Betting on better: How Malcolm Gladwell's Pushkin is elevating audio storytelling

'More isn't better. Better is better.' Co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell, Pushkin Industries is an audio-first production house built on the conviction that meticulously produced, emotionally resonant storytelling will always rise above the noise. Here's how Pushkin is betting on quality in an age of content overload.

“More isn’t better. Better is better.” It’s a mantra that’s often echoed by Pushkin Industries ’ Chief Strategy Officer Eric Sandler and captures the Pushkin ethos. Co-founded by author Malcolm Gladwell, Pushkin is an audio-first production house built on the belief that great storytelling, when smart, emotionally resonant, and meticulously produced, will always rise above the noise. “We believe audio has the ability to reach people emotionally in ways that’s harder to do in print,” Sandler said. “That’s why production quality is so important [at Pushkin]. We take pride not just in our creatives, but also in the sound engineers, mixers, and all the technical details that bring each episode to life.” TechNexus has long invested at the intersection of emerging creators and the future of audio through our corporate partner Shure, as well as through Podfund , TechNexus’s fund that invests in media companies. Pushkin, an early Podfund portfolio company, proves how world-class storytelling, entrepreneurial vision, and sound innovation can reshape an entire industry. For emerging brands like Pushkin and legacy audio giants like Shure, whose microphones and tools are trusted by the world’s top podcasters, the quality of the audio experience is inseparable from the impact of the story. It's part of TechNexus’s ecosystem approach to audio innovation and reflects our belief that investing in creators isn’t just about content — it’s about catalyzing the next wave of media innovation. Operating as both a podcast network and an audiobook publisher, Pushkin is uniquely positioned to explore stories across formats. Pushkin’s portfolio includes thought-provoking shows like Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History , the cult-favorite Heavyweight , and audiobooks such as Michael Lewis’ Liar’s Poker . "We work with critical thinkers,” Morgan Ratner, director of marketing, said. “Our hosts bring unique perspectives and deep expertise, whether they’re historians, journalists, or subject-ma

By Jim Dallke at TechNexus Venture Collaborative