We’ve acquired Knowable to bring audio to Medium

Today, I’m happy to announce that Medium has acquired Knowable, an audio-first learning company, to bring audio capabilities to our readers, members, and creators.

Having started a podcasting company in 2005, I’ve always thought that audio was a natural way to enrich Medium’s value proposition and deliver on our mission of deepening understanding of the world and delivering valuable ideas.

It’s obvious why spoken-word audio is growing in popularity. There are times for all of us when our eyes are busy but our minds are open.

The number one reason people say they listen to podcasts today is to learn new things. To better serve this need, Knowable has created a compelling new format: the audio lesson. It combines the conversational style of a podcast with the rigor of a great nonfiction book, all bundled into a bespoke app focused on helping more people build the habit of lifelong learning.

Knowable launched in 2019, and over the past two years has produced a library of audio lessons with hundreds of field-leading experts on subjects ranging from professional development to personal well-being. Featured contributors include NBA All-Star Chris Paul, record-holding astronaut Scott Kelly, and top TED speaker Celeste Headlee, as well as notable organizations such as MIT and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade.

Knowable will remain a standalone product, and co-founders Warren Shaeffer and Alex Benzer — and the Knowable team — are staying on board to lead Medium’s broader audio initiatives.

To celebrate the news, a Knowable subscription will be 75% off through the end of the year. Click here to check it out.

If you’re a book author, or industry expert, you can apply to be a Knowable creator here.

Knowable and Medium will be collaborating closely to help more people spread great ideas across text and audio. Stay tuned for more updates in 2022.

You can also read the Knowable team’s story here.