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2025 Podcasting Trends Every Podcaster Should Know About

As the podcasting industry continues to grow, it’s important for podcasters to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the latest trends. Let's take a closer look at what lies ahead in 2025 for podcasters.
You might think that genres like sports, news, politics, and tech are all chart-topping but interestingly, they're all surpassed by one unlikely genre: educational. And the reason for this cannot be far-fetched. In the US, 61% of podcast enthusiasts have a 4-year college degree, post-grad degree, or some advanced academic laurels.
Back in 2019, 74% of podcast listeners claimed they tuned in to pick up fresh knowledge. Fast forward to 2023, and that number's grown to 88%.
Even more interesting is that the educational genre is taking several forms. While some educational podcasts center around classic-style learning, some are a blend of education and entertainment. In fact, the most shared podcast episode of 2023 followed this pattern. Read More
Article originally published on Podsqueeze.

Podfest PodTour Upcoming Stops
Los Angeles PodTour Stop: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 6pm - 8pm
Apogee Electronics
1715 Berkeley St
Santa Monica, CA
On street parking available in the evening. Light refreshments will be available.
Wednesday, Sept 3, 6pm - 8pm
Dolby Screening Room Burbank3601 W Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505.
Street level parking garage entrance is on Cordova St on the east side of the building. If the garage is full, street parking in the surrounding neighborhood is available, but mind the posted time limits on the street signage.
Enter the elevator lobby from the garage, and take the elevator to Reception on the 3rd floor.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available.
Send our Newsletter to a friend and tell them where the party is at!

This is your shot to speak at one of the biggest stages in podcasting, where indie creators, experts, and innovators gather to learn, grow, and build real community.
If you’ve got a story to tell, a strategy to share, or a unique angle that helps podcasters stand out, this is the moment to throw your hat in the ring.
Podfest isn’t about big egos or polished pitches. It’s about people who show up with real value. So if you’ve been thinking, “Maybe next year…” stop. Make it this year. Apply Here
When you think about podcast monetization, you might think of those Hello Fresh or BetterHelp ads that seem to pepper almost every popular podcast. While large advertisers are one of the major ways many podcasts earn money, it’s certainly not the only way!
Podcasts with smaller but more dedicated audiences have learned to monetize through several different avenues. Instead of hoping to land a deal with a huge advertiser, they seek out smaller, more locally focused ones or put their effort into creating excellent membership rewards for their listeners. Read More
Article originally published on Red Circle.
If you are uploading your video podcast to YouTube without a strong hook in the first 20 seconds, you are likely losing more than half of your potential audience right away. Viewer retention is critical. YouTube favors videos that keep people watching, so your opening moments must immediately deliver a reason to stay. A well-crafted hook should clearly communicate the value of the episode, tease the most compelling parts, and spark curiosity. In those first few seconds, you are either building momentum or losing viewers.
This video outlines five essential steps for creating a strong hook: start with a compelling question or statement, share your most interesting information right away, highlight any special guests early, explain exactly what the viewer will gain, and lead smoothly into the rest of the episode. Avoid asking for likes or subscriptions at the beginning since it can turn viewers off. Instead, earn their attention first. A great example came from Jay Clouse’s podcast, where he immediately shares thought-provoking quotes and key insights from his guests. It is an effective way to pull people in and keep them watching. Watch Now
Starting in April of 2024, Facebook started to do something that I saw as the beginning of the end for really having effective communities. You may ask, what was that? It was stopping the use of 3rd party live streaming into groups directly.
This created technical challenges for people who weren't tech savvy, as they could no longer just go live and engage with their groups like they used to. Then in February of this year, Facebook took the live video challenge a step further, they limited live storage to 30 days and then your live video would be deleted. For me, this was the final straw in whatever value Facebook may have had as a creator or community builder, so I started looking for other options. Read More
Article originally written by Jim Fuhs


🎤 🎧 On Listen Then Speak, our desire is to sit and chop it up with anyone from best selling authors to successful entrepreneurs and get a sense of the highs and lows of their journey. We want to delve past the surface to see how their culture, faith, career choices, and mental health have brought them to their current destination and broach topics that will provoke both thought and action in listeners.
🎤🎧 There is one powerful tool that has served humanity for millennia. Storytelling. In Nico's Storytelling Show, we delve into the power of stories and their impact on our daily lives. Whether we realize it or not. In the show, we embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind: crafting compelling stories that lead people forward; the experts who carved their own stories to get to the top; the stories and legends of brands that live rent-free in our minds. Join us as I show you the world through the lens of storytellers who transform lives and businesses every day.
🎤🎧 Interested in the world of podcasting and looking to be inspired by those that have demonstrated success with their shows? Since 2014 Harry Duran, Founder of podcast agency FullCast, has had hundreds of conversations with some of the most fascinating podcasters in the podosphere on Podcast Junkies. His relaxed, conversational format allows guests to kick back their heels and share valuable and sometimes personal insights of their podcasting journey. If you're looking to open your mind and heart to new possibilities, this is the show for you!
🎤🎧 Self (re)CENTERED is your space to reconnect with your truest self. It’s about getting to know yourself deeply, trusting yourself fully, and loving yourself unconditionally. Through honest reflections, practical tools, and meaningful conversations with guests, this podcast guides you to break free from limiting patterns, find balance, and create a life aligned with your highest values. Whether you’re navigating transitions or seeking personal growth, Self (re)CENTERED is here to inspire your journey—one step at a time, with progress over perfection.

If you’re looking for a podcasting event to hold you over until January, that has a personal and collaborative feel, check out the Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte this September!
It’s a smaller, hands-on weekend built for independent podcasters packed with lots of real conversation and helpful sessions. EPC attendees genuinely want to connect and grow both their network and community.
Some of our Podfest community members will be speaking there and/or attending (including Chris Krimitsos!), and we think it’s worth a look!!