive growth through client engagement. The announcement was made at the Corelation Customer Conference in San Diego, where Bankjoy is showcasing its groundbreaking platform to industry leaders. JoyCompass represents a fundamental shift in personal financial empowerment. The platform is seamlessly embedded into users' digital banking experience, helping credit unions and community banks fulfill their mission of supporting members' financial wellness while providing these institutions with valuable data to increase client engagement and total relationship value. "JoyCompass enables growth by delivering on the original mission that made community banking special through the branch, now accomplished digitally: building meaningful, personal relationships and helping people succeed financially," said Mike Duncan, founder and CEO of Bankjoy. "JoyCompass solves the engagement challenge through gamified financial wellness tools that members actually want to use, delivering value for users and critical data for financial institutions. It creates a virtuous cycle that benefits both the client and the institution." JoyCompass delivers on critical market needs A recent report from Accenture highlights the urgent need for solutions like JoyCompass: 40% of customers lack basic financial knowledge, while 88% of Gen Z and Millennials are eager to expand their financial literacy 72% of customers say personalization affects their banking choices, yet institutions often lack effective personalization tools JoyCompass directly addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive financial wellness platform with personalized education tools, a unique financial health scoring system, and gamification that breaks down intimidating financial concepts into approachable challenges. Unlike traditional personal finance management tools that are often siloed and underused, JoyCompass is fully integrated into the digital banking experience, making financial wellness features easily discoverable. Early pilot success: Ellafi Federal Credit Union sees rapid member adoption Ellafi Federal Credit Union, formerly known as Seasons Federal Credit Union, recently implemented JoyCompass as part of its strategic rebrand focused on financial inclusivity for women and those who support them. Ellafi selected the platform to deliver personalized, data-driven financial guidance that reflects the diverse goals of its evolving membership. Implementation results exceeded expectations, with JoyCompass achieving over 18% member adoption within the first 24 hours of launch—a significant benchmark in digital banking platform deployment. "Ellafi's rebrand reflects a commitment to closing financial gaps, fostering independence, and helping members thrive at every stage of their financial journey—particularly women who have historically been underserved by the financial industry. That commitment aligns perfectly with JoyCompass' mission to empower people with the financial insights they need to thrive," says Dillon Tardif, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Products, Ellafi Federal Credit Union. Bankjoy welcomes seven new financial institutions in Q1 2025 The JoyCompass launch comes amid significant expansion for Bankjoy, with seven new institutions joining the Bankjoy family in the first quarter of 2025 alone. These institutions include Healthcare Systems Federal Credit Union, PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union, Vista National Bank & Trust, Peake Federal Credit Union, Tennessee Employees Credit Union, La Joya Federal Credit Union, and an additional Iowa-based institution. Thanks to Bankjoy's extensive integrations with multiple core providers—including Corelation, Fiserv, Jack Henry, Flex, Share One, and more—new institutions can be live on the Bankjoy platform in weeks, not months. JoyCompass positions community financial institutions to meet the evolving needs of their account holders while driving institutional growth through deeper engagement and data-driven insights. For more information about JoyCompass, visit About Bankjoy Founded in 2015, Bankjoy delivers modern banking technology and elegantly designed financial solutions to banks and credit unions. The company's mission is to uplift communities in partnership with community financial institutions by providing technology that enhances people's everyday financial lives and reconnects these institutions to their community roots. Bankjoy's suite of products includes online and mobile banking, conversational AI, online account opening, loan origination, personal financial management, and statements. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Danielle KlassenDirector of Marketingdanielle@
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Bankjoy Unveils JoyCompass: A Breakthrough Financial Wellness Platform That Drives Growth for Community Financial Institutions
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bankjoy, a leading digital banking provider, today unveiled JoyCompass, a next-generation personal finance platform that helps community financial institutions (CFIs) drive growth through client engagement. The announcement was made at the Corelation Customer Conference in San Diego, where Bankjoy is showcasing its groundbreaking platform to industry leaders. Implementation results exceeded expectations, with JoyCompass achieving over 18% member adoption within the first 24 hours of launch—a significant benchmark in digital banking platform deployment. JoyCompass represents a fundamental shift in personal financial empowerment. The platform is seamlessly embedded into users' digital banking experience, helping credit unions and community banks fulfill their mission of supporting members' financial wellness while providing these institutions with valuable data to increase client engagement and total relationship value. "JoyCompass enables growth by delivering on the original mission that made community banking special through the branch, now accomplished digitally: building meaningful, personal relationships and helping people succeed financially," said Mike Duncan, founder and CEO of Bankjoy. "JoyCompass solves the engagement challenge through gamified financial wellness tools that members actually want to use, delivering value for users and critical data for financial institutions. It creates a virtuous cycle that benefits both the client and the institution." JoyCompass delivers on critical market needs A recent report from Accenture highlights the urgent need for solutions like JoyCompass: 40% of customers lack basic financial knowledge, while 88% of Gen Z and Millennials are eager to expand their financial literacy 72% of customers say personalization affects their banking choices, yet institutions often lack effective personalization tools JoyCompass directly addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive financial wellness platform with personalized education tools, a unique financial health scoring system, and gamification that breaks down intimidating financial concepts into approachable challenges. Unlike traditional personal finance management tools that are often siloed and underused, JoyCompass is fully integrated into the digital banking experience, making financial wellness features easily discoverable. Early pilot success: Ellafi Federal Credit Union sees rapid member adoption Ellafi Federal Credit Union, formerly known as Seasons Federal Credit Union, recently implemented JoyCompass as part of its strategic rebrand focused on financial inclusivity for women and those who support them. Ellafi selected the platform to deliver personalized, data-driven financial guidance that reflects the diverse goals of its evolving membership. Implementation results exceeded expectations, with JoyCompass achieving over 18% member adoption within the first 24 hours of launch —a significant benchmark in digital banking platform deployment. 'Ellafi's rebrand reflects a commitment to closing financial gaps, fostering independence, and helping members thrive at every stage of their financial journey—particularly women who have historically been underserved by the financial industry. That commitment aligns perfectly with JoyCompass' mission to empower people with the financial insights they need to thrive,' says Dillon Tardif, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Products, Ellafi Federal Credit Union. Bankjoy welcomes seven new financial institutions in Q1 2025 The JoyCompass launch comes amid significant expansion for Bankjoy, with seven new institutions joining the Bankjoy family in the first quarter of 2025 alone. These institutions include Healthcare Systems Federal Credit Union, PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union, Vista National Bank & Trust, Peake Federal Credit Union, Tennessee Employees Credit Union, La Joya Federal Credit Union, and an additional Iowa-based institution. Thanks to Bankjoy's extensive integrations with multiple core providers—including Corelation, Fiserv, Jack Henry, Flex, Share One, and more—new institutions can be live on the Bankjoy platform in weeks, not months. JoyCompass positions community financial institutions to meet the evolving needs of their account holders while driving institutional growth through deeper engagement and data-driven insights. For more information about JoyCompass, visit About Bankjoy Founded in 2015, Bankjoy delivers modern banking technology and elegantly designed financial solutions to banks and credit unions. The company's mission is to uplift communities in partnership with community financial institutions by providing technology that enhances people's everyday financial lives and reconnects these institutions to their community roots. Bankjoy's suite of products includes online and mobile banking, conversational AI, online account opening, loan origination, personal financial management, and statements. For more information, visit
