The Sunday Times, in collaboration with Wireless Studios, has announced its first storytelling podcast series, ‘The Pivot’ hosted by its West Coast correspondent, Danny Fortson.
In the eight-part series Danny offers a portrait of Silicon Valley and reveals where its best brains think it’s headed next, including a deep dive into the intersection of technology and society and how the area became so globally influential.
Danny moved from The Sunday Times business desk to be West Coast correspondent at the beginning of 2017, covering all things technology and Silicon Valley. He also hosts the weekly tech interview podcast Danny in the Valley podcast, which has hosted Bill Gates, Marc Andreesson and Richard Branson among its guests.
The first episode of The Pivot launched on Wednesday (10 July). Entitled ‘Hot Tub Millionnaire’, it uses exclusive interviews to tell the story of Silicon Valley trailblazer Nolan Bushnell, who founded the company that invented the video game, Atari, and who was a mentor to Steve Jobs.
The Times has also worked with Wireless Studios to launch the ‘Giles Coren has no idea’ podcast series. It features Times columnist Giles Coren and his wife, fellow journalist Esther Walker, as each week he finds himself with no idea what to write about in his weekly column.
Having read all the papers and found nothing of interest whatsoever, he takes a break and does the school run. Upon his return, Esther has half a dozen ideas she’s spotted ready to knock around with him over the kitchen table and a much needed pot of coffee.
The first edition launched Friday 5 July, and has already reached No. 1 in the Apple Podcast Chart, say the publishers.
Matt Hall, head of on-demand audio at Wireless Studios said: “Danny Fortson and Giles Coren are brilliant and respected journalists at The Times and The Sunday Times. Each has a distinct voice and unique take on the world around us, and it’s been a privilege for Wireless Studios to work with them to develop these fantastic new podcasts. We’re excited that listeners can finally hear them.”
Chris Duncan, managing director of TNL said: “We are delighted to be working with Wireless Studios to create new podcasts with brilliantly high production values. Giles Coren’s wit and wisdom and Danny Fortson’s expertise and insights are really brought to life through audio.”
