In this episode, Todd and Rob explore various topics related to the current situation and the future of podcasting. The episode starts with the hosts acknowledging the different livestream times. It then quickly moves into a discussion sparked by Rob’s recent event in New Jersey, where the interest in starting new podcasts was a hot topic.

They discuss the motivations driving new podcasters and how the broader media landscape has changed. Yet, despite the evolution in production and distribution, they agree that the core principles of podcasting have remained the same. The conversation shifts to the challenge of growing a podcast audience in a crowded content space and the importance of building community through mission-driven content creation.

Todd highlights the need for podcasters to have clear goals, suggesting the goal should drive the format and content of the show. They discuss the advantage of having a pre-existing community to build from, but Todd also stresses that podcasting starts hard and there’s no shortcut to success. Rob and Todd emphasize the need to create great content for the audience and interact with them authentically.

The discussion transitions to the role of AI in podcasting, with Todd sharing insights on new tools that help with production and distribution. They address the trend where big media companies over-invest in production costs without a proportional return on investment, leading to canceled podcasts and restructuring.

During the live chat, hosts respond to live comments from the audience, affirming their earlier points on content creation being hard work and the role of AI in leveling the playing field.

Todd then demonstrates new features on their website players, such as chapter files and transcriptions added for better engagement and accessibility, though they encounter a glitch during the demonstration. They stress the importance of easily accessible engagement tools for podcast audiences and how new media apps promise better listener interaction compared to legacy podcast apps.

Rob discusses the Independent Podcast Awards, their significance, and an ongoing issue in categorizing what makes a podcast truly ‘independent.’

The hosts touch upon podcasts being available on third-party messaging apps in regions like Saudi Arabia and North Africa, acknowledging that while it’s an exciting development, such platforms might not be optimal for podcast consumption. They also briefly discuss the challenges of integrating podcasting into familiar platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Throughout the show, Todd and Rob field comments from the live audience, reflecting on the live feedback’s energizing effect on their discussion – underscoring the very point the episode seeks to make about the deep connection between podcasters and their communities.

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New Media Productions
365 N Willowbrook Rd
Suite: C
Coldwater, Mi, 49036

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In this podcast episode, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee engage in a conversation revolving around several critical topics in the podcast industry.

Starting, Todd addresses his return to show’s return. They transition into discussing the significance of Spotify’s open RSS feeds and the potential challenges with the platform’s RSS feed structure. Rob observes that Spotify has made 2,258 episodes available, which might be problematic for platforms like Apple Podcasts that may not display that many. Todd notes possible slow load times for such a lengthy feed.

They then address technical aspects and speculate why Spotify chose its in-house podcasting solution for Joe Rogan’s podcast over using the enterprise platform Megaphone. Todd theorizes that Rogan’s video component is why Spotify for Podcasters was selected.

There’s a conversation about Spotify cutting features like in-app recording and editing, with Todd suggesting it may reduce the platform’s appeal. The hosts discuss brand safety models and how keyword-based algorithms can lead complex news stories, such as The New York Times reporting on the Middle East conflict, to face demonetization.

The podcast moves on to political advertising in podcasts, with Spotify looking for more inventory due to a predicted increase in political ad spending. Todd and Rob debate the appropriateness of different political ads appearing next to each other and touch upon the concept of a ‘parallel economy’ where brands align with similar ideological media.

They acknowledge the importance of local elections and encourage people to become informed about local candidates. A brief discussion ensues about how monetization in podcasting is affected by brand safety and the acceptability of ads, especially for shows like Adam Corolla’s, which have always maintained a direct and uncensored nature.

The conversation shifts to industry studies, including Edison Research’s findings that radio still accounts for more than three times the daily audio time compared to podcasts. Todd and Rob conclude this segment by reflecting on the increasing integration of podcasts into car audio systems and how this could continue to alter the media consumption landscape.

Rob mentions the Podcast Hall of Fame presentation at the Podfest event, detailing the induction process and the significance of preserving the history and culture of podcasting. They discuss the need for more funding and sponsorships to support these initiatives while acknowledging that Doctor Drew was a fitting, albeit expensive, MC for such an event.

Todd introduces the new website, podcasting2.org, which aims to make the podcast namespace features more accessible and understandable. They explore the site, examining the interlinked support across different podcasting apps and hosting providers.

Lastly, Todd and Rob share how the Podcast Index aims to preserve podcasting as an open platform before wrapping up the show with Valentine’s Day greetings and plans for next week’s episode.

Throughout the discussion, both hosts lend their expertise on each topic and provide insights into the broader podcasting ecosystem and its future direction.

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New Media Productions
365 N Willowbrook Rd
Suite: C
Coldwater, Mi, 49036

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In this episode, host Rob Greenlee is joined by guest Mark Asquith. The duo discusses various forward-looking aspects of podcasting, notably the future of revenue generation beyond traditional advertising.

The episode starts with Rob referencing co-host Todd Cochran’s absence and letting listeners know that Todd is out of the country and expected back for the next episode. Rob then introduces Mark Asquith, highlighting his role with Captivate and recent attempts to push the envelope in the podcasting industry.

Mark and Rob discuss the significance of the Joe Rogan/Spotify deal and what that implies for podcast exclusivity, content distribution, and alignment with content creators’ interests. They delve into Spotify’s strategy shift and ponder its implications for the industry. Mark suggests that Spotify’s reevaluation of exclusivity deals indicates a broader trend toward open podcasting. They examine Spotify’s role as a first-party platform and how it impacts advertisers and audience data compared to platforms like Apple Podcasts.

The conversation steers towards the evolving nature of the industry, and Rob brings up how podcasting was historically a substantial part of the video content landscape. They touch on the potential resurgence of video in podcasting, discussing the integration of video and different content forms and the potential generational shift in content creation and consumption habits.

Rob and Mark explore the impact of technological advancements on podcasting, such as the potential role of AI and blockchain in enhancing the creator-listener relationship. They consider how innovations like the value-for-value model, which involves Satoshis and Bitcoin, could change the way podcasters monetize their content, emphasizing the need to make technology accessible and understandable.

The episode concludes with Rob and Mark hypothesizing about the longevity and possible evolution of advertising as a revenue model in podcasting. Rob suggests that the injection of technology and new models like value for value could potentially phase out conventional advertising over time. Mark points to creators’ and consumers’ increasing demand for tangibility and benefits from podcast platforms.

The episode wraps up with Mark teasing Rob about new content he is working on and inviting him to participate. It is mentioned that more news will be coming around Podcast Movement Evolutions in March. Mark encourages listeners to stay tuned for further announcements and developments in his content offerings.

Listeners are directed to captivate.fm to follow Captivate and Mark’s work. They also discuss the convenience of their collaboration platforms and future plans for creating content that resonates with and benefits the podcasting community.

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New Media Productions
365 N Willowbrook Rd
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Coldwater, Mi, 49036

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Join Rob Greenlee and Tom Webster from Sounds Profitable in a riveting Live New Media Show episode as they delve into the evolving podcast landscape, where video podcast consumers merge with traditional audio enthusiasts.

They discuss the undeniable trend: most top podcasts are accessible on YouTube, illustrating the seamless blend of audio and video formats. Despite skepticism, this “Convergence Strategy” proves potent, highlighting Rob’s journey with StreamYard and the broader implications for content creators. The episode also touches on Podfest, the Podcasting Hall of Fame, and insights from Dr. Drew on the industry’s future.

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New Media Productions
365 N Willowbrook Rd
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Coldwater, Mi, 49036

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