Podcast News Episodes

Spotify wants YouTubers. Apple’s celebrating 20 years of podcasting. And Gen Z? They're tuning in! It’s news day, and we’re breaking down Apple’s “20 Podcasts We Love” list, surprising Gen Z listening habits, and YouTube’s AI-powered upgrades that could shift how audiences search and watch. We also give you the scoop on a leaked Spotify strategy that includes $5K ad credits for video creators. Is this enough to tempt video creators to make the move? We also talk about Jeremy Enns’ 2025 Podcast M...

What if the host of Blue’s Clues was about to launch the most emotionally supportive podcast of the year? Steve Burns just announced Alive, a new show for grown-ups coming this fall, and we’re unpacking what it could be. Steve shares that his podcast will be “a podcast that listens back,” and we explore what that might look like, who it’s for, and why it's likely to be a success. We also share some more news headlines, Apple now requires new hero art to be considered for features, and CapCut’s n...

Did you know your Spotify binge could be leaving a bigger carbon footprint than you think? It's news day, and we’re digging into the astounding environmental impact of streaming, especially as Spotify shifts to video. We also test out Auphonic’s new “cut coughs” tool, share the latest on podcasting events you won’t want to miss, and explore BlueSky's team-up with 'Chatter Social' to make social audio more connected (and profitable). Episode Highlights: [02:30] Listening Habits [13:17] Data and...

YouTube just added a community tab for creators, and we think it’s a real advancement! It’s news day, and we’re bringing you the latest podcast industry headlines! We share our takes on platform updates, shifting charts, upcoming events (including the Empowered Podcasting Conference), and what the latest Cumulus study reveals about listener behavior. We’re also joined by friends Simona Costantini and Taly Melo to share their new podcast management system, North Flow. Designed for solo podcasters...

Ready for more podcast buzz? This episode kicks off with a can’t-miss roundup of the latest stories shaking up the audio world. Heads up! Marc is a bit under the weather today, but don’t worry - the co-hosts are back and stepping up to the plate, bringing their energy and fresh takes to keep you in the loop. We’re digging into the newly released list of the world’s richest podcasters. We break down Google Gemini’s new AI video tools and scheduled automations, and talk about Congress’s new Creato...

Big congratulations to our very own community member, Dominic Lawson, whose podcast Mental Health Rewritten is now featured on Apple Podcasts! Dominic shares the strategy that made this come together, including the duration of the process, why timing is crucial, and what it was like working with Apple’s editorial team. After celebrating that huge win, we cover this week’s top podcasting headlines: Apple’s new listening features, YouTube’s push for more ads in their music app, Walmart’s surprisin...

Do you rely on listener content for your podcast, and how did you get your listeners to contribute? Today, we give our thoughts on this mailbag question, share smart ways to connect with your audience, and cover a few news stories. Remember, your next big idea might come from your biggest fan! Plus, we cover more podcasting news including new features from Spotify for Creators and Acast to an expected outage you may want to prepare for... Episode Highlights: [04:09] Strategies for Listener Enga...

Marc Maron says goodbye to WTF after 16 years. Is it burnout, or just a new chapter? Either way, it’s worth discussing. We’ve also got chart updates, can’t-miss events, job leads in the podcasting industry, and a look at AI reviving voices such as Orson Welles. Big changes are happening. You don’t want to miss the inside scoop on these stories! Episode Highlights: [2:31] Podcast Data and Rankings [5:49] YouTube Charts and Updates [8:38] Upcoming Events and Opportunities [12:56] AI and Ethica...

Did you know female podcast listeners remember ads better than any other media platform? Today, we dig into why podcast ads, especially those integrated naturally, stick with both men and women more than TV, YouTube, or social media. That surprising stat came from Sounds Profitable, and it sparked a deeper conversation about trust, routine, and connection in audio storytelling. We also cover Apple Podcasts’ big debut at The Podcast Show in London, where they revealed it was their most successful...

Cosmo says your zodiac sign has a perfect podcast match, and we couldn’t resist putting it to the test. Today’s episode kicks off with a fun horoscope-inspired segment before digging into fresh industry headlines. Apple just teamed up with Canva to launch free, customizable templates for podcasters, making it easier to create sharp promo graphics. We also cover Anthropic’s new Claude 4 upgrades and Google’s Veo-3 Gemini integration, which allows creators to direct AI-generated video frame by fra...

Can automation, AI, and transparency shape podcasting’s future? While Marc is on vacation, the co-hosts take over to bring you the week’s top headlines. We cover Spotify’s new public play counts, ChatGPT’s Deep Research feature, and tips for automating your podcast workflow using Make.com. We also round up podcasting events and share tools that could save you hours each week. Episode Highlights: [01:57] Icebreaker Question: If AI could instantly handle one podcasting task for you forever, what ...

Spotify reports paying out over $100 million to podcasters in Q1 2025, driven by growth in video shows and new monetization tools. Today, for news day, we break down what that means. We also talk about Netflix exploring video podcasts, Descript’s AI editing upgrades, Instagram’s new Edits app, the latest podcast charts, and upcoming events for creators. With so much changing so fast, the real question is, are we watching podcasting progress in a way no one expects? Episode Highlights: [04:55] I...

