New Media Show (Audio)

In Episode 681 of the New Media Show, host Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Alban Brooke, Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout, for a deep conversation about one of the biggest structural changes in podcasting: the evolution of podcast hosting from audio-file distribution to a broader audio-and-video creator infrastructure. For most of podcasting’s history, the hosting model was relatively straightforward. A creator uploaded an audio file, the host generated an RSS feed, and that feed distributed the episode to listening apps worldwide. That podcast hosting model is changing. Video is once again becoming a significant part of podcasting, and podcast hosting platforms are being asked to do much more than store an MP3 and maintain an RSS feed. They increasingly need to manage video encoding, HLS streaming, direct platform connections, YouTube publishing, Spotify video, Apple Podcasts video, transcripts, analytics, AI-assisted publishing tools, and the traditional audio experience simultaneously. Buzzsprout, which launched in 2009 as an audio-only podcast host, has now made a major move into video. Alban explains that the turning point was Apple’s decision to support HLS video streaming into Apple Podcasts. Once Apple committed to HLS, Buzzsprout saw an opportunity to preserve one of podcast hosting’s original promises: “Upload once and let the hosting platform handle the complexity of getting the show everywhere.” Buzzsprout’s current video workflow allows creators to upload video and distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube while continuing to deliver audio to traditional podcast apps. The technology underneath that process, however, has become much more complicated. A podcast host may now be managing RSS feeds, HLS playlists, multiple video resolutions, platform APIs, direct uploads, audio extraction, transcripts, and the different requirements of Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, iHeart, and other services. Alban argues that creators should not have to understand most of that. If podcast hosting is doing its job properly, the technical complexity should disappear into the infrastructure. Creators should be able to concentrate on making the show. That leads Rob and Alban into a larger discussion about RSS and what it still represents. RSS itself is not magical, Alban says. What matters is what RSS enables: a direct and portable connection between creators and their audiences.  A creator using an open podcast feed can switch from one hosting company to another without rebuilding their audience from scratch. The relationship is not entirely controlled by a recommendation algorithm or a single platform.  Alban contrasts this with YouTube and other social platforms, where algorithms ultimately determine how much of a creator’s content reaches subscribers. A creator can build a large audience on a platform and still experience dramatic changes in reach when the algorithm, product strategy, or monetization model changes. Podcasting offers something different. Alban describes media distribution as a spectrum ranging from discovery to delivery. At one end are platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, which are extremely effective at helping users discover content. The platform decides what it believes each person wants to see next. At the other end are systems such as RSS and email, where the user intentionally subscribes and expects to receive what that creator publishes. The opportunity for modern creators may be to use both. YouTube, social video platforms, and algorithmic platforms can enable discovery. RSS can provide reliable delivery and audience portability after that relationship is established. That combination may become one of podcasting’s greatest advantages. HLS, RSS and the Future of more Open Video Podcasting Rob and Alban explore how HLS video could extend those same open-distribution principles into video. Apple’s implementation currently involves a direct API relationship, but the podcast ecosystem is also experimenting with the alternate enclosure tag in RSS, which can place another media format inside the RSS feed. Buzzsprout has already experimented with alternate enclosures on selected shows, although Alban explains that the company is approaching broader implementation carefully because video creates dramatically larger bandwidth demands than audio. A bot downloading thousands of MP3 files is one problem. A bot repeatedly requesting multi-gigabyte video assets is another larger issue. The larger objective, however, remains open distribution. Alban believes HLS has the potential to enable multiple podcast applications to support video without forcing creators to confine their entire video audience to a single closed platform. Can Video Damage the Audio Experience? The conversation then turns to one of the most important creative questions raised by video podcasting. What happens to audio listeners when the video version becomes the source for both experiences? Alban shares an example of watching a video podcast on Netflix where George Clooney and the host repeatedly discussed an object visible on camera without ever explaining what it was. A viewer understood the conversation. An audio listener would have had no idea what they were discussing. That is exactly the kind of problem Alban wants creators to avoid. His recommendation is that podcasts remain audio-first in their communication, even when video is an important part of the production. That does not mean ignoring video. Creators can use cameras, sets, graphics, demonstrations, lighting, and other visual elements. But when something important is happening on screen, the host should provide enough verbal context that the audio listener can still follow the conversation. Rob raises the other side of the issue. There is a real difference between producing a video podcast and producing a highly visual YouTube show. YouTube creators may use graphics, demonstrations, rapid editing, screen captures, text, and visual storytelling that cannot realistically be translated into audio. If every visual element must work perfectly for someone with their eyes closed, video creativity can become constrained. That may eventually create two related but distinct production approaches: shows built as unified audio/video podcasts and shows designed primarily as visual media. Why Platforms Want Video Alban believes the major platforms have obvious reasons for encouraging video.  Video keeps audiences looking at the screen. YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms benefit when users remain inside their applications, continually moving from one piece of content to the next. Short-form vertical video takes this even further. Alban says he deliberately limits his own use of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels because he finds the experience almost too effective at holding attention. Audio works differently. A podcast can accompany the listener while running, driving, traveling, cleaning, mowing the lawn, or simply living life. Alban describes audio as a companion to life, while highly addictive video shorts platforms will increasingly compete to become the dominant activity itself. We should remain strongly optimistic about audio. Why Apple’s Move Changed the Market Rob asks why Apple chose this moment to place renewed emphasis on video, even though video podcasts have technically existed within Apple’s ecosystem for many years. Alban points to several forces coming together. YouTube has aggressively embraced podcasts and repeatedly highlighted the enormous amount of podcast viewing happening across its platform. Spotify has expanded its video strategy. Meanwhile, members of the open podcasting community have spent years exploring HLS as a more practical way of distributing video. Once Apple embraced HLS, Buzzsprout concluded that the technology had enough platform support to justify a major investment. Buzzsprout then built its video product around simplifying distribution across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and traditional audio apps. Why 1080p Video Matters Buzzsprout also decided to support 1080p video, something Rob sees as increasingly important as podcasts move from phones and laptops onto large television screens. HLS can provide different video streams depending on the device and connection. A mobile device (phone, pad, or glasses) may not need the same resolution as a large television or large-screen laptop or desktop computer. But as Apple Podcasts expands onto Apple TV and YouTube continues to report substantial podcast consumption on television screens, creators need source video that looks good in the living room. Rob and Alban agree that this is another sign that podcast distribution is becoming much broader than that of traditional listening apps. Audio Is Not Going Away Despite Buzzsprout’s investment in video, Alban does not believe every podcast needs cameras. Some content is inherently better as audio. Scripted audio, documentary storytelling, intimate conversations, educational programming, and many other formats can deliver everything the audience needs without video. Alban does not believe audio needs a technological gimmick to survive. Spatial audio, immersive sound, and advanced codecs can create interesting experiences, but the central power of podcasting remains remarkably simple: “The human voice and a compelling story.” Good audio recorded decades ago can still be powerful today because the idea, voice, and storytelling remain meaningful. Video is therefore additive rather than a replacement for audio. Is Podcast Hosting Becoming a Commodity? Rob then challenges Alban with another industry question: Simply storing a media file is no longer difficult. Most hosting platforms can generate RSS feeds, distribute episodes, and provide common publishing features. Alban agrees that hosting, narrowly defined as file storage, can look commoditized. But he argues that this misses the bigger job a podcast-hosting company should perform. Buzzsprout sees its role as helping creators successfully navigate the entire process. That includes technology, education, human support, distribution, publishing assistance, video, analytics, transcripts, and reducing the emotional and technical friction involved in putting something meaningful into the world. The competitive advantage is not simply storing the file. It is helping the creator succeed. AI Should Remove Work, Not the Human That philosophy carries directly into the episode’s discussion about artificial intelligence. Buzzsprout already uses AI to help creators generate titles, descriptions, social content, blog material, chapter markers, and transcripts. Alban is comfortable with AI handling parts of production that creators may not enjoy. Buzzsprout’s own materials identify its Co-Host AI tools as assisting with publishing tasks, including titles, descriptions, chapters, and supporting content. What he does not want AI to replace is the reason many people became creators in the first place. Alban enjoys researching an idea, thinking about it, writing, talking with people, recording conversations, and producing something that reflects human experience. If AI can clean audio, transcribe the episode, or reduce repetitive production work, that can be useful.  If it replaces the host, opinion, conversation, or creative process entirely, something important may be lost. Alban compares his preferred relationship with AI to using a calculator. The technology is valuable. Yet, blindly refusing to use it entirely could be unnecessarily limiting. But just because a technology can perform a task does not mean the creator should hand over every task. The important question is: “Which parts of creating matter to you enough that you want to remain the person doing them?” AI, Disclosure and Audience Trust The deeper issue is trust. Alban describes hearing what he believed was an AI-generated host-read advertisement in a podcast he regularly listened to. When he later asked the creator about AI and received a categorical denial of using it, Alban’s confidence in the show changed. The problem was not simply that AI may have been used.  The problem was the perception that the creator was not being transparent about it. Rob and Alban agree that disclosure becomes increasingly important as synthetic voices, AI-written scripts, avatars, automated media, and cloned personalities become harder to distinguish from human-created content. “Rob suggests that the industry may eventually move beyond labeling AI toward verifying or certifying what is human.” As synthetic AI-generated audio and video content becomes more common, audiences may increasingly value signals showing that a conversation, performance, appearance, or relationship involves real humans. That could increase the importance of live events, face-to-face meetings, physical communities, concerts, coffee shops, and other experiences where human presence is difficult to fake. The Return of Offline Experiences The episode broadens into a discussion about younger generations and technology. Alban notes that some younger people are becoming interested in non-connected devices, point-and-shoot cameras, film cameras, books, and other technologies that do not constantly demand attention. Rob sees similar interest developing around discontinued devices such as the Microsoft Zune portable media player devices. The larger trend may represent a reaction to always-connected life. Technology gives creators unprecedented reach, but human relationships still develop through attention, responsiveness, shared experiences, and time spent together. That principle also connects back to podcasting. Podcasting’s open architecture allows content to flow across applications and devices while maintaining a direct creator-to-audience relationship. As Alban sees it, the strongest future for podcasting combines the best of both worlds: “Open delivery through podcasting, algorithmic discovery through larger platforms, video when it adds value, audio when audio is enough, AI where it removes friction, and humans at the center of the creative relationship.” Topics Covered in This Episode – Why Buzzsprout moved from audio-only into video podcasting – Apple HLS video and the turning point for podcast hosts – Upload-once distribution across Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and audio apps – Why technical complexity should disappear for creators – RSS as creator ownership and audience portability – Discovery versus reliable delivery – Algorithms compared with open podcast distribution – Alternate enclosures and open video – Protecting audio listeners when video is added – Unified audio/video podcast experiences – Video podcasts versus highly visual YouTube productions – Why platforms want creators producing more video – Short-form video and attention – Why audio remains a companion medium – 1080p video and television podcast consumption – Why audio-only podcasting remains healthy – Is podcast hosting becoming a commodity? – Buzzsprout’s creator-support philosophy – AI-assisted podcast production – Which parts of creation should remain human – AI voices, disclosure, and audience trust – The possibility of verified-human media – Younger generations and offline technology – The renewed appeal of disconnected devices – Open podcasting in the Liquid Content Era Chapter Timestamp Markers 00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 681 00:24 Podcast hosting is moving beyond the audio file 01:18 Buzzsprout enters the video podcast era 02:00 Introducing Alban Brooke of Buzzsprout 03:15 What changed Buzzsprout’s thinking about video? 04:01 Why Buzzsprout spent years focused on audio only 04:50 Apple HLS video becomes the turning point 05:33 Upload once and distribute video and audio everywhere 06:00 Podcast distribution becomes technically more complicated 07:00 Why the hosting platform should hide the complexity 09:21 Podcasters increasingly do not know what RSS is 10:53 Why RSS still matters 11:08 RSS, creator control, and platform algorithm risk 13:08 The difference between podcast delivery and discovery 14:35 Using YouTube for discovery and RSS for audience delivery 15:37 HLS brings open distribution principles to video 16:49 Alternative enclosures and open video podcasting 17:18 The bandwidth and bot problem with video 18:04 Rob’s dual audio and video RSS strategy 19:20 The tension between MP4 video and HLS 20:15 What happens when video becomes the source of the audio? 20:52 The Netflix example of a broken audio experience 22:01 Why adding video can unintentionally hurt audio listeners 22:50 Alban’s case for audio-first communication 23:52 Why unified audio, video, and transcripts need to stay in sync 25:04 Video podcasts versus YouTube-first visual shows 26:15 Why platforms keep pushing creators toward video 27:15 The addictive power of short-form vertical video 28:32 Audio as a companion to real life 29:20 Why Apple chose this moment to emphasize video 30:34 The podcast industry’s push toward HLS 31:03 YouTube and Spotify increase competitive pressure 32:00 Why Apple’s HLS implementation changed Buzzsprout’s plans 33:23 Buzzsprout goes all-in on simplified video distribution 34:03 Why Buzzsprout chose 1080p 35:04 Podcast consumption moves onto television screens 35:41 How HLS adapts video quality to different devices 37:09 Apple TV and the big-screen podcast opportunity 38:43 Could HLS eventually replace audio delivery? 39:16 Why Alban believes audio-only podcasting remains strong 40:35 Video audiences can be additive rather than replacements 41:14 Could audio become more immersive? 42:02 Spatial audio and the history of immersive sound 43:03 Why the human voice matters more than audio technology 44:02 Does audio even need to compete with video? 45:33 Video is additive, not the death of audio 46:51 Is podcast hosting becoming a commodity? 48:00 Hosting versus full creator infrastructure 49:03 Removing technical and emotional barriers for creators 50:14 Why human support still differentiates podcast platforms 51:17 Where AI fits into podcast hosting 52:00 Buzzsprout Co-Host AI and production assistance 52:33 Using AI for tasks creators do not enjoy 53:32 Protect the parts of creating you actually love 54:28 Rob’s use of AI in pre-production and post-production 55:04 Why flowing human conversations resist scripting 55:43 The value of unscripted New Media Show conversations 56:27 AI is already capable of strong writing 57:06 Why the act of creation still matters 58:47 Creator attitudes toward AI become increasingly divided 1:00:44 Using AI like a calculator 1:02:09 AI-generated host reads and the trust problem 1:03:27 Why undisclosed AI can damage audience relationships 1:04:26 AI use versus dishonesty about AI use 1:05:17 Will we eventually label human-created content instead of AI-generated content? 1:06:19 Why real-world human experiences may become more valuable 1:07:38 Could “Certified Human” become a media signal? 1:08:20 AI avatars, recruiting fraud, and human verification 1:09:21 Trust can take years to build and minutes to destroy 1:10:35 Finding the middle ground on AI 1:11:07 Where AI saves time without replacing the creator 1:12:08 Preserve the human parts that matter 1:13:03 Generational differences around technology and AI 1:14:11 Gen Alpha, point-and-shoot cameras, and rejecting connectivity 1:15:01 Designing intentional distance from addictive media 1:16:18 The unexpected return of the Microsoft Zune 1:17:12 Books, film cameras, and disconnected technology 1:18:19 Human relationships existed before social platforms 1:19:01 Alban’s relationship with social media 1:20:17 Why offline relationships can matter more 1:21:19 Media creation becomes increasingly fragmented 1:22:00 Podcasting as truly liquid and open content 1:22:34 Closing thoughts with Alban Brooke 1:23:00 Where to find The New Media Show Guest Links: Alban Brooke, Head of Marketing, Buzzsprout Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com Buzzsprout Video Podcasting: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features Buzzcast: https://buzzcast.buzzsprout.com Alban Brooke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albanbrooke Alban Brooke is Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout and co-host of Buzzcast, where he discusses podcast technology, creator trends, industry developments, and practical strategies for podcasters. Host, Rob Greenlee, and New Media Show Links New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com AI Disclosure Note AI tools were used to create a video and audio introduction clip, episode images, help organize and edit this episode and summarize its description, and create chapter markers from the completed Episode 681 transcript. The recorded conversation, human performances, guest perspectives, editorial direction, final review, and responsibility for the published content remain with actual humans, Rob Greenlee and Alban Brooke.The post How Podcast Distribution Is Changing | Alban Brooke, Buzzsprout #681 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 680 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee welcomes Steven Goldstein, founder and CEO of Amplifi Media, for a timely, future-leaning discussion. We have entered the Liquid Content Era. A podcast conversation can now become an audio episode, full-length YouTube video, Spotify video, Apple Podcasts video, vertical clips, social posts, articles, newsletters, searchable transcripts, and potentially AI-discovered answers. The underlying content may be the same, but the way people encounter and consume it varies by platform. That creates an enormous opportunity for creators. It also creates a measurement problem. Podcasting built much of its advertising business around the download. That metric helped turn an emerging medium into a legitimate advertising marketplace, but Steven argues that it no longer adequately represents how audiences consume modern shows. Downloads were created in an era when bandwidth was limited and podcast applications often downloaded episodes to devices before the listener played them. Today, streaming is increasingly immediate, video consumption is growing, audiences move between devices, and clips can sometimes reach more people than the original episode. The question is no longer simply:  How many times was the podcast downloaded? The better question may be: How many people actually listened to, watched, encountered the advertising, and engaged with the creator’s content across the entire media ecosystem? Why advertisers need this change. Large brands already buy television, web, streaming video, social, and other digital media through dashboards that provide comparable impression-based reporting. Podcasting remains fragmented across RSS analytics, platform dashboards, YouTube views, Spotify data, and different definitions of what constitutes meaningful exposure. That fragmentation makes podcast media harder to buy at scale. Steven explains that advertisers do not want separate teams manually reconciling podcast audio, video, clips, and platform metrics. If podcasting wants to attract substantially more advertising investment, it needs to fit more easily into the systems marketers already use. That leads into one of the episode’s central topics: the AMP Accords. The Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting was formed to address three persistent problems: Defining a podcast Standardizing exposure metrics across platforms Creating a more consistent way to evaluate advertising effectiveness. The AMP Accords describe their goal as establishing cross-platform measurement standards spanning open RSS and closed platforms. One of the biggest proposed shifts is moving toward a 30-second play as a standardized exposure metric across audio and video. Steven is less concerned about whether 30 seconds ultimately proves to be the perfect number than he is about establishing a common starting point. Media measurement has always evolved. Steven draws on his experience in radio, where audience measurement moved from handwritten listening diaries to electronic Portable People Meters. The change was disruptive. Some formats gained audience under the new methodology, and others lost it. But advertisers demanded better information, and the industry eventually adapted. Podcasting is facing a similar moment. The industry should not allow the pursuit of a perfect measurement system to delay the adoption of a more useful one. The AMP framework also addresses advertising impressions and audience measurement. That matters because an advertiser ultimately wants to know whether someone actually received an advertising message, not simply whether a media file was automatically delivered to a device. Rob and Steven discuss the tension this creates for established podcast measurement. Some publishers remain strongly committed to the download because it has provided consistency and an open measurement methodology for many years. Steven gives the download credit for helping build the podcast advertising business but believes the medium now needs to move forward. The shift becomes even more important when video enters the equation. YouTube has become a major podcast-consumption platform with sophisticated analytics on views, watch time, audience behavior, retention, and discovery. Spotify has added video. Apple is expanding its video capabilities through HLS. Meanwhile, audiences increasingly move fluidly between audio and video rather than seeing them as completely separate media products. This raises another difficult question: What exactly is a podcast now? The AMP Accords propose a broad podcast definition that encompasses audio or video and open or closed distribution, provided the program remains meaningful without requiring constant visual attention. Steven likes the basic framework but emphasizes that audiences will ultimately shape the word’s meaning. People already call shows “podcasts” based on format and experience rather than on technical infrastructure. Most listeners do not know whether a show uses RSS feeds, direct platform uploads, streaming video, or another delivery method. Rob raises a concern about defining podcasting too strongly through an audio lens. If a video must always function perfectly with the viewer’s eyes closed, does that discourage creators from investing in richer visual storytelling? That question becomes increasingly important as video production matures. A modern video podcast can include visual demonstrations, graphics, archival material, set design, screen sharing, camera movement, and other elements that provide additional value to the viewer. Rob argues that creators should retain the freedom to build excellent audio and excellent video experiences, even when the two versions are not identical. The discussion then moves to another major part of liquid content: short-form video. Shorts or Clips were initially treated primarily as promotional tools designed to push people toward the full episode. That assumption is changing. Some audience members may never consume the full show. They may know a creator entirely through Shorts, Reels, TikTok, or other excerpts. Steven describes this as both an opportunity and a potential problem. If a creator publishes the four best moments from an hour-long conversation, some viewers may decide those clips provide everything they wanted from the episode. That means short-form may represent a separate audience, not simply a funnel into long-form media. At the same time, social clips have become an increasingly important discovery mechanism. Creators cannot simply ignore the places where audiences spend their time. That is the essence of liquid content: the audience determines where and how the media gets consumed. Artificial intelligence adds another layer. Steven believes creators should increasingly think beyond traditional SEO, Search Engine Optimization, toward AEO, Answer Engine Optimization. AI systems are increasingly becoming discovery engines themselves. Instead of searching through a list of websites or podcast episodes, a user may ask an AI system a specific question and receive a direct answer assembled from available sources. That shift could be especially valuable for niche creators. A podcast with deep authority in a narrow subject may become an important source of AI-generated answers if its content is well-structured, transcribed, accessible, and clearly associated with expertise in that category. Rob expands the discussion into recommendation systems. YouTube already uses AI extensively to determine which content should be presented to which audience. Similar systems will increasingly influence discovery throughout digital media. That creates a harder competitive environment. Steven argues that mediocre content will be crushed. As audiences face effectively unlimited choices and algorithms become better at filtering those choices, simply producing acceptable content may no longer be enough. Shows need differentiation, relevance, expertise, strong personalities, or storytelling that holds attention. That does not mean every successful podcast needs millions of listeners. Steven points to niche podcasts serving highly specific professional communities. A show about HVAC systems may never become a mainstream entertainment hit, but it can still become an extremely valuable business if it reaches the right technicians, manufacturers, buyers, and industry decision-makers. Influence within a valuable niche can matter more than raw audience scale. The conversation closes by examining the tension between short-form and long-form media. Consumers are time-starved. Summaries, clips, AI-generated takeaways, and compressed content are becoming increasingly useful. Yet long-form is not disappearing. Joe Rogan, Acquired, Dan Carlin, and other successful long-form creators demonstrate that audiences will still spend hours with content when the storytelling, expertise, personality, or subject deserves the investment. The real challenge is earning the audience’s time. In the Liquid Content Era, creators are no longer simply publishing episodes. They are building adaptable media assets that can move across platforms, formats, screens, algorithms, and audiences. The measurement systems now need to catch up. Topics Covered in This Episode: -What Steven Goldstein means by the Liquid Content Era -Why one piece of content now becomes many media products -Why the podcast download is becoming less representative of consumption -What podcasting can learn from radio and television measurement -Why advertisers need unified cross-platform metrics -The AMP Accords and the future of podcast measurement -The proposed 30-second play standard -Plays, audience, ad impressions, and ad audience -Audio versus video measurement -Apple HLS, YouTube, Spotify, and platform competition -Why the definition of a podcast continues to evolve -Whether video podcasts need to work with the viewer’s eyes closed -The difference between clipping content and creating for vertical video -Why clips may represent a separate audience -AI and Answer Engine Optimization -How algorithms increasingly control media discovery -Why mediocre content faces greater pressure -High-value niche content versus mass audience scale -What it takes to create a hit today -Why long-form content can still win Chapter Time Stamp Markers 00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 680 00:36 The Liquid Content Era needs new measurement 01:10 Introducing Steven Goldstein of Amplifi Media 02:07 Why media has entered the Liquid Content Era 03:18 The New York Times as a liquid content example 04:41 Podcasting moves from audio into multimedia 05:29 Video was always part of podcasting 06:22 Why the download originally made sense 07:13 Streaming changes how podcast consumption is measured 08:08 What podcasting can learn from radio measurement 09:11 From listening diaries to electronic measurement 10:00 Why advertisers need podcasting inside their dashboards 11:05 Audio and video buying remain separated at agencies 12:06 How television moved toward impression-based measurement 13:13 Short-form video enters the podcast media mix 14:12 Introducing the AMP Accords 15:08 What the AMP Accords propose 17:03 What AMP got right and what could go wrong 18:41 Why 30 seconds is a starting point, not the final answer 20:06 Moving beyond the download 21:23 Downloads do not always equal actual listening 22:03 The IAB and industry resistance to changing measurement 23:20 Some shows will gain, and others will lose under better metrics 24:18 Why Steven believes the download cannot be the future 25:11 Consumer behavior is forcing podcasting to change 26:02 Vertical video becomes a major media business 27:01 Can YouTube, Spotify, and Apple align around new metrics? 29:16 Comparing 30-second and 60-second exposure 31:07 Plays, audience, ad impressions, and advertiser needs 32:16 Why advertisers dislike hidden podcast audience numbers 33:07 Measurement matters differently for niche podcasts 34:19 How audiences move between audio and video 36:05 Should audio and video come from the same media file? 37:02 Why measurement does not need to be perfect to improve 38:16 Liquid content keeps expanding into new formats 39:14 What qualifies as a podcast now? 40:02 The audience may ultimately define podcasting 41:35 Does “eyes closed” unfairly prioritize audio? 43:05 Could the new definition weaken video creativity? 44:31 Separate audio and video podcast experiences 46:07 Vertical video versus automatically generated clips 46:52 Are clips replacing the full episode? 48:04 Short-form audiences may be entirely different 49:00 AI enters the Liquid Content Era 49:28 SEO shifts toward Answer Engine Optimization 50:27 AI becomes the first layer of media discovery 51:13 Algorithms judge what audiences see 53:04 Why mediocre content will be crushed 54:02 What qualifies as quality content? 55:04 Niche media does not need mass scale 57:07 How specialized podcasts can build valuable businesses 58:38 Why podcast creation remains flat despite creator growth 1:00:16 Creators no longer need traditional media gatekeepers 1:01:21 What the COVID podcast boom taught the industry 1:02:27 High-value content and why hits are hard 1:03:05 Differentiation as the foundation of a successful show 1:05:05 What television can teach podcasters about format innovation 1:06:22 Why creators compete for increasingly limited audience time 1:07:34 Short-form versus long-form content 1:08:22 Why people increasingly use AI to summarize long content 1:09:08 Joe Rogan, Acquired, and why long-form still succeeds 1:10:05 Gen Z will consume long content when it earns the time 1:11:01 Structured YouTube content versus podcast conversations 1:13:00 Final thoughts on the changing New Media landscape 1:14:00 Where to find The New Media Show Guest: Steven Goldstein, Founder and CEO, Amplifi Media Amplifi Media: https://www.amplifimedia.com About Steven Goldstein: https://www.amplifimedia.com/about Steven Goldstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-goldstein-a057b54 Amplifi Media on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifi-media Steven Goldstein is founder and CEO of Amplifi Media and teaches The Business of Podcasting at NYU. His current work focuses heavily on the shift toward cross-platform audio, video, and social distribution, as well as what he describes as the Liquid Content Era. AMP Accords Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting: https://ampaccords.com The AMP Accords focus on three areas: standardizing impression metrics, developing cross-platform performance measurement, and creating a common industry definition of a podcast. Host, Rob Greenlee, and New Media Show Links New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com AI Disclosure Note: AI tools were used to create a video and audio introduction clip, episode images, help organize and edit this episode and summarize its description, and create chapter markers from the completed Episode 680 transcript. The recorded conversation, human performances, guest perspectives, editorial direction, final review, and responsibility for the published content remain with actual humans Rob Greenlee and Steven Goldstein.The post Liquid Content Era Needs New Measurement | Steven Goldstein, Amplifi Media #680 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 679 of the New Media Show, host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Samara Beth Hurley, founder and CEO of Samara Beth & Co., for a wide-ranging conversation about experiential branding, audience trust, personal authority, storytelling, live events, artificial intelligence, and the growing value of real human relationships. Creators have more ways than ever to attract attention through podcasts, video, social media, newsletters, events, books, speaking, search, and AI-powered discovery. But attention is only the beginning. The deeper challenge is turning attention into trust, trust into authority, and authority into relationships that can support a lasting creator brand or business. Samara brings more than 30 years of experience across events, experiential branding, public relations, marketing, publishing, coaching, speaking, and business strategy. She explains why memorable experiences engage more than the mind. They involve emotion, physical presence, environment, story, and multiple senses, making them more likely to remain with an audience. The central idea of the episode is that content may introduce people to a creator, but experiences can make that creator memorable. From Attention to Experience: Why creators need more than visibility, impressions, downloads, views, or followers.  Samara explains that an immersive experience can involve all five senses and create a much deeper memory than a conventional piece of content. This can happen through an in-person event, retreat, workshop, book, video, virtual presentation, conversation, or carefully designed brand interaction. The goal is not simply to be seen. The goal is to make people feel something meaningful and consistent enough that they remember the creator, trust the message, and understand the value behind the brand. Samara also explains why events should be reverse-engineered around the desired audience result. Before selecting the venue, visuals, entertainment, content, or promotion, creators should determine what they want people to believe, feel, remember, and do after the experience. Credibility, Confidence, and Congruence: One of the central frameworks Samara shares is her three-part trust formula: – Credibility – Confidence – Congruence Credibility comes from experience, demonstrated knowledge, proof, media appearances, testimonials, awards, published work, results, and a consistent record of showing up. Confidence develops through practice. Samara discusses how speaking, presenting, selling, training, and communicating become stronger through repetition rather than waiting to feel completely prepared. Congruence means that the person audiences encounter across a website, podcast, social profile, book, stage, event, media appearance, and personal interaction should feel recognizably connected. Omnipresence With a Strategy: Samara describes herself as an “omnipresence fairy godmother” and explains why creators need to appear across multiple relevant platforms, media formats, and public channels. But omnipresence does not mean publishing without direction. Creators need a strategy that connects social media, podcasts, video, PR, books, articles, television appearances, events, awards, websites, and public profiles. Rob and Samara discuss the danger of throwing content onto platforms without a clear understanding of the audience, purpose, brand position, or desired business outcome. A creator may be visible everywhere but still be difficult to understand. The strongest public presence creates repeated, credible signals around who the person is, what they know, what they stand for, and why their work matters. Personal Brand Versus Business Brand: Samara explains the distinction between a personal brand and a business brand. A personal brand is connected to the individual’s name, expertise, story, reputation, values, speaking, publishing, and long-term legacy. A business brand may be structured so it can grow beyond the founder, employ a larger team, scale independently, and potentially be sold. Not every creator needs both. – A coach, speaker, consultant, author, or experienced executive may only need a strong personal brand. – A founder building a company that can eventually operate without them may need a separate business identity and brand architecture. Turning Personal Stories Into Authority: How frequent moves, career changes, family experiences, loss, divorce, business transitions, and personal reinvention shaped Samara’s current work. The conversation examines when personal experience becomes a valuable market asset rather than simply a private story. Samara argues that people connect to stories because stories help audiences see themselves inside another person’s experience. A strong creator does not need to reveal every private detail. A personal experience can be adapted, anonymized, reframed, or presented as a client, family, or community example when appropriate. The purpose is not personal exposure for its own sake. The purpose is to make knowledge relatable, memorable, and useful to the audience. Samara also describes how she integrated memoir elements into her business book, “WIN YOUR BRAND: The Unapologetic Playbook for Becoming Iconic”. Her personal stories support the larger lessons about branding, resilience, visibility, relationships, and authority. When the Brand Leaves the Screen: Why in-person events, retreats, masterminds, workshops, intimate gatherings, and community experiences may become more important as digital content becomes more abundant. Large conferences can provide scale and visibility, but smaller events can create stronger relationships. A person may speak to thousands of people from a major stage but only build genuine relationships with a smaller number through meals, conversations, workshops, shared activities, informal gatherings, and follow-up. Samara believes the market is moving toward more intimate experiences where participants can meet one another, build trust, share knowledge, and form partnerships. The most valuable part of an event may happen over coffee, dinner, a walk, a workout, a shared hotel stay, or a conversation after the scheduled programming has ended. Those interactions can create referrals, clients, collaborations, partnerships, friendships, and long-term business value. Creating Immersive Virtual Experiences: Not every creator or audience member can travel. Storytelling, visual design, direct eye contact, shared activities, gifts, music, food, demonstrations, physical materials, and guided participation can make virtual experiences more engaging. A virtual event cannot fully replicate physical presence, but it can be designed to foster stronger emotional engagement. Storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools. When a creator describes a setting, emotion, challenge, sound, physical feeling, or moment in detail, the audience can begin to experience that story even when they are not physically present. Samara supports the use of AI for research, workflow automation, idea development, organization, operational support, and production assistance. But warn against using AI in ways that create a false impression or weaken the audience’s confidence in the creator, thereby breaking trust. Rob discusses his decision to label The New Media Show as human-hosted and his earlier consideration of creating an AI-generated co-host or clone. They explore how synthetic voices, avatars, cloned appearances, generated scripts, and automated media could become increasingly difficult to distinguish from human-created work. The risk is not simply that AI content exists. The larger risk is that an audience believes it is interacting with a real person and later discovers that it was misled.  Transparency, consent, rights, voice protection, likeness protection, and responsible disclosure will become more important as these technologies improve. Many of these tools remain inconsistent. They may produce images that do not resemble the person, use generic language, miss the creator’s personality, or create more work rather than saving time. Samara advises creators not to purchase every new tool simply because an early price or lifetime deal appears attractive. The AI marketplace is crowded, and many products have not yet reached a reliable level of quality. Creators should begin with a clear problem, test the technology, measure the result, and determine whether the tool actually improves the work. Professional photography, original video, custom design, trusted partners, and human creative judgment continue to matter. Content Repurposing Versus New Content: The conversation also explores the tension between repurposing existing material and creating new content for specific platforms. AI can help extract clips, rewrite posts, summarize interviews, search archives, and transform old material into different formats. But audiences and platforms may still respond more strongly to content created for the current moment. Samara explains that her social media team encouraged her to reduce some repurposing and create more original, audience-directed content. The larger lesson is that efficiency should not replace relevance. Creators need a balance between extending the value of existing work and continuing to produce fresh ideas, stories, and perspectives. Relationships Are the Long-Term Advantage: The episode returns repeatedly to the value of relationships. Platforms, algorithms, content formats, AI systems, and business models will continue changing. A creator’s strongest long-term assets may be credibility, relationships, reputation, trust, lived experience, professional network, and the ability to create meaningful human connection. AI can help operate the systems behind a business. AI can automate repetitive tasks, support follow-up, organize information, and free up more time. Samara’s argument is that creators should use some of that saved time to be with people, attend events, build relationships, have conversations, and create experiences that technology cannot easily reproduce. Discussion Highlights – Why attention alone does not create trust or authority – How immersive experiences engage memory and emotion – Using all five senses in events, books, media, and brand experiences – Samara’s three Cs of trust: credibility, confidence, and congruence – The difference between omnipresence and unstructured content publishing – Why creators need a clear personal-brand strategy – When a separate business brand is necessary – Turning lived experience into relatable authority – Using storytelling without exposing every part of private life – Why smaller, intimate events can create deeper relationships – Making virtual experiences more engaging and memorable – The value of books, speaking, PR, awards, podcasts, and media appearances – Balancing content repurposing with original platform-specific work – Using AI for research, automation, ideas, and workflow support – The limits of AI avatars, generated imagery, and creator clones – Protecting voice, likeness, intellectual property, and reputation – Why professional photography and original creative assets still matter – The importance of transparency when using AI – Using AI to create more time for real human relationships – Why networking after an event may be more valuable than the formal sessions – The movement toward smaller retreats, workshops, summits, and masterminds – Building a legacy while still being able to experience it Chapter Markers: 00:42 Why creator brands need more than content 02:22 Introducing Samara Beth Hurley 04:00 How experiences engage the five senses 05:20 Reverse-engineering events around audience outcomes 06:23 Building connection in person and virtually 08:47 Audience attention, energy, and human presence 09:32 Omnipresence across platforms and media 11:25 Samara’s three Cs of trust 12:06 Building confidence through repetition 13:28 Congruence and consistency across a brand 14:25 Turning personal history into a relevant story 16:20 Content overload and the need for strategy 18:48 Why creators need a personal-brand strategy 20:11 Building a legacy while living it 21:06 Personal brands versus business brands 22:01 Separating private life from professional content 24:05 Executive transitions and second-act personal brands 25:50 Recession-proofing a business 26:32 The growing trust recession 27:54 What an immersive brand means today 29:25 Creating immersive retreats, workshops, and masterminds 30:31 Bringing experiential elements into virtual media 32:04 Storytelling that helps audiences feel present 34:17 Why relatable content performs 35:52 Using memoir and personal experience in a business book 37:20 Turning stories into business and brand value 38:29 Building trust through partners and vendors 39:52 Using AI to help shape stories and scripts 41:04 The difficulty of making AI speech feel human 41:55 Human-hosted media and the future of creator clones 44:04 Content scraping, archives, and AI repurposing 45:14 When repurposed content stops performing 46:12 Problems with AI-generated images and avatars 47:20 Why creators should stop buying every new AI tool 48:21 The coming AI platform shakeout 50:37 How established brands survive technology shifts 51:14 How creators should use AI today 52:15 AI for research, editing, and practical support 53:04 Why professional photos and original assets still matter 54:00 AI, copyright, likeness, and intellectual property 55:44 Using AI without replacing the creator 57:04 Transparency and disclosure 58:24 Adapting without losing human credibility 59:21 Trust must be earned 01:00:01 Why intimate events are returning 01:02:01 Relationship building versus event scale 01:03:23 Why smaller gatherings can be more memorable 01:04:42 Samara’s future television and media plans 01:06:05 AI can create more time for human connection 01:07:05 Why the best networking happens after the event 01:08:41 Using automation to support real relationships 01:09:06 Responsible AI and protecting audience trust 01:10:03 Why Rob chose not to create an AI co-host 01:11:01 Avoiding deception with synthetic media 01:12:18 Where to find Samara Beth Hurley 01:13:05 “WIN YOUR BRAND” and Samara’s audiobook plans About the Guest: Samara Beth Hurley, professionally known as Samara Beth, is the founder and CEO of Samara Beth & Co. She is an experiential branding strategist, event producer, speaker, author, business coach, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience across events, public relations, branding, marketing, publishing, community building, and business development. Her work focuses on helping entrepreneurs, executives, authors, speakers, and creators turn expertise and personal stories into immersive brands that operate consistently online and offline. Samara is the author of “WIN YOUR BRAND: The Unapologetic Playbook for Becoming Iconic”, a combination of personal storytelling, branding strategy, resilience, and practical frameworks for building a memorable brand. Samara Beth & Co. https://samarabethandco.com Samara Beth Personal Website https://samarabeth.com WIN YOUR BRAND: The Unapologetic Playbook for Becoming Iconic https://brands.samarabethandco.com/winyourbrandbook Samara Beth Hurley on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarahurley Samara Beth & Co. on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samarabethandco About the Host: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, Chair of the Podcast Hall of Fame, and a longtime new-media executive, creator, strategist, and industry leader.  