Kara Dioguardi is a songwriter, producer, music publisher, former artist, scholar, advocate for creators, two-season “American Idol” judge, label executive and talent scout. Her latest discovery: newcomer Gayle, whose “ABCDEFU” is a No. 1 radio hit. She looks back at her road to success, and ahead to a future where tech is working for creators as opposed to underpaying them.

 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Kara Dioguardi is a songwriter, producer, music publisher, former artist, scholar, advocate for creators, two-season “American Idol” judge, label executive and talent scout. Her latest discovery: newcomer Gayle, whose “ABCDEFU” is a No. 1 radio hit. She looks back at her road to success, and ahead to a future where tech is working for creators as opposed to underpaying them. Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Variety's Strictly Business

Kara Dioguardi is a songwriter, producer, music publisher, former artist, scholar, advocate for creators, two-season “American Idol” judge, label executive and talent scout. Her latest discovery: newcomer Gayle, whose “ABCDEFU” is a No. 1 radio hit. She looks back at her road to success, and ahead to a future where tech is working for creators as opposed to underpaying them.

Kara DioGuardi Conquered the Music Business, and Has the Battle Scars to Prove It

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/36c1100f-6133-4480-a525-ae4c00e8eb77/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jennifer Maas reports on the return of BookCon to New York and the emergence of a new generation of romance novels – think “Heated Rivalry” -- as a creative force in Hollywood. And the entertainment industry is eager to get to know John Ternus, who will succeed Tim Cook as Apple CEO in September.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Jennifer Maas reports on <a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/bookcon-2026-schedule-reservations-authors-details-1236724520/">the return of BookCon to New York </a>and the emergence of a new generation of romance novels &ndash; think &ldquo;Heated Rivalry&rdquo; -- as a creative force in Hollywood. And the entertainment industry is eager to get to know <a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/apple-tim-cook-john-ternus-ceo-1236726395/">John Ternus, who will succeed Tim Cook as Apple CEO in September</a>.

Daily Variety -- Hollywood Wants to Know More About Tim Cook's Successor at Apple; BookCon Returns With Focus on Romantasy and Adaptations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b4b8cb7-e142-480f-b741-b4330133f508/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brent Lang breaks down the weekend box office, and Lang gives us his takeaways and impressions about the state of the film industry from his time at CinemaCon last week.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/box-office-super-mario-galaxy-movie-3rd-weekend-lee-cronin-the-mummy-1236725452/">Brent Lang breaks down the weekend box office</a>, and Lang gives us his takeaways and impressions about <a href="https://variety.com/t/cinemacon/">the state of the film industry from his time at CinemaCon last week.</a>

 Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Mother Mary’ Shows Promise, ‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ Not So Much; CinemaCon Buzzes About Windows and Warner Bros. 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8dd7188a-b9d5-4369-bb87-b432010b6087/transcript

Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of Betches Media, details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.

Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of <a href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/nfl-betches-media-partnership-women-1236248686/">Betches Media, </a>details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/lists/creators-to-watch/">Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.</a>

Betches Media CEO and Founder Aleen Dreksler on Building a Digital Hub for Women With Comedy and Community

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1537f20f-f824-4798-ae12-b42f0135707c/transcript

Kara DioGuardi Conquered the Music Business, and Has the Battle Scars to Prove It

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