• Podfest Messenger
  • Posts
  • The Impact of Music on Podcast Engagement: Case Studies from Popular Podcasts

The Impact of Music on Podcast Engagement: Case Studies from Popular Podcasts

Music and sound effects play an important role in evoking emotions. Think canned laughter in comedy TV shows; it’s designed to encourage audiences to laugh – even if the moment isn’t that funny. This is just one example of how audio elements guide the audience toward experiencing the intended feelings of the show.

And podcasts are no different. In the absence of visuals, podcasts depend purely on these sounds to guide emotions. Music, narration, and sound effects often have a more pivotal role in shaping the listening experience. 

Today, we explore four popular podcasts and look at how they integrate sound design as part of their podcast strategy, using it as more than just background music to engage and draw listeners back episode after episode. 

When it comes to podcasts that leave listeners with a case of earworms (also known as stuck-song syndrome), Serial sets the standard. Recognized as an “Audio Game Changer,” the gripping true crime series, hosted by Sarah Koenig, has captured listeners’ attention since its debut in 2014. Read More

Article originally publsihed on Libsyn.

The company has been exploring deals with podcasters, four industry insiders familiar with Netflix's strategy told Business Insider. The effort comes as YouTube's rise as a living-room fixture and podcasting powerhouse has stoked interest from Netflix in creator content.

Last year, Netflix looked into doing a deal with Alex Cooper of "Call Her Daddy" fame, two people familiar with the talks told BI. Cooper ended up striking a deal with SiriusXM, which was reportedly worth up to $125 million.

Netflix is no doubt seeing how YouTube has become the top platform for podcasts. It beat out Spotify and Apple as of the fourth quarter of 2024, Edison Research found. Creators such as Tana Mongeau and Logan Paul, in turn, are chasing the podcast boom by creating their own shows, which has helped expand their business through touring, merch, and more. Read More

Article originally written by Lucia Moses and Geoff Weiss and published on Business Insider.

Jen Chapen, a full-time healthcare consultant and successful YouTube content creator, shares her journey of earning $44,000 from a single YouTube video. The video, a compilation of budget-friendly cooking content, was nearly three hours long and strategically optimized for high engagement and multiple ad placements. By leveraging existing content, responding to audience needs, and aligning with advertising trends, she created a passive income stream that continues to generate revenue long after its release. Her story highlights how creators can maximize earnings by repurposing content, understanding audience demographics, and staying in tune with trending topics.

Beyond financial success, Jen emphasizes the importance of balancing a full-time career with content creation. She attributes her growth to strategic planning, consistency, and capitalizing on audience demand for accessible, practical content. Additionally, she stresses the significance of building an email list, developing digital products, and maintaining multiple revenue streams to safeguard against unexpected platform changes. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how working professionals can build thriving online businesses without sacrificing career stability or personal fulfillment. Watch Here

The Top 50 Over 50 Podcaster Awards are happening, and we’re making history with our first-ever in-person Awards Gala in Melbourne, FL on March 28, 2025, at 8 PM Eastern Time, along with a virtual event so everyone can be part of the celebration! 

🏆 Nominations are officially OPEN! Know an incredible podcaster over 50 who deserves recognition? Now’s the time to submit their name and celebrate their contribution to the podcasting world!!

We’re also looking for judges and sponsors! No matter your age, we invite all generations to join us in bridging the gap and celebrating the wisdom and innovation of podcasters over 50. Your support as a judge or sponsor helps elevate these incredible voices and make this event truly special. Learn More

Podcast Career Opportunities

🎤 🎧 Wealth is not about money in the bank. Wealth includes good health, an abundance of friends, wealth can be an amazing relationship. Wealth is a state of gratitude.
Kundalini Yoga- This is the oldest yoga and dates back to India over 5000 years
You CAN protect yourself with yoga, prevent illness, and increase your prosperity.
Wine - I am a Francophile! I love all things French, especially the wines
Therefore, I am biased when discussing wines and for many reasons. But listen to Wealth, Yoga, Wine. It’s quicker.

🎤 🎧 I believe having the Audacity to Podcast is the BEST way for YOU to share a message to change the world! I give you the guts and teach you the tools to launch and improve your own podcast for passion and P.R.O.F.I.T. (popularity, relationships, opportunities, fun, income, or tangibles)! Through each episode, I strive to help you communicate better, fully leverage audio and video gear, use podcasting tools for higher quality and efficiency, become an engaging interviewer, improve your podcast website, grow your podcast, and more!

 🎤 🎧 If you’ve been creating content online for a while now, then chances are, there is content you’ve posted a year ago where you look back at and cringe 🫣 Now you’re thinking “Should I just archive or delete this?” You might think this is just you, but every entrepreneur and creator feels this way – even the biggest and most successful ones.

On EDIT HISTORY, we speak with entrepreneurs and creators to take a look at their past content to dissect the content they no longer resonate with – And why 👀

 🎤🎧 In a world where time is always in short supply, finding a way to stay informed and engaged with the latest books can feel like an impossible task. That’s where we come in. We’re three passionate young professionals who love to read but understand the struggle of juggling work, life, and personal development.

Each episode of Busy Girls Book Club, we break down today’s most talked-about books—whether they’re business, self-improvement, fiction, or thought-provoking non-fiction—and give you the key takeaways, insights, and real-world applications.

This Issue Brought to You By

Morgan James Publishing has revolutionized book publishing—from the author’s standpoint.

Morgan James teaches authors strategies to leverage their books and grow their businesses—adding value while staying out of the way.

Ranked by Publishers Weekly as one of the fastest-growing publishers in the nation ten times in our short history.  Morgan James is reported to be “the future of publishing.”