How much is your creative freedom worth? Would you compromise creative control for a profit? It’s news day, and today we’re talking about the bold decision of a creator who turned down $100 million to keep control over their podcast. We also explore Spotify’s latest charts, new features from Pocket Casts and Patreon, and upcoming podcast events, and we take a closer look at the latest AI tools for content creators. Episode Highlights: [02:25] Podcasting News and Trends [04:15] Top Podcasts and...

Today, I kick things off with an underrated listener growth strategy that came from a simple Facebook Groups thread. From there, we get into a lively conversation about podcast promotion, engagement tactics, and why small steps can lead to big community wins. We also touch on a spike in female podcast listenership, the latest AI-generated image trend (and how to create your own) Nick Nalbach is trying to start, and a midweek meltdown from Spotify (and Zoom) that had creators and listeners scrat...

In this News & Comment episode, we kick things off with the latest chart data (hello again, Mel Robbins 👀), then unpack what’s fueling the continued rise of true crime shows and why certain podcast genres dominate the charts but not the conversation. Plus, we hear firsthand from cohost, Dominic Lawson about what it’s really like to be nominated for a major award — and not take it home. Also on deck: the rise of book-style audio content and why not all “read aloud” shows are eligible for monetiz...

AI technology is moving fast! Are you keeping up? Today, we explore more of the latest podcasting news, like Gemini’s new workflow builder that acts like a virtual team. We also uncover social media shifts, including Instagram’s 2025 growth tips from its CEO, Adam Mosseri. Later in the show, we dig into podcast discoverability with fresh insights on what show notes really do for your reach and some considerations to take into account with the progression of AI-powered search engines. Episode Hi...

Imagine you're stuck in an elevator. Someone hands you a mic and says, “Go live!” What’s your podcast episode about? That’s the question we dive into, inspired by Taylor Cartago’s viral video podcast, Anything Can Be a Podcast, filmed entirely in a busy elevator. It's a bold idea that raises a timely question in a space that’s always trying to define what a podcast really is. We each share what we’d say in a spontaneous elevator podcast, and things get creative, funny, and even a little heartfel...

Did you know only half of the top 250 podcasts post full episodes on YouTube? Its news day and we’re talking about the latest platform trends, chart rankings, and tools changing how we podcast. This includes Google's new AI features and the Rabbit Intern assistant. Plus, we touch on use cases for the Rabbit R1, thumbnail tips, and wrap with the heartwarming story of 90-year-olds starting a podcast to fight loneliness and show us why podcasting still matters at any age. Episode Highlights: [2:37...

OpenAI’s new image generator is here, and it’s made major improvements! We talk about how GPT-4o now creates cleaner images, realistic hands, and even gets text right most of the time. We also dig into a new poll trying to name the top 100 podcasts of all time and share our picks. Then we explore which celebrity podcasts are most popular by state (some results surprised us!). Finally, we question if podcasting will someday replace terrestrial radio, or will AM/FM always have a place? Episode Hi...

It’s a loaded news day, and we’ve got the highlights ready for you! YouTube may be testing dynamic ads and we’ve got questions. What could this mean for creators? How might it compete with traditional podcast ad tools? We also dig into Podcasting 2.0’s latest features and some factors for what may be holding it back. We also share a round-up of upcoming virtual and in-person events you should know about! Episode Highlights: [7:17] Lou Mongello's LinkedIn Post and Key Takeaways [16:05] Podcast ...

It’s a big news day in the podcasting world! In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the latest headlines, including: [03:36] Who’s topping the podcast charts? – Apple & Spotify’s latest #1 shows [10:42] Podcasting events & industry meetups – Upcoming networking and learning opportunities [14:12] Gen Z’s podcast preferences – Do younger audiences really prefer video, or is audio still king? [18:46] Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2025 – What to expect from the latest podcast industry report ...

YouTube defines podcasting as “listenable content that’s video-optional,” but what does that really mean for creators? It’s news day, and today we’re bringing you many headlines, including YouTube’s changing role concerning podcasting, new research from Edison revealing where most listeners tune in, and an AI tool that can separate overlapping voices in audio recordings. We also discuss whether podcasters should rethink how they share links, the rise of audiobooks as an alternative for busy list...

ListenNotes just purged nearly 2,000 AI-generated podcasts! Will other platforms follow suit? Today, we unpack this move, and we also share Apple’s long-awaited update to podcast submissions and the latest trends in the podcasting charts. We also look at must-attend podcasting events and some hot podcast-related job listings! This episode is dedicated to the memory of Niel Guilarte, a dedicated podcast professional and long-time active member of the PodFest Community and the Empowered Podcasting...

With video podcasting taking center stage, is it time to call the medium something new? Perhaps 'vodcasting'? Today is news day and this is one of the stories that leads to an engaged conversation along with more of the latest podcasting headlines, including SiriusXM’s expansion to Spotify and YouTube Music, upcoming conferences, and how we perceive effective storytelling whether it be through audio or video formats. Episode Highlights: [2:38] Amanda's TikTok Journey and Monetization [7:50] Ch...