Abhi Arun took over as the CEO of the publishing services company TNQ in 2016 and led the company to a successful exit in 2014. Following the sale, Abhi took on a new role as CEO of Enago as well as its parent company Crimson Interactive.

Thane Kerner, the co-founder of Silverchair and Hum, has been at the forefront of technological innovation in scholarly publishing from the earliest experiments with digital distribution in the 1990s (think CD-ROMs and PDAs) through the current transformation the industry is undergoing in the age of AI.

Timo Hannay has had a profound impact on scholarly communications, playing a pivotal role in nurturing a generation of startups and new technologies that continue to shape our landscape. In this must-listen interview, Timo speaks with host Paul Peters about founding (and ultimately leaving) Digital Science, his current roles and projects, and his thoughts on the potential impact of AI on education, publishing, and the fundamental nature of conscious beings

Vicky Williams is CEO of Emerald Publishing, the global publisher of academic journals and books. In this candid episode, Vicky speaks with Lauren Kane about the highs and lows of her career journey, navigating Emerald’s sale process to Cambridge Information Group in 2022, and why speaking up in support of science, academic freedom, and DEI is both mission—and business—critical.

Andrew Preston is one of scholarly communications' most prolific entrepreneurs, co-founding three successful startups--Publons, Cassyni, and Signals--and supporting many more as an investor and advisor. In conversation with host and fellow Scholarly Angel Paul Peters, Andrew talks about moving on from his physics postdoc, the lessons he has for tomorrow's startup founders, and the critical role that the people around him have played in both his life and career. 

Dana Compton is Publisher and MD at ASCE, one of the largest technical membership organizations in the US. In this revealing episode, Dana speaks with Lauren Kane on the future of scientific societies, refusing to abandon DEI, and how sitting in traffic might just change your life.

Richard Bennett has held sales and commercial leadership roles at many of scholarly publishing’s largest publishers and most promising startups. In this unfiltered episode, Richard speaks with Paul Peters on their time together at Hindawi, the ups and downs of high profile acquisitions, and why being a parent is the best job in the world.

Wendy Queen is Chief Transformation Officer at Johns Hopkins University Press, having previously spent a decade at the helm of Project MUSE. In the first solo interview by co-host Lauren Kane, Wendy discusses being a woman in technology, bringing OA to the humanities, and the struggle of being an introvert in an extrovert’s world.

Todd Toler is VP of Product and Market Strategy at Wiley, his professional home for more than 20 years. In a wide-ranging conversation with Paul Peters and Lauren Kane, Todd talks about his role in Wiley’s many acquisitions, the challenge and promise of AI, and the sliding doors moments that could have led him to a very different place.

Welcome to Season 2 of Midnight at the Casablanca! Paul Peters welcomes a new co-host and previews an expanded season ahead.

In the Season 1 Finale of Midnight at the Casablanca, the tables are turned and your usual host Paul Peters is interviewed by Lauren Kane. In this wide-ranging and surprisingly emotional episode, Paul talks about escaping the Egyptian Revolution, Wiley’s acquisition of Hindawi, and why retiring at 40 might not be all it’s cracked up to be. 


Damian Pattinson is the Executive Director of eLife, an independent nonprofit committed to improving the way research is reviewed and communicated. In this episode, Damian speaks with Paul Peters on PLOS One’s growth era, his efforts to fundamentally rethink conventional publishing methods, and how wearing a tie can be an act of professional protest.

Will Schweitzer is CEO of Silverchair, the largest independent platform and workflow provider for the scholarly publishing industry. In this extended cut, Will speaks with Paul Peters about acquiring ScholarOne, coming out in the industry, and tempering startup expectations.

Sami Benchekroun is Co-Founder and CEO of Morressier, a venture backed startup for scholarly workflow tools. In an entertaining episode with one of the industry’s most charismatic figures, Sami speaks with Paul Peters on starting a company in your twenties, explaining scholarly publishing to VCs, and why he relishes his role as critic of some of the industry’s largest players.

Milan Wielinga has served as advisor on some of scholarly publishing’s largest and most transformational investments, mergers, and acquisitions, and is currently Managing Partner at Park 56. In a rich episode full of uncensored stories, Milan speaks with Paul Peters on Springer’s acquisition of BioMed Central, the DeGruyter-Brill merger, the sale of PeerJ to Taylor and Francis, and why this seemingly sleepy industry is actually rife with intrigue.

Ann Michael has had a storied career working across numerous industries grappling with digital transformation—and she’s just getting started. The Founder of Delta Think and perennial change agent speaks with Paul Peters on driving organizational innovation, how she despises getting bored, and why she’s been waiting her whole life for the AI revolution.

As CEO of De Gruyter, MD of Knowledge Unlatched, and now advisor and investor to dozens of the industry’s top startups, Sven Fund has more than a few stories to tell. In this candid episode, Sven speaks to Paul Peters on his journey from company man to one of the most prolific entrepreneurs and angel investors in the scholarly industry.

Lauren Kane is CEO of BioOne, the nonprofit collaborative for more than 150 independent scientific societies worldwide. In this inaugural episode, this former SSP President speaks with host Paul Peters on hitting the professional lottery at 21, choosing a terrifying new path during a global pandemic, and why breaking into the boys’ club of scholarly publishing investing might be her most rewarding role yet.

Welcome to Midnight at the Casablanca from your host Paul Peters. New adventure or ego trip? Tune in and find out.