Podcast Insider

Podfest 2026 Blubrry Recap – PCI 469

🎙️ Podfest 2026 Recap: Creators, Community & What’s Next In this special episode of Podcast Insider, Mike Dell, Dave Clements, and MacKenzie Bennett are joined by Cyndee Harrison and Rachael Amato from Synaptic to recap Podfest 2026 — and the conversations that stood out most. From a packed booth and plenty of “pre-podcasters” (people planning their very first show) to meaningful reconnects with longtime customers, the team shares why Podfest continues to be one of the most creator-focused events of the year. What We’re Hearing From Creators AI has shifted from fear to usefulness: More creators are asking how AI can help with planning, editing, and promotion — without losing the human connection that makes podcasts work. Video podcasting is here (and the debate is tired): Whether creators are video-first or audio-first, the goal is the same: reach people where they listen/watch. Blubrry’s focused on supporting both. Monetization is bigger than sponsors: More sessions and conversations centered on using a podcast to support a business funnel — like books, coaching, courses, and community building. Podcast-to-book momentum is growing: The team noticed more creators turning transcripts and story-based content into tangible, published books. Honoring Todd Cochrane & Podcasting’s Legacy Blubrry was proud to sponsor the Podcast Hall of Fame ceremony, which included a meaningful moment honoring our late CEO, Todd Cochrane. The team reflects on the respect Podfest showed for podcasting pioneers — and why building the future still means honoring the legacy. 🔗 Links & Resources Vid2Pod Podcast Hall of Fame ceremony video: watch here For the best support, please use our Blubrry ticket system so our full team can help. Join the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook Group for general podcasting discussion. Share your feedback at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider. Blubrry hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one tech checkup with Mike (mike@blubrry.com)

Planning a Year of Podcast Growth – PCI 468

Podcast growth may remind you of a big scary thing staring at you from the corner of your bedroom, but it really doesn’t have to be. You can plan a year of growth easily and that will help you move from constantly reacting to intentionally building momentum. When you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, it becomes easier to focus your time and energy on what actually matters. If you want your podcast to grow in a sustainable way, planning ahead is key. Today’s Hosts: Dave Clements and MacKenzie Bennett Planning a Year of Podcast Growth Define What “Growth” Means for Your Podcast One of the biggest mistakes podcasters make is assuming growth only means more downloads. Growth can mean: Publishing consistently without missing episodes Improving content quality or production Building a more engaged audience Preparing for monetization or sponsorships Creating a workflow that feels sustainable Not every podcast has the same goals — and that’s okay. Defining what success looks like for your show gives your growth plan direction instead of guesswork. Break the Year Into Manageable Phases Planning an entire year at once can feel overwhelming, which is why breaking it into smaller chunks works so well. Thinking in quarters allows you to focus without pressure: Some seasons may be about refining your foundation Others may focus on content consistency or visibility Later phases might center on monetization or optimization This approach gives you flexibility while still keeping your podcast moving forward. Plan Content With Purpose You don’t need every episode mapped out months in advance — but having a content plan helps maintain consistency. A simple approach includes: Identifying a few core themes or topics Balancing evergreen content with timely episodes Leaving room for creativity and current events When your content supports your long-term goals, growth feels more natural and less forced. Focus on a Few Growth Strategies Trying to grow everywhere at once is a fast path to burnout. Instead, choose one or two growth strategies that fit your goals, time, and energy. Common growth strategies include: Guest appearances SEO and show notes Email lists or newsletters Social or video clips Community building Consistency with a few focused efforts will always outperform scattered attempts to do everything. Measure Progress Without Obsessing Tracking progress is important — but it shouldn’t be stressful. Looking at trends over time instead of individual episode performance gives you a clearer picture of what’s working. Regular check-ins help you adjust your plan and stay motivated without feeling discouraged. 🧠 Bottom Line: Planning a year of podcast growth isn’t about chasing trends or instant results. It’s about building habits, systems, and content that support your goals over time. With a clear plan, growth feels less overwhelming and a lot more achievable. Sustainable progress comes from intention, consistency, and choosing strategies that work for you. For the best support, please use our Blubrry ticket system so our full team can help. Join the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook Group for general podcasting discussion. Share your feedback at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider. Blubrry hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one tech checkup with Mike (mike@blubrry.com)

