Optimizing Podcasts for AI Search, Soros Fund Invests in MeidasTouch, & More

George Soros’ Firm Invests in Progressive MeidasTouch Network by Ashley Carman

Soros Fund Management is leading an investment round in progressive media organization MeidasTouch Network, reports Carman. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Podnews notes this is the latest in a series of podcasting-related investments from Soros Fund Management, such as when it became primary shareholder for Audacy in 2024 and when it invested in Crooked Media in 2022.

A Practical GEO Framework

Right Side Up revisits the topic of generative engine optimization (GEO). Content visibility to generative AI models and chatbots depends heavily on structure and third-party brand mentions. Back in November 2025, Right Side Up senior content marketing manager Vincent Ninh published a guide explaining the basics of GEO, the nuances of how it differs from traditional search engine optimization (SEO), and a framework to help brands establish “answer-ready content.”

Independent Australian Show Tops U.S. Apple Podcasts Charts in 47 Days

Independent podcast network Mashed Pumpkin Productions launched *What I Survived* on February 18, 2026. In its first 47 days, it hit #31 on the U.S. Apple Podcasts overall chart, #1 in Documentary, and #4 in Society & Culture. Host and network founder Jack Laurence credits Apple Podcasts’ U.S. homepage editorial feature with the chart-climbing success and over 440,000 downloads. The show’s performance is a reminder of the impact editorial features still have in podcasting; Laurence notes his show’s peak had it charting alongside productions from iHeartPodcasts, Wondery, NPR, Barstool Sports, and The New York Times.

I Created Hit Podcasts. Then the Bubble Burst by Anonymous, as told to Caitlin Huston

The anonymous source recounts working as a producer on several narrative-driven podcasts during the boom period starting in 2018. By 2023, narrative and journalistic podcast opportunities dried up; the source got laid off from two major companies despite producing hits. Full-staff narrative podcasts, now costing $300,000–$600,000, are tough sells compared to lightweight influencer or celebrity chat shows. The producer worries about the state of narrative journalism in podcasting, as they see the few companies still producing new projects are largely investing in significantly developed independent content. After their first layoff, they spent six months developing a news tip independently, using savings and severance to stay afloat. The project ended up successful, but the producer notes it was hard work with no guarantee of payoff. For narrative journalism to continue in the modern podcast space, it’s going to require re-investment from the industry that benefited from the success of narrative storytelling like Serial in the first place.

As for the rest of the news…