Guest letter from managing editor Becca James. 

Spring is here, and there’s something in the air. No, we’re not talking about the pollen. We’re talking about something less predictable — the sometimes messy, always magical stuff that’s present when people come together to make something meaningful. And that’s why we’re looking at you. It’s pitch call time, and we want to hear your most experimental thoughts and electric takes; those ideas that refuse to settle.

Each issue, we aim to capture the current moment in podcasting. In our last issue, we considered industry threats, exploring podcasting as a medium at a critical and cultural crossroads. As systems broke down and bold voices broke through, we talked to Nicole Byer about her unfiltered, unapologetic, and above all else authentic approach, looked at labor leaders navigating the trials and triumphs of unionizing, listened as podcasting became a vehicle for Palestinian resistance, and more.

For issue 04, we’re acknowledging something we’ve felt pulsating through every story we’ve covered since we started: chemistry. Behind every artistic endeavor, creators interact, combine, and reorganize to spark something new. Podcasting is no different. From the scientific to the sultry, we’re interested in the bonds that hold projects together, the experiments that push them forward, and the circumstances that can just as easily pull them apart. What makes a collaboration click or combust? Does chemistry have to be organic, or can it be crafted? Where does it arise in unexpected ways?

We’re looking for wide-ranging musings on chemistry in podcasting — stick to the theme or subvert it — as we continue exploring the ideas, people, and forces shaping our industry, and we want to hear from you. See our pitch guide for more information on the types of writing we’re looking for, detailed information on rates, and what to include in your submission.

Pitches for written and visual content are due on Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m. EST through our pitch portal. 

We will gladly accept submissions before then, but we will not issue assignments until all pitches have been received and reviewed. Please pitch only one piece per submission. You’re welcome to submit multiple submissions.

How to Pitch Good Tape

Whether you’re an experienced journalist, a podcast professional, or approaching us from elsewhere, here’s where to start.

We’re an ambitious publication, created to elevate cultural and critical coverage of the podcasting industry; our writing explores the ideas, people, and forces shaping the medium. This means we’re less interested in, say, personal essays and prefer pieces that report on broader trends and incorporate others’ experiences alongside your own.

We’ll also take anything from compelling conversations to industry insights to analyses of podcasting’s wider cultural impact (for better or worse). If you’re ready to write but still unsure of what fits here, look to general entertainment coverage as an example — after all, this is TV now.

Pitches can be sent through our pitch portal. While we aim to respond to each pitch we receive promptly, we encourage you to shop your piece around simultaneously. If we snooze, we lose. 

As an independent publication without any outside financial backing, we pride ourselves on paying all writers and artists for their work. Unless otherwise negotiated, we offer flat rates to writers based on the estimated word count for each assignment. Those rates range from $175 to $1,050 for digital and $250 to $1,500 for print. For artists, flat rates are negotiated per commission based on the scope of work.

Pitch us

Being honored by The Signal Awards sets your team apart with recognition from our industry’s top experts, and acts as proof that your work is setting the standard for podcasting worldwide. Grow your audience, celebrate your team, and stand out.

Some other stories that have our attention, brought to you by Good Tape’s “Off The Record” — an event series creating real-time dialogues between podcast executives, creatives, and brands on hyper-relevant topics to evolve the medium.

• Perhaps feeling the heat from Substack’s full tilt into podcasting — or maybe this was totally happening anyway — the newsletter platform beehiiv announced it was adding a new, more robust podcast hosting tool. Beehiiv CEO Tyler Denk discussed the updates during a session hosted by Arielle Nissenblatt as part of her “Well, It Depends” event series last Thursday. If you missed it but want the highlights, reach out to Arielle on socials. (Or scan through this summary from beehiiv here.)

• The comedian who has infiltrated every social media feed is now infiltrating a new network. “The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi” is moving to the Vox Media Podcast Network for sales, marketing, and distribution. Soresi and his cohost Russell Daniels deserve good things, in our humble opinion, so 👏

• In Los Angeles tomorrow? Catch this live conversation on Thursday, April 23, with TK Dutes alongside producer Kristen Bennett, on the making of “The Secret Life of TK Dutes.” Writer and filmmaker Nzinga Kadalie Kemp is facilitating the event, which promises to be “part production chat, part collective reflection on healing, freedom, and the audacity to choose yourself.” We all need some of that. 

• Netflix isn’t the only streamer that’s been wading into the podcasting waters. Per the Hollywood Reporter, Hulu just snapped up licensing rights to the podcasts “Handsome,” “The Mess Around,” “Prison Breaking,” and “That Was Us,” as part of an overall licensing deal with the comedy podcast network Headgum. The deal was first announced back in February when Hulu licensed the show “We’re Here to Help” with Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds. 

• The comedy podcast “Three-Day Champion” is now six sessions deep into its live show residency at Caveat in NYC. We checked out last Sunday’s spirited taping, featuring Jeff Hiller as guest judge and comedians Kurt Braunohler, Josh Gondelman, and Todd Levin swapping staggering, occasionally tender stories for low-stakes prizes. Wondering who won the “Daddy’s Little Meatball” T-shirt? Keep your eyes on the show feed for when the 2026 batch of tapings hits the digital airwaves.

• The winners of the 30th annual Webby Awards were announced yesterday. What surprised you the most? Biggest snubs? Hit us up with your thoughts! 

Good Tape is proudly independent yet deeply rooted in community. If you value our work exploring the ideas, people, and forces shaping podcasting, share this newsletter with a friend. Or, better yet, become a subscriber. Your support helps sustain our commitment to elevating cultural and critical coverage of the podcast industry.