📊 Why IAB Podcast Stats Matter — How Blubrry Makes It Easy – PCI 467

📊 Why IAB-Certified Stats Matter — and How Blubrry Makes It Easy Today’s Hosts: Mike Dell and Dave Clements When it comes to podcast monetization, your download numbers aren’t just bragging rights—they’re how you prove your value to advertisers, networks, and sponsors. But here’s the thing: not all stats are created equal. To be taken seriously, you need IAB-certified podcast statistics—and here’s why they matter, especially if you’re trying to grow or monetize your show. 1. They’re the Industry Standard for a Reason The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) created strict, transparent guidelines for how podcast downloads should be measured. With IAB-certified stats, you get: A clear picture of real, human listeners Numbers filtered for bots, auto-refreshes, and duplicate requests Confidence that your data will stand up under scrutiny This is the standard advertisers, agencies, and platforms trust and expect when deciding whether to spend money with your podcast. 2. Blubrry Helped Set the Standard Blubrry has been tracking podcast statistics since 2005—we’ve been doing this longer than almost anyone in the space. And we weren’t just early—we were foundational. We played a major role in helping create the IAB guidelines that podcasters and platforms use today. Our system undergoes regular third-party audits to maintain IAB Tech Lab certification. So when you use Blubrry stats, you’re not just using certified tools—you’re using tools built by a company that helped define what certification looks like. 3. IAB-Certified Data Helps You Monetize If you want to work with sponsors, join a network, or use programmatic ad platforms like SoundStack, your podcast needs data they can trust. IAB-certified stats help you: Prove your true audience size Qualify for ad networks and monetization tools Build sponsor relationships with credible, standardized numbers This data is essential when you’re pitching your show or negotiating CPM rates. Without certified stats, you’re at a disadvantage from the start. 4. Blubrry Offers Stats for Everyone You don’t have to break the bank to get professional-grade analytics: Free Basic Stats are available to any podcaster—Blubrry host or not Standard Stats are available for just $5/month and offer deeper insights Every Blubrry hosting plan includes IAB-certified stats at no additional cost Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow your revenue, Blubrry gives you access to the tools you need to move forward with confidence. 🧠 Bottom Line: If you’re serious about podcasting—especially monetizing—you need stats that advertisers and networks will trust. IAB certification isn’t just a checkbox—it’s the difference between a maybe and a yes when it comes to sponsorship. With Blubrry, you’re backed by nearly two decades of expertise, a platform that helped shape the standards, and tools built to support you at any stage of your podcasting journey. For the best support, please use our Blubrry ticket system so our full team can help. Join the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook Group for general podcasting discussion. Share your feedback at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider. Blubrry hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one tech checkup with Mike (mike@blubrry.com)

Recap: 2025 Podcasting in the News

 What’s Happening in Podcasting: 2025 Highlights • The Growing Market & Shifts in Listener Behavior Podcast audience numbers continue climbing: in 2025, over 584 million people listened to podcasts globally, and consumption habits are shifting. Riverside At the same time, more creators are embracing video podcasts — blending traditional audio with video content, to meet changing listener expectations and platform algorithms. EMARKETER+1 The industry forecast remains strong: some estimates project the North American podcast market will expand significantly over the next decade. Yahoo Finance+1 • Business & Monetization Trends As competition grows, creators and podcast networks are exploring different monetization strategies — from subscriptions and listener support, to sponsorships and multi-format distribution. TechWyse Internet Marketing+1 But 2025 hasn’t been smooth for everyone: Wondery — once among the leading podcast studios — underwent major restructuring, with layoffs and integration into broader corporate content teams. The Verge • Recognition & Cultural Shifts for Podcasts For the first time ever, Golden Globe Awards introduced a “Best Podcast” category, acknowledging podcasts’ growing influence and mainstream cultural relevance. EW.com+1 The move signals a broader shift: podcasts are no longer a fringe medium, but a respected form of entertainment and storytelling on par with film and TV. • Platform Moves & Discovery Changes Spotify introduced new podcast-discovery features this year to boost podcasts’ visibility — a sign of how platforms continue to fight for listener attention. TechCrunch Meanwhile, Apple Podcasts dropped its 2025 “Top Charts” and “Top New Shows” lists — giving creators and listeners a fresh look at what’s trending globally and locally. Apple+1 🎯 What This Means for Independent Creators Visibility matters even more. With major platforms pushing discovery tools and new formats, it’s more important than ever to optimize for search, video distribution, and discoverability. Flexibility is key. As more listeners embrace video or multi-format podcasts, creators who adapt — for example, offering both audio and video versions — may gain a competitive advantage, but that isn’t guaranteed; audio is still special and leading. Diversified monetization can increase resilience. Audiences are expanding, but ad markets and studio budgets are shifting. Relying solely on traditional ad revenue is riskier than ever. Quality and consistency still win. Even with all the noise, creators who deliver regular, high-value content — whether audio, video, or both — remain relevant. Recognition for long-form storytellers and niche creators is growing. With podcasts entering award shows and mainstream entertainment conversations, creators have new opportunities to be discovered and validated beyond listener counts. Our favorite shows of 2025: Mike  Midlife Pilot Experience Dave Worlds Beyond Number MacKenzie  Song Exploder The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group. Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call for a tech checkup with Mike. mike@blubrry.com

