An Ever Evolving Podcast - Behind the Pod

In 2022, Between Two Beers had a problem. Across two years, we’d recorded 53 episodes, featuring long-form interviews with New Zealand’s most successful and captivating people - but we had no reach.

Our social accounts had a combined 2,000 followers. Each episode was doing around 400 downloads. We were confident that once listeners discovered us, they would become fans…. but how could we reach more people?

It started with a phone call to Mike Lane, boss of The Alternative Commentary Collective, and a former guest. ‘Can we join The ACC?’ we asked.

Mike said yes, and joining the NZME family was the best move we could have made. There was now a shop window to our content through the ACC's huge social media accounts. We had a home. And the corresponding growth in audience growth was off the charts.

We had a platform, a launching pad; people were discovering us. This was a really special time.

After two years, as Between Two Beers evolved, it didn’t quite sit right under The ACC banner anymore. Their brand is sports entertainment – and while that was still a big part of our show, we also started getting more diverse. So last year we jumped across the hallway to iHeartradio, still under the NZME umbrella, and experienced another epic year.

Special shoutout needs to go to NZME’s Head of Digital Audio Sarah Catran, who is the best in the business and a huge part of the shows’ success. Total legend.

Last year we both left our jobs to go ‘all-in’ on the podcast, and as we started selling our own sponsorships, doing our own marketing and building other businesses, we knew it would soon be time to go 'back' out on our own. And that time is now.

As independent creators, we’re stoked to announce we're partnering with independent podcast company, Acast.

Acast has done an incredible job of supporting us through the move and buying into our vision and will manage our ads and sponsorships - allowing us more time to laugh, cry and say 'journey' with the world’s most interesting guests.

For the listening experience – nothing will change. Same show, same gags, same overuse of ‘paint us a picture’. Huge thanks to everyone at NZME for such an epic three years, and to all the listeners for your support.

Bring on 2025!

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