😬 The algorithm ate podcasting

+ pod growth tips, new shows & our favorite tool

If you’ve felt like podcasting is starting to look a lot like cable TV (but with more microphones), you’re not imagining it.

In a scathing piece last week, Defector declared that “the future of podcasting is here, and it sucks.”

They’re right. The medium that once promised freedom from media gatekeepers is now being swallowed by them.

• Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, just launched Unwell, her new creative agency aimed at (of course) monetizing podcast ads.

• Apple is dangling “ad-free” subscriptions to make even more money off of listeners while offering creators little in return.

• YouTube’s new push to own podcasting is a not-so-subtle attempt to feed its algorithm with yet another form of video content.

Everyone wants a piece of the pie, and now it’s starting to taste like the same stale slice of capitalist media we were trying to get away from.

The “contentification” of podcasting

Defector’s description of today’s top shows hits hard: “ambling conversations between recognizable people…minimally produced, designed to be cut into shareable segments.”

In other words, too many podcasts are becoming social media clip farms.

At the same time, advertisers are shifting more dollars into podcasting. Edison Research reports that moving ad budgets from other media into podcasts increases overall reach.

That means big brands are finally paying attention. But when advertisers move in, creativity tends to move out. It’s hard to be radical when you’re worrying about brand safety.

And yet, the numbers tell a different story about what listeners actually want.

Edison’s newest study on listening behavior shows that most people press play while commuting, cooking, cleaning, or walking…the quiet, everyday moments when they crave connection and authenticity, not polished perfection.

The algorithm may be hungry for more content, but the audience is starving for something real.

There’s still resistance

Take Ben Meiselas and the MeidasTouch Network, profiled by The Guardian this week.

His unapologetically progressive shows are beating right-wing media in the ratings on YouTube, proving that audiences will tune in for values-driven, purpose-fueled voices when given the chance.

Yes, capitalism is trying to eat podcasting alive. But unlike most media, podcasting is still accessible enough for indie creators to push back and carve out corners of the internet that aren’t driven by ads or algorithms but by connection, curiosity, and care.

Because no matter how loud the platforms get, there’s still power in a whisper that says: We’re still here. And we have something to say!

So get fired up to keep sharing your unique magic. The world needs it.

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📈 Podcast Tips

➡ Check out Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt🎧 sharing rapid-fire ideas for growing your indie podcast without selling your soul. We’re big fans of Lauren and her Tink Media, an amazing sponsor of our group! Watch here

➡ Don’t miss the definitive guide to creating engaging podcast content from YouTube (we’re big fans of the info. they share about creating thumbnails that get noticed). Read here

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Featured member show: Podcasting Unlocked

Are you a purpose-driven business owner ready to make a real difference in the world? Join Alesia Galati, founder of Galati Media, as she shares actionable strategies to help you leverage the power of podcasting for positive change.

Alesia understands the unique challenges and opportunities marginalized voices face and is passionate about helping you amplify your message, grow your audience, and create a podcast that truly matters.

“I started my show in 2021 with the goal of using the podcast to educate other podcasters on what is and isn’t working in the podcasting space.”

🎧 Listen to Podcasting Unlocked

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🎙️ New episodes for your playlist…

• Living and Leading with Joy, Trust, and Creative Freedom with Heather Vickery on Standout Creatives Heather Vickery | Joy Warrior / Kevin Chung

• Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport with Bridgette Washington on Women Making Moves Amy Pons

• Taylor Swift, Fascism, and Determining What’s Enough on Messy Liberation Becky Mollenkamp / Taina Brown

• Revisiting When Shanti Came Out to Her Dad on Stories We Haven’t Shared Shanti Joy Gold

• Everything is Mutual Aid with Autumn Breon on noseyAF Stephanie Graham

• I Chose the Harder Surgery & It Saved My Life with Erica Neubert Campbell on Gratitude Geek Kandas Rodarte

• Your Attention (and Money) Are Sacred with Amelia Hruby on Money Healing Club Rachel Duncan CFT ATR-P / amelia hruby, phd

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💡 A TOOL WE LOVE

We keep saying it because it’s true: Riverside.fm is the easiest, highest-quality way to record your podcast. Uncompressed audio. Up to 4K video. Browser-based (no tech meltdowns). Plus, live streaming for events like Drop the Mic. Our editing time dropped by 80%. Try it and thank us later.

👉 Check out Riverside.fm

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🧵 Final thought

Your listeners aren’t waiting for the perfect upload time.
They’re waiting for you.

Whether it’s 6 a.m. or midnight, your voice might be the thing that helps them feel seen, less alone, or ready to take up space in a world that still tries to silence too many of us.

Keep making what matters!

And if you’re looking for a community of social justice warriors to support you in your podcasting journey, consider joining us in the Feminist Podcasters Collective.