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Max Cutler

Max Cutler is an American media entrepreneur and podcast industry executive renowned for co-founding Parcast Studios in 2016, a scripted audio entertainment network specializing in true crime, mystery, and historical storytelling podcasts, which was acquired by Spotify in 2019. Born around 1991 in Los Angeles, Cutler launched Parcast at age 25 alongside his father, veteran radio producer Ron Cutler, without external funding, quickly growing it into a leading producer of narrative-driven series such as Serial Killers and Unsolved Murders, amassing millions of downloads and a predominantly female audience. Following the acquisition, which valued Parcast at up to approximately $100 million including earnouts, Cutler joined Spotify as vice president and head of talk creator content and partnerships, where he oversaw major exclusive deals with high-profile creators including of , , and , as well as the platform's partnership for . Under his leadership, Spotify expanded its podcasting division significantly during a period of aggressive investment in audio content, reportedly committing $400–500 million to the sector in 2019 alone. Cutler departed Spotify in 2023 amid a company reorganization. In 2024, Cutler founded Pave Studios, a creator-focused media company based in that produces original content across audio, video, books, and other formats, with initial verticals including OpenMind for wellness programming and Crime House for narratives. The venture, which operates without outside investors, has partnered with notable figures such as journalist , physician , and astrologer Aliza Kelly, emphasizing innovative models to empower independent creators in the evolving landscape. Cutler's career has been recognized for pioneering scripted podcasting and driving the mainstream growth of the genre.

Early life and education

Family and upbringing

Max Cutler was born and raised in , , in an environment deeply immersed in audio media. His family background played a pivotal role in shaping his early interests, particularly through his father, Ron Cutler (also known as Ron Diamond), a veteran radio broadcaster and producer who founded Cutler Productions, a radio company in the . This created an "audio-loving family" atmosphere, where Cutler's childhood was filled with exposure to radio production and storytelling techniques. Cutler's early influences stemmed directly from observing his father's career, which involved operating multiple national radio shows and pioneering FM radio formats for and . He has credited this exposure with fostering his passion for and narrative audio, noting that "seeing him work had a huge on me and what I'm doing." Ron Cutler's professional legacy, including his work as a and producer, provided a hands-on model of media innovation that resonated throughout Max's upbringing, emphasizing the power of audio to engage audiences. During his formative years, Cutler attended , a independent institution in , graduating in the class of 2009. This period built on the family dynamics that encouraged creative pursuits, laying the groundwork for his later professional endeavors in without formal academic training in the field at that stage.

Academic background

Max Cutler graduated from , a private nondenominational institution in , in 2009. He then enrolled at the , where he earned a in and in 2013.

Business career

Parcast Studios

In June 2016, at the age of 25, Max Cutler co-founded Studios with his father, Ron Cutler, a radio producer, in , . The venture was entirely self-funded, with no external investment, allowing the Cutlers to retain full control over its direction and operations. Parcast focused on producing scripted and narrative podcasts, targeting a audience seeking structured, accessible content as an to the often quirky or NPR-style shows dominating the market at the time. The studio built its operations from the ground up, leveraging Cutler's extensive radio expertise in programming and production to create high-quality audio dramas with professional voice actors, scriptwriters, and . By early 2019, Parcast had launched 18 premium series, including the popular Cults, which explored the inner workings of notorious groups, and had amassed over 80 million total downloads while achieving top rankings on charts. The business model emphasized non-exclusive distribution across platforms like , , and , supported by advertising revenue and potential premium offerings, while prioritizing genres like , , and to appeal broadly, particularly to female listeners who comprised over 75% of the audience. This innovative focus on volume and consistency helped deliver millions of monthly downloads and position itself as a leader in narrative podcasting by the time of its acquisition in 2019.