He is the founder of Trust Factor Lab. The New Media Show https://newmediashow.com The New Media Show on YouTube https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee on YouTube https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame https://podcasthall.com AI Disclosure AI tools were used to create a video and audio introduction clip, episode images, help organize and edit this episode and its description, and create chapter markers from the completed Episode 679 transcript. The recorded conversation, human performances, guest perspectives, editorial direction, final review, and responsibility for the published content remain with actual human Rob Greenlee and Samara Beth Hurley.The post IRL Experiences Build Trust and Authority | Samara Beth Hurley #679 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 678 of the New Media Show, host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Barry Kantz, CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting, for a candid conversation about Blubrry’s leadership transition, the legacy of (RIP) former CEO Todd Cochrane, independent podcasting, video, artificial intelligence, monetization, measurement, human support, and the changing podcast-hosting market. For more than 20 years, Blubrry and its parent company, RawVoice, have helped build and support the open podcast ecosystem. The sudden passing of Blubrry founder and longtime New Media Show co-host Todd Cochrane forced the company, its team, and Todd’s family to navigate an unexpected personal and business transition. Barry explains how Blubrry responded, how leadership responsibilities shifted, and how his management approach differs from Todd’s hard-charging entrepreneurial style. Barry is bringing a more data-driven and systems-focused approach while trusting Blubrry’s experienced remote team to carry the company forward. The conversation also examines how podcasting itself is changing. Audio remains central to the medium, but video has become part of how audiences define and experience podcasts. Rob and Barry discuss YouTube discovery, the overlap between watching and listening, short-form clips, RSS distribution, Apple’s HLS video support, alternative enclosures, Podcasting 2.0, and Blubrry’s Vid2Pod tool for turning YouTube videos into audio podcast episodes. Barry also shares an update on Blubrry’s HLS video development and discusses the company’s new lower-priced starter plan introduced around the time of the recording. Artificial intelligence is another major part of Blubrry’s next chapter. Barry explains how he uses Claude as a daily assistant for analytics, automation, research, and company operations. Barry sees AI as a way to make podcast creation and management easier, especially for creators who may not have extensive technical experience. At the same time, Blubrry’s larger goal is to use technology to support human expression rather than replace the human connection that gives podcasting its value. Rob and Barry discuss low-effort AI-generated content, synthetic media, voice cloning, the limitations of automated clipping tools, and the growing need to distinguish human-hosted shows from fully automated productions. The discussion then moves into monetization and the opportunities still available to independent creators. Barry argues that smaller shows can create meaningful business value when they serve a clearly defined audience and develop strong relationships with listeners. Creators do not necessarily need millions of downloads. A focused show with several hundred deeply engaged listeners can provide valuable access to a professional, geographic, or consumer community. Barry also reflects on Blubrry’s early work with host-read advertising and Todd Cochrane’s long-running sponsorship relationship with GoDaddy as examples of how trust, consistency, niche relevance, and audience connection can create durable advertiser value. Rob and Barry also examine the challenge of measuring audio and video under a common standard. HLS video, progressive audio downloads, platform-controlled playback, and various delivery methods complicate the determination of what should count as a verified play. The discussion explores why common measurement matters to advertisers and why the industry may need different technical approaches for audio and video consumption. The episode closes with a broader look at the increasingly competitive podcast-hosting market. Hosting, storage, and delivery have become commodities. The competitive difference now comes from the tools, services, support, analytics, workflows, distribution options, and human expertise built around the infrastructure. For Blubrry, that includes PowerPress, WordPress integration, video support, Vid2Pod, Podcasting 2.0 features, AI-assisted workflows, monetization options, analytics, and access to experienced human support. Both reflect on the legacy Todd Cochrane helped create and provide a detailed look at how Blubrry plans to move forward in a media environment shaped by audio, video, AI, open distribution, creator ownership, and changing audience expectations. Key Discussion Topics: – Blubrry’s transition following Todd Cochrane’s passing – Barry Kantz’s leadership and management approach – How the Blubrry team responded to sudden change – Todd’s influence on podcasting and the open ecosystem – The evolving definition of a podcast – Audience movement between watching and listening – YouTube discovery and short-form video – Blubrry’s Vid2Pod technology – Apple HLS video support – RSS, alternative enclosures, and Podcasting 2.0 – Blubrry’s lower-priced starter plan – AI-assisted podcast production and operations – Human-hosted media versus automated content – Voice cloning, authenticity, and audience trust – Monetization for independent and niche creators – Host-read advertising and direct sponsorships – Measuring audio and video consumption – Podcast hosting as a commodity – PowerPress and the continuing role of WordPress – Human customer support as a competitive advantage – The future of independent podcasting Chapter Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 678 00:44 Blubrry’s role in the open podcast ecosystem 02:03 Introducing Barry Kantz, CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting 03:31 The sudden loss of former co-founder/CEO of Blubrry, Todd Cochrane 05:22 How the Blubrry team responded 06:29 Barry’s leadership style compared with Todd’s 08:17 Bringing data and operational systems into the company 09:57 How Todd might view today’s podcast market 11:11 Video becomes part of podcasting 13:20 Blubrry’s Vid2Pod product 14:46 Barry’s transition from CFO to CEO 18:14 The opportunity for independent creators 20:00 Who now defines what a podcast is? 21:07 Audiences move between watching and listening 23:24 YouTube discovery and the importance of Shorts 24:55 The limitations of AI-generated clips 26:20 Blubrry’s Apple HLS video rollout 28:12 Blubrry introduces a lower-priced starter plan 29:08 Alternative enclosures and Podcasting 2.0 30:34 Barry’s use of Claude as an AI assistant 32:02 Supporting human creators while limiting AI slop 33:20 Voice cloning and the challenge of replicating humanity 36:18 Blubrry’s philosophy on podcast monetization 37:30 How niche shows can attract direct sponsors 39:27 Managing expectations for new podcasters 43:16 Measuring HLS video and audio downloads 46:45 New competition in podcast hosting 47:36 Why hosting has become a commodity 50:45 Product focus, acquisitions, and platform complexity 52:01 WordPress, PowerPress, and AI-assisted websites 55:00 Blubrry’s commitment to human customer support 57:31 Closing thoughts on Blubrry’s future About the Guest: Barry Kantz is CEO and CFO of Blubrry Podcasting and one of the original founders of its parent company, RawVoice. Barry has produced podcasts since 2005 and has worked with Blubrry throughout its more than 20-year history. His responsibilities have included company finance, legal affairs, human resources, analytics, operations, and business leadership. Following the passing of Blubrry founder Todd Cochrane, Barry stepped into the company’s primary leadership role. He is now guiding Blubrry through its next chapter as podcasting expands across audio, video, artificial intelligence, open RSS distribution, WordPress, and creator-led media. Blubrry Podcasting https://blubrry.com Blubrry Leadership and Company Information https://blubrry.com/about Barry Kantz on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kantzb Blubrry Podcast Insider https://blubrry.com/podcast-insider About the Host: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, Chair of the Podcast Hall of Fame, and a longtime new-media executive, creator, strategist, and industry leader. He is the co-founder and current host of The New Media Show and the founder of Trust Factor Lab. Rob has worked across podcasting, radio, digital media, audio, video, creator platforms, partnerships, distribution, monetization, and emerging AI-assisted media for more than 26 years. His previous leadership roles include Microsoft, PodcastOne, Spreaker, and Libsyn, where he helped shape the growth of podcasting, distribution platforms, creator partnerships, and digital audio. Through The New Media Show, Rob explores how podcasting fits inside the larger new-media ecosystem, including video, livestreaming, artificial intelligence, platforms, audience ownership, intellectual property, advertising, trust, and sustainable creator businesses. New Media Show https://newmediashow.com The New Media Show on YouTube https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee on YouTube https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame https://podcasthall.com AI Disclosure: AI tools were used to help organize and edit this episode description and create chapter markers from the completed episode transcript. The editorial direction, final review, industry perspective, and responsibility for the published content remain with Rob Greenlee. This description reflects the substance of the recorded conversation between Barry Kantz and Rob Greenlee.The post Blubrry’s Next Chapter | Barry Kantz, CEO/CFO #678 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode #676 of the New Media Show, host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Steve Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer at Daylight Media and QCODE, for a wide-ranging conversation about the shift from producing a successful podcast to building a sustainable creator-led media company. Creators no longer operate in a simple world of publishing one show to ONE place and relying mainly on advertising. The strongest creators are building direct relationships with audiences across podcasts, video, short-form clips, newsletters, communities, subscriptions, live events, products, and services. Podcasting remains one of the most effective long-form formats for building trust and repeated audience connection. It is now one part of a larger media strategy shaped by video distribution, platform algorithms, artificial intelligence, audience ownership, and the growing power of individual personalities. Steve brings a valuable perspective to this discussion. Before joining QCODE, he spent years working with Apple Podcasts and iTunes. At QCODE, he helped develop and distribute premium scripted audio series featuring talent including Matthew McConaughey, Demi Moore, and Rami Malek. QCODE has since expanded through Daylight Media, which provides distribution, monetization, technology, marketing, and business support for a broader network of creators. Daylight currently works with roughly 70 creators and shows representing approximately 300 million monthly audio downloads and video views. Across that network, video now accounts for a significant share of consumption, although the balance between audio and video differs considerably from show to show. That difference is important. Some creators have audiences that strongly favor YouTube and Spotify video. Other shows continue to perform primarily through audio. For some programs, video may be valuable mainly as a discovery and social marketing layer rather than as the central product. Steve argues that creators should evaluate their format, audience, resources, and business goals before committing to a major video expansion. Rob and Steve discuss Apple’s HLS video support and why it may become an important addition to the podcast distribution ecosystem. HLS can give creators greater flexibility in delivering video while maintaining many of the ownership and control principles associated with RSS. The larger issue is whether creators retain access to their audience data, revenue information, advertising options, and the ability to move their shows between services. The conversation also examines what makes a show work in both audio and video. A strong video presentation may include thoughtful set design, lighting, visual storytelling, archival material, graphics, and physical objects that add context. The underlying audio still needs to stand on its own. Listeners should not feel as though they are receiving an incomplete version of a show because they cannot see what is happening on screen. Steve points to television, documentary production, and the work of filmmakers such as Ken Burns as useful references. A show can begin with excellent audio storytelling and add visuals that deepen the experience without making the audio audience feel secondary. There are also cases where the audio and video products should remain different. Scripted fiction uses sound to create a theater of the mind, allowing listeners to imagine the world and its characters. Turning that same property into a visual production may require a separate creative and business decision rather than a simple video version of the podcast. We also explore the potential for long-form content on Instagram, the renewed interest in vertical video, and the growing market for microdramas. They also revisit Quibi and consider whether some earlier media ideas failed because the technology, audience behavior, or distribution environment was not yet ready for them. The discussion then turns to one of the most important distinctions between podcasting and YouTube. YouTube can generate large spikes around individual videos, but performance may vary widely from episode to episode. Traditional RSS-based podcast audiences are often more consistent. That stability can make an audio podcast especially valuable to advertisers because future episode delivery and revenue are easier to forecast. YouTube is highly effective for discovery. Podcast feeds are often stronger at developing recurring habits around a series. Successful media companies will increasingly need to understand the value of both. Catalog discovery is another major opportunity. Podcasts and long-form videos can remain useful for years, but most platforms continue to prioritize newly released material. Steve argues that the industry needs better ways to help audiences find relevant episodes from existing catalogs based on subject, location, interest, and current context. Daylight recently acquired Podcast Review, a long-running editorial publication focused on podcast reviews, interviews, recommendations, and lists. Steve sees independent editorial guidance as an important part of helping audiences find strong shows beyond what algorithms automatically recommend. Podcast Review continues to publish consumer-focused coverage while operating as a Daylight Media property with stated editorial standards and disclosures.  Rob and Steve discuss whether the audience now has more influence over what qualifies as a podcast. Listeners and viewers increasingly use the word to describe a style of recurring, personality-led media rather than a specific technical delivery method. Steve is less concerned with rigid format definitions. He compares the current debate to earlier questions about whether a streaming series released all at once should still be called television. Distribution formats change. Audience behavior changes. The most useful question is whether the content delivers the experience people expect from the show. The second half of the episode focuses on creators becoming media companies. Daylight works with creators at different stages, from established personalities such as Jon Stewart to growing shows entering advertising for the first time. Some partners need only ad sales support. Others are developing subscriptions, merchandise, tours, live events, networks, and additional shows. Steve describes Daylight as an infrastructure layer that often works behind the scenes. The goal is to help the creator’s brand remain visible while providing the operational systems needed to grow. Daylight was launched as an expansion of QCODE’s creator-support work, with services covering distribution, audience development, marketing, technology, products, and monetization.  Creator-first structure differs from an older media model in which the studio or network brand often controlled the relationship between talent and audience. Steve believes the next era will give creators more leverage, flexibility, and ownership. The companies that support them will need to prove their value without taking over the show’s identity. Artificial intelligence is already affecting that work, although adoption varies widely. Some creators are using AI for research, transcription, artwork, editing, and production support. Others remain strongly opposed to it. Steve does not see the choice as a complete acceptance or rejection of AI. Each use case needs to be evaluated separately. Voice dubbing may help a creator correct a short line without having to re-record an entire session. Transcription can reduce production time. Synthetic performances or undisclosed manipulation may violate the audience’s expectations and trust. Both agree that growing volumes of synthetic content may also increase the value of live, in-person, and clearly human experiences.  Podcast tours, creator conferences, community gatherings, retreats, and interactive events allow audiences to participate in ways that digital platforms cannot fully reproduce. The opportunity may extend beyond recording a regular episode on stage. Future creator events could include audience conversations, workshops, performances, shared activities, and experiences built around a particular community or interest. This episode offers a clear view of where creator media is heading. A show can remain the center of the relationship, but the greater opportunity lies in building a flexible media business around the audience, protecting creator ownership, and selecting formats that serve the content rather than following every platform trend. Topics Covered in This Episode – Why successful creators are becoming media companies – QCODE’s expansion into Daylight Media – Audio and video consumption across the Daylight network – Apple HLS video and creator-controlled distribution – Why every show needs a different audio and video strategy – Set design and visual storytelling for video shows – Preserving a complete experience for audio listeners – Scripted fiction, video adaptations, and intellectual property – Instagram, vertical video, and microdramas – YouTube discovery compared with RSS audience stability – Evergreen content and podcast-catalog discovery – Apple Podcasts editorial discovery – Daylight Media’s acquisition of Podcast Review – Whether audiences now define what a podcast is – Revenue beyond advertising – Subscriptions, merchandise, networks, touring, and events – Daylight as a behind-the-scenes creator infrastructure company – RSS, APIs, alternate enclosures, and platform control – Creator access to audience and revenue data – AI production tools and audience trust – The growing value of live and human experiences Chapter Time Stamp Markers: 00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 676 00:36 Creators are building full media businesses 02:24 Introducing Steve Wilson of Daylight Media and QCODE 03:05 How QCODE expanded into Daylight Media 04:23 From premium audio fiction to a creator network 05:16 Video now drives much of the network’s consumption 05:59 Apple HLS video and creator flexibility 08:27 Why there is no single audio-video strategy 09:03 What makes a show work in video? 10:44 Keeping audio listeners at the center 12:09 Higher production values and video set design 14:34 Theater of the mind and the value of audio 15:37 Short-form video and social-first podcasts 16:00 Could Instagram become a long-form video platform? 17:33 Microdramas, vertical storytelling, and the Quibi lesson 18:27 Audio-first creators and video anxiety 19:24 YouTube volatility compared with RSS stability 21:01 Tentpole episodes, long-form content, and audience habits 22:10 Evergreen catalog discovery 23:26 Apple Podcasts editorial discovery 25:00 Daylight Media acquires Podcast Review 25:46 Is the audience taking control of media definitions? 27:52 Does the technical definition of a podcast still matter? 31:03 Moving from a show to a media company 32:14 Daylight’s creator network and growth spectrum 32:54 Subscriptions, merchandise, tours, and new revenue 33:35 Daylight as a creator infrastructure layer 34:07 Why Daylight works behind the scenes 36:12 The future of video distribution and RSS 37:17 Alternate enclosures and location-based discovery 38:24 Creator ownership beyond RSS purity 39:59 Audio ads, video ads, platforms, and advertiser results 41:07 Independent creators gain more media power 42:07 How creators are using AI 43:02 Where AI can damage audience trust 45:05 AI voice dubbing and practical production uses 45:34 The return of live and human experiences 47:18 Podcast tours, conferences, and creator communities 49:18 Building more interactive creator events 50:51 Final thoughts on Daylight Media and QCODE 51:31 Where to find Daylight and QCODE shows 52:44 End of episode Guest Links: Steve Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer, Daylight Media and QCODE Daylight Media: https://daylightmedia.com QCODE Media: https://qcodemedia.com Podcast Review: https://podcastreview.org Steve Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenwilson7 Steve Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonomics Steve Wilson is currently Chief Strategy Officer at Daylight Media, with his work continuing across the QCODE and Daylight organizations. Host, Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com About Trust Factor Lab Trust Factor Lab helps creators, media leaders, executives, and brands build stronger audience trust across AI, video, podcasts, and creator-led media. Founded by Rob Greenlee, it focuses on content strategy, authority development, media positioning, AI transparency, audience growth, and business outcomes built through credibility. AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode description and create chapter markers from the episode transcript. The editorial direction, final review, industry perspective, and responsibility for the published content remain mine. The discussion reflects the views expressed by my guest and me during the recorded conversation.The post Creators Become Media | Steve Wilson, Daylight Media and QCODE #676 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 675 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee welcomes Cameron Stack, founder and curator of Recognized.fm, for a conversation about podcast awards, creator credibility, industry recognition, and the growing business behind awards, nominations, platform distinctions, editorial selections, and career honors. Podcast awards can be easy to dismiss as another trophy or promotional exercise. Credible recognition can have a much larger impact on a creator, a show, a network, or a media company. An award nomination or win can strengthen a media kit, support sponsor conversations, attract better guests, generate press coverage, and give prospective listeners another reason to take a show seriously. The difficult part is deciding which awards deserve the investment. Podcasting now has a wide recognition ecosystem that includes juried competitions, audience-voted awards, editorial selections, regional programs, platform honors, niche-category awards, professional distinctions, and lifetime-achievement recognition such as the Podcast Hall of Fame. Cameron created Recognized.fm to organize this expanding market and help creators understand their options. Recognized currently tracks more than 100 audio and podcast awards, with information that can be filtered by factors such as geographic scope, entry fees, voting format, and prestige.  They discuss why creators should begin with a clear objective before paying to submit. A widely known international award may bring general visibility, while a smaller award focused on a creator’s profession, region, language, or subject category may carry more influence with the people they most want to reach. Example 1: A medical podcast may receive greater credibility in healthcare than from a broad entertainment competition. Example 2: A true-crime show may benefit more from an award respected by that community than from competing across every podcast genre. Submission fees also need to be considered. Independent creators may only have the budget to enter one or two competitions, while networks and larger publishers can treat award submissions as part of a broader marketing strategy. Cameron explains why creators should compare costs against potential returns in visibility, authority, business development, audience growth, and professional validation. The judging process matters just as much as the entry fee. Creators should understand who operates the award, how judges are selected, what criteria are used, whether the process is transparent, and how much weight the recognition will carry with the intended audience. Every award has its own purpose and incentives. Some are selected by industry juries. Others rely on fan voting, editorial judgment, platform data, or a combination of methods. Recognized.fm is building a clearer taxonomy so creators can understand those differences before committing their time and money.  Awards also function as social proof. Audiences already use ratings, reviews, trailers, artwork, recommendations, and visible audience activity to decide whether a show deserves attention. A respected award or nomination adds another outside signal that the work has been evaluated and recognized. The recognition can strengthen sponsor decks, improve outreach to potential guests, support speaking opportunities, and help creators position themselves as credible voices within a category. The impact can continue long after the ceremony, as recognition becomes part of the creator’s biography, website, introductions, and business materials. We also explore the larger “recognition economy”. Awards are one part of an industry that includes trophy manufacturers, submission platforms, consultants, event producers, sponsors, judging systems, media organizations, and the businesses that support professional recognition. As creator-led media grows, new awards will continue to emerge around podcasts, YouTube shows, livestreaming, newsletters, social video, and other online formats. Established awards will also need to adapt as audiences and media habits change. Artificial intelligence will bring another layer of change. Cameron expects AI-related categories and dedicated AI awards to emerge as organizations seek ways to recognize new forms of production and technological achievement. Rob raises the trust questions that will accompany that shift, especially when established human-centered awards begin considering synthetic or substantially AI-generated work. The episode closes with a look at the physical trophies themselves. Cameron shares examples from the Webbys, Signal Awards, iHeartPodcast Awards, international design competitions, and other recognition programs. A memorable trophy can become a visible symbol of the award and extend its value through videos, studio sets, social posts, and public appearances. For creators, producers, networks, and media companies, Episode 675 provides a practical framework for deciding when awards are worth pursuing, how to evaluate them, and how credible recognition can support broader media and business strategies. Topics Covered in This Episode * Why credible podcast recognition matters * Cameron Stack’s background in podcast production * The development of Recognized.fm * Juried, fan-voted, editorial, regional, and platform awards * How creators should decide which awards to enter * Submission fees and potential return on investment * Broad awards compared with niche recognition * Awards as social proof for listeners and sponsors * Strengthening media kits and guest outreach * Podcast Hall of Fame and career recognition * Judging standards, transparency, and organizational bias * The larger recognition economy * AI-generated content and future award categories * Creator-native awards and legacy media ceremonies * Why memorable trophy design matters Chapter Time Stamp Markers: 00:00 Why podcast awards and recognition matter 02:05 Cameron Stack and the origin of Recognized.fm 04:08 Recognition expands beyond traditional podcast awards 05:47 Building a comprehensive guide to audio awards 07:34 Should every creator submit to awards? 10:23 The full podcast recognition ecosystem 11:56 What creators gain from recognition 13:33 Broad awards compared with niche awards 15:00 Editorial selections and platform recognition 17:16 Awards as credibility and social proof 19:03 Measuring the return from an award 21:39 Mapping the taxonomy of podcast awards 24:52 Inside the Recognized.fm platform 26:03 Events, jobs, and recognition-industry resources 28:09 Future award discovery and submission tools 29:54 Niche communities and the demand for recognition 31:52 Judging standards, transparency, and trust 34:15 Submission fees, bias, and due diligence 38:23 How AI may reshape awards 40:59 AI categories, positioning, and possible backlash 43:22 The growing recognition economy 46:01 Creator-native awards and legacy ceremonies 48:06 Why the physical trophy matters 52:27 The Webbys, Lovie Awards, and digital recognition 53:31 iHeartPodcast Awards and major-industry trophies 54:53 Signal Awards, the Ambies, and podcast trophy design 56:00 Recognized.fm and closing thoughts 58:49 End of episode Guest Links: Cameron Stack, Founder and Curator, Recognized.fm Recognized.fm: https://recognized.fm Podcast Awards Taxonomy: https://recognized.fm/podcast-awards About Recognized: https://recognized.fm/about-recognized Recognized Newsletter: https://recognized.substack.com Cameron Stack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-stack Recognized.fm, curated by Cameron Stack, focuses on making the awards and recognition industry easier to understand and navigate.  Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com About Trust Factor Lab Trust Factor Lab helps creators, media leaders, executives, and brands build stronger audience trust across AI, video, podcasts, and creator-led media. Founded by Rob Greenlee, it focuses on media positioning, content strategy, authority development, AI transparency, audience growth, and trust-centered business outcomes. AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode and its description, then create chapter markers from the episode transcript. The editorial direction, final review, industry perspective, and responsibility for the published content remain mine. The discussion reflects the views expressed by my guest and me during the recorded conversation.The post Why Podcast and Creator Awards Matter | Cameron Stack, Recognized.fm #675 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 674 of the New Media Show, Podcast Hall of Fame Host Rob Greenlee welcomes Rox Codes, CEO and co-founder of Flightcast.com.  For a deep conversation about video-first podcasting, YouTube growth, AI-powered analytics, creator tools, and where podcast publishing is heading next. Rox Codes has spent years building tools for creators, including YouTube optimization, thumbnail and title creation, A/B testing, and creator growth systems. Flightcast was co-founded with Steven Bartlett of The Diary of a CEO. Rox is building a platform centered on a core shift in the market: serious shows are no longer just audio-first with a bonus video version. Many of the fastest-moving creators now think about YouTube first, then audio, clips, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, newsletters, social platforms, and every other surface where the audience may discover the show. Has video-first podcasting fully arrived, and is it now equal to audio, or is it becoming even more important for growth? Rox explains that Flightcast came from a very different starting point than traditional podcast hosting. Instead of beginning with RSS, downloads, and audio workflow, the platform was built from a YouTube creator mindset.  YouTube has long been the clearest growth platform for creators because it combines publishing, discovery, audience development, monetization, and measurable performance into a single system. Podcasting, by contrast, has often separated those pieces across hosting platforms, apps, ad systems, analytics dashboards, and RSS-based distribution. The episode explores why this matters now. A modern show can become a long-form YouTube episode, an audio podcast, Spotify video, Apple video, short-form clips, newsletter content, social posts, community discussion, and brand inventory. Rox describes podcasts as a powerful format because a single strong two-hour conversation can yield many different media assets across multiple platforms. That creates opportunity, but it also creates complexity. They discuss Apple’s HLS video support, Spotify video, YouTube, RSS, 4K video, thumbnails in feeds, Netflix, Roku, FAST channels, Prime Video, and the growing need for creators to publish into more places without needing to understand every technical layer underneath. Rox argues that creators should not have to care about acronyms like HLS, VAST, RSS, or 301 redirects unless the technology directly affects their business. The software should handle the complexity so creators can focus on the show, the audience, and the growth strategy. A major theme of the episode is that video success is not just about uploading an MP4 file. Rox makes a strong case that the real shift is in mindset. On YouTube, titles, thumbnails, intros, pacing, retention, curiosity gaps, promise, progress, payoff, packaging, and audience behavior all matter. Podcasting has historically treated episode art and titles as secondary. YouTube treats them as the front door to the content. Rob and Rox spend significant time on thumbnails and titles, including why creators need to understand the psychology behind a click without reducing the work to empty clickbait. Rox explains that a thumbnail should create a question the viewer wants answered, while the episode itself must deliver enough value to earn attention and retention. The best creators do not copy blindly. They study what works, understand why it works, and apply that structure in their own voice, to their audience, and through their creative point of view. The conversation also moves into AI. Rox does not describe Flightcast as an AI-first platform, but AI is an important layer inside the system. He sees major value in AI analytics, back-catalog analysis, clip testing, title suggestions, descriptions, chapters, transcripts, and pattern recognition. His larger ambition is to bake more of the YouTube strategist and producer mindset directly into the software so creators can see what is working, what is not working, and where new growth opportunities may exist. Rob and Rox also discuss monetization. As video moves deeper into podcast platforms, host-read ads, dynamic ad insertion, video ad formats, brand partnerships, affiliate models, and creator-controlled advertising may begin to converge. Rox explains Flightcast’s ability to support programmatic, dynamic sponsorships and bring-your-own-programmatic monetization, while keeping the platform focused on growth and creator support rather than solely on ad sales. The episode closes with a look at the future of podcast hosting itself. Rox argues that basic hosting has become a commodity. The next layer is growth, analytics, experimentation, distribution, monetization support, and creator intelligence. In a world where AI can make software easier to build and copy, the real advantage may come from insight, speed, taste, data interpretation, and the ability to help serious creators make better decisions faster. For creators, publishers, networks, and podcast platforms, Episode 674 is a clear look at the next stage of podcasting: video-first, data-aware, AI-supported, YouTube-influenced, and increasingly built around shows that can travel everywhere. Chapter Topic Time Stamp Markers: 00:00 Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 674 00:19 Has video-first podcasting arrived? 01:21 Introducing Rox Codes and Flightcast 02:32 Building tools for YouTubers before podcasting 03:18 Why podcast hosting needed a YouTube-first mindset 04:13 Building the Flightcast playbook around video-first shows 05:31 Bringing the Diary of a CEO playbook into software 06:54 Can a platform support data-driven production? 08:27 AI, automation, and the future of show creation 09:13 LLMs and AI tools in creator workflows 10:23 AI as a podcast data consultant 11:19 Publishing, analytics, and experimentation 13:41 Could Flightcast become a creator operating system? 14:17 Podcasts as long-form source material for every platform 16:39 Is YouTube success the strongest growth signal? 17:19 Growth, retention, and why YouTube has the advantage 19:44 Going from YouTube to audio vs audio to video 20:49 Who Flightcast is built for 21:28 Apple HLS, Spotify video, and platform complexity 22:21 Can Apple or Spotify compete with YouTube video? 23:43 Video as human connection 24:24 Apple Podcasts video and the return of native video distribution 25:51 Netflix, podcasts, and low-cost creator TV 27:22 Why creator video can work across phone, laptop, car, and TV 28:20 Apple TV, 4K, and the quality question 29:16 Why creators should not need to understand HLS or RSS 31:55 The podcast industry still has too much technical friction 33:46 Alternate enclosure, iHeart, HLS, and RSS thumbnails 34:27 Why episode artwork and thumbnails now matter more 35:10 The thumbnail and title are the packaging 37:14 AI thumbnail scoring and creative judgment 38:08 Thumbnail psychology and curiosity gaps 38:52 Retention editing, strong intros, and promise-progress-payoff 40:10 Why better videos can multiply results 41:19 The real workload behind YouTube-quality video 42:37 Legacy media skills vs YouTube creator skills 44:50 Faster testing cycles changed creator media 45:32 Why video can be ten times harder when done right 45:53 How AI can bake strategy into software 47:00 Where Flightcast differs from early-stage creator tools 47:32 YouTube algorithm changes and podcaster anxiety 49:19 HLS, video ads, and creator-controlled ad insertion 50:22 Dynamic ads across YouTube and podcast platforms 51:33 Platform trust and monetization value 52:01 YouTube brand connections and affiliate models 53:18 Right brand, right creator, right price 54:35 360 campaigns, affiliates, and creator investments 57:17 Organic product mentions and brand relationships 58:14 What podcast hosting becomes next 58:46 Hosting as a commodity and growth as the real business 59:37 APIs, AI coding, and software moats 1:00:30 Where is the moat in creator software? 1:01:07 Staying ahead through insight and experimentation 1:03:32 Advanced analytics as the future advantage 1:04:41 Every creator has a different data pattern 1:05:14 MrBeastification, AI, and creator sameness 1:06:10 Outlier analysis and creative inspiration 1:07:15 Why outlier theory works when used correctly 1:08:44 Packaging the topic before recording 1:09:32 Does this conflict with podcasting culture? 1:11:01 Why data-driven formats do not have to kill creativity 1:12:23 Ryan Trahan and creative twists on proven formats 1:14:17 Packaging as the price of audience attention 1:15:04 Craft, creativity, and changing the playbook 1:16:51 Podcasting’s radio roots and YouTube’s different rules 1:17:27 Flightcast demo: stop guessing what content works 1:18:00 Publishing video everywhere with unified analytics 1:18:51 Measurement standards and the 30-second vs 60-second debate 1:20:21 AI analytics, clips, and test channels 1:21:35 YouTube API limits and thumbnail A/B testing 1:22:51 Flightcast monetization and bring-your-own programmatic 1:23:55 Transcripts, AI titles, descriptions, and chapters 1:24:21 Flightcast pricing and plans 1:25:41 HLS across all plans and video storage differences 1:26:32 Future pricing credits for more clips 1:26:48 Closing thoughts and where to find the episode Guest Links: Rox Codes, CEO and Co-Founder, Flightcast Flightcast: https://flightcast.com Rox Codes Website: https://roxcodes.com Rox Codes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxcodes Rox Codes on X: https://x.com/RoxCodes Rox Codes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChg53qPBdY1FF8gjOlB9zkg Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com Personal / AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode description and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. This article reflects my editorial direction and the substance of the conversation.The post Video-First Podcasting Has Arrived | Rox Codes, Flightcast #674 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 673 of the New Media Show, host 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Casey Adams, founder and CEO of Listener.com and host of The Casey Adams Show, for a timely conversation about how podcasting, video, social content, advertising, and new media measurement are rapidly converging. For more than 20 years, podcasting has relied heavily on RSS feeds, downloads, and audio-first measurement as the foundation of distribution and advertising value. That still matters, but the media environment around it has changed dramatically. Shows now are distributed across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, social video, newsletters, clips, livestreams, and direct audience communities. Audiences may call it all a podcast, even as the industry continues to debate its technical definition. Casey brings a founder, creator, and investor perspective to the discussion. He started podcasting as a teenager, interviewing founders and entrepreneurs, and later built MediaKits.com before moving into podcast analytics with Listener.com. His current work focuses on helping modern publishers understand how a single episode performs across audio, long-form video, short-form clips, newsletters, and social platforms. Rob and Casey explore why the term “podcast” now means different things to different groups. To many longtime industry professionals, podcasting still points back to RSS-based audio distribution. To many younger listeners and viewers, it means a format: a recurring show, often conversational, often video-enabled, and consumed wherever attention already exists. The conversation centers on one of the biggest questions facing podcasting and new media right now: How do you measure the true value of a show when the audience is no longer in one place? Rob and Casey also discuss why the download can no longer carry the entire weight of podcast measurement. A single episode may now generate value through an Apple Podcasts listen, a Spotify stream, a full YouTube view, a YouTube Short, a TikTok clip, a LinkedIn post, an X post, a newsletter mention, and a brand integration that travels across all of those surfaces. Each platform counts activity differently. Each platform has its own audience behavior. That makes reporting, sponsorship value, and campaign analysis more complex. Casey explains Listener.com’s concept of episode clusters: grouping the full set of related content around one episode so publishers and advertisers can see the larger cross-platform reach and performance. Instead of treating the audio file as the entire campaign, an episode cluster recognizes that one conversation can become long-form video, social clips, newsletter content, and multiple ad touchpoints. We also discuss the rising influence of creator-led media companies. Examples like TBPN, Jomboy Media, Substack’s media activity, and venture-backed new media brands show how independent shows and creator-driven networks are increasingly competing with legacy media for attention, trust, and advertiser value. The conversation explores why companies, CEOs, investors, and major brands now seek to control their own narrative through podcasts, owned shows, and trusted media relationships. We also examine the advertising side of this shift. Brands want better campaign reporting, but they also want context. A host-read placement, a social clip, a full video episode, and a newsletter mention should not all be treated the same. Modern publishers need tools that let them demonstrate the full value of their media ecosystem without flattening every metric into a single misleading number. Meaning for creators. Being a podcaster may no longer fully describe the work involved. Modern show builders are becoming media operators. They need to understand production, audience behavior, platform distribution, brand positioning, analytics, content packaging, and trust. The technical meaning of podcasting still matters, but the audience meaning matters just as much now. For creators, networks, agencies, and brands, Episode 673 offers a clear look at the next stage of podcasting: a media business built around trusted shows, distributed everywhere, measured more intelligently, and no longer limited to downloads. Topics Covered in This Episode: 00:33 Why podcast measurement is changing 01:00 Moving beyond the download 01:44 RSS, streaming, and modern distribution challenges 02:42 Introducing Casey Adams of Listener.com 03:37 Casey Adams joins the show 04:17 What Listener.com is trying to solve 05:00 AI-powered analytics for modern podcast publishers 05:41 Casey’s podcasting origin story 06:30 Interviewing Larry King and learning from media legends 07:18 Larry King’s warning about rejecting new media trends 08:04 From MediaKits.com to Listener.com 09:15 Rob’s early podcasting and radio background 10:04 Why the industry struggles with change 11:00 Does Casey still consider himself a podcaster? 12:00 Podcasts as a format, not just a technology 13:10 YouTube, Spotify, and the expanded podcast ecosystem 14:34 Why modern shows must meet audiences where they are 15:37 The audience now defines what a podcast means 16:16 RSS audio vs the broader podcast perception 17:16 Apple HLS and the pressure on RSS 18:17 The industry needs to accept broader podcast usage 19:26 Younger audiences and podcast consumption habits 20:39 Larry King’s quote behind Listener.com 21:25 Why RSS is becoming less visible to creators and audiences 23:21 Respecting podcasting’s roots while accepting change 24:00 The Uber analogy for podcasting’s disruption 25:41 Journalists, creators, and independent media companies 27:49 Creator-led media and the rise of new media brands 28:33 Legacy media relevance is being challenged 30:13 TBPN and the new media company model 31:28 Treating a show like a full media ecosystem 32:36 Year-long sponsorships and category exclusivity 33:49 Why serious creators must think like media companies 35:19 How podcast analytics supports advertiser relationships 36:00 Silicon Valley’s renewed interest in “new media” 37:23 The pandemic pushed legacy media into creator workflows 38:16 Casey introduces the Listener.com platform 39:05 Jomboy Media and creator-led sports coverage 40:00 Episode clusters and cross-platform performance 41:00 Tracking long-form video, audio, and short-form clips 42:18 Episode reports for brands and publishers 43:05 Why every platform metric should be valued differently 44:00 How Listener.com supports campaign reporting 45:00 Aggregating metrics from multiple platforms 46:00 Audio, content, commerce, and newsletter integrations 47:00 Using AI to match clips to episodes 48:00 Listener AI and talking to your podcast data 49:23 Making podcast data easier to understand and share 50:00 Where podcast analytics and AI go next 51:28 AI can guide creators, but execution still wins 52:23 Using AI as a thought partner for content strategy 53:24 Why creators must keep improving their shows 54:47 What drives new media inspiration today? 56:01 Why companies want to control their narrative 57:15 CEOs, podcasts, and trusted long-form conversations 58:22 Substack, owned media, and creator platforms 59:21 New podcast metrics standards and platform conflicts 1:00:35 How different platforms count views and plays 1:02:16 Serving publishers while tracking industry standards 1:03:00 Why brands need better cross-platform campaign reports 1:04:28 Toward better host-read campaign reporting 1:05:14 How platform changes flow into Listener.com data 1:06:00 Why publishers should control their own data 1:07:00 Putting a show’s full value forward 1:08:03 Brand, trust, and modern podcast IP 1:09:34 OpenAI, TBPN, and strategic media investment 1:10:32 Why TBPN brought sponsors back 1:11:11 How media brands can help shift company narratives 1:12:15 New media as a strategic communications layer 1:14:00 Lessons from AI-generated podcast network messaging 1:14:46 The risk of platform influence after acquisition 1:16:00 Why the TBPN deal was more than a podcast deal 1:16:39 Will more companies buy or build media brands? 1:17:40 HubSpot, distribution, and trusted voices 1:18:08 Why creators must stay honest with audiences 1:19:40 Authenticity and audience trust in sponsorships 1:20:05 Casey’s closing thoughts on podcasting and new media 1:20:34 Rob’s closing view on podcasting as one lane in new media 1:21:41 How publishers can work with Listener.com 1:22:43 Networks, independent shows, and Listener.com’s go-to-market 1:23:56 Closing remarks and where to find the show Guest Links: Casey Adams, Founder and CEO, Listener.com Listener.com: https://listener.com Casey Adams Show & Website: https://www.caseyadams.com The Casey Adams Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-casey-adams-show/id1328795944 Casey Adams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-adams-430b3114a/ Casey Adams on X: https://x.com/CaseyAdams Casey Adams on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casey/ Host: Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com Personal / AI Disclosure Note I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode description and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. This article reflects my editorial direction and the substance of the conversation.The post Podcasting Beyond the Download | Casey Adams, Listener.com #673 first appeared on New Media Show.

