Version History Clubhouse: Pivot to audio
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Mar 15, 2026 
Ashley Carman, technology reporter who covered Clubhouse firsthand, and Casey Newton, tech journalist and Platformer founder, dig into Clubhouse’s invite-only rise and pandemic-perfect audio format. They discuss celebrity drop-ins, VC influence, moderation and safety gaps, rapid scaling and copycat rivals. The conversation tracks its peak, decline, and a later pivot toward small-group, friend-focused audio.
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Be Present As A Founder Early On
- Design founders to be visibly present early because active founder participation can drive community and perceived authenticity.
- Paul Davison's frequent presence and office-hour rooms helped recruit and retain early adopters.
Instant Access To Influencers Felt Magical
- Casey Newton hosted a spontaneous Clubhouse room with journalists and Andreessen Horowitz partners where a thousand people joined within minutes.
- He noted it would have taken years to schedule that many influential participants by phone, highlighting Clubhouse's serendipity.
Lion King Became A Viral Audio Performance
- A group of users staged a multi-person Lion King performance on Clubhouse that became a viral cultural moment with celebrities and news coverage.
- The improvised audio-only production highlighted how creators experimented with format.