Spotify executive role

In March 2019, Spotify announced its acquisition of Parcast Studios, the podcast production company founded by Max Cutler, for $56 million, with the deal closing in the second quarter of the year. Following the acquisition, Cutler transitioned into an executive role at as Vice President and Head of Creator Content and Partnerships, where he led the integration of Parcast's operations into the company's expanding ecosystem. In this position, he focused on scaling Spotify's audio by overseeing the development and management of creator partnerships, drawing on Parcast's established expertise in narrative-driven podcasts to bolster the platform's . Cutler's tenure, spanning from 2019 to 2023, encompassed a period of aggressive growth for Spotify's podcast division, during which he spearheaded major exclusive licensing deals with high-profile creators, including Alex Cooper for Call Her Daddy and Joe Rogan for The Joe Rogan Experience. These agreements helped diversify Spotify's offerings beyond music into talk and storytelling formats, attracting millions of listeners and solidifying the company's competitive edge in the podcast market. His efforts contributed to a strategic expansion that integrated Parcast's true crime and genre-specific content into Spotify's broader portfolio, enhancing user engagement and ad revenue potential during the platform's pivot toward audio innovation. Cutler departed Spotify in May 2023 amid a reorganization of its operations, marking the end of his four-year executive stint.

PAVE Studios

Following his departure from in 2023, Max Cutler officially launched PAVE Studios in April 2024 as an independent media venture. PAVE Studios is a global media company that specializes in developing genre-specific brands to produce original content in collaboration with creators, with a strong emphasis on multi-hyphenate across audio, video, , and . The company's founding principles center on empowering creators by simplifying content production, distribution, and discovery while building vibrant fan communities, informed by Cutler's prior experience in creator partnerships at . Initial brands include OpenMind for content and Crime House for , with plans to expand into additional genres and formats such as live experiences and merchandise. As of July 2025, PAVE Studios remains in early-stage operations, headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, and employs around 67 contractors and staff while actively hiring specialists like executive producers to support growth. In October 2024, the company entered a sales and distribution partnership with . In February 2025, PAVE Studios announced a new slate of original video series under its Crime House brand. The company positions itself as a modern evolution of the independent studio model, tailored to the by prioritizing video as a key growth area and distributing content on platforms including , , and . This approach aims to foster diverse business opportunities for creators beyond traditional media silos.

Recognition and contributions

Awards and honors

In 2019, Max Cutler was recognized on list in the Media category for founding Network, which he launched in and grew into a leading podcast production company focused on scripted storytelling and content. This accolade highlighted Parcast's rapid expansion, including reaching over 100 million downloads by the end of 2018 through a portfolio of premium series. The following year, Cutler was included in Fortune's list in Media and Entertainment, acknowledging his role in Parcast's acquisition by in and his subsequent leadership as managing director of the studio under the streaming giant. The recognition emphasized how Parcast's innovative approach to narrative podcasts, such as and series, contributed to 's broader push into original audio content. Also in 2019, Cutler earned a spot on The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen list of 35 Rising Executives Under 35, celebrating his entrepreneurial vision in building Parcast into a high-output network producing multiple shows weekly. This honor underscored his influence in the podcasting sector during a period of industry consolidation, including major deals that positioned Parcast as a key player in audio entertainment. In , Cutler was named to The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural 40(ish) Most Powerful People in list, reflecting his executive contributions at where he oversaw talk and creator content partnerships following the integration. This inclusion spotlighted his role in scaling and amid 's investments in exclusive audio deals.

Authorship and industry impact

Max Cutler co-authored the book Cults: Inside the World's Most Notorious Groups and Understanding the People Who Joined Them with Kevin Conley, published on July 12, 2022, by Gallery Books, an imprint of . The work draws from the "Cults" podcast series and examines the psychology of cult leaders and followers through a true-crime , profiling ten notorious groups and delving into mechanisms of , , and historical context. It has garnered positive reviews for its insightful analysis of psychological dynamics and depth on coercive tactics, with critics noting its for enthusiasts while providing substantive of human vulnerability to . Cutler's innovations at pioneered the scripted podcast format in , blending narrative storytelling with research-driven episodes that influenced the genre's mainstream adoption by platforms like . This approach contributed to the podcast market's expansion, particularly through multilingual content adaptations and strategic creator partnerships that broadened global reach and diversified revenue streams beyond audio. As of 2025, Cutler's broader legacy in the creator economy is evident through PAVE Studios, his venture that fosters genre-specific brands and multi-platform content, enabling independent creators to build sustainable businesses amid evolving media landscapes. In February 2025, PAVE's Crime House vertical announced a new slate of original video series featuring top creators. A July 2025 Los Angeles Times article recognized PAVE Studios as a key player in the growing creator economy, providing jobs in a challenging Hollywood market.

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