In Episode 672 of the New Media Show, host 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee welcomes Leo Laporte, founder and owner of the TWiT Podcast Network, longtime technology broadcaster, and 2015 Podcast Hall of Famer.  He launched TWiT in 2005 and built one of the earliest independent technology media networks around a simple idea: make strong shows, distribute them everywhere the audience wants to watch or listen, and build a real relationship with the people who return every week. Leo has spent decades at the center of the shift from broadcast radio and cable television into online shows, podcasts, livestreams, video, and creator-led media.  This conversation looks at where that model is heading now. The word “podcast” helped define an era of downloadable audio, RSS feeds, and iPods. Today, audiences find shows through YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Netflix, social platforms, livestreams, clips, newsletters, and communities. Most viewers or listeners do not care how a show is technically delivered. They care whether it is easy to find, worth their attention, and made by people they trust. Rob and Leo discuss why the technical barrier to starting a show has fallen so far, while the challenge of creating meaningful content has never gone away. Anyone can publish. Building a show that earns repeat attention takes perspective, consistency, subject knowledge, and a genuine relationship with an audience. Leo reflects on TWiT’s early video strategy, its experiments with live 24/7 programming, and the importance of creating a sense of place around a media brand. Video can deepen audience connection, while audio remains one of the most personal forms of media because it travels with listeners through daily life. The discussion also explores the growing complexity of distribution and measurement. Audio and video are increasingly becoming one media experience, yet advertisers still face fragmented metrics across RSS, YouTube, streaming platforms, and social video. Rob and Leo talk about Apple HLS video, the gap between download metrics and actual consumption, the limitations of existing IAB measurement standards, and why advertiser confidence still often comes down to audience fit and trusted host-read relationships. A strong audience relationship has more long-term value than a number on a dashboard that may not fully reflect who watched, listened, responded, or bought. Leo also shares his view that AI is a major structural technology transition. TWiT has expanded its coverage through Intelligent Machines, looking at AI, robotics, and the impact these tools will have on work, media, and daily life. AI can help creators research, edit, generate visuals, improve production workflows, translate content, and extend the usefulness of existing media. It can also generate massive volumes of generic content, clone voices, and make it harder for audiences to know what is real. Rob and Leo discuss whether clearly identified and certified human-led media may become more valuable as synthetic content becomes harder to distinguish from authentic work. They agree that human perspective, lived experience, spontaneity, and community will continue to matter deeply in a media environment crowded with automated output. The episode closes with a look at the next generation of media habits. Leo points to the rise of short-form scrolling, social video, and new creator business models, while also making the case for long-form conversations and communities that bring people together instead of pushing them further apart. For creators and media companies, the path forward is still clear: build work that people value, meet the audience where they are, stay flexible as platforms change, and create relationships strong enough to survive the next technology shift. Topic Chapter Time Stamp Markers: 00:00 — Welcome to The New Media Show Episode 672 Rob Greenlee introduces Leo Laporte and sets up the episode around online new media, podcasting, video, AI, and where media is heading next. 02:15 — Leo Laporte Joins the Conversation Leo reflects on how long he and Rob have been part of the early era of podcasting and online media. 02:45 — Is It Still New Media? Rob and Leo discuss whether “new media” still works as a term, and why podcasting may now be part of a much larger media category. 03:30 — Why Leo Wanted to Call Podcasts “Netcasts” Leo explains why he resisted the term “podcast” early on and why he still thinks creators are really making shows. 04:35 — Podcasting Beyond the Download The conversation moves into YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, RSS, streaming, and why the audience cares more about access than the delivery format. 05:25 — Be Everywhere the Audience Wants You Leo explains one of TWiT’s core decisions: distribute content wherever listeners and viewers want to consume it. 06:10 — Discovery Is the New Challenge Podcasting is easier to access than ever, but harder to discover because audiences now have millions of choices. 07:35 — Why Starting Is Easy but Building a Show Is Hard Leo explains that technical barriers have fallen, but the real challenge remains content, authenticity, and audience connection. 09:20 — Talent, Audience, and the Return of Media Gatekeeping Rob and Leo discuss whether attention is consolidating again around fewer large creators and channels. 10:25 — Audience Size vs Real Business Value Leo separates building an audience from building a media business and explains why YouTube monetization still requires scale. 11:05 — Radio, Podcasting, and the Early TWiT Model Leo talks about his radio background, his first podcast from 2004, and how broadcasting and podcasting share the same core idea. 12:05 — The Brick House Studio and Legitimacy Leo explains why TWiT built a large studio: to show advertisers and audiences that online media could be a serious media business. 13:05 — Video Was Always Part of the Plan Rob and Leo talk about how TWiT was doing video years before the current “video podcasting” push. 13:40 — Audio Intimacy vs Video Presence Leo explains why radio creates intimacy, while video adds place, presence, and a different kind of audience relationship. 16:05 — TWiT as a Lean-Back Media Network Leo describes his early vision for TWiT as a low-cost version of CNN or CNBC for technology coverage. 17:00 — 24/7 Streaming and Live Community The conversation covers TWiT’s 24/7 stream, live programming, behind-the-scenes feel, and why raw authenticity helped the brand. 18:40 — Why Technology Was the Right Beat Leo explains why covering technology kept TWiT relevant through major shifts from the iPhone to AI. 20:35 — AI as the Next Major Technology Shift Leo compares AI to structural technology changes and explains why he sees it as a major long-term shift. 22:20 — From This Week in Google to Intelligent Machines Leo discusses rebranding a TWiT show around AI and robotics as the center of technology coverage moved. 23:15 — Can AI Create Real Media? Rob asks Leo about AI-generated content, and Leo explains why he still believes humans will remain central to media creation. 24:20 — AI Tools, Voice Cloning, and Advertising Leo talks about using AI tools, ElevenLabs voice cloning, and the potential for AI-generated ad reads. 25:25 — Why Human Spontaneity Still Matters Rob and Leo discuss whether AI clones can capture the same timing, originality, and human presence as real creators. 26:35 — Zune, Apple, Siri, and AI Adoption A lighter segment on Zune leads into Apple’s AI plans and how mainstream users may begin to understand AI’s practical value. 27:45 — AI Backlash, Jobs, and Human Value Rob and Leo discuss AI anxiety, job disruption, retraining, and why people need to understand where their human value lies. 29:30 — Will the Word Podcast Survive? Rob asks whether “podcast” will remain the right term as audiences define the medium more than creators or platforms do. 30:40 — Shows, Creators, and Human Creation Leo argues that “show” may be the better word and reflects on why humans are naturally driven to create. 33:05 — Apple HLS and the Audio-Video Merge Rob and Leo discuss Apple HLS, streaming formats, video RSS, audio RSS, and the shift toward combined audio-video experiences. 37:05 — Measurement Across Audio, Video, and Platforms The conversation turns to the challenge of consistent measurement across RSS, YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other platforms. 38:20 — Host-Read Ads, Video Ads, and Dynamic Insertion Leo explains how TWiT handles baked-in host reads, dynamic ad insertion, and the coming shift toward video ad insertion. 39:10 — The Problem with Podcast Metrics Leo explains why measuring podcast consumption remains messy, especially across corporate networks, mobile listening, and YouTube. 41:10 — Why Attribution Still Falls Short Rob and Leo discuss why promo codes, attribution links, and dashboards do not fully capture real audience behavior. 43:15 — Trust as the Real Advertising Asset Leo explains why TWiT’s value to advertisers comes from trusted hosts, engaged audiences, and long-term sponsor relationships. 45:00 — Podcasting 2.0 and Shared Economic Models Rob introduces the idea of shared value between advertisers, apps, creators, and listeners, and Leo reacts to the concept. 46:15 — Oxford Road, Dan Granger, and New Metrics Rob brings up Dan Granger’s work around new podcast measurement standards and the 30-second vs 60-second listener discussion. 47:35 — Why Creator-Side Metrics Matter Leo explains why he is skeptical of advertiser-driven measurement systems and why inflated podcast numbers damaged trust. 49:15 — Subscriptions, Membership, and Reducing Ad Dependence Leo explains why audience-supported media would be ideal and how TWiT’s paid club fits into the business model. 50:20 — The Art of the Host-Read Ad Rob and Leo discuss why Leo’s long-form host reads worked, including the value of making ads useful and content-like. 52:45 — Where Media Consumption Is Heading Rob asks Leo what may come next in media, and Leo points to short-form scrolling, TikTok, Instagram, and changing audience behavior. 54:00 — Leo’s Son, TikTok, and the Next Generation of Media Leo shares how his son built a major food audience through short-form video and turned it into a restaurant and cookbook business. 55:35 — Long-Form Still Has a Future Leo argues that long-form shows can still matter if they create value, community, and real connection. 56:45 — Community as the Core of Media Leo explains why connection and community remain the most important part of media, no matter how platforms change. 57:30 — The Risk of Doom Scrolling Rob and Leo discuss short-form addiction, dopamine loops, and how constant scrolling can disconnect people from real community. 58:35 — AI Slop and Synthetic Video The discussion moves to AI-generated video content, fantasy media, and the question of whether audiences will tire of low-quality synthetic output. 59:35 — Human Clones, AI Presence, and Authenticity Rob asks whether AI versions of creators could extend their presence, and Leo reflects on voice clones, soul, and human perspective. 1:00:35 — Human-Made Media May Become More Important Rob suggests that labeling human-made content may become more valuable as AI content grows more convincing. 1:01:20 — Remembering Todd Cochrane and Podcast Hall of Fame Rob and Leo reflect on Todd Cochrane, the Podcast Hall of Fame, and the early podcasting community. 1:03:10 — The Hall of Fame, Dave Winer, and Joe Rogan Leo and Rob talk about the Podcast Hall of Fame, Dave Winer, Joe Rogan, and recognizing major contributors to podcasting. 1:04:45 — Closing Thoughts and Where to Find the Show Rob thanks Leo and closes the episode with where to find past episodes and future New Media Show content. Guest Links: Leo Laporte, Founder and Owner, TWiT Podcast Network TWiT Podcast Network: https://twit.tv/ Leo Laporte Website: https://leo.fm/ Leo Laporte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-laporte-8aa224309/ Leo Laporte on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeoLaporte Intelligent Machines: https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines This Week in Tech: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com/ New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/ New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/ AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode, description, and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. This article reflects my editorial direction and the substance of the conversation.The post The Future of Media | Leo Laporte, TWiT.tv #672 first appeared on New Media Show.

