“Trust your gut, have fun, and don’t overthink it.” – From Amazon to Novel, Building Stories That Last | Craig Strachan | CEO of Novel
Description
In this episode of At Work With, Craig Strachan — CEO of Novel and former global podcast lead at Amazon Music — shares his squiggly career journey from marketing phone lines to leading Europe’s largest independent podcast studio. He opens up about lessons learned along the way, the leap from Big Tech to an indie startup, and why trust, fun, and authenticity sit at the heart of his leadership. Craig also dives into the future of podcasting, from fandoms and live shows to cross-media storytelling, offering an inspiring and candid look at the industry and the people behind it.
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 | Intro & Beginnings – Childhood, early ambitions & first jobs
07:30 | Career Journey – From BT & Sky to Amazon Music
13:45 | Global Podcasting at Amazon – Strategy, launches & lessons learned
29:00 | Leap to Novel – Moving from Big Tech to leading Europe’s largest indie studio
36:40 | The Future of Podcasting – Storytelling, fandoms & industry shifts
58:20 | Leadership & Legacy – Trust, inclusion & advice for the next generation
United States
