How Kareem Rahma Built Subway Takes Into the Internet’s Favorite Talk Show

In a recent conversation on The Colin and Samir Show, Subway Takes creator Kareem Rahma pulled back the curtain on building one of the internet's most beloved interview formats, the future of creator-led television, and why his latest project, Keep the Meter Running, may be his most important work yet.

Most creators spend years trying to crack distribution.

Kareem Rahma did something different.

Instead of asking how to get people from a clip to a show, he asked a simpler question:

What if the clip was the show?

That insight helped transform Subway Takes from an experiment into one of the most recognizable interview formats on the internet. Along the way, Rahma also created Keep the Meter Running, a deeply human series that follows New York City taxi drivers through the neighborhoods, cultures, and communities they know best.

But the real story isn't about virality.

It's about trusting your instincts when conventional wisdom says otherwise.

The Moment Everything Changed

Before Subway Takes, Rahma was building premium scripted podcasts.

The projects were ambitious, expensive, and creatively rewarding—but they weren't becoming a sustainable business.

As the company approached its final dollars, Rahma and his co-founder faced a decision: shut everything down or take one last swing.

His answer?

Do the exact opposite of everything they'd been doing.

Instead of long-form audio:

• Short-form video
• Unscripted conversations
• Vertical-first content
• No "main show" to promote

The clips themselves would be the product.

For entrepreneurs, that's a powerful lesson.

When growth stalls, the answer isn't always optimization.

Sometimes the answer is inversion.

Ask: What assumptions is everyone making that might no longer be true?

Build the Format 80% of the Way

One of Rahma's most interesting creative philosophies is what he calls the 80/20 rule of formats.

His belief:

Develop a format 80% of the way, then go make it.

The remaining 20% reveals itself through execution.

That philosophy produced one of the most memorable elements of Subway Takes.

The now-famous:

• "100% Agree"
• "100% Disagree"

wasn't planned.

It emerged during the very first episode when Rahma instinctively responded to a guest's opinion. The audience loved it, and the format evolved from there.

Too many founders spend months perfecting ideas that should be tested next week.

Momentum matters.

Execution teaches lessons planning never can.

Why the Best Formats Feel Effortless

One reason Subway Takes feels so natural is because the premise is instantly understandable.

Rahma believes every successful format starts with a simple sentence.

For example:

"A talk show on the subway where guests share a take."

Or:

"I get into a cab and ask the driver to take me to their favorite place."

You understand both concepts immediately.

The same principle applies to startups.

If customers can't quickly explain what you do, your positioning may be too complicated.

Great businesses and great media share a common trait:

Clarity wins.

The Secret Behind Memorable Content

Rahma rejects a common internet goal: going viral.

Instead, he focuses on creating something entertaining, intelligent, and honest.

His argument is simple.

Many creators start with the goal of generating attention.

He starts with the goal of creating something worth paying attention to.

That distinction matters.

In a world flooded with content, memorable work often comes from creators who aren't optimizing solely for clicks.

They're optimizing for connection.

That's why viewers remember specific Subway Takes episodes months later.

The show isn't built around outrage.

It's built around curiosity.

The Power of Serving the Underserved

One of the most interesting aspects of Subway Takes is who gets booked.

Rahma deliberately avoids treating the show as another celebrity interview platform.

Instead, he focuses on:

• Comedians
• Artists
• Writers
• Filmmakers
• Early-stage creatives

People who are talented but not yet household names.

His philosophy is simple:

If someone is a few years away from getting booked on a traditional late-night show, maybe Subway Takes can help them get there faster.

That's a powerful entrepreneurial lens.

Rather than competing for the same audience everyone else wants, look for overlooked talent, overlooked customers, and overlooked opportunities.

The biggest opportunities often exist just before mainstream attention arrives.

Why Kareem Rahma Walked Away From Hollywood

One of the most revealing parts of Rahma's story is what happened with Keep the Meter Running.

The show attracted attention.

There were meetings.

Development conversations.

Streaming discussions.

Traditional opportunities.

And yet, after years of trying to fit the show into existing systems, Rahma became increasingly frustrated.

The more deals appeared, the more restrictions appeared alongside them.

Eventually he realized something important:

The thing he wanted wasn't necessarily permission.

It was celebration.

He wanted the launch, the premiere, the recognition.

But he didn't need a traditional gatekeeper to create those moments.

So instead of waiting for approval, he decided to make the best version of the show himself and release it on YouTube.

That's a lesson many founders need to hear.

Sometimes you're not chasing a business outcome.

You're chasing validation.

Knowing the difference can save years.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Behind Everything

What makes Rahma's journey particularly compelling isn't the format.

It's the mindset.

Throughout the conversation, one theme keeps surfacing:

He follows what feels fun.

When something stops being creatively exciting, he looks for the next challenge.

He measures success less by status and more by whether he's surprising himself.

That approach has led him from:

• Media producer
• Podcast creator
• TikTok pioneer
• Viral interviewer
• Documentary-style host

And likely somewhere entirely new next.

For entrepreneurs, that's an important reminder.

The most sustainable careers aren't built by chasing trends.

They're built by relentlessly pursuing genuine curiosity.

Final Takeaway

Kareem Rahma didn't set out to replace late night television.

He didn't set out to become a cultural figure.

He didn't even set out to go viral.

He simply kept building formats that felt obvious, entertaining, and human.

In an era where attention is fragmented and authenticity is increasingly rare, that may be the most valuable business strategy of all.

Build something clear.

Ship before it's perfect.

Trust momentum.

And leave enough room for the last 20% to surprise you.