Should every use of AI in a podcast, video, or creator workflow be disclosed? A better question is whether AI created the actual substance of what the audience came to hear or watch. On Episode 670 of the New Media Show, Rob Greenlee is joined by Alberto Betella, co-founder of RSS.com and creator of “Should I Disclose AI?“  Is a timely conversation about AI transparency, synthetic media, voice cloning, human trust, and the future of creator-led media. AI is now helping creators edit video, create captions, translate episodes, generate clips, improve workflows, personalize advertising, and accelerate production. But AI can also generate entire shows, clone voices, imitate experts, create deceptive media, and overwhelm platforms with low-effort content. The challenge is not simply whether AI was used. The challenge is understanding when AI use changes what the audience is actually receiving. Alberto shares his practical “Substance Test” framework for AI disclosure. The central idea is simple: if AI created the core performance, information, expertise, or experience that brought the audience to the content, creators should disclose it. But using AI as a supporting production tool does not necessarily mean the entire episode should be labeled as AI-generated. Rob and Alberto explore the difficult gray areas: AI-translated episodes, cloned voices reading human-written scripts, AI-written scripts read by humans, platform auto-labeling, watermarking, creator consent, programmatic advertising, AI search, and the future value of human-made media. They also discuss why disclosure should not be a punishment or a stigma. Transparency can give audiences more context, help platforms manage risk, and allow creators to use AI responsibly without pretending that every use of AI is deceptive or low quality. The bigger question is whether creators can use AI to make better work while still protecting the human trust, judgment, originality, and relationships that make media meaningful. Guest: Alberto Betella: Co-Founder, RSS.com; creator of Should I Disclose AI? Host: Rob Greenlee, 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, New Media Show host, and Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame AI Use Note: This episode includes an AI-assisted opening visual and the show notes based on the transcript. The conversation, editorial direction, and analysis are human-led. Rough Chapter Break Topics: 00:00 Should creators disclose their use of AI? 03:00 Introducing Should I Disclose AI? 06:00 Human imperfection, authenticity, and audience trust 10:00 The difference between AI tools and AI-created substance 15:00 AI translation, cloned voices, and disclosure nuance 22:00 Detection, watermarking, and platform AI labels 26:00 YouTube auto-labeling and the economics of AI content 31:00 Will “human-made” become a premium signal? 33:00 AI-assisted post-production and human creative direction 38:00 Video-first, audio-first, and platform-native content 43:00 Voice cloning, consent, and personalized advertising 47:00 Quality, creator reinvention, and the AI reset 51:00 When AI can create useful new forms of media 56:00 Disclosure without stigma or punishment 57:00 AI search, one-answer systems, and human curation 01:01:00 Prompt literacy, digital likeness, and the future of AI Guest Links: Alberto Betella RSS.com: https://rss.com/ Should I Disclose AI?: https://shouldidisclose.ai/ Alberto Betella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertobetella Should I Disclose AI? on GitHub: https://github.com/albertobeta/shouldidisclose.ai Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website: https://robgreenlee.com/ New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/ New Media Show Audio on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 New Media Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNewMediaShow Rob Greenlee on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/ About the Host/Author: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new-media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots and its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the New Media Show and Spoken Human, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He has held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, Podbean, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Personal / AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this video, episode description, and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. I have been working in podcasting, digital media, and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position and editorial direction.The post What Should Creators Disclose When Using AI? | Alberto Betella, RSS.com #670 first appeared on New Media Show.

In episode 669 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee talks with Rob Walch, VP of Podcaster Relations at Captivate and DAX. Podcast Hall of Famers Rob Walch and Rob Greenlee discuss one of the biggest pressure points facing creators today: Can human creators grow, monetize, and maintain audience trust as platforms fill with AI-generated podcasts, synthetic video, cloned voices, and automated content channels? I apologize for the rough audio in this episode. The audio was choppy in the virtual recording, and I did the best I could to improve it. The conversation begins with a bigger question: Where is the line between useful AI tools and low-effort, fully automated content that weakens trust, damages advertising ROI, and makes it harder for original creators to be discovered and rewarded? AI can help creators research, edit, translate, caption, clip, and distribute their work more efficiently. But the human perspective, real creative judgment, authentic voice, and trusted audience relationship must remain at the center of the content experience. Rob Walch shares updates on Captivate, DAX, and the evolving podcast monetization landscape before diving into the rise of mass-produced AI content and the growing use of the term “AI slop.” Rob Greenlee and Rob Walch discuss why not every use of AI belongs in the same category, why transparency and disclosure matter, and how creators can use AI responsibly without losing the human value that makes their work worth following. They also explore YouTube’s evolving AI-labeling approach, the future of human-generated content, platform responsibility, advertising risks, Apple HLS video, YouTube’s new focus on audio listening, video-versus-audio strategy, and how AI tools may help independent creators manage a rapidly expanding distribution workload. The larger takeaway is that creators do not need to choose between being human and using AI. The opportunity is to use AI as a creative and operational assistant while keeping human thinking, trust, judgment, relationships, and original perspective at the core of the work. 00:00 Welcome to New Media Show #669 01:30 Introducing Rob Walch and His New Role at Captivate 02:30 Captivate Marketplace and Creator Monetization 05:00 What DAX and Global Bring to Podcast Advertising 08:30 What Does “AI Slop” Actually Mean? 11:00 How Mass AI Content Could Hurt Ad ROI and CPMs 13:30 The Scale of AI-Generated Podcast Uploads 16:00 Why AI Use Is Not One-Size-Fits-All 18:00 Bad Human Content vs. Bad AI Content 20:00 Platform Responsibility, Spam, and Fraud 22:00 YouTube AI Labeling and Creator Disclosure 25:00 AI Watermarks, Trust, and Human-Generated Content 28:00 Will Advertisers Prefer Human-Hosted Shows? 30:00 When Creators Should Disclose AI Use 33:00 AI Tools for Research, Editing, Audio Cleanup, and Workflows 36:00 Human Creativity Still Matters 39:00 Platform Discovery, Algorithms, and Audience Signals 44:00 Audio, Video, and YouTube’s Growing Interest in Listening 49:00 Apple HLS Video and the Podcast Monetization Challenge 54:00 Video Production, Baked-In Ads, and Creator Complexity 57:00 Why New Creators Can Still Start Audio-First 01:00:00 AI-Powered Clips, Repurposing, and Distribution 01:03:00 Monetization Risks and Alternatives Beyond Advertising 01:07:00 Podcast Standards, Video Metrics, and IAB Definitions 01:11:00 The Future of Audio, Video, AI, and Trusted Human Creators 01:19:00 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Rob Walch Guest and Host Links Guest: Rob Walch VP of Podcaster Relations, Captivate and DAX Captivate: https://Captivate.fm Global DAX: https://Global.com Podcast411: https://Podcast411.com Host: Rob Greenlee New Media Show: https://NewMediaShow.com Rob Greenlee: https://RobGreenlee.com Trust Factor Lab: https://TrustFactorLab.com Podcast Hall of Fame: https://PodcastHall.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee Booking: https://calendly.com/robgreenlee About the Host/Author: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new-media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots and its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the New Media Show and Spoken Human, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He has held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, Podbean, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Personal / AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode description and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. I have been working in podcasting, digital media, and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position and editorial direction.The post Can Human Creators Still Win in an AI-Flooded Media World? | Rob Walch #669 first appeared on New Media Show.

In episode 668 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee talks with Ollie Forsyth, founder of New Economies and New-Media.co, about the fast-changing meaning of “New Media” and why creator-led media is becoming one of the most important shifts in digital publishing, podcasting, video, newsletters, live streaming, and AI-powered content. The conversation begins with a bigger question: what does “New Media” mean now? For years, the term New Media has described digital media outside traditional broadcast, print, and cable. But in 2026, the meaning is changing again. New Media is becoming less about a format and more about who the audience trusts, where attention is moving, and how creators are building direct relationships through podcasts, YouTube channels, newsletters, X, Instagram, live shows, private communities, short-form clips, and emerging AI-generated formats. Ollie shares how New-Media.co started as a mapping project focused on tech newsletters, podcasts, and creator-led media brands, and quickly became a broader signal that a new category is forming. New Media is no longer just a description of online content. It is becoming a business, creator, and distribution category. Rob and Ollie explore whether podcasting is still its own category or is becoming one lane within a larger New Media ecosystem. Rob brings the long history of podcasting, RSS, video podcasting, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, and creator platforms into the discussion, asking whether the word “podcast” is still enough to describe what audiences now consume. A major theme in this episode is the difference between audience size and audience value. Ollie argues that creators do not always need massive audiences if they have focused, valuable, trusted communities. A show with 5,000 highly relevant listeners or viewers can be more valuable than a much larger audience that does not convert or engage. The discussion also moves into traditional media and why legacy media companies may struggle to adapt to this new creator-led environment. Ollie says the difference is not just production quality. It is the vibe, the trust, the format, and the feeling that audiences are getting access to something more direct and less institutional. Rob and Ollie also talk about how X, Instagram, YouTube, newsletters, and short-form clips are becoming the new media distribution stack. YouTube remains central for video and long-form discovery, while X and Instagram are becoming powerful platforms for attention and conversation for creators and media brands. The final part of the episode turns to AI-generated content, synthetic media, AI micro-dramas, AI-generated podcasts, disclosure, and audience trust. Rob raises the tension around the term “AI slop” and whether the podcast industry is reacting differently to bad AI content than it has historically reacted to bad human-created content. Ollie argues that AI can help create new forms of content, but it cannot replace the human element, charisma, taste, and trust that make a real show work. This episode lands on a core New Media Show idea: podcasting helped build the foundation of today’s creator-led media world, but the next era is broader, more video-driven, more AI-assisted, more platform-diverse, and more dependent on human trust than ever before. Key Topics: What “New Media” means in 2026 Why creator-led media is gaining cultural and business influence New Media vs. the creator economy How New-Media.co maps creators, newsletters, podcasts, and media brands Why podcasting may now be one lane inside a broader media ecosystem Audience size vs. audience value Why niche audiences can be more powerful than mass reach How creators are building multi-platform distribution systems YouTube, X, Instagram, Substack, newsletters, and short-form video The role of clips in modern media growth Why traditional media struggles to capture the creator-led “vibe” How legacy media companies could partner with creators Why “podcast” may be an audience term more than a creator identity Netflix, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and the shifting meaning of shows AI-generated podcasts, AI micro-dramas, and synthetic content Disclosure and transparency around AI-created media Why human taste, trust, charisma, and curation still matter The future of podcasting inside the larger New Media category Chapter Markers: 00:00 Welcome to New Media Show #668 00:30 Why New Media Is Entering a New Era 01:30 Introducing Ollie Forsyth 03:00 What New Media Means Now 04:00 How New-Media.co Started 05:30 Why the New Media Category Is Gaining Attention 06:30 Mapping the New Media Landscape 08:00 How Creators Get Discovered 10:00 Creator Economy vs. New Media 11:30 Why OpenAI and TBPN Became a Signal 13:30 Audience Value vs. Audience Size 16:30 Timely vs. Timeless Content 18:00 Why Distribution Channels Matter 20:00 Are Podcasters Becoming Creators? 21:30 AI Micro-Dramas and New Entertainment Formats 23:00 Short-Form Content and Creator ROI 25:00 Building Multiple Distribution Channels 27:00 Is Podcasting Still the Right Term? 29:00 Apple Podcasts, HLS Video, and YouTube’s Influence 31:30 New Media as a Broader Category 32:30 Why AI Companies Want New Media Shows 33:30 Why Legacy Media Struggles to Adapt 35:00 The Vibe Difference Between Traditional Media and Creator Media 37:00 X, Instagram, and the New Distribution Stack 40:30 YouTube, Video, and Future-Proofing Media Brands 43:00 Planning Content Like a Media Company 45:00 Is Podcasting One Lane on a Bigger Freeway? 48:00 Why Creators Need More Than One Channel 50:00 Does the Audience Care What We Call It? 52:00 Is It Just a Show Now? 53:30 Netflix, YouTube, and Audience Expectations 55:00 Is New Media Here to Stay? 56:30 Taste, Attention, and Human Connection 58:30 AI-Generated Content and Podcasting’s Reaction 01:00:30 AI Disclosure and Transparency 01:02:00 AI Micro-Dramas and Synthetic Media 01:03:30 Can AI Replace the Human Element? 01:05:00 Bad AI Content vs. Bad Human Content 01:07:00 Why YouTube Raises the Production Bar 01:09:00 Why Human Curation Still Matters 01:11:00 Where New Media Goes Next 01:13:00 Closing Thoughts Guest and Host Links Guest: Ollie Forsyth Founder, New Economies and New-Media.co New Media: new-media.co New Economies: neweconomies.co Host: Rob Greenlee New Media Show: NewMediaShow.com Rob Greenlee: RobGreenlee.com Podcast Hall of Fame: PodcastHall.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee Booking: calendly.com/robgreenlee About the Host/Author: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new-media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots and its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the New Media Show and Spoken Human, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He has held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, Podbean, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Personal / AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode description and generate show notes from the episode transcript. The views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. I have been working in podcasting, digital media, and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position and editorial direction.The post Is New Media Replacing the Creator Economy? | Ollie Forsyth #668 first appeared on New Media Show.

