351 - Amazon Lays Off Wondery Team, ElevenLabs Bets on AI Audio

Amazon just laid off 110 people at Wondery and is folding parts of it into Audible and Amazon Music. That’s one of the big stories we’re talking about on today’s podcast news day. We also share that Descript dropped new tools that could make your workflow easier, ElevenLabs is getting into AI music with licensing options, and Buzzsprout’s latest numbers give you a better idea of where your show stacks up. We also discuss Edison’s new top podcast badges and why your thumbnail and title might matter more than ever on YouTube.Episode Highlights: [02:48] Addressing Sound Differences[07:08] Podcasting News and Data[09:24] Top Podcasts and Buzzsprout Stats[12:22] Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities[18:30] New Features from Descript[22:24] Viral Podcast Mix-Up[24:57] Podcast Awards and Recognition[28:28] People's Choice Podcast Awards[30:34] AI News: Chat GPT and Google Indexing[48:00] Amazon's Layoffs at Wondery[49:58] Edison Research's New Podcast Badges[52:26] Thumbnails and Social Media for Podcasts[55:15] Upcoming Discussion on Podcast StudiosLinks & Resources: Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠Get Your Tickets for The Empowered Podcasting Conference:www.empoweredpodcasting.comPodcast Movement: https://podcastmovement.com/Luma Podcast Meetup: https://lu.ma/fio5x1dxBrazillian Author Accidently Guests on Wrong Podcast: https://bit.ly/4mzdNLONominees for Earworthy Podcast Awards: https://podcastreports.blogspot.com/2025/07/announcing-nominees-for-ear-worthy.htmlAmazon Cuts Wondery: https://podnews.net/update/amazon-cuts-wonderyNew Podcast Playbook: https://bit.ly/3Ho5y6bHow To Know Which AI Model to Use: https://www.tiktok.com/@nate.b.jones/video/7514727939200601375?_r=1&_t=ZP-8yeVRfen9zSRemember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481dLive on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