Business Insider launches Well Spent, a podcast exploring the business, tech, and culture of consumerism
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Business Insider Unveils Video Podcast “Well Spent” to Dive into the Psychology of Spending
In a bold expansion of its multimedia offerings, Business Insider announced today the launch of a new video podcast series titled Well Spent. The show, which premiered on the Business Insider app and YouTube channel, promises to combine the company’s data‑driven reporting with engaging, conversation‑based content that explores how people decide to spend, save, and invest their money.
A New Format for a New Audience
According to a statement from Business Insider’s Chief Content Officer, “We’ve long been experts at turning complex economic data into stories that matter to everyday readers. Well Spent takes that expertise to the screen, providing a visual, narrative format that can reach people who prefer short, on‑the‑go videos over long‑form articles.” The podcast’s host, former Business Insider reporter and finance columnist Laura Kim, serves as the anchor for each episode. Kim, who has covered everything from corporate takeovers to consumer trends, brings a journalistic curiosity and a knack for explaining financial concepts in plain language.
The show is scheduled to release new episodes every Tuesday at 10 am Eastern. Each episode is 15–20 minutes long, featuring a mix of on‑location reporting, studio interviews, and data visualizations. The first season, titled “The Art of Spending,” is set to run for ten episodes and will tackle topics such as the rise of “pay‑what‑you‑wanna” pricing, how social media influences buying habits, and the science of delayed gratification.
Deep Dives into Everyday Finance
In its inaugural episode, “Why We Buy,” Kim speaks with behavioral economist Dr. Maya Patel about the psychological triggers that drive impulsive purchases. The segment includes footage from a busy retail corridor and an interactive poll that lets viewers vote on the most common impulse‑buying motivations. Dr. Patel explains that a combination of scarcity cues, social proof, and instant reward mechanisms can override long‑term financial planning—information that she says many people have never considered.
Another episode, “The Gig Economy and Your Wallet,” features a conversation with Carlos Rivera, a financial planner who specializes in freelance income. Rivera discusses budgeting strategies for irregular cash flows and the importance of building an emergency fund. A short segment shows Rivera walking through a coworking space, highlighting how the gig economy has reshaped the concept of traditional employment benefits.
The podcast also plans to incorporate data segments, drawing on Business Insider’s proprietary reports. In the episode “Smart Spending, Smart Savings,” Kim walks viewers through a data visualization that shows the average American’s spending by category. The graphic, created in partnership with the company’s data team, overlays spending trends over the past decade, giving viewers a clear picture of how consumer priorities have shifted.
Partnerships and Distribution
Beyond the Business Insider platform, the Well Spent podcast will be distributed on major streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The company has also partnered with the financial education platform NerdWallet to co‑produce select episodes, offering joint branding opportunities. A promotional video for the launch was shared on Business Insider’s social media channels, and the episode has already garnered over 30,000 views on YouTube in its first week.
Business Insider’s strategy, according to a senior executive, is to “treat each episode as a data‑rich, multimedia lesson that can be consumed on any device.” The company’s goal is to capture the audience that typically turns to podcasts for bite‑size news, while still delivering the depth that Business Insider is known for.
Industry Context
The launch comes at a time when media companies are experimenting with hybrid content formats. Competitors such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have already integrated video podcasts into their offerings, recognizing the rise of visual storytelling as a way to boost engagement. Business Insider’s move to produce Well Spent aligns with its broader plan to diversify revenue streams beyond subscription fees.
Experts in media and finance suggest that the focus on personal finance is timely. In the past year, there has been a surge in interest in financial literacy, driven by the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and the growth of fintech apps. A podcast that offers practical, research‑backed advice could fill a niche that’s both educational and entertaining.
Looking Ahead
As the first season launches, Business Insider has hinted at potential guest line‑ups, including Judy Cheng, author of “The Simple Path to Wealth,” and David Lee, a venture capitalist who talks about investing for the average consumer. The company also plans to integrate viewer feedback into future episodes, creating a dynamic, audience‑driven conversation about money.
Well Spent is a clear statement from Business Insider that it is not only a news source but also a platform for learning. By marrying investigative journalism with visual storytelling, the company is poised to become a go‑to resource for anyone looking to make smarter spending decisions in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
Read the Full Business Insider Article at:
[ https://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-launches-video-podcast-well-spent-2025-11 ]