LISTEN: Michael Lewis Revisits ‘The Big Short’ for Pushkin Industries’ Fall Slate; Jem Aswad Goes Inside David Byrne’s Brain

Pushkin Industries is expanding its fall content lineup, leveraging the strong network effect it has developed among its authors and hosts since its founding in 2018. During a recent episode of the "Daily Variety" podcast, Eric Sandler, the company’s chief strategy officer, outlined the audio studio’s strategic vision, key growth drivers, and future goals. He emphasized how Pushkin’s collaborative culture allows audio projects to evolve into multi-platform productions, cementing its status as a center for intellectual and creative collaboration.

Among the new offerings is a retrospective on Michael Lewis’s influential book, "The Big Short," which dissected the 2008 housing market collapse. For the first time, the book will be available as an audiobook, accompanied by a supplementary podcast in which Lewis revisits the key figures and moments of the financial crisis. Originally published in 2010, the book later became an Oscar-nominated film starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Brad Pitt. Sandler noted, “We’re witnessing a reversal of the traditional content flow—the story moved from print to film, and is now returning to audio with renewed depth. Its enduring relevance highlights the lasting impact of powerful narrative.”

Sandler also pointed to Malcolm Gladwell’s 2021 season of "Revisionist History," titled "The Bomber Mafia," as a model for Pushkin’s cross-platform approach. The podcast was first adapted into an audiobook, after which print rights were secured and the project was optioned by independent studio A24 for potential adaptation. Sandler explained that this strategy establishes Pushkin as an incubator where audio acts as a creative testing ground. Industry experts observe that this method is becoming more prevalent among premium content creators aiming to reduce risk while amplifying the value of intellectual property across multiple formats.

In the same episode, Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive music editor, shared insights from his recent interview with David Byrne, the iconic co-founder of Talking Heads. Aswad’s profile, published in Variety’s September 2 print edition and online on September 5, took place in Byrne’s downtown New York loft—a location the artist bikes to daily. Aswad described the workspace as a physical manifestation of Byrne’s distinctive mind, observing, “Floor-to-ceiling shelves are packed with vinyl records, CDs, awards including a Grammy and an Oscar, and even models of the human brain. It felt like stepping into his mental universe—an apt setting for an artist who opened his ‘American Utopia’ Broadway show by contemplating thought and human interconnectedness.”

The full "Daily Variety" episode can be found on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, and Spotify.