Listen Foundry launches podcast series about one subject, sponsored by a business that cares about it

London, 28 October 2026. James Alexander, founder of LaunchPod Studios, today launched Listen Foundry, a service that makes podcast series about one specific subject, each sponsored by a business connected to that subject. The hosts are AI and say so in every episode. Alexander is opening three free places in a beta for businesses that want to take part.

Each series is a podcast plus short-form social videos and companion articles, all built around a single subject. Alexander's examples are a series about the perfect engagement proposal, sponsored by a jeweller, and a regional rose-growing show, sponsored by a local garden centre.

“I always knew AI had a place in podcasting, but as a studio owner I was conflicted about where. One thing I was sure of: it wasn’t to replace podcasters.”

Listen Foundry follows 18 months of testing and refining. It draws on LaunchPod’s experience of making nearly 100 shows over six years, what it considers the best models for voice and video, and a writing process built and refined over hundreds of scripts.

The subject is the test. Alexander says nobody wants a 12-part series on the founder story of a dog accessory company, but a show about training your dog to walk well on a lead is one people would actually listen to.

The AI hosts reveal that they are AI in every episode. The series do not pretend to be human. They are designed to deliver relevant, useful content in a format that is easy to listen to, sponsored by businesses that would not otherwise have the budget or the means to sponsor a show like this.

A live example: The Wine Swot

The Wine Swot is a live Listen Foundry series for wine students, sponsored by Wine Revision. It has its own reels and articles.

The beta: three places, free

Three businesses can take part, with one series each: a podcast series and short-form videos on a subject their customers care about, sponsored by the business, at no charge. The only thing Listen Foundry asks in return is honest feedback.

“Like LaunchPod, this started as an experiment and turned into a real thing. I learn by doing, and I’ve learnt all I can on my own, so I’m starting it the same way I started LaunchPod, by calling on my network.”

Businesses that want one of the three places can email hello@launchpodstudios.com. More about the service is at listenfoundry.com.

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