In this episode, we’re diving into the "hellscape" (as we like to call it) of Google’s AI Overviews and the rise of zero-click searches. While Google is celebrating record search revenue, publishers are seeing traffic drops of up to 38% as AI "sucks up" content and keeps readers from ever hitting your site.

We break down a real-world case study of The Fisherman, a niche publisher that successfully pivoted by tightening their walls and leaning into their true superpowers: Content and Audience

What happens when you buy a declining news site and immediately delete every single advertisement? For Travis Bembenek, CEO and Publisher of Mexico News Daily, it was the key to building a thriving, 100% reader-supported business.

In this episode of the Paywall Podcast powered by Leaky Paywall, Travis joins Pete to break down the "Confidence Strategy" that turned a cluttered, ad-heavy site into a premium subscription brand. They dive deep into the mechanics of the transition, including:

• The "Zero-Ad" Gamble: Why Travis removed all display ads to prioritize user experience and how it actually accelerated their growth.
• The Power of the Registration Wall: How Mexico News Daily uses a "tight" funnel to convert monthly readers into a dedicated email list and, eventually, paid members.
• Monetizing the "Back Office": The reality of fixing server issues, hosting, and UX to ensure the paywall actually works when the reader is ready to buy.
• Innovative Content Repurposing: A look at MND Kids, a brilliant project that turned existing news into a bilingual educational tool for schools, and their new podcast, Confidently Wrong.
• Restoring Trust: Why "old-school," non-partisan journalism is the ultimate competitive advantage in a polarized media landscape.

If you are a publisher wondering if your audience will actually pay for content, this episode is a masterclass in building a brand worth paying for.

In this episode of the Paywall Podcast powered by Leaky Paywall, Pete and Tyler conduct a detailed teardown of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, analyzing its visitor experience, subscription models, and operational challenges. Learn the seven specific mistakes this legacy giant is making and, more importantly, how you can avoid them to build a frictionless, profitable publication.