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: Podcast networks were originally built for an audio-first industry, but audiences have already moved the definition of a podcast beyond audio. Today, a podcast can be a YouTube show, a Spotify video, an Apple video podcast, a livestream, a short clip, a newsletter, a community, or part of a larger creator-led media brand. Greg brings a unique perspective from his work at RSS.com and from interviewing the leaders behind podcast networks, collectives, production companies, and niche media groups on Podcast Network Insights. He explains that podcast networks are no longer one simple model. Some are media-sales businesses. Some are community-driven groups. Some operate more like production companies, collectives, or full creator networks. Rob and Greg explore how the network model is shifting as video, live streaming, AI, Apple Podcasts, HLS video, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, FAST channels, private communities, and creator monetization reshape what podcasting can become. The conversation also asks whether independent podcasters should join networks, what creators need to understand before making that decision, and why the future may depend less on downloads alone and more on trust, audience relationships, collaboration, niche value, and direct monetization. 00:00 Welcome to New Media Show #666 00:32 Are podcast networks becoming creator networks? 01:00 How audiences have already redefined podcasting 02:00 Introducing Greg Wasserman from RSS.com 03:00 Why Greg created Podcast Network Insights 04:00 How different podcast networks define community 05:00 Monetization, growth, and the changing role of networks 06:00 Internal network community vs audience community 07:00 Private communities, subscriptions, and audience relationships 08:00 Nova Podcast Network and media-company network models 09:00 Cross-promotion and collaboration inside networks 10:00 Are creators returning to collaboration? 11:00 Podcast networks as media companies 13:00 Owned-and-operated shows vs independent rev-share shows 15:00 Why ad revenue is not the only network business model 16:00 Marketing Podcast Network and niche value 17:00 Jay Shetty, Netflix, and platform exclusivity 18:00 Is Netflix becoming a podcast network? 19:00 Collectives, media companies, and different network definitions 20:00 What is a podcast network today? 21:00 Production companies and network partnerships 23:00 How creators should decide whether to join a network 24:00 Understanding your “why” before joining a network 25:00 iHeart, ad inventory, and the volume-based network model 26:00 Why sponsor status can distract from real monetization 27:00 Does network branding still matter? 28:00 Pineapple Street, GZM, Disney, and network identity 30:00 MCNs, YouTube networks, and the return of multi-channel networks 31:00 Silicon Valley, new media networks, and digital-native media 34:00 Traditional media adopts podcasting, video, and companion content 35:00 Apple Podcasts HLS video as a future distribution channel 36:00 Why video attracts higher media dollars 37:00 Know, like, and trust as a creator value 38:00 Will Apple Podcasts HLS video matter? 39:00 Free platforms, hidden costs, and creator control 41:00 Future ad dashboards across Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Twitch 42:00 Platform exclusivity, Jay Shetty, Joe Rogan, and audience loss 44:00 Creator hustle and why networks cannot do all the work 46:00 Subscription fatigue and fragmented media access 47:00 More than 20 ways creators can make money 48:00 Lean creator teams, production help, and content scale 49:00 How podcast networks are using AI 50:00 AI-generated voices, sleep content, and audience behavior 52:00 AI for ads, scripts, show notes, social, and workflows 53:00 AI podcast networks and automated show creation 54:00 Agentic workflows and creator production systems 56:00 AI-generated content, humanity, and audience trust 57:00 Algorithms, AI interfaces, and future discovery 58:00 Platform algorithm changes and creator risk 59:00 Human connection, live events, and AI video podcasts 01:00:00 Why human storytelling still matters 01:01:00 Could creators build AI clones of themselves? 01:02:00 Avatars, HeyGen, Gemini, and disclosure 01:03:00 Human-hosted content labels and AI transparency 01:04:00 Video-first creators and separate audio/video feeds 01:05:00 Why The New Media Show still uses separate audio and video feeds 01:06:00 Audio-first creators, social media, and growth challenges 01:07:00 Different networks play different games 01:08:00 The future of compelling audio experiences 01:09:00 Spatial audio, AI audio, and interactive media 01:10:00 Personalized audience experiences and liquid content 01:11:00 Can audiences be moved from YouTube to Netflix? 01:12:00 Bundling, subscriptions, and platform experiments 01:15:00 Algorithms vs human curation 01:16:00 Netflix, FAST channels, and new distribution models 01:17:00 The technology challenge behind FAST channels 01:23:00 Greg’s Tesla and the future of in-car video podcast listening 01:24:00 RSS.com, Podcasting 2.0, and AI labeling standards 01:25:00 Closing thoughts and where podcasting is heading Guest and Host Links Guest: Greg Wasserman Head of Relationships at RSS.com and host of Podcast Network Insights RSS.com: https://rss.com Greg Wasserman at RSS.com: https://rss.com/blog/greg-wasserman/ Podcast Network Insights: https://rss.com/podcasts/podcast-network-insights/ Greg Wasserman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman Host: Rob Greenlee New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee Booking: https://calendly.com/robgreenlee About the Host/Author: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new-media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots and its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the “New Media Show” and “Spoken Human”, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He’s held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Learn more at RobGreenlee.com and join the Trust Factor Lab Creator/Podcast Services. Personal/AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode and generate show notes. I have made hand edits; the views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guest’s. I have been working in podcasting and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position.The post Are Podcast Networks becoming Creator Networks? | Greg Wasserman #666 first appeared on New Media Show.

In episode 665 of the New Media Show, hosted by 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee, Rob talks with Ashley Christenson, also known as Ashni, for a deep conversation about one of the most important questions facing podcasting, streaming, creator media, startups, and traditional media right now: What does “New Media” actually mean today? The term “New Media” has been around since the late 1990s, but its meaning is shifting again. What once described digital media outside traditional broadcast and print is now being used by creators, VCs, startups, streaming strategists, AI companies, and professional communities to refer to something more specific: creator-led media that builds trust, influence, industry position, and direct audience relationships. Ashley brings a unique perspective from 13 years in online media, Twitch streaming, YouTube education, startup marketing, community building, and creator strategy. She explains that she sees the creator economy as building an audience as the asset, whereas the emerging version of New Media is more about building status and position within an industry conversation. In her view, the key difference is not simply between consumer and professional audiences, but about what the media operation is designed to build and protect. Rob brings the longer history of podcasting and digital media into the discussion, asking whether podcasting was one of the first major expressions of New Media and whether it now sits within a much larger creator-led ecosystem. The conversation explores how podcasting, YouTube, streaming video, newsletters, live shows, X, AI-generated content, and Apple Podcasts’ move toward HLS video streaming are all blurring the old lines between podcasting, creator media, and professional media. A major theme in this episode is whether podcasting is still its own category or has become a powerful format within the broader New Media industry. Rob argues that the word “podcast” is increasingly defined by audiences and platforms, while creators may need to think more broadly as show builders, media operators, and participants in the creator economy. Ashley and Rob also explore how X is becoming a real-time professional media layer, why founders, investors, executives, and AI builders are returning to the platform, and why companies are experimenting with live streaming, clipping, launch videos, short-form content, and creator-style formats to reach professional audiences. The episode also moves into AI-generated media, human-hosted content, AI clones, disclosure, and trust. Rob argues that human-created and AI-created content may both need clear labeling, while Ashley points out that long-form podcasts may remain more defensible because listeners often build real relationships with hosts over time. This conversation lands on a bigger media reality: New Media is no longer just a technology term. It is becoming a business category, a creator category, a trust category, and a professional influence category. Podcasting helped build the foundation, but the next version of New Media is broader, more video-driven, more AI-assisted, more platform-diverse, and more dependent on trust than ever before. Key Topics: What “New Media” means in 2026 Creator economy vs. New Media Audience as an asset vs. status as an asset Why podcasting helped define early New Media Whether podcasters should now think more like creators and show builders Apple Podcasts HLS video and the return of video podcasting YouTube, Spotify, X, and the platform shift around shows Why VCs and startups are using the term New Media X is a professional media and live content platform Traditional media is trying to become more internet-native AI-generated podcasts, AI clones, and synthetic media Human-hosted content, disclosure, and audience trust Why long-form podcasts may remain defensible in the AI era Chapter Markers: 00:00 Cold Open and Welcome 00:32 What Does New Media Mean 02:08 Podcasting Meets Multi Format 03:14 Meet Rob Greenlee 04:01 Introducing Ashley Christensen 04:53 Ashley’s Creator Economy Journey 08:26 AI Definitions of New Media 12:35 Creator Economy vs New Media 16:29 The Kill Switch Test 21:38 Is VC Rebranding New Media 24:10 Niche Status Media Examples 31:55 Traditional Media Goes Internet Native 34:59 Podcasting Identity and Convergence 41:35 Creator as a Catch-All Term 43:56 Naming New Media 46:11 Podcast Term Debate 51:02 X Shapes Media 55:35 X Video Creator Push 01:00:51 Twitter Podcast Roots 01:04:38 AI Flooding Podcasts 01:07:48 Human Trust Labels 01:11:34 Clones and Disclosure 01:17:49 Trust Factor Wrap 01:18:19 Closing and Where to Follow Guest and Host Links Guest: Ashley Christenson / Ashni Streaming strategist, creator economy, and new media operator X: https://x.com/ashnichrist YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ashnichrist Hype Partners: https://x.com/hypepartners Host: Rob Greenlee New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee Booking: https://calendly.com/robgreenlee About the Host/Author: Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and Chair, a global new-media leader who bridges podcasting’s human roots and its AI-driven future. As founder of Trust Factor Lab and host of the “New Media Show” and “Spoken Human”, Rob helps creators start, grow, monetize, and future-proof their content. He’s held leadership roles at Microsoft, Spreaker, Libsyn, StreamYard, and PodcastOne, and serves as Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Learn more at RobGreenlee.com and join the Trust Factor Lab Creator/Podcast Services. Personal/AI Disclosure Note: I used AI tools to help organize and edit this episode and generate show notes. I have many hand edits; the views, clarifications, responsibility, and industry perspective are mine and my guests’. I have been working in podcasting and platform adoption for more than two decades, and this article reflects my own position. The original word choice was mine, and so is the clarification. The post What Is New Media Now vs Podcasting? | Ashley Christenson / @Ashni #665 first appeared on New Media Show.

In episode 662 from May 6th, 2026, of the New Media Show, hosted by 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee, he talks with Imran Ahmed, founder of Great Pods, for a deep conversation about one of podcasting’s longest-running controversies: Discovery. Podcasting has never had a shortage of content. The bigger challenge has always been helping listeners find the right shows and helping quality creators get noticed. Charts often reward scale. Algorithms can miss the human context. Social media attention does not always create trust. But human recommendations, professional reviews, and transparency. editorial signals may still play an important role. Imran joins Rob to discuss how Great Pods is building a podcast discovery and decision-making platform around critic reviews, ratings, attribution, podcast search, user reviews, badges, and curated discovery. The conversation explores why reviews differ from basic listener comments, why constructive criticism can help creators, and how professional critics can serve as trusted filters for listeners trying to decide what to hear next. Rob and Imran also dig into the broader evolution of podcasting, including the role of word-of-mouth discovery, the limits of podcast app charts, the rise of YouTube as a major discovery platform, and the ongoing tension around what defines a podcast in a world of audio, video, RSS feeds, platform exclusives, APIs, Netflix-style talk shows, and AI-generated content. The episode also connects Great Pods to larger trust and transparency issues in new media. As AI-generated shows, algorithmic recommendations, and platform-controlled discovery continue to grow. Rob and Imran discuss why human editorial judgment, clear labeling, attribution, and credible review systems may become even more important for listeners, creators, and platforms. Key Topics Covered Podcast discovery in 2026 Why podcast charts and algorithms often fall short The difference between reviews, ratings, and listener comments Why constructive criticism can help creators improve How Great Pods uses professional reviews and attribution Why human critics can become trusted discovery filters The role of word-of-mouth recommendations in podcast growth Why YouTube has become a major podcast discovery platform How video, RSS, APIs, and platform exclusives are changing podcast definitions Why AI-generated content increases the need for labeling and transparency How podcasters can use reviews, badges, backlinks, and SEO to build credibility What creators should do to make their shows more discoverable Guest and Host Links Guest: Imran Ahmed, Founder of Great Pods Great Pods: https://www.greatpods.co Great Pods Blog: https://blog.greatpods.co Host: Rob Greenlee New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Rob Greenlee Booking: https://calendly.com/robgreenlee The post Can Human Critics Improve Podcast Discovery? | Imran Ahmed, Great Pods #662 first appeared on New Media Show.

“Podcast episode hosting used to be simple. You uploaded an audio file, generated an RSS feed, and distributed your show everywhere. That model still matters, but it is no longer enough for the modern creator economy.” In this Episode 660 of The Live New Media Show, from April 22nd, 2026, Host Podcast Hall of Famer and Former Libsyn VP Rob Greenlee shares a screen and microphone with Brendan Monaghan, President and CEO of Libsyn, to explore how podcast hosting is changing and what creators should expect from platforms in 2026 and beyond. This conversation gets to the heart of a major shift happening across podcasting and new media. Hosting companies are no longer judged only by whether they can deliver a clean RSS feed and reliable file storage. Creators now expect monetization, analytics, video support, workflow efficiency, AI-assisted publishing, broader distribution, and real help with audience growth. That larger shift frames the entire discussion between Rob and Brendan. Brendan explains that Libsyn still carries the legacy of being one of podcasting’s earliest and most important hosting platforms, but the company is now operating in a far more complex environment. Brendan points to Libsyn’s evolution from a technology-led hosting company into a broader creator platform that includes advertising and monetization infrastructure, especially after the company acquired businesses such as AdvertiseCast and Pair Networks. He argues that the modern hosting business must combine publishing, monetization, measurement, and simplicity for creators at every stage of growth. Rob pushes the conversation further by asking the bigger industry question: What should a podcast hosting company become now? That leads into a wide-ranging discussion about platform aggregation, creator workflows, newsletters, live events, merchandise, and the growing expectation that creators should be able to manage more of their media business from one place. Brendan makes the case that the future belongs to companies that can keep creators at the center while simplifying the growing complexity around distribution and monetization. A major part of the episode focuses on AI. Brendan breaks AI into three areas: how Libsyn uses it internally as a business, how AI can assist creators with production and publishing workflows, and how fully AI-generated content may affect the medium’s future. Rob adds a deeper perspective by arguing that AI podcasting is already becoming more competitive than many in the industry want to admit. The two discuss whether the market will ultimately decide what AI content succeeds, why “AI slop” may be too broad a label, and why trust and disclosure may become much more important as synthetic media becomes harder to distinguish from human-created work. The episode also dives into one of the most important strategic tensions in podcasting right now: RSS versus API publishing. Rob and Brendan both acknowledge that most creators care more about simple distribution than the underlying protocol, but they also recognize that this shift has major implications for openness, platform control, and long-term creator independence. Their exchange about Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and the shift toward more controlled video delivery models reflects a broader market reality: creators increasingly want to be everywhere, but the mechanics of getting there are becoming more fragmented and platform-specific. Another strong section of the conversation centers on video. Brendan says Libsyn intends to be a leader in video, while Rob raises a practical concern many creators are just beginning to feel: a show that works well on YouTube may not automatically translate well to an audio-first experience, and a show built for traditional audio may not fully satisfy video-driven discovery environments. That raises the possibility that creators will need to think more deliberately about format, audience expectations, and whether a single production workflow can truly serve all platforms equally well. The conversation becomes especially valuable when the two discuss metrics: Apple’s HLS direction, and what streaming-style delivery might mean for podcast measurement and advertising. They point to a future in which the industry may move closer to actual listening signals rather than relying so heavily on download-based assumptions. If that happens, it could affect CPMs, ad sales, programmatic video advertising, and the broader economics of the medium. Rob also frames one of the biggest unresolved questions in new media today: If AI-generated shows become easier, faster, and more polished, what will human creators need to do to remain distinct and trusted? The answer that emerges from this episode is not panic. It is focus, transparency, stronger format thinking, and a deeper commitment to serving audiences with clarity and value. That makes this episode less about Libsyn alone and more about the future structure of podcasting itself. Topic Chapters and Timestamps 00:00 Podcast hosting is no longer simple 01:00 What creators now expect from hosting platforms 02:00 Brendan Monaghan introduction and background 03:00 Why Libsyn’s legacy still matters 05:00 Hosting, publishing, monetization, and measurement 07:00 How Libsyn expanded its monetization business 08:00 Why creators should not need to leave Libsyn to scale 09:00 How monetization changed podcasting 10:00 Lowering barriers for creators to earn revenue 12:00 What the future hosting platform should become 13:00 Newsletters, live events, merchandise, and creator tools 15:00 AI and creator workflows 16:00 Brendan’s three-bucket view of AI 18:00 AI-generated content and the “AI slop” debate 20:00 Why the market may decide what AI content wins 23:00 RSS versus API publishing 25:00 Simplicity and multi-platform distribution 26:00 Why RSS matters less to end users now 28:00 Open versus closed ecosystems 29:00 RSS innovation and slow adoption 31:00 Apple HLS and changing audio-video delivery 32:00 Platform control and the walled garden debate 41:00 Measurement, streaming, and actual listening data 43:00 Programmatic video ads and creative formats 45:00 Why video creators may need to think more like audio creators 47:00 Can AI help bridge the gap between formats? 49:00 Audio loyalty versus video momentum 50:00 The growing pressure on creators to win everywhere 51:00 AI Algorithms, the first audience for human content 53:00 Are AI-generated shows driving growth? 55:00 AI clone content and rising competition for humans 56:00 Why AI labeling may become essential 59:00 What Libsyn will focus on over the next 24 months 01:01:00 Audio, video, audience growth, and execution 01:03:00 Staying focused on core creator needs 01:05:00 Closing thoughts This episode answers key industry questions that creators, executives, and media strategists are increasingly asking: -What is Libsyn doing next under Brendan Monaghan? -How is podcast hosting changing in 2026? -Will video become a required part of podcast distribution? -What does Apple’s HLS move mean for audio and video podcasting? -Is RSS still the future, or are APIs taking over? -How will AI-generated content affect podcasting, trust, and monetization? -What should creators expect from modern hosting platforms now? -Those questions are directly addressed in this discussion, making this episode highly relevant to search, social discovery, AI answer engines, and recommendation surfaces. Guest and Show Links Brendan Monaghan, CEO of Libsyn https://Libsyn.com Host Rob Greenlee and Show LinksNew Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/Trust Factor Lab: https://trustfactorlab.com/Adore Creator Network: https://adorenetwork.com/Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/Rob Greenlee YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robgreenleeRob Greenlee LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robgreenleeRob Greenlee Instagram: https://instagram.com/robwgreenleeThe post Libsyn’s Next Chapter: Podcast Hosting, Video, Monetization, RSS and API | Brendan Monaghan #660 first appeared on New Media Show.

Podcasting is entering a new phase, and this episode goes straight into the infrastructure, business models, and platform shifts shaping what comes next. On episode 659 of The New Media Show, Host and Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee shares the microphone with Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital (Spreaker & Omny Studio), for a deep conversation about where the podcasting market is heading right now. Sharon brings years of experience from Omny Studio, Triton Digital, and Spreaker, making her one of the best people to help unpack what is changing across hosting, monetization, video, AI, advertiser demand, and measurement. We talk through why podcasting is not simply becoming video-first, even as video becomes a bigger part of how shows are discovered and monetized. Sharon makes a strong case that audio remains at the center of the medium, but the future is clearly becoming more multi-format. That means creators, publishers, and platforms need to think differently about how they distribute content, measure audience behavior, and build sustainable business models for both audio and video. A big part of this conversation focuses on Triton Digital’s role in the market today and why its combination of Omny Studio, Spreaker, and broader ad tech infrastructure makes it an important player in podcasting’s next chapter. Sharon explains the unique roots of Omny Studio as a platform built for large-scale broadcast and enterprise publishing needs, while Spreaker helped pioneer early podcast programmatic monetization for creators. That combination gives Triton a unique perspective on both professional publishing and creator-driven growth. We also spend time on Apple’s HLS video move and what it may mean for podcasting’s future. Sharon shares how Triton had already been preparing for a broader video environment and why Apple’s support for HLS is such a meaningful shift. We discuss how HLS could improve flexibility around delivery, ad insertion, and measurement, while still raising important questions about RSS, open distribution, and whether major platforms may slowly pull podcasting into more platform-specific publishing models over time. Another major topic in this episode is trust. From programmatic advertising to AI-generated content to labeling and transparency, Sharon and I explore how podcasting can continue to grow without losing the authentic connection that made the medium valuable in the first place. We both agree that podcasting still has enormous strength as an audio-led medium, but the industry is now balancing openness, innovation, and monetization in ways that will define the next few years. This is a wide-ranging and important discussion for anyone watching the evolution of podcasting, video, ad tech, platform power, and the future of open media. Topics covered – Why Triton Digital matters in podcasting right now – Sharon Taylor’s path from Omny Studio to Triton CRO – What Triton is seeing in audio versus video audience behavior – Why podcasting is becoming multi-format, not simply video-first – How Omny Studio and Spreaker fit different parts of the publishing market – What Apple’s HLS video move changes for publishers and hosting platforms – Why advertiser confidence and better measurement matter more than ever – The future of RSS, open podcasting, and platform fragmentation – How AI-generated content is affecting publishing growth and industry trust – Where Sharon sees the next big opportunities for podcast growth Guest Sharon Taylor is the Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital. She was appointed to the CRO role in August 2025 after helping lead Triton’s podcast and content delivery efforts. Before joining Triton, Sharon was CEO of Omny Studio and played a key role in building it into one of the leading enterprise podcast platforms before its acquisition by Triton Digital. Triton Digital: https://www.tritondigital.com/ Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/ Omny Studio: https://omnystudio.com/ Host Rob Greenlee is a 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer, Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame, and leader behind Trust Factor Lab and Trust Creators Community at M3Linked. New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/ Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/ Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/ Trust Creators Community: https://m3linked.com/ Supporters: Get a $10 StreamYard Video Recording and Live Streaming tool Discount using this LINK – https://streamyard.com/pal/c/5606177711325184 Podcasting pros use Podpage – Build a podcast or video show website that updates itself and showcases your show beautifully. Start for just $12/month! –>podpage.com?via=adoreThe post Podcasting’s Multi-Format Future | Sharon Taylor #659 first appeared on New Media Show.

If you are trying to understand where podcasting may still have real, untapped opportunities in 2026 and beyond, this is one of those conversations that point to an important answer: Local. On Episode 658 of The New Media Show, Host Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee shares a microphone and a video camera with guest David Plotz, founder and CEO of CityCast.fm and co-host of the Political Gabfest podcast from Slate, to: Explore what local podcasts can become in a media environment increasingly shaped by video, platforms, social discovery, and changing audience habits. The conversation starts with local audio, but it quickly opens into something bigger: trust, emotional connection, local relevance, and the question of whether city-based media may be one of the strongest growth areas left in podcasting. David frames City Cast as a network of daily local podcasts, newsletters, social content, and events, built around helping people feel more connected to the cities they live in. The real takeaway in this episode is that local podcasting is not simply a smaller version of national podcasting. It operates under a different set of strengths and constraints. Local Podcasting may never offer the same scale as national audio, but it can offer something more personal and durable: a trusted daily relationship grounded in place. That becomes a powerful differentiator at a time when many creators and media companies are chasing reach but struggling to build loyalty. David brings a rare combination to this topic because he is not just theorizing about local media from the outside. He has built and led major editorial organizations, co-hosted one of podcasting’s longest-running political shows, and is now running one of the clearest experiments in local podcast-first media. In the episode, he explains that podcasting’s deepest strength is not raw information delivery but feeling, intimacy, and connection. He argues that podcasting works when people are not just informed but emotionally connected to the speakers and the place being discussed. That idea becomes the foundation for how City Cast approaches local media. One of the most useful parts of this episode is hearing David describe what City Cast is actually trying to replace and what it is not. He makes clear that City Cast is not primarily a breaking-news operation. Instead, it builds on an existing local news ecosystem and tries to become the smartest, most interesting, and most delightful daily conversation about what matters in a city. That distinction matters. It means City Cast is not trying to be a direct substitute for newspapers or broadcast radio in every function. It is trying to become additive, conversational, and habit-forming in ways that better fit the strengths of podcasting. From there, the conversation moves into the central tension of the episode: if podcasting is so strong at local trust and emotional connection, why is local podcasting still so hard to scale? David is candid about the addressable audience being smaller, discovery being difficult, and the economics still being figured out. Those are not minor obstacles. They are the core business problem. City Cast’s challenge is not simply editorial quality. It is proving that local podcast audiences are valuable, engaged, and commercially meaningful enough to support a durable business. That leads directly into the video. One of the strongest strategic insights in the episode is David’s acknowledgment that City Cast did not lean into social and video early enough. He says plainly that the company is now correcting that. The reason is not that audio has failed. The reason is that discovery increasingly happens elsewhere. Younger audiences find local information through social media, YouTube, and short-form feeds. Audio may still be the best format for relationships and routines, but video and social are becoming essential for visibility, especially among younger audiences. A core theme in this episode is that the real opportunity may not be “local podcasts” as a narrow category, but local media brands built around podcasts. City Cast is already moving in that direction through newsletters, events, social distribution, and membership. David’s description of the “Neighbors” membership concept is especially revealing. It shows that the City Cast brand is not just about delivering content. It is about building a sense of mutuality, place, and civic belonging. That is a different ambition than simply growing downloads. It is also where local podcasting may have an edge over broader media. This episode ultimately lands on a simple reality: local podcasting is real, but it is not easy. Audio still has a unique role to play in building trust and connection, but it is no longer enough to rely on audio alone for growth and discovery. The winning local media brands may be the ones that understand how to keep audio at the center while surrounding it with the right mix of video, social, newsletters, and community. In that sense, this conversation is not just about local podcasts. It is about where the media gets human again. Quick Q & A Answers What is City Cast trying to build?A local media network built around daily city podcasts, newsletters, social content, and events that help people feel more connected to where they live. Is local podcasting a replacement for local newspapers or radio?Not exactly. David describes it more as additive than as a replacement, with podcasting playing to conversation, feeling, and connection rather than to pure breaking news. Why is local podcasting hard to build as a business?The audience is geographically limited, discovery is difficult, and the economics are still being worked out. City Cast is trying to prove that highly engaged local audiences can support a durable model. Does video matter for local podcasts?Yes, increasingly as a discovery-and-growth layer. David says City Cast came to social and video later than it should have and is now correcting that. What is the deeper advantage of local audio?Its strength is emotional connection, intimacy, daily relevance, and trust. That may matter more as audiences seek media that feels useful and human. Video Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and local media framing02:26 David Plotz joins the show03:00 Slate Political Gabfest history07:39 Live events and audience connection11:47 Podcasting as emotion and intimacy16:27 Why City Cast exists18:07 How City Cast serves cities20:12 Why City Cast is additive, not a replacement25:00 The economics of local podcasting26:22 Washington DC and local news opportunity29:12 Local versus diaspora audiences32:02 Your City Could Be Better33:14 Local advertising and audience value35:12 Why local podcasting is harder than it looks37:02 Social discovery and local media habits38:07 Video and Apple Podcasts44:40 City Cast video workflow challenge47:28 Graham Holdings and Megaphone context51:12 Which cities work best for City Cast53:12 Public radio overlap and younger audiences54:40 Why City Cast missed the video early57:27 Audio, video, and multimedia future01:00:11 Neighbors and local trust01:01:53 Politics, balance, and civic voice01:05:18 Events and community building01:06:36 Wrap up Links Guest David Plotz Links City Cast: https://citycast.fm/City Cast Mission: https://citycast.fm/our-missionCity Cast Membership / Neighbors: https://membership.citycast.fm/David Plotz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-plotz-ab02164a Host Rob Greenlee and Show Links New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/Trust Factor Lab: https://trustfactorlab.com/Adore Creator Network: https://adorenetwork.com/Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/Rob Greenlee YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robgreenleeRob Greenlee LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robgreenleeRob Greenlee Instagram: https://instagram.com/robwgreenleeThe post Local Podcasts in a Growing Video World | David Plotz #658 first appeared on New Media Show.

