Listnr Acquires The Inspired Unemployed Podcast in Comedy Talent Play
SCA's Listnr platform acquires The Inspired Unemployed podcast with 4.2M social followers. Move signals aggressive comedy talent strategy as Asia-Pacific podcasting grows 18% annually through 2030.
SCA's Listnr network announced on February 17, 2026, that The Inspired Unemployed podcast, hosted by comedy duo Matt Ford and Jack Steele, will return in April after an 18-month hiatus. The move signals the platform's aggressive strategy to capture high-profile comedy talent in Australia's rapidly expanding podcast market.
Comedy Duo Brings 4.2 Million Social Followers to Platform
The Inspired Unemployed previously ran on Spotify from 2021 until August 2024, establishing itself as one of the platform's top-performing Australian comedy shows. Ford and Steele have built a combined following of 4.2 million across Instagram and TikTok while diversifying beyond podcasting into television production for Ten and Paramount, brand partnerships with Red Bull, RM Williams, Canadian Club, Kayo Sports, and The Iconic, plus launching Better Beer, a zero-carb beer brand, in collaboration with Mighty Craft in 2021.
"Matt and Jack have built one of Australia's most recognizable and successful comedy brands," said Sam Cavanagh, head of content at Listnr. "Their fiercely dedicated fanbase has waited patiently for the podcast to return, and we're pumped to help them make this next season even bigger and better."
The podcast will be included in the Australian Podcast Ranker for the first time. To break into the top 10, the show would need to attract over 250,000 listeners based on December 2025 benchmarks.
Asia-Pacific Podcast Market Expands at 18% Annual Growth
The acquisition comes as the Asia-Pacific podcasting market grows at over 18% annually from 2025 through 2030, driven by smartphone penetration and youth demand for on-demand content. Listnr reaches an estimated 10 million monthly users and hosts over 800 podcasts alongside radio, live sports, music, and news.
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The platform's ad technology delivers 15% higher CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) through first-party data targeting compared to platforms without sophisticated audience targeting. This monetization advantage directly impacts revenue potential for returning shows like The Inspired Unemployed.
Listnr's comedy-focused acquisition strategy includes a partnership with DM Podcasts from satirical site The Betoota Advocate, combining hosting, distribution, sales representation, and branded podcast production while maintaining creator independence. Grant Tothill, SCA executive head of Listnr podcasts and operations, stated that partnership would "take our monthly listeners to almost seven million and further reinforce our position as Australia's number one podcast network."
Platform Provides Cross-Promotion and Premium Content Adjacency
Listnr maintains 2.25 million app users and 2.4 million signed-in users, providing The Inspired Unemployed with an established audience base for cross-promotion. Strategic partnerships with Wondery, Audacy, and AFL/NRL content create a diverse portfolio positioning comedy podcasts alongside premium sports and entertainment properties.
"It has always just been us talking rubbish and somehow people keep listening, which is unreal," said Matt Ford. "Joining Listnr feels like a big step for the show and gives us the chance to make it even bigger."
Jack Steele added: "It still blows our minds that a podcast that started as two mates having a chat has grown into what it is now. The audience we've built is everything to us, and this move is all about giving them more."
The new episodes launch April 1, 2026.
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