Experimenting With Your Show Format Without Losing Listeners – PCI 465

Change can be scary — especially when your podcast format is “working well enough.” But doing the exact same thing every week can lead to burnout, stale content, and flat growth. In this episode of Podcast Insider, Mike and Dave dig into how to experiment with your show format without confusing your audience, tanking downloads, or losing the core of what makes your show work. Whether you’re thinking about shorter episodes, new segments, rotating co-hosts, or even a full refresh down the road, this conversation walks through how to test changes in a thoughtful, data-informed way over time. Today’s Hosts: Dave Clements and Mike Dell Why Even Good Shows Need Format Experiments If your show is “fine,” it can be tempting to leave it alone forever. But small experiments can: Keep you excited and creative as a host Help new listeners understand your show faster Make the content easier to binge and share Reveal what parts of your format actually matter to listeners Common worries podcasters have: “If I change anything, people will unsubscribe.” “My audience expects this exact structure.” “I don’t have time to reinvent everything.” Breaking down the difference between: Tweaks (small adjustments, low risk) Experiments (intentional tests with a goal) Overhauls (big changes that need more planning) 💡 Blubrry helps: Use your Blubrry stats to compare performance before and after changes—episode downloads, trends over a few weeks, and listener behavior over time. Low-Risk Ways to Experiment With Your Format You don’t have to flip your show upside down to “try something new.” Mike and Dave walk through small, manageable experiments you can test over a few episodes: Structure Experiments Move your main topic earlier so listeners get to the “good stuff” faster Add a short recurring segment (news, wins, Q&A, recommendations) Group related topics into a mini-series within your feed Length & Pacing Experiments Try a shorter, punchier episode every few weeks Alternate between deep-dive episodes and quick tips Tighten long intros or outros to get into the content sooner Format Variations Rotate between solo, co-hosted, and interview episodes Test a “mailbag” or “listener questions” format occasionally Try themed episodes (case studies, breakdowns, live coaching, etc.) They also talk about running experiments in “seasons” or short runs so changes feel intentional, not random. 💡 Blubrry helps: Tag your episodes clearly in titles and descriptions (e.g., “Quick Tip,” “Deep Dive,” “Listener Q&A”) so you can see which experiment types attract more plays over time. Bringing Your Audience Along for the Ride Listeners are usually more flexible than podcasters think—as long as they’re not surprised in a bad way. Communicate changes without sounding unsure or apologetic: Explain why you’re trying something new: “We want to get to the main topic faster.” “We’re testing shorter episodes for busy listeners.” Set expectations and limits: “We’re experimenting with this format for the next 3–4 episodes.” Invite feedback directly: Ask for emails, social DMs, or voicemails Run a simple listener poll or survey The power of framing: Position changes as a perk (“We’re giving you more X”) Make listeners feel included (“You’re helping shape how this show evolves.”) 💡 Blubrry helps: Link to your contact page, newsletter, or survey using Quicklinks so listeners always have an easy, one-click way to respond. What to Track When You Change Your Format Experimenting without paying attention to results is just guessing. We break down what to watch once you start testing new ideas: Core metrics: Overall downloads per episode over a few weeks Trends (Is it steady, slightly up, or noticeably down?) Are new format episodes in line with your usual performance? Engagement signals: Do you see more replies, reviews, or social shares? Are listeners mentioning specific segments or changes they liked? Do people reference the new format when they reach out? Patterns over time: Are certain experiment types performing consistently better? Did a change cause confusion (e.g., more “what is this?” feedback)? Don’t panic over one “weird” episode—look at patterns, not outliers. 💡 Blubrry helps: Use episode comparison tools and long-term stats trends to see how format changes affect performance across multiple episodes, not just one. Knowing When to Roll Back vs. Commit Not every experiment will be a hit—and that’s okay. Roll it back if: You’re getting clear negative feedback you can’t ignore Downloads are dropping significantly and staying down The new format is burning you out more than before Tweak and keep testing if: Feedback is mixed but curious (“I like this, but…”) Performance is similar, but the show feels better to make You see signs of new engagement from your core audience Fully commit if: Your audience responds positively and consistently The show feels easier or more fun to produce The format fits better with your long-term goals Tell listeners when something worked: “You all loved this new segment, so we’re making it a regular thing.” Listener Takeaway Experimenting with your format doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means refining what already works and letting go of what doesn’t. When you: Change one thing at a time Communicate clearly Watch your data and listen to feedback …you can evolve your show in a way that feels natural for both you and your listeners. The best place for all Blubrry support is our ticket system. A ticket gives the whole team access vs. direct emails and calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group. Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call for a tech checkup with Mike (mike@blubrry.com).