If you are trying to understand where podcasting is going in 2026 and beyond, this is one of those conversations that clarifies the whole board. On Episode 657 of The New Media Show, Host Rob Greenlee shares a microphone and a video camera with Justin Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of Transistor.fm, to unpack two forces reshaping the medium at the same time: Apple’s push back into video podcasts using HLS streaming, and the accelerating rise of synthetic creators and human clones powered by AI. The real takeaway in this episode is that this is no longer just a podcasting story. It’s a media transformation story, and creators who treat it that way will have the advantage. Justin brings a rare combination to this topic because he is not just watching the ecosystem from the outside. He is building one of the most respected independent podcast hosting platforms and is deeply involved in coordinating the industry’s progress through the Podcast Standards Project. One of the most useful parts of this episode is hearing how standards actually get adopted. Podcasting has a coordination problem, and the only way the open ecosystem keeps evolving is when hosting providers, apps, and major platforms agree on what becomes “standard.” Justin explains why this work is slower than people want and why it matters, using real examples such as transcript support and creator-recommendation tooling via Podroll. From there, we go straight into the big shift: Apple leaning harder into video again, this time through HLS. The practical impact for creators is obvious. Video becomes easier to distribute, monetize, and measure across platforms. The strategic impact is bigger. Apple’s move creates a cascade effect. As more hosts build HLS workflows, those streams can increasingly appear not only within Apple’s experience but also through open standards like alternate enclosures, especially if apps continue to adopt them. Justin is bullish on RSS-based open podcasting surviving, not because it is nostalgic, but because consumer demand and creator distribution needs keep pulling it forward. A core theme in this episode is that creators and consumers decide what “a podcast” is, not the industry. Justin puts it plainly: if everyday listeners think podcasts are something they watch on YouTube, that belief drives behavior, and behavior drives platforms. This is why the listen-and-watch switching paradigm matters. Consumers want to start in audio and seamlessly jump into video. That pressure changes production habits over time, because the “audio from the video” becomes the default in many workflows. For some audio-first producers, that feels like a loss. For video-first creators, it is an opportunity to build a more fluid media experience that meets people where they are, whether they are watching closely or listening in the background. Rob and Justin also dig into a topic most platforms are not talking about enough: demographics and attention. Apple Podcasts remains a valuable audience, often older, higher-income, harder-to-reach, and premium-friendly. But YouTube and short-form feeds have already shaped younger consumer habits. Justin raises an interesting possibility that a backlash is forming among Gen Z against addictive, brain-rotting feeds. If that continues, there is a real opening for more mindful media experiences, which could benefit audio- and podcast-style consumption and even give Apple an unexpected positioning angle if they choose to lean into it. Then move into the other major shift: synthetic creators, AI cloning, and AI-generated media at scale. We talk about what is real, what is hype, and what’s already happening in the market. Justin’s perspective is grounded: audiences still choose what they care about, and a lot of AI-generated “slop” is being produced with no real demand. At the same time, I warn that this is the worst the tech will ever be, and that quality is moving fast. The deeper layer is that AI is already part of the content distribution pipeline, because algorithms decide what gets surfaced and recommended. As cloning and synthetic production improve, trust and identification become the bigger story. If people cannot tell what is real, standards for disclosure, verification, and labeling become essential to preserve credibility. This episode ultimately lands on a simple reality: creators do not need to panic, but they do need to adapt. Video is becoming a default entry point. RSS is still resilient, but platform native APIs are expanding. AI will increase volume, forcing platforms to filter more aggressively. The winning creators will be the ones who build trust, produce content people actually want, and package it so it travels across environments without losing the core promise that made the audience show up in the first place. Quick answers What does Apple HLS video mean for podcast creators in 2026?It signals a stronger platform push toward seamless listen-and-watch experiences, better measurement, and future monetization opportunities, and it pressures hosts and apps to support HLS workflows more broadly. Is RSS dying because platforms want APIs and direct uploads?RSS remains highly resilient because creators want distribution portability and consumers want access to the shows they already follow. Platforms may add more native workflows, but RSS continues to power the open layer. Will AI-generated creators replace humans?AI will dramatically increase content volume, but audience trust and relevance will still determine what survives. The big shift is that trust, verification, and disclosure become more important as synthetic media becomes harder to detect. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and big shifts 01:13 Meet Justin Jackson 02:50 Why podcast standards matter 06:23 Apple HLS video ripple 10:34 Transistor distribution view 13:24 Video podcasting history 17:09 Why the video faded to audio 22:30 YouTube wins attention 29:33 Apple subscriptions and TV 35:57 Demographics and Gen Z 39:03 Mindful media backlash 43:32 Apple culture and video 45:44 Retro tech resistance 46:50 Apple Ads And Privacy 47:40 HLS Rollout And Ad Load 49:25 Will RSS Survive Platforms 50:25 Why RSS Keeps Winning 54:17 Open Standards Like Email 59:16 Gen Z Video Threat 01:01:01 HLS Video Via RSS 01:04:40 Audio Video Switching Pain 01:07:53 Creators Adapt To Fluid Media 01:19:09 Consumers Define Podcasts 01:24:10 AI Voices Enter Podcasting 01:25:16 Reid Hoffman Digital Twin 01:28:17 AI Video Not Live 01:28:46 Latency And Real Time Avatars 01:29:08 Julia McCoy Avatar Demo 01:32:31 Do Audiences Care 01:33:28 AI Lowers Creation Bar 01:35:41 Real Humans Still Win 01:38:20 Noise Raises The Bar 01:40:53 AI For AI Audiences 01:47:39 Deepfake Hype Check 01:50:32 Trust And Disclosure Standards 01:52:19 Platform Overload From Slop 02:00:00 Pulia Spam Example 02:02:57 Throttling And Verification 02:08:27 Wrap Up And HLS Updates Links Guest Justin Jackson Links Transistor.fm: https://transistor.fm/Justin Jackson: https://justinjackson.ca/ Host Rob Greenlee and Show LinksNew Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/Trust Factor Lab: https://trustfactorlab.com/Adore Creator Network: https://adorenetwork.com/Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/Rob Greenlee YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robgreenleeRob Greenlee LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robgreenleeRob Greenlee Instagram: https://instagram.com/robwgreenlee The post Apple Video Podcasts, RSS vs API, Rise of Synthetic Creators | Justin Jackson #657 first appeared on New Media Show.

In episode 656 of the New Media Show, Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee is joined by Jay Nachlis,  Media Research VP at Coleman Insights. “It’s a timely and deeper conversation about Apple Podcasts moving more aggressively into HLS video streaming and what that really means for the future of podcasting, audience behavior, platform competition, and creator strategy in 2026.” This episode goes far beyond the Apple announcement itself. Jay brings a strong audience research and brand strategy perspective to the conversation, and together we dig into the real question behind all of this: will Apple’s push into video actually change listener and viewer behavior, or is this simply Apple trying to catch up to audience habits that are already being shaped by YouTube and Spotify? “Apple Podcasts still has major brand recognition in podcasting, but may face an uphill battle in the current environment where YouTube has become the default platform for video-based podcast discovery, and Spotify continues to build a more native monetization and creator ecosystem.” We talk about how audience habits often outweigh platform features, why consumer perception matters as much as technical innovation, and whether Apple can reclaim any meaningful momentum in a category it helped establish years ago. We also discuss how this shift is creating a more fragmented publishing environment for creators. Audio and video are no longer just different formats. They increasingly represent different user expectations, different discovery paths, and different monetization opportunities. “We discuss the growing need for creators to think strategically about separate audio and video feeds, platform-native publishing, HLS streaming delivery, audience experience, and the long-term risks of overreliance on closed ecosystems.” Jay and I also explore the broader competitive chessboard. That includes YouTube’s dominance in video & video podcast consumption, Spotify’s continued attempts to define its role in both audio and video, and even whether players like Netflix could successfully move into podcast-adjacent content formats. This episode is really about where podcasting is headed as a medium, not just one Apple feature update. If you are a podcaster, creator, media strategist, advertiser, or platform watcher trying to understand where podcasting, video, discovery, and monetization are all heading next, this is an episode you should not miss. Chapters: 00:00 Apple Video Podcast Push 00:47 Meet the Hosts 01:56 Apple Streaming Update 03:14 Early Podcasting Era 05:19 YouTube Spotify Takeover 07:05 Can Apple Compete 08:25 Research YouTube Wins UX 10:30 Awareness Drives Usage 12:07 Netflix Podcasting Fit 15:58 Discovery Algorithms Habits 18:10 Apple Video Hidden Toggle 19:26 Audio Quality vs Video 22:22 Brand Content Trust Matrix 24:05 Apple Podcasts Brand Gap 24:51 Differentiation Over Video 25:41 RSS and HLS Debate 27:09 Why Listeners Choose Apple 28:03 Zune Era Video Podcasts 30:07 YouTube Parallel History 30:59 Winning Tech Standards 33:16 Reaching Younger Audiences 36:48 Hosting Costs and HLS 39:05 Creator Burden of Video 41:20 Future Screens in Cars 43:23 Marketing and Discovery Fixes 45:35 Alternative Enclosures Path 46:49 Wrap Up and Where to Follow Guest Jay Nachlis LinksJay Nachlis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaynachlis/Coleman Insights: https://colemaninsights.com/Tuesdays with Coleman: https://colemaninsights.com/blog/ Host Rob Greenlee and Show LinksNew Media Show: https://newmediashow.com/Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com/Trust Factor Lab: https://trustfactorlab.com/Adore Creator Network: https://adorenetwork.com/Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com/Rob Greenlee YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robgreenleeRob Greenlee LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robgreenleeRob Greenlee Instagram: https://instagram.com/robwgreenlee The post Can Apple Make Video Podcasts Matter? | Jay Nachlis #656 first appeared on New Media Show.

Podcast discovery feels harder in 2026, not because creators stopped trying, but because attention is now split across podcast apps, YouTube, short-form video feeds, newsletters, and search-driven recommendations. On this recorded episode of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee shares the screen and a microphone with Arielle Nissenblatt, 2026 Podcast Hall of Famer and Founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective and Head of Community and Content at Pinwheel by Audily, to break down what is actually changing right now and what creators can still do that consistently grows audience and trust. “Arielle brings a listener-first, creator-first perspective that cuts through the noise. Platforms matter, but they are not the whole story. If a show is not clearly positioned, consistently delivered, and genuinely recommendable, the best metadata in the world will not create retention.” This episode focuses on the practical middle ground: respect the power of platforms, but build your growth strategy around behaviors you can control. “A big part of that conversation is Apple’s renewed push into video podcasts and what an HLS-based video experience signals for the direction of distribution.” Rob frames it as part of a broader convergence toward a unified listen-and-watch experience, where measurement and monetization are easier for platforms when content is native. “Arielle agrees that video is becoming an important top-of-funnel entry point, not because every show should be video-first, but because platforms can more easily optimize what they can see, track, and sell.” We also talk through Spotify’s monetization strategy and what it means when major platforms keep building native paths to get paid. The underlying point is that creators need to understand the economics behind product decisions. “The more platforms own the experience, the more they can shape the rules of distribution, monetization, and visibility.” Then we get into the part that matters most for working creators: what still works. “Arielle argues that recommendation culture remains one of the most underused growth engines in podcasting. Word of mouth, curated lists, and community flywheels can outperform algorithm chasing, especially for shows that serve a clear audience with a clear promise.” That is exactly why EarBuds has remained durable for years in a market that constantly reinvents itself. “Human curation is still a superpower because it creates trusted signals that travel even when platforms turn the knobs.” Community comes up too, with a reality check. Not every show needs a community, and not every audience wants one. “The test is whether people are already reaching for a deeper connection and shared identity around your content. When that demand exists, the community can compound trust and retention. When it does not, forcing it can drain your energy and distract you from the actual product, the show.” If you are building in 2026, the creators who win are not the ones who panic-switch formats every quarter. They are the ones who lock in a format strategy, build audience ownership where possible, and package their content for multiple environments without losing the core promise that makes listeners return. Quick answers people are searching for: Is podcast discovery broken in 2026? It is fragmented. People discover shows across apps, video platforms, newsletters, and search experiences, so creators need packaging that works across multiple paths. Do I need a video to grow a podcast? Not always. Video is becoming a common entry point, but growth still comes from clarity, consistency, and ease of recommendation. What is the fastest reliable growth lever right now? Recommendation loops: collaborations, curated lists, newsletters, and audience sharing that create real trust signals. What should creators prioritize this year? Format strategy, audience ownership, cross-platform packaging, and a repeatable workflow you can sustain. Show and Guest Links: Host Rob Greenlee https://robgreenlee.com/ (Rob Greenlee) New Media Show https://newmediashow.com/ (New Media Show) Rob Greenlee Live Podcasts https://robgreenlee.com/live-podcasts/ (Rob Greenlee) Rob Greenlee & New Media Show YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Spoken Human Show – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@spokenhuman (Rob Greenlee) LinkedIn – Rob Greenlee https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Instagram – Rob Greenlee https://www.instagram.com/robwgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) X.com – Rob Greenlee https://x.com/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Adore Podcast Network https://AdoreNetwork.com (Rob Greenlee) Podcast Hall of Fame https://PodcastHall.com (Rob Greenlee) Guest Arielle Nissenblatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielle-nissenblatt EarBuds Podcast Collective: https://earbuds.audio/ Pinwheel by Audily: https://pinwheelshows.com/The post Podcast Growth and Discovery in 2026 | Arielle Nissenblatt #655 first appeared on New Media Show.

As AI becomes more embedded into content creation, discovery, and distribution, one truth is becoming clearer: the long-term winners in media may not be the fastest or the most automated. They may be the most human. That was the core idea behind this conversation with Erin Diehl of Improve It! and the host of the Workday Playdate Podcast, and New Media Show host and Podcast Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Greenlee on New Media Show Episode 654, where we explored what it really means to build a media business rooted in trust, emotional connection, authenticity, and memorable audience experiences. Erin Diehl, founder of improve it! and host of the Workday Playdate podcast, brings a distinctive perspective to this discussion. Her work sits at the intersection of improv, leadership, communication, and community-building. On her podcast and in her live workshops, she focuses on helping people reconnect with empathy, listening, adaptability, humor, and playfulness as practical tools for stronger communication and leadership. Erin describes those same qualities as the traits of both a great improviser and a great human, and that framing shaped this entire conversation. (itserindiehl.com) What made this episode especially timely is that it did not treat AI as the enemy. Instead, it argued that AI is becoming part of the infrastructure of modern media, especially in discovery, distribution, workflow, and scale, while human presence remains the true differentiator. I said during the episode that creators are still in the human media business, and Erin agreed that what continues to work is the authenticity of human experience. That idea matters because audiences are increasingly surrounded by an abundance of content. When everything becomes easier to generate, the value of presence, perspective, vulnerability, and emotional resonance goes up. Erin argued that humanity is not becoming less important in the AI era. It is becoming more important. She pointed to empathy, trust, culture, and connection as qualities that are not going away, even as new technologies reshape jobs, workflows, and media formats. A major theme in this conversation was the role of play in serious work. Erin’s approach is not about being frivolous. It is about using play, improv, and emotional openness to create real breakthroughs in communication. In her workshops, she guides people step by step out of their comfort zones, not to embarrass them but to help them reconnect with spontaneity, attentiveness, and confidence. She explained that many adults lose that natural instinct for play as they grow older, replacing it with judgment, self-doubt, and emotional caution. Her work is designed to reverse some of that pattern and reawaken more authentic human interaction. We also talked about how this translates directly into content creation. Erin shared that her podcast has become more than just a show. It is part of a broader ecosystem that supports her workshops, speaking, community, and business growth. She uses monthly themes to shape her episodes, guest selection, social content, and offers. That strategy helps create consistency, clarity, and a stronger trust pathway between audience attention and business outcomes. It is a smart reminder that a podcast today often works best when it is part of a larger media and relationship-building system. Another valuable part of this episode was Erin’s openness about team building. She made it clear that creating across podcasting, social media, video, live events, and community is difficult to sustain on one’s own. She credited her team with helping manage production, guest coordination, marketing, logistics, sales, and creative execution. That is an important lesson for professional creators and media entrepreneurs. Building a durable media business often means building systems and support around your voice, not trying to do every part of the machine alone. We also dug into mindset, self-expression, and the emotional reality of being a creator today. Erin spoke candidly about doubt, comparison, and the danger of code-switching or muting your true personality to fit an environment. Her advice was direct: find the people, audiences, and teams that allow you to be more fully yourself. In a media environment increasingly shaped by algorithmic incentives and imitation, that may be one of the most important strategic advantages a creator can have. This episode is really about a bigger question facing everyone in podcasting, video, and digital media right now: if AI can help produce and distribute content at scale, what still makes a creator matter? The answer from this conversation is not just better tools or smarter systems. It is humanity. It is the ability to make people feel seen, understood, energized, and connected. That is what creates trust. That is what builds community. And that is what makes a media business more durable over time. Brief Episode Description In New Media Show Episode 654, Rob Greenlee talks with Erin Diehl, founder of improve it! and host of Workday Playdate, about what it takes to build a truly human media business in an AI-driven era. They explore why trust, empathy, emotional intelligence, playfulness, authenticity, and community may become even more valuable as AI expands across media creation and distribution. The conversation also looks at how improv principles can strengthen podcasting, leadership, content strategy, live events, and audience connection. Erin shares how she built her business and shows around human transformation, while Rob frames why creators still need to think of themselves as being in the human media business first. Key Takeaways – Creators are still in the human media business, even as AI becomes more useful for discovery, workflow, and distribution. – Authenticity, empathy, trust, and emotional connection are becoming more valuable as content volume increases. – Improv skills like listening, adaptability, humor, and presence map directly to stronger media creation and leadership. – A podcast works best when it is part of a broader ecosystem that includes community, services, events, and business strategy. – Monthly content themes can help creators build a more focused and sustainable content engine across multiple platforms. – In-person human experiences still have unique power in an increasingly digital media world. – A strong team can be essential for creators trying to build across audio, video, social, and live experiences. – The future of media may depend less on sounding polished and more on being unmistakably human. Relevant Links Host Rob Greenlee https://robgreenlee.com/ (Rob Greenlee) New Media Show https://newmediashow.com/ (New Media Show) Rob Greenlee Live Podcasts https://robgreenlee.com/live-podcasts/ (Rob Greenlee) Rob Greenlee & New Media Show YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Spoken Human Show – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@spokenhuman (Rob Greenlee) LinkedIn – Rob Greenlee https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Instagram – Rob Greenlee https://www.instagram.com/robwgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) X.com – Rob Greenlee https://x.com/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee) Adore Podcast Network https://AdoreNetwork.com (Rob Greenlee) Podcast Hall of Fame https://PodcastHall.com (Rob Greenlee) Guest Erin Diehl https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin (itserindiehl.com) improve it! https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ (learntoimproveit.com) Workday Playdate Podcast https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page (learntoimproveit.com) Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workday-playdate/id1508450538 (Apple Podcasts)The post Building a Very Human Media Business | Erin Diehl #654 first appeared on New Media Show.

New Media Show #652 with Rob Greenlee and Lauren Shippen On Episode 652 of the New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee shares a screen with Lauren Shippen, Creative Director at Atypical Artists, to tackle a growing tension in creator media around audio fiction, which is thriving as a storytelling format but is being pressure-tested by the industry’s video-first discovery push. Fiction podcasts did not stop working. What changed is how platforms signal value, how audiences discover new shows, and how creators feel forced to look video-ready to compete. The real question for fiction creators in 2026 is not “How do I force my story into video?” It is “How do I protect the magic of audio storytelling while adding the right discovery layers for today’s platforms?” Lauren shares what fiction creators often misunderstand about sustainability, what typically breaks first when the story stalls, and where video helps, hurts, or becomes unrealistic. Rob lays out a practical framework for separating audio as the product from video as the discovery layer, plus realistic tiers of visual strategy that will not turn your show into a second production company. Quick answers for creators What is the episode about A practical conversation about protecting audio fiction storytelling while adapting to video-driven discovery across platforms in 2026. Should fiction podcasts become video podcasts to grow Not automatically. The strategy is to keep audio as the core product and use video selectively as a discovery layer when it improves reach without breaking the production model. What is the biggest mistake fiction creators make Trying to solve growth with promotion before fixing story retention fundamentals like onboarding, pacing, cadence, and season design. How should fiction shows think about video? As budget tiers. Start with lightweight discovery assets and only move toward full narrative adaptation if the economics and workflow support it. Topics we cover – Why fiction creators feel pulled between story-first goals and video-first platform expectations – The top growth inputs fiction creators still control, even when platforms shift – Story architecture that drives retention before promotion pacing, onboarding, cadence, and season design – Video pressure: what is real, what is hype, and what creators should ignore – Audio only vs video for fiction when format helps and when it hurts – Budget tiers for video lightweight discovery assets vs full narrative adaptation – Trailers as conversion assets and how to build a simple start here listener path – Why human recommendations still beat algorithm chasing for story shows Community reality checks what to prove before building Discord or fan spaces – Where AI helps scripted storytelling workflows, and where it can damage authorship and trust – A practical 30-day growth plan for fiction podcasters Chapters: 00:00 Story Versus Screen 01:41 Meet Lauren Shippen 03:22 What Counts As Podcast 06:00 Video As Discovery 08:18 Netflix Podcast Strategy 15:30 Monetization And Paywalls 19:48 Apple Video Feed Tension 22:36 Always On Audio Fiction 27:47 Audience Growth Beyond Podcasts 32:50 AI Slop Versus Art 40:21 Sports Analogy For AI 42:38 Why AI Lacks Heart 43:31 Gaming and Interactive Futures 45:03 If Everyone Can Generate It 47:10 The Internet Shapes AI Adoption 48:45 Podcasting as Human Story 51:14 Blurring Fiction and Truth 54:01 Atypical Artist Slate Tour 57:17 Making Shows Work Economically 01:03:54 Producing and Adapting Workflow 01:06:04 Origin Story Bright Sessions 01:10:21 New Projects and Immersive Marketing 01:14:14 Serial Model and Journalism Worries 01:15:38 Fiction Podcast Evolution 01:17:22 Wrap Up and Next Episode Tease Featured projects mentioned The Bright Sessions Rebel Robin 2000 and Late Breaker Whiskey Resource Links: Host: Rob Greenlee [https://robgreenlee.com] The New Media Show [https://newmediashow.com/] Adore Network [https://AdoreNetwork.com] Podcast Hall of Fame [https://PodcastHall.com] Rob on YouTube [https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee] Rob on LinkedIn [https://LinkedIn.com/in/robgreenlee] Guest: Lauren Shippen [https://www.laurenshippen.com/] Atypical Artists [https://www.atypicalartists.co/] Book Rob Calendly [https://calendly.com/robgreenlee]The post Can Fiction Story Podcasts Survive Video Push | Lauren Shippen #652 first appeared on New Media Show.

On Weds, February 18th Live Episode #651 of the New Media Show, Rob Greenlee, Host, 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer and CEO of Trust Factor Lab at https://RobGreenlee.com, and James Cridland, Editor, https://Podnews.net and 2026 Podcast Hall of Famer discuss Apple’s announcement of a new and improved video podcast experience in the Apple Podcasts app and what it changes technically and strategically heading into 2026.  They explain how video was previously active in Apple Podcasts but was hidden and poorly presented in the iOS apps, and how this new updated experience makes video playback front and center, with a “turn video off” option that keeps the audio track playing.  The episode breaks down Apple’s preferred move to HLS-based on-demand video delivery (via a separate, proprietary API HLS video streaming pass-through submission from approved hosting partners) while still supporting legacy MP4 video via RSS.  They cover HLS basics (chunked delivery, adaptive quality, reduced bandwidth, and hosting costs), improved seeking/scrubbing versus progressive MP4 playback, and new measurement implications (better insight into drop-off and ad viewing). A major focus is monetization: Apple plans to enable dynamic ad insertion for HLS video and charge a per-impression fee, positioning Apple to take revenue without operating an ad business.  The conversation notes early launch partners (Acast, Art19, Omny Studio, Simplecast), questions about specs and rollout timing (an app update is likely by the end of March; dynamic ad features later in the year), and the risk of platform fragmentation as distribution shifts from open RSS to proprietary APIs.  James and Rob discuss alternate enclosures (Podcasting 2.0) as an open path to wider app support, reference iHeart’s stated support for video via RSS alternate enclosures, and highlight creator concerns about losing separate audio edits when video replaces the audio feed during playback.  They also touch on device support (not initially on Apple TV; CarPlay doesn’t show video; Vision Pro support) and briefly discuss future RSS innovation ideas like comments, payments, transcripts, and location tags, plus a short note on upcoming podcast events (Podcast Show London, Podcast Movement New York, Podcast Movement at SXSW). Chapter Topics: 00:00 Welcome + Why Apple’s Video Podcast Update Matters 01:31 Apple Brings Video Front-and-Center (and Why Now) 06:00 The New Playback Experience: Full-Screen Video & One Feed 10:49 How Apple’s HLS Video Works (and Why It’s Better) 11:36 The Money Shift: Dynamic Video Ads & Apple’s Per-Impression Fee 17:59 Rollout Timeline, Unknown Specs, and Early Partner Shows 23:54 Partners, Two Ingestion Paths, and the RSS vs HLS Debate 34:47 Hands-On Demo: Video Icons, Turn Video Off, and MP4 vs HLS 39:47 Bandwidth, Scrubbing, and What HLS Enables for Measurement 44:16 Quality/Resolution Questions + Missing Apple TV (for Now) 46:26 CarPlay & Vision Pro: Where Apple Podcasts Video Actually Plays 47:09 Will HLS Replace MP3 for Audio? Monetization, Costs, and Reality Check 49:51 Apple vs Spotify: Open Hosting, Dynamic Ads, and Why This Helps Creators 52:30 Audio Isn’t ‘Video Without Pictures’: Why Separate Edits Matter 55:21 Will It Work With Spotify for Creators? Partners, Megaphone, and Pressure 01:00:02 How HLS Interstitials Work: Client-Side Ad Breaks and Spec Unknowns 01:07:48 Keeping RSS Relevant: Alternate Enclosures, Comments, Payments, and New Tags 01:13:48 Local Podcasting & Specialized Apps: Location Tag, TuneIn, and the Future 01:20:20 Wrap-Up: Conferences, Cold Weather, and Final Goodbyes What you will learn in this episode – How Apple’s HLS video differs from RSS MP4 enclosures in real-world creator workflows  – Why HLS segment-based delivery enables adaptive streaming and modern video ad insertion – What Apple’s limited launch partner list means for hosting competition and creator choice  (Podnews) – https://podnews.net/article/video-apple-podcasts-details – How Apple Podcasts Connect API keys work, and what they do and do not grant to hosting providers – https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5593-how-to-publish-video – How creators should decide between RSS video, Apple HLS video, and other platform video strategies in 2026 – https://www.theverge.com/tech/879749/apple-podcasts-video-swap-hls-live-streaming Links for show notes Watch live or On Demand https://newmediashow.com Apple announcement https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/02/apple-introduces-a-new-video-podcast-experience-on-apple-podcasts/ Apple creator documentation https://podcasters.apple.com/video-apple-podcasts  https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5593-how-to-publish-video https://podcasters.apple.com/support/3684-video-podcasts  Podnews analysis https://podnews.net/article/video-apple-podcasts-details  https://podnews.net/update/apple-podcasts-hero  Guest James Cridland, Editor, https://Podnews.net https://james.cridland.net/biography/  Host Rob Greenlee, 2017 Podcast Hall of Fame Inductee https://robgreenlee.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee https://x.com/robgreenlee https://PodcastHall.comThe post Apple’s New Video Podcast Deep Dive | James Cridland #651 first appeared on New Media Show.

