Last month, I was accepted to Start Coop’s first-ever Accelerator Program for worker-friendly media companies — to help launch and grow sustainable cooperative businesses.

Over the next 12 weeks, I’ll work to validate Good Tape’s business model, develop a worker-owned governance structure, and explore unique financing options available to seed our company’s future.

While Good Tape has become a household name to a subset of the podcast industry, I know there’s a bigger role for us to play that pushes beyond our industry’s borders. That said, I am aware of my limitations — I cannot accomplish these goals alone as Good Tape’s founder, just as no media company can be run or expanded by any sole individual.

As a person without independent or generational wealth, running a business like this requires cooperation and collaboration. I’ve come to accept that seeking traditional outside investment is unlikely to succeed, given my staunch opposition to generative AI and a fierce desire to see Palestinian liberation in my lifetime. I’m so incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in nearly four years across our magazine and design studio. But what comes next requires a structure that puts worker and community benefits at the center of our purpose.

Before getting into further details, I do want to provide an important update on our next print issue and the numerical reality we’re currently facing. After paying staff, contributors, and production costs, our typical bill for each magazine averages $40,000. That’s simply not an expense we can afford at this time.

For those going to Resonate this week, I’m sorry to say you’ll notice our absence in the halls. Although we’ve anchored the release of Good Tape Magazine to this festival for the last three years, we won’t be returning to it with fresh copies of The Chemistry Issue. I love what Resonate means to our community, and the work Chioke I’Anson and his team have done to make this an essential stop for audio storytellers — so you’ll have to take good notes and report back for me. (You may also see members of our team there independently; be sure to say hi!)

I sincerely hope to return to a print schedule in 2027, but my current priority is building a business that can welcome a new cohort of worker-owners. I am genuinely excited to see (and share) what comes next for Good Tape. We will continue to publish fresh digital content alongside our newsletter for paid members. And as we grow our paid membership, we will use your direct support to increase our editorial coverage. You can become a member here.

The goal is for us to do more, not less; for the vision to be shared, not solely driven by me. Who will become part of Good Tape’s first cohort of worker-owners is as yet to be determined. We will need a variety of people to support our growth and I have much to learn about how to implement this transition.

I’ll end with this: If you’re curious about how you could get involved, I invite you to reply to this newsletter (or DM me on LinkedIn). Below are some initial ideas for roles and people who could support what comes next. If you see yourself in this list, please be in touch. I would love to talk with you.

I hope to provide another update on how this is going in December. Until then, thank you for engaging in and supporting our work.

– Dane Cardiel

Roles & Personas

A non-comprehensive list of people that could help shape Good Tape’s direction for the next five years. 

Overall 

• “Friends & Family” Pre-Seed Investors ($5,000 to $50,000)

• Creator-owned podcasts

• Independent production companies

• Brand partnerships

Good Tape Magazine

• Editor-in-chief / editorial director

• Culture writer / on-camera talent

• Business reporter

• Audio director

• Video director

Good Tape Studio 

• Reels/Shorts editor

• Designer / creative director

• Animator / motion GFX

• Social media strategist

• Campaign strategist / branded work