How Ex-Vox Video Producer Phil Edwards thinks about Maps to tell stories - MBM77

Minds Behind Maps

Phil Edwards is a video producer who worked at Vox for nearly 10 years, and now runs his own Youtube channel exploring the history of businesses, and lately has been using more and more maps. We go over one of his latest videos, “The Secret Economics of Google Street View” as a case study of how Phil thinks about maps to tell stories. We also talk about journalism on Youtube, and the business behind running a Youtube channel today.

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About Phil

• Twitter
• Phil's Bluesky
• Phil’s Youtube

Shownotes

Note: Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy any of these books.

• Phil’s trivia site
• GeoGuessr
• Phil’s video about Google Street View
• Book & Podcast recommendations:
  • 3 Scientists & Their Gods by Robert Wright (Affiliate Link)
  • The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Affiliate Link)
  • On the Edge by Nate Silver (Affiliate Link)
  • Freakonomics podcast
  • Acquired Podcast
• My conversation with Ashlee Vance
• Wild Wild Space documentary
• Neo
• Hoog

Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro

(00:52) - Sponsor: Beemaps

(02:08) - Who is Phil Edwards?

(03:13) - What does a Video Producer do?

(04:29) - Chosing topics & stories

(06:38) - Maps in video production

(10:14) - Bringing a different element to maps stories

(12:15) - Explaining Complicated Things

(15:49) - Case Study: Google Street View Video

(20:07) - Geoguessr

(23:03) - Story & Journalism on Youtube

(27:25) - Stories that Phil wants to work on

(30:54) - Importance of visuals

(34:58) - Learning Curve in Mapping & Animation

(40:26) - Balancing Scientific Rigour and Story

(49:53) - The Business of Youtube

(54:09) - Choosing to scale or not

(59:14) - Creating "content"

(01:01:56) - Authenticity

(01:05:00) - Valuing High Quality Journalism

(01:10:18) - Succeeding on Patreon

(01:13:46) - Creators that Phil admires

(01:16:56) - Books & podcasts Recommendations

(01:28:54) - Reporting On Vs Working In a field

(01:31:40) - Where Phil finds inspiration

(01:35:14) - Support the podcast on Patreon

• Support the podcast on Patreon
• My Twitter
• My Bluesky
• Read Previous Issues of the Newsletter
• Edited by Peter Xiong
• Find more of his work