AI-generated podcast hosts and shows are rapidly changing podcasting, video podcasting, and the creator economy across all distribution platforms, including AI LLMs. In this episode of The New Media Show Live #650 from Feb 4th, 2026, Host Rob Greenlee, CEO/Founder of Trust Factor Lab, explores how AI-generated podcasts affect people, trust, and the future of media with Jeanine Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Inception Point AI. Jeanine Wright will help us better understand what Inception Point AI is building and why AI-generated personalities are different from human-created podcasts and AI-assisted editing tools. This conversation is designed to help podcasters, creators, media executives, and advertisers understand AI-generated podcast content without fear. It will be a clear, accurate discussion about how synthetic hosts work, how audiences respond emotionally, and what the next 12 to 24 months may look like as AI improves. As humans seem to be rejecting AI-generated content, its human consumption is growing and quality is rapidly improving. Key topics covered in this 60-minute conversation -AI-generated podcast hosts and synthetic media explained in plain language -How AI personalities are created using story plus technology -How listeners build trust and emotional attachment with AI voices -Disclosure and transparency for AI-generated content -Authenticity and credibility in AI-created podcasts versus human-created podcasts -Ethics, consent, voice, likeness, and IP issues in synthetic media -Brand safety, advertising readiness, and monetization for AI-hosted shows -Platform discovery and distribution when AI content volume explodes -What human creators should do now to stay differentiated and future-proof? -Practical strategies for building trust and growth in 2026 and beyond Who this episode is for -Podcast creators and video creators -Media companies, podcast networks, and platform teams -Advertisers and brand safety leaders -Listeners curious about AI-generated content and the future of podcasting Watch live at YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee and join the conversation Watch On-Demand/Podcast Audio and Video Versions at https://newmediashow.com  Guest Jeanine Wright, Inception Point AI https://www.inceptionpoint.ai Host Rob Greenlee https://robgreenlee.com https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee https://www.youtube.com/@spokenhuman https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee https://www.instagram.com/robwgreenlee https://x.com/robgreenlee https://AdoreNetwork.com https://PodcastHall.com 00:00 Introduction to the New Media Show 00:55 Guest Introduction: Janine Wright 01:42 Addressing AI Controversies 05:18 AI’s Impact on Jobs and Content Quality 13:36 Exploring AI-Generated Content 14:41 AI Personalities and Content Creation 22:42 Future of AI in Content Creation 31:32 Transparency and Ethical Considerations 43:25 Human Creators in an AI-Driven World 46:40 Exploring Swap Farms and Bot Traffic 47:28 The Evolution of Podcast Quality 50:45 AI in Video Content Creation 52:20 Digital Clones and Ethical Considerations 56:50 AI Personalities and Content Creation 01:04:19 The Future of AI in Podcasting 01:23:09 Advertiser Reactions and Industry Impact 01:25:43 Final Thoughts and Future ConversationsThe post How AI-Created Podcasts Impacting Humans? | Jeanine Wright #650 first appeared on New Media Show.

This week in episode 649 of the New Media Show, Rob Greenlee is joined by Jordan Harbinger to unpack the question creators ask nonstop in 2026: What actually grows a podcast or show (and what doesn’t)? – Jordan’s core answer is refreshingly “boring,” but real: long-term consistency, and realistic expectations about how long monetization can take—even for shows that eventually become huge. From there, the conversation expands into the bigger shift happening right now: – Audio podcasts increasingly competing (and collaborating) with video ecosystems especially YouTube where the “rules” and algorithmic expectations are fundamentally different from audio distribution. They also dig into platform strategy and brand-fit tension like whether “talk show” style content truly belongs on Netflix, and why creators may face tough tradeoffs when platforms want exclusivity that can limit reach elsewhere. After Jordan wraps and leaves the show, Rob closes with a rapid-fire, ranked set of growth plays emphasizing that none are magic bullets, but together they form a practical menu you can test based on your format and audience: – Short-form clips (done well) to reach different audiences while recognizing shorts viewers don’t always convert to long-form listeners/viewers. – Guest/social amplification that’s genuinely value-add (not generic promo spam). – Niche community, value-first posting built around knowing exactly who your show serves. – Owned audience via email/newsletter + even a WhatsApp group concept. – AI clip volume + testing (alternate cuts, tighter versions, experimentation). – Structured cross-promos / feed drops with comparable shows and fair “impressions”-style thinking. – Video distribution expansion including Spotify video (if Spotify makes changes) as another potential growth surface—and the emerging “start audio, finish video” behavior across devices. Guest: Jordan Harbinger Website: https://www.jordanharbinger.com Podcast: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanHarbinger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanharbinger/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharbinger X: https://x.com/jordanharbinger Host: Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website – https://robgreenlee.com/ New Media Show (Audio & Video) – https://newmediashow.com/ New Media Show Audio (Apple Podcasts) – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podfest Expo – https://podfestexpo.com – https://podcasthall.comThe post What Actually Grows a Podcast or Show Now? | Jordan Harbinger #649 first appeared on New Media Show.

The New Media Show #648 Live On-Stage at Podfest Expo (Jan 16, 2026) Where Audio, Video, and AI Flow Together Recorded live on stage at Podfest Expo in Orlando,  Rob Greenlee is joined by three of the smartest voices shaping where podcasting is headed right now: James Cridland (Podnews), Rox Codes (Flightcast), and Philip Nelson (Nelco Media). This episode tackles the collision of audio RSS, platform-native video, and AI-powered creator workflows and why the podcast conversation in 2026 is less about labels and more about content that works everywhere. What we cover: -Audio podcasting vs video podcasting and what audiences actually want -Why content first matters more than format wars -The roots of video in early podcasting and why it feels full circle again -Fragmented audiences across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Shorts -Practical creator strategy packaging, titles, thumbnails, retention, and workflow systems that scale Guests and Links: James Cridland Podnews – https://podnews.net/ Podnews Weekly Review – https://weekly.podnews.net/ Rox Codes Flightcast – https://flightcast.com/ Rox Codes – https://rox.codes/ Philip Nelson Nelco Media – https://nelco.media/ Philip Nelson – https://nelco.media/about/ Rob Greenlee and New Media Show Links Rob Greenlee Website – https://robgreenlee.com/ New Media Show (Audio & Video) – https://newmediashow.com/ New Media Show Audio (Apple Podcasts) – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-media-show-audio/id392545649 Rob Greenlee on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podfest Expo – https://podfestexpo.com – https://podcasthall.comThe post Where Audio, Video, and AI Flow Together | Podfest Panel #648 first appeared on New Media Show.

The New Media Show Episode 647 Live on Jan 21st, 20026 at 6pm ET. Show Topic: Digital Creator 2026 Money Playbook Content Creator’s Business and Financial Strategies are moving faster than ever with video, audio podcasting, AI tools, and nonstop platform changes, but many are still running the business side like a hobby. The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee is joined live by Ralph Estep Jr, licensed accountant and host of The Content Creators Accountant, to break down the simple money systems creators need to turn creator chaos into calm financial clarity. If you earn from YouTube AdSense, brand deals and UGC, affiliate income, memberships and subscriptions, courses, coaching, digital products, or PayPal and Stripe payouts, this episode is built for you. Topics we cover: – How to separate business money from personal without overcomplicating it – How to track income across multiple platforms without headaches – How to set aside taxes automatically even in uneven months – How to make smarter gear decisions without wrecking cash flow – How to build simple repeatable financial systems that creators can follow – What to focus on in 2026 to run a real creator business that lasts – 2026 Podcast Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Jan 16th, 2026 Watch Live and Subscribe: New Media Show Website – https://newmediashow.com Rob Greenlee Website – https://robgreenlee.com Rob Greenlee YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee Podcast Hall of Fame – https://podcasthall.com Adore Creator Network – https://AdoreNetwork.com Passion Struck Network – https://PassionStruckNetwork.com Rob Greenlee LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee Book Rob Greenlee – https://calendly.com/robgreenlee Ralph Estep Jr Links: Content Creators Accountant Website and free resources https://contentcreatorsaccountant.com The Content Creators Accountant Podcast https://contentcreatorsaccountant.com/podcastThe post Digital Creator 2026 Money Playbook | Ralph Estep Jr. #647 first appeared on New Media Show.

This week (December 17th, 2025) on episode #645 of The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee host is joined by longtime podcasting pioneer and returning guest co-host Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man, for a wide-ranging and timely conversation about where podcasting has been and where it’s heading next. The episode opens with a reflection on the long-running industry debate around the definition of a podcast and why that question has resurfaced so often over the last few years. Rob and Cliff explore how audience behavior has quietly moved ahead of industry debates, shifting consumption toward a mix of audio, video, livestreams, and platforms like YouTube, often without waiting for permission or consensus. Cliff shares the full story behind his return to the Podcast Answer Man brand after stepping away years ago, including why he left, what he focused on during his time away, and what changes in the podcasting and creator landscape made this the right moment to come back. He reflects on two decades in podcasting, helping tens of thousands of creators launch shows, and why many creators today feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice around video, algorithms, and monetization. Rob introduces the concept of podcasting’s evolving eras, beginning with the often-forgotten “Zero Era” where audio and video podcasting coexisted early on, followed by the MeUndies era, the experimentation and acquisition boom, and the more recent identity-crisis phase defined by the question “What is a podcast?” Together, Rob and Cliff discuss why the industry may now be entering what’s being called the Liquid Content Era, where shows are no longer confined to a single format and content flows across feeds, platforms, and experiences. The conversation digs into the tension between creator intent and audience convenience, the role of RSS in a changing ecosystem, and the risks of letting algorithms dictate creative decisions. Cliff offers a counterbalance to the pressure many creators feel to be everywhere at once, emphasizing that audio-only podcasting can still succeed when aligned with clear goals, sustainable workflows, and meaningful audience relationships. The episode also explores production quality, evolving audio standards, video integration challenges, international podcast growth, and why podcasting remains a powerful global medium despite constant claims that it’s “over” or “dead.” This episode is both a reality check and a recalibration, encouraging creators to stop defending definitions, focus on serving audiences, and choose formats intentionally rather than reactively. Join the conversation in comments, and be part of the discussion about what podcasting really means now and what it can become next. Rob Greenlee Rob Greenlee Website https://RobGreenlee.com New Media Show for Audio and Video RSS feeds https://NewMediaShow.com Adore Podcast Network https://AdoreNetwork.com Adore Creator Community on Skool https://Skool.com/AdoreNetwork Podcast Hall of Fame https://PodcastHall.com https://YouTube.com/@OfficialPodcastHallofFame The Pro Creator Playbook with Rob Greenlee Audio podcast https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-audio/ Video show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-video/ Spoken Life Show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/spoken-life-show/ Spoken Human show on YouTube https://YouTube.com/@spokenhuman Rob Greenlee YouTube channel https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee Cliff Ravenscraft https://CliffRavenscraft.com https://PodcastAnswerMan.comThe post What’s a Podcast Era Is Over – Welcome Liquid Content Era #645 first appeared on New Media Show.

In the December 10th, 2025 Live episode of The New Media Show, host Rob Greenlee welcomes Mike Dell, VP at Blubrry Podcasting, as guest co-host for a grounded, practical conversation about what keeps a podcast growing long after the initial excitement fades. The episode opens with a sincere reflection on Todd’s passing and the lasting impact he had on the community, along with the intention to honor his legacy in the months ahead. From there, Rob and Mike move into the core topic: why many podcasts and live shows start strong, then stall. They unpack how a lack of clarity and consistency often shows up as drifting topics, uneven pacing, and episodes that feel improvised in a way that does not serve the listener. Their argument is simple: sustainable shows are built, not stumbled into. Structure does not mean sounding scripted or robotic. It means defining a format your audience can recognize, returning to it reliably, and creating a repeatable experience that keeps people coming back. They also talk about how modern media habits are reshaping expectations. With short form video and endless scroll everywhere, audiences decide quickly whether to stay. Rob and Mike stress the importance of a strong opening, clear positioning, and content that delivers on what the title promises. They discuss video as part of the current landscape, but keep the focus on fundamentals like audio quality, intentional production choices, and making platform decisions that do not compromise the listener experience. Mike pulls in lessons from his own shows, including what he has learned from hyperlocal and niche content, and how community relevance can drive engagement in ways that surprise creators. The conversation highlights practical ways to increase interaction, including live chat, polls, and Q and A segments, not as gimmicks, but as tools to build a real sense of participation and belonging. They also touch on workflow improvements, handling technical issues gracefully, simplifying video production, and using on screen titles and lower thirds so viewers can easily follow along. By the end, the episode becomes a clear playbook for leveling up: know what your show is trying to achieve, design a format that supports that goal, respect attention early, keep the quality bar consistent, and build community in a way that invites people in instead of pushing them away. Rob Greenlee Rob Greenlee Website https://RobGreenlee.com New Media Show for Audio and Video RSS feeds https://NewMediaShow.com Adore Podcast Network https://AdoreNetwork.com Adore Creator Community on Skool https://Skool.com/AdoreNetwork Podcast Hall of Fame https://PodcastHall.com https://YouTube.com/@OfficialPodcastHallofFame The Pro Creator Playbook with Rob Greenlee Audio podcast https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-audio/ Video show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-video/ Spoken Life Show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/spoken-life-show/ Spoken Human show on YouTube https://YouTube.com/@spokenhuman Rob Greenlee YouTube channel https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee Mike Dell Blubrry Podcasting https://blubrry.com https://MikeDell.com Audio Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:00 Reflecting on Podcasting Changes 01:25 The Importance of Podcast Structure 03:19 Balancing Planning and Spontaneity 04:58 Engaging the Audience 08:08 Navigating Algorithms and Goals 18:54 Hyperlocal and Niche Podcasting 34:26 Live Shows and Audience Interaction 42:34 Improving Podcasting Skills 43:03 Maintaining Authenticity in Production 43:32 Handling Technical Glitches 44:33 Simplifying Video Production 44:46 Using Streaming Platforms Effectively 48:52 Importance of Lower Thirds and Titles 50:12 Editing and Post-Production Tips 56:59 Building a Community 01:01:02 Engaging with Your Audience 01:07:51 Q&A Session 01:12:46 Final Thoughts and AnnouncementsThe post Making a Pro Level Live or Recorded Show – New Media Show #644 first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode, we relaunch the New Media Show #643 with special guest Rob Walsh, VP of Libsyn. After a difficult last few months following the passing of longtime friend and co-host Todd Cochrane, The New Media Show officially returns with a fresh format and a familiar voice. In this reboot episode, we again talk candidly about the process of bringing the show back, honoring Todd’s legacy, and where the podcasting industry is really headed in 2025 and beyond. Rob Greenlee and Rob Walch dig into the renewed 2026 Podcast Hall of Fame, why hosting it at Podfest Expo matters, and how this year’s inductee class reflects both the early pioneers and today’s global voices. They unpack what advertisers are actually buying right now, why mid sized loyal shows often outperform the “big names,” and how the shift from demographic targeting to psychographic and genre based buying is changing deals for creators at every level. The conversation also explores the rise of private communities and paid video ecosystems on platforms like Substack and Uscreen, plus the relaunch of NewMediaShow.com with a fully restored archive of nearly 600 past episodes. From YouTube and Spotify’s “top podcast” charts to Apple’s long running audio ecosystem, the two Robs wrestle with a core question: what truly counts as a podcast in an era where many YouTube only shows get labeled as such. They contrast audio first and video first strategies, debate download versus HLS streaming, and talk through how measurement, attribution, and IAB revenue reports reveal a still under valued ad market relative to radio and other media. Finally, they tackle the current wave of AI generated ads and shows, including legal requirements around disclosure and why so much AI content still feels soulless, even as tools get faster and more powerful. Whether you are an indie creator, a network executive, or someone who has followed The New Media Show for years, this reboot episode sets the tone for a new chapter that stays true to the show’s roots while leaning hard into the realities of today’s business of podcasting. Rob Greenlee Rob Greenlee website https://RobGreenlee.com New Media Show for Audio and Video RSS feeds https://NewMediaShow.com Adore Creator Network and shows hub https://AdoreNetwork.com Adore Creator Community on Skool https://Skool.com/AdoreNetwork Podcast Hall of Fame https://PodcastHall.com https://YouTube.com/@OfficialPodcastHallofFame The Pro Creator Playbook with Rob Greenlee Audio podcast https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-audio/ Video show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/pro-creator-playbook-video/ Spoken Life Show https://www.adorenetwork.com/show/spoken-life-show/ Spoken Human show on YouTube https://YouTube.com/@spokenhuman Rob Greenlee YouTube channel https://YouTube.com/@RobGreenlee Rob Walch Libsyn podcast hosting and network https://libsyn.com Podcast411 with Rob Walch https://podcast411.com  The post Rebooting the Show: Video, AI and Revenue #643 first appeared on New Media Show.

On this special New Media Show tribute episode, we honor the life and legacy of Todd Cochrane, podcasting pioneer, podcast hall of famer, founder of Blubrry and RawVoice, host of Geek News Central podcast, author of one of the first podcasting books, and co-host on The New Media Show for 13 years. Todd’s influence on podcasting was profound: from launching one of the earliest shows in 2004, to creating the Podcast Awards, to championing open RSS and independent podcasters. His voice, conviction, and generosity shaped the medium and inspired countless creators. Joining host Rob Greenlee Podcast Hall of Famer are Adam Curry is also a Podcast Hall of Famer, Mike Dell, VP at Blubrry, and Rob Walch, VP at Libsyn who is also a Podcast Hall of Famer as we reflect on Todd’s extraordinary journey and life, from Navy service to podcasting leader, and discuss his impact on the industry, his unwavering advocacy for creators, and the lessons he leaves for the future of podcasting.The post Remembering Todd Cochrane Podcast Hall of Famer and Blubrry CEO first appeared on New Media Show.

The episode titled “Bryan Barletta of Podcast Movement: What’s Next for the Show?” features hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee, who welcome guest Bryan Barletta. The episode begins with Todd introducing Bryan and discussing the recent happenings at Podcast Movement following the event. Bryan expresses gratitude for Todd and Rob’s previous discussions about Podcast Movement and mentions the importance of critical feedback. Todd brings up some challenges regarding the number of attendees and logistical details from the recent Podcast Movement event, sharing metrics he tracked personally. Bryan explains that he was less involved in that specific event but acknowledges the need for feedback and improvement based on attendees’ experiences. Bryan discusses his recent transition after the acquisition of SoundProfitable and how it positions him to make impactful changes in the industry. He emphasizes the need to create value and excitement around the event, with a particular focus on enhancing attendance and engagement. They discuss how the geographical location of upcoming events, especially in New York, should draw more attendees compared to previous events in San Diego. Todd highlights the differences in crowd behavior at events compared to others, like Podfest and events in London. Bryan responds that the changes since COVID and the dynamics of each convention make it essential to evaluate attendee needs carefully. The conversation shifts to how better to engage creators and business representatives in the podcasting industry. Bryan acknowledges the diversity within the creator community and highlights the challenges of merging business and creator-centric content at events. Rob raises concerns about maintaining a balance between industry-focused events and offerings for creators. They note the popularity of video as a growing trend in podcasting and the importance of presenting audio content in appealing ways. Todd urges that audio should remain a cherished medium and not be overshadowed by video initiatives. As the episode progresses, Bryan shares his views on the potential of Podcast Movement to support creators more robustly and the need to differentiate from competing platforms like YouTube and Spotify. He emphasizes the importance of fostering audio-centric content creation in response to industry changes. Toward the end of the discussion, Bryan shares that announcements will be made around October, hinting at upcoming adjustments to the event structure and approach to programming. He emphasizes the goal of making it easier for attendees to engage with the event and expresses excitement about future initiatives. Todd and Rob wrap up the episode by reflecting on Bryan’s insights, acknowledging questions that remain, and the evolving landscape of podcasting events. They point out the potential for regional events and reiterate the need for better communication with the creator community. The episode concludes with Todd giving his contact details and inviting listeners to follow up for future discussions.The post Bryan Barletta of Podcast Movement: What’s Next for the Show? #642 first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “Podcast Movement Recap and Insights,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss their experiences and observations from the recent Podcast Movement conference held in Dallas. Todd has also posted a piece on Linkedin that has garnered nearly 8000 views. Todd kicks off the conversation by expressing gratitude for the listeners. Rob brings up the theme “show me the money,” which reflects a mixture of seriousness and humor regarding the event. Todd shares his experience of arriving on a Sunday, noting that he could have saved on hotel costs by arriving later, given the event’s setup schedule. Both hosts discuss the presence of vendors at the conference, with Todd commenting on the impressive booth from Libsyn compared to other vendors, resulting in a total of about twenty vendors. Rob adds context for those unfamiliar with Podcast Movement, describing it as historically significant and the largest podcasting conference, although he notes that it may no longer hold that title. They express concerns over attendance numbers, suggesting that the conference may be losing its prominence compared to other events, such as Podfest. As they delve deeper, Todd notes that many attendees seemed to be local and not diverse enough geographically in terms of representation. They discuss the financial aspects of attending the event, including ticket costs and discounts provided for local attendees. Todd expresses relief that the discounted tickets helped increase attendance. The conversation shifts to a significant announcement made during the conference regarding Podcast Movement’s acquisition of Sounds Profitable. They discuss the implications of this acquisition and the confusion surrounding the language used to describe the transaction, which is defined as both an acquisition and a merger. Todd shares his initial reactions and interactions with key players from Sounds Profitable, expressing hope for future creator engagement. Rob and Todd then reflect on the event’s atmosphere and traffic. While they experienced slow periods, Todd is satisfied with the overall attendance, noting that they ultimately scanned around 100 badges. They discuss the mix of people they interacted with, some looking to shift their hosting platforms, while others were starting. The hosts discuss potential issues affecting the podcasting space, including stagnation in creator numbers and retention concerns. Critical discussions within the industry arise, reflecting on whether podcasting can maintain its independence while embracing mainstream media and the expectations of profitability. They also discuss practical considerations for future events, including potential changes in scheduling and structure to appeal to both business professionals and creators. Rob suggests the need for one-day passes and more targeted marketing to effectively engage local audiences. Todd expresses his hope for improvements, highlighting the possibility of creating a space for a truly educational experience that is free from self-promotion. They both emphasize the importance of creating a balanced program that prioritizes genuine teaching and sharing knowledge rather than merely promoting products or platforms. By the end of the episode, Todd shares some insights regarding industry trends, drawing attention to the need for widespread understanding of Open RSS and its importance in sustaining the podcasting ecosystem. They conclude with acknowledgments, inviting their audience to send feedback and highlighting key people in the podcasting community, while looking forward to future developments and discussions. The episode wraps up with both hosts thanking their listeners and affirming their return for the next episode.The post Podcast Movement Recap and Insights #641 first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “Podcasting’s Future Is Choice”, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various aspects of the podcasting industry, particularly surrounding the upcoming Podcast Movement event. The episode begins with Todd and Rob greeting each other and discussing their plans to attend the Podcast Movement conference. They discuss the costs associated with attending the event and express hope that it will attract a good turnout. Todd mentions the high price of coffee at the venue, leading to a discussion about the costs of refreshments at such events. They then transition to a new topic, discussing a recent article by Tom Webster that highlights a survey revealing the public still predominantly expects podcasts to be audio-based. The hosts analyze and debate the implications of the data, discussing how perceptions may be shifting regarding the definitions of podcasts as audiences encounter more video content. Rob comments on the current state of the podcasting industry, describing it as “cloudy” due to the evolving relationship between audio and video formats. He reflects on how podcasting has become increasingly commercialized over time, similar to mainstream media, with a growing focus on monetization and advertising. As the conversation progresses, Todd and Rob delve into a podcast study indicating that most listeners dedicate only three hours a week to podcasts, questioning the implications of such limited consumption. They also discuss the growth in podcast advertising revenue, which has reportedly risen, but express skepticism about the figures presented, particularly in light of layoffs within the industry. Todd mentions Spotify’s plan to raise subscription costs for users outside the U.S. and discusses other industry trends, such as the dual nature of recent podcasting content. Rob notes that some networks are canceling podcasts labeled as risky because of their unfiltered content. The hosts shift to a discussion about the upcoming Podcast Movement, focusing on the various sessions and their related topics, with a notable emphasis on video in podcasting. They also touch on the challenges of securing accommodations at the event. Towards the closing of the episode, Todd and Rob recount their personal travel experiences and provide insights into Internet speeds available in their respective areas, reflecting on the necessary infrastructure for modern podcasting. In conclusion, they agree to return with insights and updates from Podcast Movement in a future episode, signing off with their contact information.The post Podcasting’s Future Is a Choice first appeared on New Media Show.

