One year ago today, on September 8, 2025, we lost Todd Cochrane.
Todd was my longtime co-host on the New Media Show, a podcast builder from the medium’s earliest days, and one of its strongest advocates for independent creators, open RSS, ownership, and direct connection with audiences.
Looking back on these conversations, what stands out most is how consistently Todd fought for what he believed mattered. He never forgot why podcasting was different in the first place: it removed barriers, gave creators more control, and made it possible to build real communities without asking gatekeepers for permission.
He also understood that none of it came easy. Todd often talked about “sweat equity,” doing the work, building something from the ground up, and earning an audience’s trust over time. That was who he was.
What makes this video especially difficult to watch is the ending. In what became his final New Media Show appearance, Todd signed off the way he always did, expecting there would be another episode:
“We’ll see you next time.”
I wish there had been a next time.
Todd’s voice, his ideas, and the impact he had on podcasting are still very much part of the conversation.
Remembering my friend and New Media Show co-host Todd Cochrane today.
June 4, 1964 – September 8, 2025
More remembrances of Todd Cochrane:
New Media Show: Remembering Todd Cochrane, Podcast Hall of Famer and Blubrry CEO
A special New Media Show episode with Adam Curry, Mike Dell, Rob Walch, and me remembering Todd’s life, personality, career, advocacy for independent podcasting, and his impact on the medium.
New Media Show remembrance
https://newmediashow.com/2025/09/
Podnews: Obituary: Todd Cochrane
James Cridland and I worked together on this obituary covering Todd’s life, Navy career, Geek News Central, Blubrry, open RSS advocacy, the Podcast Awards, New Media Show, and his wider impact on podcasting.
Read the Podnews obituary:
https://podnews.net/article/todd-cochrane-obituary
Blubrry Podcasting: Blubrry Founder Todd Cochrane: In Memoriam
The company Todd founded remembered him as the heart of the Blubrry community and said it is committed to continuing his mission of supporting podcasters and independent creators.
Read Blubrry’s remembrance
https://blubrry.com/podcast-insider/2025/09/09/blubrry-founder-todd-cochrane-in-memoriam/
Geek News Central: Geek News Central Mourns the Loss of Todd Cochrane
Todd’s longtime show and publication remembered its founder, host, and driving force, as well as his impact on technology, podcasting, and the people around him.
Read the Geek News Central remembrance
https://geeknewscentral.com/2025/09/09/geek-news-central-mourns-the-loss-of-todd-cochrane/
Podcast Movement: In Memory of Todd Cochrane
Dan Franks reflected on Todd’s early support of Podcast Movement, his willingness to challenge the industry, and his commitment to independent podcasters.
Read the Podcast Movement tribute:
https://weekly.podcastmovement.com/p/in-memory-of-todd-cochrane
Sounds Profitable: Remembering Todd Cochrane
Tom Webster shared a personal remembrance of Todd, including how Geek News Central was the first podcast he listened to nearly two decades earlier and how Todd’s belief in creators shaped both his work and his business.
Read Tom Webster’s remembrance:
https://soundsprofitable.com/article/remembering-todd-cochrane/
Podnews Weekly Review: Remembering Todd Cochrane
James Cridland and Sam Sethi looked back on Todd’s career and included material from an earlier conversation with him about how he began podcasting in 2004 and what the medium meant to him.
Listen to the Podnews Weekly Review remembrance:
https://weekly.podnews.net/1538779/episodes/17833228-remembering-todd-cochrane-and-apple-testing-new-chapters
PodBiz: When Independent Voices Shape an Industry: Remembering Todd Cochrane
Recorded before Todd’s passing, this conversation captures him in his own words as he discusses monetization, independent creators, audience trust, and why serving listeners has to come before chasing revenue.
Listen to the PodBiz episode
https://shows.acast.com/podbiz/episodes/remembering-todd-cochrane
podCast411: Todd Cochrane Interview from March 2005 Remastered
Rob Walch remastered his original March 2005 interview with Todd, offering a rare chance to hear Todd near the very beginning of the podcasting era.
Listen to the remastered 2005 interview
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-podcast411-learn-about-pod-27564388/episode/411-item-0022b-todd-cochrane-294330497/
podCast411: Memorial to Todd Cochrane on New Media Show
Rob Walch also shared the New Media Show memorial conversation with his podCast411 audience.
Listen to the podCast411 memorial feed drop
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-podcast411-learn-about-pod-27564388/episode/memorial-to-todd-cochrane-on-new-294330496/
Podcaster News: Remembering Site Founder Todd Cochrane
The site Todd founded remembered his drive, fearlessness, generosity, and desire to help other people succeed.
Todd Robert Cochrane obituary
Todd’s family obituary provides the personal record of his life, including his Michigan roots, 22 years of Navy service, family, technology interests, and the people he left behind.
Read Todd’s obituary:
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/45326462/todd-robert-cochrane
The New Media Show continues today with Todd very much a part of its foundation. The conversations have changed, the industry continues to evolve, and there are still plenty of things I know Todd and I would be debating.
I still miss having him on the other side of that conversation.
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In episode 666 of the New Media Show, hosted by 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee, Rob talks with Greg Wasserman, Head of Relationships at RSS.com and host of Podcast Network Insights, for a deep conversation about one of the biggest questions facing podcasting, video, creator media, and digital networks right now: