How Long
Gone

10 minutes ago ep. 870 feat. Tom Freston 01:12:29

Tom Freston was a co-founder of MTV who later led MTV Networks’ global expansion and served as CEO of Viacom. His great new memoir, Unplugged, is out next week. We chat with him from his home in New York about travelling overland to the Middle East in the 70s, his early ad man days, how to manage a business that's heading downhill, he has no time for audiobooks, his favorite podcasts, Trump calling up for VMA tickets back in the day, how brands took over entertainment media, our favorite Unplugged episodes, how MTV spread from middle America to LA and New York, getting fined by the American government for having lunch with Fidel Castro, when Vice was Vice, and his favorite restaurants in NY. instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged.

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About us

How Long Gone is a bi-coastal elite podcast from old friends and podcast professionals, Chris Black and Jason Stewart. CB and TJ deliver their takes on pop culture, fashion, music, and more.

A grainy photograph features How Long Gone hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart reclining in the grass before a fountain containing a large golden statue of a leaping man.

Tour Dates

09/25/25–09/28/25Austin, TX, Levitation Festival01/15/26–01/19/26Riviera Maya, MX, Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky Festival

Links

Check out our show on Spotify and Podcasts
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Press: Grub Street, Interview, New York Times, Vogue, WWD

Contact

General: gone@howlonggone.com
Agent: josh.lindgren@caa.com
Partnerships: susannaf@brigadetalent.com
Live Event Booking: High Road Touring
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All episodes

870 – 001
New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday