TBPN Listener Survey Results: What You Actually Think About AI, Crypto, and Our Merch

Every year, we survey the Technology Brothers Podcast Network audience to understand who you are, what you think, and what you want. This year, thousands of listeners responded — and the results paint a fascinating picture of one of the most engaged, informed, and opinionated communities in tech media.

Here are the highlights, the surprises, and the data points that even John Coogan and Jordi Hays did not see coming.

Who You Are: The Demographics

Let us start with the basics:

• Age range: 68% of respondents are between 22 and 40. The show skews younger than most business and tech podcasts, which tend to index heavily toward the 35-55 demographic.
• Industry: 42% work directly in tech (engineering, product, design). Another 28% work in adjacent fields (finance, consulting, media). The remaining 30% span every industry imaginable — teachers, healthcare workers, military, students. TBPN's appeal transcends the tech bubble.
• Listening habits: 71% listen to at least four episodes per week. 34% watch every single livestream from start to finish — all three hours, 11 AM to 2 PM PT. That level of daily engagement is extraordinary by any media standard.
• Platform split: 45% primarily watch live on YouTube, 22% watch live on X, 18% listen on Spotify, and 15% listen on Apple Podcasts.

What You Think About AI

AI is the defining topic of our era, and TBPN listeners have nuanced views that defy easy categorization:

• 78% believe AI will create more jobs than it destroys — but with a caveat. Most respondents specified that the net job creation only happens if education and retraining keep pace with technological change.
• 62% use AI tools daily in their work. Not just ChatGPT — listeners reported using AI for coding, design, research, data analysis, and content creation.
• 44% are building something with AI. Nearly half the audience is not just observing the AI revolution — they are participating in it.
• The most trusted AI commentators: When asked who they trust most for AI analysis (outside of TBPN), listeners named researchers and builders over journalists and influencers by a 3:1 margin.

This tracks with the show's philosophy: the people closest to the technology understand it best. Guests like Sam Altman bring firsthand perspectives that no amount of external analysis can replicate.

What You Think About Crypto

Crypto opinions in the TBPN audience are more diverse than you might expect:

• 55% currently hold cryptocurrency. This is significantly higher than the general population but lower than many crypto-focused communities, suggesting a more balanced audience.
• 73% believe blockchain technology will have lasting value — even among those who are skeptical of current token prices.
• The top concern: Regulatory uncertainty. Listeners are less worried about the technology failing and more worried about governments getting regulation wrong.
• 81% said TBPN's crypto coverage is "more honest" than other sources. The show's refusal to shill and willingness to call out scams has built deep trust with the audience.

What You Think About Our Merch

Now for the section the store team was most nervous about. We asked listeners to rate the merch, and the results were humbling:

Ownership Rates

• 61% own at least one TBPN item. That is an ownership rate that most media brands would dream of.
• The most-owned item: T-shirts, at 47% of all respondents.
• Second place: Headwear, at 33%.
• Fastest growing category: Drinkware, which saw a major surge in purchases over the past year.
• Most wished-for item: Hoodies. Among listeners who do not yet own merch, the hoodie is the #1 item they plan to buy next.

Quality Ratings

• Average quality rating: 4.6 out of 5. Listeners consistently praised the fabric quality, fit, and print durability.
• Most common positive feedback: "It does not feel like typical podcast merch." Several respondents specifically noted that they wear their TBPN items as regular wardrobe pieces, not just as fan gear.
• Most common improvement request: More colorways and more frequent drops. The audience wants variety and exclusivity.

What You Want Next

We asked an open-ended question: "What merch would you love to see in the TBPN store?" The top responses:

• More phrase-specific designs tied to show moments
• Seasonal and limited-edition drops
• Collaborative designs with featured guests
• More headwear options, especially beanies
• Premium or elevated versions of existing items

The Surprise Findings

Every survey has a few results that catch even the most data-savvy analysts off guard. Here are ours:

The Merch-to-Listener Pipeline Is Real

14% of current listeners said they discovered TBPN because they saw someone else wearing the merch. A t-shirt at a conference. A cap at a coffee shop. A mug on a Zoom call. The merch is not just merchandise — it is a listener acquisition channel.

Gift-Giving Drives Purchases

38% of merch purchases were gifts for someone else. TBPN merch has become the default gift for "the person in my life who loves tech and is impossible to shop for." This is why we published our gift guide — because you told us you needed one.

The Community Values Honesty Above All

When asked to rank what they value most about TBPN, "honest, unbiased analysis" ranked #1 by a significant margin. Above entertainment value, above guest quality, above production quality. The audience comes for the truth, stays for everything else.

What We Are Doing With This Data

Survey results are only useful if they lead to action. Here is what changes based on your feedback:

• More frequent drops: We are increasing the cadence of new product releases to keep the store fresh.
• Expanded colorways: New options for existing bestsellers, starting with hoodies and caps.
• Community-driven designs: We are building a process for listeners to vote on design concepts during the live show.
• Better gifting experience: Improved packaging and gift messaging options for the 38% of you who buy for others.

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey. Your input directly shapes the show, the store, and the community. Keep watching, keep sharing, and keep holding us accountable — it is what makes TBPN, TBPN.

Browse the full collection at the TBPN store and see why 4.6 out of 5 listeners rate the merch as exceptional.