Ryan Broderick’s journey from a tech reporter at BuzzFeed News to an independent media entrepreneur exemplifies a growing trend in digital journalism: journalists and content creators building viable businesses through newsletters and related platforms. Broderick launched his newsletter, Garbage Day, in 2019 as a side project highlighting internet oddities. After parting ways with BuzzFeed in 2020 amid plagiarism allegations—which he disputes—he turned Garbage Day into his full-time venture.
Today, Garbage Day operates as a multifaceted media company staffed by experienced digital media professionals, including Adam Bumas, formerly of Know Your Meme, and Cates Holderness, a BuzzFeed blogger known for the viral phenomenon “The Dress.” The company recently added Lisa Tozzi as chief operating officer; Tozzi brings extensive editorial experience from Rolling Stone, BuzzFeed News, and the New York Times. Garbage Day maintains over 5,100 paying subscribers at $5 per month, alongside a free readership exceeding 100,000. Its advertisers pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per placement. Ancillary ventures such as the “Panic World” podcast and Garbage Day Media Intelligence consulting have further diversified revenue streams. In 2025, the company earned close to half a million dollars and is projected to surpass that figure in 2026, with Broderick targeting $1 million in revenue.
Broderick’s evolution mirrors a broader shift as journalists seek independence from traditional media and the uncertainties tied to platform algorithms. The newsletter format, relying on email distribution—a technology over 50 years old—offers a direct line to audiences without the interference of algorithmic feeds. Experts highlight that email remains one of the few spaces where readers maintain control over what content they receive.
Numerous journalists with established media backgrounds have transitioned to newsletters, including former MSNBC anchor Mehdi Hasan with Zeteo on Substack, ex-Verge tech reporter Casey Newton’s Platformer on Ghost, and former BuzzFeed culture writer Anne Helen Petersen’s Culture Study on Patreon. Substack, the leading newsletter platform, reports that its top 10 publishers earn over $40 million annually, with more than 30 political and news-related newsletters generating over $1 million each year. Alternative platforms like beehiiv have also seen notable growth, increasing revenue by 80 percent in 2025.
Industry observers emphasize that successful independent creators distinguish themselves by providing specialized expertise, visible curiosity, and distinctive perspectives unlikely to be replicated by artificial intelligence. Jeremy Caplan, director at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, suggests that authenticity and a clear voice are critical in building readerships that are willing to pay for content. Similarly, Dan Oshinsky, former newsletter director for BuzzFeed and The New Yorker, notes that email-based newsletters offer a uniquely personal connection, in contrast to content surfaced by social media algorithms.
Beyond newsletters, creators are expanding into podcasts, live events, and merchandise to cultivate communities and diversify income. One example is the political podcast “Pantsuit Politics,” hosted by Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland. Launched in 2015 as a side project, the podcast has grown into a sustainable business generating about $1 million annually, primarily from 3,800 paying subscribers on Substack. The podcast is known for fostering a sense of community, drawing engaged listeners who view the hosts as trusted voices. Silvers noted that much of their success stems from consistent, authentic connection rather than chasing news trends.
Other independent creators, like Olivia Wickstrom, have converted newsletter audiences into coaching and consulting businesses. Wickstrom’s Petal + Hearth newsletter, launched in early 2025, has grown to over 23,000 subscribers and contributes to an annual income exceeding $80,000 when combined with related coaching.
Despite the success stories, some creators acknowledge the challenges of sustaining income and audience growth. Holland pointed out that podcasting has become increasingly dominated by celebrity figures, while breaking through on platforms like Substack remains difficult without prior media recognition. Jennifer Grygiel, a communications professor at Syracuse University, characterized these successes as outliers, often reliant on creators’ preexisting brands and platforms.
Broderick himself shifted from Substack to beehiiv, citing concerns about Substack’s handling of extremist content. Substack maintains it enforces guidelines to prevent incitement to violence while upholding commitments to free speech and press.
As traditional media organizations downsize and public trust evolves, independent newsletters continue to emerge as a viable alternative for journalists seeking editorial and financial independence. While the creator economy demands patience and consistent output, platforms that emphasize direct relationships with readers have become central to a new media ecosystem—one newsletter at a time.