Fake Podcasts all over
Startup founders have started coming to podcasts or they themselves started podcasts just to be in limelight, talk all about positives and planning for IPOs. I have never seen these founders are asked about recent layoffs, removing benefits to employees or not making any profits at all.
“Ganda hai pr dhandha hai yeh”
Chuna lagao, chuna!
What you are labelling as "fake podcasts" is called branding.
There are multiple goals -
Branding for IPO-worthy
Branding for attracting talent
Branding for attracting investors
Branding for attracting customers
By definition branding activities are architected to sell the thing that is getting branded.
If you were in their shoes you'd have done it too.
So basically podcast should have “Ad” written in one of the corners to avoid confusion!