In the latest episode of the New Media Show, hosted by Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee, the discussion begins with a light greeting and banter about upcoming events, particularly Todd’s anticipated return to the United States and the podcast movement. They briefly touch on the advertising campaigns Todd has been involved with on PodNews and his challenges with launching GuestMatch.pro, a new platform aimed at connecting podcasters with guests. As the conversation progresses, they delve into Netflix’s shifting focus towards video content and its impact on traditional media. Todd shares his skepticism about the effectiveness of simple audio being placed on video platforms. At the same time, Rob discusses the implications of this shift, noting how it might reshape the dynamics of podcast talent. The hosts then spotlight Overcast’s testing of built-in transcript support, congratulating founder Marco for joining Apple Podcast and Pocket Cast in incorporating transcripts. They hope that Overcast will adopt the transcript tag from RSS feeds, thereby increasing accessibility to podcasts. The episode transitions to a discussion about Spotify, covering its challenges with ad revenue despite overall profit increases. Rob notes the industry’s pivot towards subscription models and raises questions about Spotify’s advertising future. The conversation shifts towards programmatic ads and how new players in the space, like rss.com, are establishing their presence with low payout thresholds. Todd and Rob discuss the implications of advertising and the financial dynamics of big tech companies managing content platforms. They also highlight a recent list from Time magazine that featured the 100 best podcasts, expressing disappointment over the omission of notable shows such as “Pod Save America” and “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The hosts speculate on the potential political bias in the selections. Further conversations explore the estimated boom in the podcast market projected to reach $40 billion by 2025; however, they debate whether this is realistic given the nature of the industry. The discussion then navigates through the broader podcast landscape, tackling the nuances in monetization paths for creators and the increasing reliance on private platforms like Patreon and Substack. Todd and Rob reflect on the evolution of audience engagement, particularly with women-led podcasts establishing a significant presence compared to traditional solo-hosted shows, which men often dominate. They discuss the importance of forming direct relationships between creators and their audience, encouraging creators to harness tools for community building and revenue generation outside traditional platforms. As the episode nears its conclusion, they share personal anecdotes related to travel and technology, with Todd recounting his experiences with AI capabilities in optimizing tasks, such as finding flight deals. Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive update on the podcasting industry, examining shifts in media consumption, the economic landscape, and providing guidance for creators navigating these changes. The hosts conclude the show with a reminder about their respective social media handles and encourage audience engagement before wrapping up.The post Overcast quietly tests built-in transcripts! first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of “The New Media Show,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various aspects of independent podcasting, referencing the financial success of the Joe Budden Network, which reportedly makes over a million dollars a month on Patreon plus an equal amount in advertising revenue. Todd expresses his views on what constitutes an independent podcast, questioning whether contracts with platforms like Spotify affect that classification. Rob adds that the definition of independence in podcasting is convoluted, as many shows labeled as independent still utilize a team for production. The conversation highlights that Joe Budden once had a contract with Spotify but is now considered independent, having left due to insufficient financial support. Todd believes that many independent podcasters can sustain themselves financially through strategic planning and high-quality content, even with a small team. Furthermore, they discuss monetization strategies, including flexible donation models on platforms such as Patreon & Paypal. Rob shares that he views independent podcasts as those that control their content rights and haven’t given them over to a larger platform. Both hosts agree on the changing landscape, where even well-known podcasters can still consider themselves independent despite having support teams. As the dialogue progresses, they discuss NPR’s funding cuts and the implications of these changes on independent content creation, highlighting the evolution of podcasting since its inception around twenty years ago. They reflect on how their audience demographics have evolved alongside them, with the younger audience now more prevalent than when they first started. The latter part of the episode transitions into a discussion about industry events, with a particular focus on the upcoming Podcast Movement conference. Todd shares insights on the scale and focus of the event, noting a shift towards more corporate sponsors and fewer independent participants. They highlight the need for unified metrics in podcasting to simplify advertising buy decisions, citing confusion among ad buyers. As the conversation draws to a close, Todd and Rob cover the emerging trend of AI-generated voiceovers for ads, discussing potential ethical concerns and implications for audience trust in advertisements. They ultimately invite listeners to share their thoughts and feedback regarding the show and the topics discussed. The episode concludes with both hosts sharing their contact information and encouraging audience engagement, highlighting the continued evolution and challenges within the podcasting landscape.The post Independent Podcasts Build Massive Annual Revenue first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “Adam Curry Returns and Spotify’s Seven Million Shows,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee welcome listeners to the new media show. Rob expresses his excitement about discussing various topics, particularly noting the significant milestone of seven million podcasts, mainly attributed to Spotify (wink)(wink). As they delve into the numbers, Todd and Rob comment on how many new podcast creators fail to enable RSS feeds at Spotify, which limits their reach to platforms like Apple Podcasts. Todd notes that Spotify’s exclusive setup has led to many underwhelming shows, which the Podcast Index has responded to by halting the listing of new shows due to a high failure rate. Rob points out the false perception of success that arises from inflated numbers while highlighting the challenges new creators face in achieving real engagement. Todd emphasizes that many shows are simply tests with little commitment behind them. They discuss the implications of free trials offered by hosting services, revealing frustrations with the influx of low-quality or “scammer” shows that clutter platforms. The conversation shifts to the current climate in podcasting, where the number of new shows has decreased compared to previous years. Rob mentions that while many creators are searching for side hustles, they often have unrealistic expectations regarding making money through podcasting, which requires more effort than they anticipate. Todd discusses the confusion many users have regarding the relationship between hosting platforms and listening services, citing that many believe Blueberry is a listening platform, which it is not. They also address Spotify’s reluctance to help creators connect with Apple Podcasts. Todd shares his experiences with users who mistakenly reach out to Blueberry for help with Spotify-related issues. As they continue, Todd reveals internal data suggesting that many podcasts are inactive or have “dead” RSS feeds, while illustrating Apple’s unknown criteria for keeping their catalog updated compared to other platforms. Todd speaks about a rare rejection moment from Apple regarding a show based on audio quality, which Todd describes as surprising. The episode then takes a turn towards upcoming events in the podcasting space, with mentions of Adam Curry’s participation in Podcast Movement. Todd sadly recalls past sessions that have drawn sparse attendance, emphasizing the need for promotion to attract audiences to such events. They briefly discuss YouTube’s efforts to crack down on low-quality content generated by AI, contrasting it with the podcasting landscape, and share concerns about the rising dominance of AI in content creation. Todd shares his methods for utilizing AI tools to assist in content preparation, while maintaining that human oversight is crucial. Towards the conclusion, the hosts touch upon trends in audience creation and how individuals are increasingly perceiving themselves as creators amid a deluge of content. They also address current scams and phishing attempts, urging listeners to be vigilant in protecting their online presence and assets. Finally, Todd expresses his excitement about the potential new fiber internet service coming to his area, and they share amusing anecdotes about scams encountered online. Rob mentions a recent scam involving fake podcast opportunities, urging caution in distinguishing legitimate offers from fraudulent ones. The episode wraps up with both hosts thanking their audience, sharing their social media handles, and teasing future topics before signing off.The post Adam Curry Returns and Spotify’s Seven Million Shows – LOL first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of “The New Media Show,” hosted by Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee, the discussion centers on various topics in the podcasting space, with a particular focus on the emerging interest in video podcasting publishing formats. The episode starts with Todd welcoming listeners and mentioning that Rob has joined him for the episode. They begin by discussing the ongoing evolution in podcasting and how the interest in video podcasts via open RSS feeds is growing. Rob notes that such interest might seem new, but has been simmering for some time. Todd brings up a behind-the-scenes conversation from a Slack channel regarding HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and how it is being discussed among industry peers. He mentions his conversations with Apple during a recent podcast event in London, reflecting on how he may have been one of the few advocating for the issues at hand. As they continue, they touch on the technical challenges surrounding hosting video podcasts, particularly the costs associated with bandwidth and the potential impact of monetization if platforms like Apple start caching video content. Rob expresses that the architecture for programmatic advertising in video podcasts is there but hasn’t been fully implemented. The hosts reflect on whether they’ve received feedback from their audience regarding the video quality of past shows and review the general appetite for audio versus video content in the industry. They discuss how audience feedback on video quality has been minimal over the years. Todd shares a recent observation about video podcasts, highlighting the importance of streaming technology versus traditional MP4 formats and emphasizing the need for seamless switching between audio and video. They both agree on the necessity of making video content discoverable, particularly by platforms like Apple. The conversation shifts towards advertising trends in the podcasting industry. Todd notes concerns over a softening podcast advertising market and declining CPMs, while Rob suggests that this might influence future advertising strategies. They mention how engagement could be affected by shifts from audio to video formats and the importance of retaining a user-friendly experience in the podcasting landscape. Todd shares insights from PodTrak regarding a decline in podcast rankings and engagement, indicating that advertisers must reevaluate their strategies in light of shifting audience behaviors. The hosts consider how competition from platforms like Spotify and YouTube may drive innovation in video podcasting and how the industry might adapt accordingly. In discussing the aesthetics of podcasting setups, Todd mentions watching bourbon review channels on YouTube and how they reflect a shift towards more authentic settings. They deliberate on the evolving visual appeal in podcasting, suggesting that traditional studio setups may be on the decline in favor of more natural environments. Returning to technical and content-related issues, they both express concern about the implications of AI-generated content in the podcasting space, debating the ethics and how misinformation could be flagged in audio content. Todd proposes a need for a system to delineate levels of AI involvement in content creation. As the episode wraps up, Todd and Rob invite listeners to engage with them by sharing feedback on topics or insights they might wish to discuss about the podcasting industry, emphasizing their openness to candid discussions on advertising trends. Both hosts conclude by encouraging their audience to subscribe to the podcast, highlighting its availability on various platforms and emphasizing the ongoing relevance of audio and video content creation within podcasting. They sign off, looking forward to reconnecting in the next episode.The post Additional Video Podcast Format via RSS first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of “The New Media Show,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various developments in the podcasting industry, including the surge of live festivals, the opening of awards voting, and Apple’s 20th anniversary of supporting podcasts. The episode begins with Todd and Rob checking in with each other, with Todd sharing updates about his studio and the issues he’s experiencing with his podcasting gear. They quickly dive into topics set for discussion, mentioning the podcast awards and podcast festivals. Todd highlights the recent discussions surrounding Apple Podcasts and its 20-year support, reflecting on the nostalgia and excitement, but also expressing a desire for Apple to promote shows that have been around for that long. Rob agrees, pointing out that newer audiences may not be interested in the legacy shows. They also discuss the growth of live podcasting events, referencing past successes and the potential for more live events, especially in major cities like New York. As they delve deeper, they express concern about the future of podcast conferences in the U.S. Todd mentions a decline in interest in these events, contrasting it with the vibrant atmosphere at previous gatherings. They reflect on their past experiences at successful live events, speculating that the popularity of podcasting could lead to a resurgence in live, fan-focused events. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Podcast Movement conference in Dallas, where both hosts will be attending. Todd voices concerns about attendance and the changing nature of these events, suggesting a strategic shift where they will focus more on promoting their new product. The hosts then discuss the upcoming People’s Choice Podcast Awards, noting slightly lower registration numbers this year but emphasizing the significance of being included on the slate. They encourage podcasters to register and participate, comparing the awards to the increasing number of different award ceremonies emerging in the industry. The latter part of the episode centers on the debate about video podcasting versus audio. There is a discussion about the merits and challenges of video podcasts, including resource demands, audience engagement, and technical aspects like HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). They touch on HLS technology and the current reluctance of various hosting platforms to adopt it, noting that while video has advantages, audio still holds significant value. Finally, they conclude with a brief note about Audacy partnering with iHeartRadio to expand its podcast reach, before reiterating the mixed feelings surrounding the current state of the podcasting industry and the need to attract new creators. They emphasize the importance of delivering viable audio content, especially for new podcasters, encouraging a continued focus on growth and sustainability within the medium. The hosts close the episode, thanking their audience and mentioning their respective contact information, inviting listeners to engage with them further.The post Podcasting Pulse: Live Festivals Surge, Awards Voting Opens & Apple Turns 20 first appeared on New Media Show.

In the podcast episode titled “Expanding Podcast Image Standards for a Better Cross-App Experience,” host Todd Cochrane starts by welcoming listeners to the show. He mentions that Rob Greenlee is absent due to personal business but will return next week. Todd expresses his gratitude to both live listeners and those tuning in later. Todd discusses ongoing developments within the podcasting space, particularly surrounding Podcasting 2.0, which aims to expand image specifications for podcasters. He explains the recent Apple announcement regarding new image specs for podcast art, emphasizing the need for diversification across apps and websites, as not all have the exact requirements. Todd points out that the traditional 1400×1400 pixel image format is insufficient for some platforms, suggesting that podcasters should provide specific image sizes for different apps to improve the user experience. He provides an example of how developers and creators could include tags in their RSS feeds that specify the purpose and specific sizes for images, citing the example of a banner image that Overcast might require. Todd believes that offering a variety of image sizes will enhance the experience for listeners and facilitate better representation across different platforms. Todd also notes the potential benefits of creating episode art using artificial intelligence (AI) and discusses how services like Blubrry are already employing this technology to assist podcasters in generating artwork. He views the expansion of image standards as an opportunity for improving user engagement and the overall quality of the podcast experience. Additionally, Todd shares other industry news, such as podcasting overtaking radio in Germany and significant changes in leadership at Acast. He addresses the competitive landscape of on-demand streaming, expressing curiosity about how Spotify’s video podcasting initiatives could impact monetization models, as concerns regarding CPMs and revenue sharing arise. Towards the end of the episode, Todd mentions new advancements from services like Auphonic for audio processing, highlights the growth in listener demographics, and reflects on the ongoing evolution in the podcasting landscape. He concludes by encouraging his audience to engage with the show through support and boosts, thanking contributors for their involvement while looking forward to Rob’s return in the following episode. Thank you to Podnews for the source of most of the news.The post Expanding Podcast Image Standards for a Better Cross-App Experience first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of “The New Media Show,” hosted by Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenleee, the discussion begins with light banter as Todd welcomes Rob and mentions inclement weather affecting his internet connection. Todd shares his recent experience optimizing his streaming setup. He discusses recent improvements in Blubrry’s AI image generation capabilities as seen in today’s show art. The hosts then dive into the episode’s main topic: “YouTube Doubles Down on Podcasts.” Rob introduces the idea that YouTube is changing the podcast landscape, with a focus on comments made by YouTube CEO Neil Mohan, who emphasized that viewers want to watch content rather than just listen to it. Todd notes audience feedback indicating that not all viewers agree, suggesting a divergence in listener preferences. Rob elaborates on an upcoming feature that will enable YouTube to automatically generate translated audio tracks for different languages, thereby broadening content accessibility. The discussion explores the implications of this feature for content creators and the listener’s experience. Next, Todd expresses his irritation with Spotify’s new transcript feature, highlighting how it excludes transcripts from creators not on Spotify. Both hosts are critical of Spotify’s lack of support for all transcripts and share their frustrations over platform limitations within the podcasting industry. They discuss the podcasting scene in Brazil as it relates to Radio, noting its slow adoption rate compared to the U.S. Todd ponders how many U.S. radio stations incorporate podcast content and how that compares internationally, particularly with Australia and the BBC. The conversation shifts to SiriusXM’s podcasting initiatives, highlighting the difference between direct ownership and licensing agreements with content creators and the challenges in current podcasting partnerships. Todd expresses curiosity about SiriusXM’s actual podcast ownership numbers and the dynamics at play. Rob and Todd then delve into recent news from a podcast growth firm suggesting that relying solely on download counts can be misleading. They debate the meaning of download versus consumption metrics and question the accuracy of alternative analytical dashboards proposed by the firm. Toward the end of the episode, Todd recalls the bad experience he had with domain ownership disputes, mentioning his former ownership of CNNpodcast dot com and its current state. They also briefly discuss the failed Apollo Fiction podcast app and the challenges that genre-specific podcast apps face in a crowded market. In the closing segment, Todd highlights the slow uptake of new episodes by platforms like Apple Podcasts, compared to faster services like Pocket Casts, emphasizing listener frustrations when episodes are not published promptly. Finally, Rob shares his contact information for listeners to reach out, while Todd expresses concern and support for listeners in Israel amidst current unrest, and wraps up the episode, noting his upcoming solo show due to Rob’s absence in the following week. They thank the audience for subscribing and encourage feedback.The post YouTube Doubles Down on Podcasts first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of “The New Media Show,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss the evolving landscape of podcasting, with a focus on the interplay between audio and video content, especially addressing the question of whether YouTube is dominating the podcasting space. The episode opens with Todd welcoming Rob back from a trip to Seattle. They briefly mention that there were applications for Rob’s job while he was away. They delve into the theme of the episode, highlighting the mixed perceptions around video and audio content in podcasting. Todd refers to an article by Paul Riismandel, stating that it presents a balanced view on how YouTube does not overshadow audio podcasting, which he insists remains strong. Rob echoes this, noting that amidst the hype surrounding video, audio podcasting remains a significant player and has its own audience. The discussion touches on Apple Podcasts and new features they announced at WWDC, which they feel did not fully address the needs of podcasters. Rob adds that there is a need to understand audience expectations and how new creators are feeling overwhelmed by the emphasis on video, even as they believe in the enduring value of audio content. As they explore the challenges faced by new creators, Todd acknowledges that many feel disenfranchised and are unsure about integrating video into their workflows. They discuss the complexities of personal branding and the challenges of building an audience in an environment that seems to favor larger shows over smaller ones. Todd emphasizes that creators should focus on building their audio content and finding their voice without being distracted by the demands of video. He believes that great content is vital to growth, even though many creators are concerned about their ability to monetize early on. Rob highlights that the primary focus for most podcasters remains growth at this stage, rather than monetization. They also examine the troubling trend of new podcasters seeking to transition to video for quick success, which complicates their journeys in podcasting. Discussion returns to the significant contributions that existing audio creators are making while struggling with the pressures of social media and audience engagement. Todd and Rob emphasize the importance of hard work in growing a podcast, as the landscape has not become simpler over the years. They discuss how AI tools can help streamline specific processes, but these solutions also come with their challenges. Towards the end of the episode, they touch on the Podcast Hall of Fame and its plans, including the inclusion of international nominations. Rob shares thoughts about increasing nominations and expanding the voting base for the Hall of Fame, emphasizing transparency in the nomination process. In conclusion, both hosts reaffirm the enduring viability of audio podcasting and encourage new creators to start with audio first, advising them to build their unique brand and content strategy. The episode wraps up as they share their social media handles and express enthusiasm for the next show, marking the end of a lively discussion on the current state and future of podcasting.The post YouTube isn’t Podcasting King first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “Podcasting’s Future: Are We Losing Sight of Creators?” Todd Cochrane hosts the New Media Show solo, as Rob is not present. Todd acknowledges Rob’s potential transition away from the show and reflects on their long history together in podcasting, indicating a willingness for change. Todd discusses the current landscape of podcasting, particularly regarding the future direction of the medium amidst rising discussions about video and AI. He raises concerns that the industry might be neglecting crucial issues that affect both new and experienced creators. The episode explores topics such as the safeguarding of open RSS standards, the realities of innovation in the industry, and the importance of ensuring that the needs of podcasters, particularly content creators, are being met. As the episode progresses, Todd engages in technical discussions about HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and shares insights from recent conversations surrounding the Pod Standards Project and its possible implications for podcasting’s open ecosystem. He emphasizes that the industry must advocate for audio creators and strike a balance between innovations and preserving the openness that defines podcasting. Through a series of listener comments, Todd addresses feedback on the show’s format, including discussions about the balance between audio and video content, as well as the perceived push for video content. He argues that audio remains a powerful medium and expresses a commitment to supporting podcasters’ independence and open RSS standards. The episode concludes with Todd inviting listeners to provide feedback on the show and consider what creators truly need in this evolving landscape. He expresses a goal to continue advocating for podcasters and assures the audience that he will strive to maintain a focus on supporting creators, not just monetization. Todd concludes by encouraging audience engagement, stating that he will return for the next episode, regardless of the changes ahead.The post Podcasting’s Future: Are We Losing Sight of Creators? first appeared on New Media Show.

In the episode titled “New Media Show – Is this the End,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss the state of the podcasting industry, particularly in light of recent changes and trends. Todd opens the conversation with a metaphor about everything being “on fire” in the podcasting space, emphasizing a sense of urgency and concern surrounding the future of audio content creation. Rob acknowledges the anxiety in the medium and points out that change often leads to such feelings. Todd shares insights from his recent experience at the podcast show in London, where he noted a significant presence from Apple and discussions about the industry’s growth trajectory. He expresses that while concerns exist, audio podcasting still has a large audience and continues to grow globally despite the hype surrounding video content. The hosts discuss the perceptions that new creators feel pressured to produce video content, sharing anecdotal evidence that many are hesitant to embrace video due to privacy concerns or a lack of resources. Todd mentions that while video production can be costly, audio remains an accessible entry point for many creators. A significant theme of their conversation is the potential danger to the podcasting landscape if newer creators are discouraged from starting due to the overwhelming emphasis on video content. Todd stresses the importance of recognizing that audio podcasting is not going away and advocates for more support and encouragement for those who wish to start with audio. Rob adds to the discussion by stating that as podcasting becomes more professionalized, a greater number of creators gravitate towards larger shows, potentially sidelining independent podcasters. He agrees that nurturing new creators is essential for the longevity of the medium. Throughout the episode, both hosts reflect on the challenges the industry faces, including marketing hurdles for new creators and the slow pace of innovation from podcast platforms. They voice their concerns about the lack of new entrants into the space, which could lead to a narrowing of content variety and a decline in overall podcast engagement. As the conversation progresses, Todd and Rob acknowledge the media’s tendency to focus on negative narratives, suggesting there is a need for cheerleaders for audio podcasting to highlight its ongoing relevance and value. They lament the lack of trust in podcasting metrics and express frustration over how the podcasting space may be perceived as declining or “dying,” when, in reality, audio podcasting still has viability. In the latter part of the episode, they contemplate the future of the New Media Show itself, weighing whether it should continue, pivot, or evolve given the changing landscape. They invite audience feedback to determine the show’s direction and emphasize the critical importance of ensuring that new creators feel empowered to enter the space without being deterred by the increasing focus on video. The discussion wraps up with reflections on AI’s impact on media and the evolving dynamics of content creation, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the integrity of audio podcasting while remaining open to innovation and change within the medium. The episode concludes with a call for audience engagement to share thoughts on the future of the show and podcasting at large.The post New Media Show – Is this the End? first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “Is the Podcasting Industry Really Worth 7.4 Billion?”, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss their experiences with the upcoming Podcast Show 2025 in London, Todd’s travel plans, and his preparations for the event. Todd describes his recent return home and the updates he had to undertake in the studio after … Continue reading Is the Podcasting Industry Really Worth 7.4 Billion? #629 →The post Is the Podcasting Industry Really Worth 7.4 Billion? #629 first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode, “The Shift from Word-of-Mouth to Social Media in Podcasting,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss the evolving landscape of podcast discovery, particularly how social media is becoming a primary driver rather than traditional word-of-mouth. The episode opens with Todd and Rob greeting listeners and mentioning the upcoming return to their regular afternoon schedule. Todd shares that he was unwell the previous week and talks about recent electromagnetic storms potentially affecting health, leading to discussions about how these events might influence sleep. Rob introduces the main topic, referencing research suggesting that podcast discovery is increasingly driven by social media rather than word-of-mouth. He emphasizes the importance of people discussing podcasts online, which he argues aligns closely with traditional word-of-mouth. They also reflect on YouTube’s classification as a social media platform, debating whether podcasts could similarly be considered a form of social media. Todd expresses skepticism about social media being an effective means of discovering new podcasts. He cites his limited exposure to unknown content through platforms like Facebook and his preference for actively searching for specific podcasts rather than relying on algorithms. The conversation shifts to the role of apps like TikTok and Instagram in modern podcast discovery, highlighting how podcasters utilize these platforms to reach broader audiences. Todd mentions his experiences with YouTube content, where he is served predictable recommendations based on his viewing habits, but he finds it challenging to discover podcast content through the platform. As they discuss YouTube’s effectiveness in surfacing content and the sometimes overwhelming nature of predictive algorithms, both hosts share their viewing preferences and frustrations with fast-paced content. Todd indicates that he watches survival and van life-oriented content on YouTube rather than traditional interview-based podcasts. Rob counters that more visually stimulating shows do attract larger audiences. They delve into broader issues concerning copyright challenges in content creation, particularly with images and videos in online content. Todd expresses concern over getting copyright strikes for even minor infractions, while Rob shares his experiences using videos in his productions without facing similar repercussions. Bringing the conversation back to social media, they agree that it offers new paths for engaging audiences. Rob points out that tech advancements and AI tools have significantly impacted how podcasters create and distribute content, citing their increasing reliance on audio clips for promotion. In conclusion, Todd and Rob summarize the key points discussed, including the implications of the trends they’ve identified regarding podcast discovery, social media’s evolving role, and the dynamics of content consumption across platforms. They also highlight the importance of community support among podcasters and the potential for creative collaboration to navigate the industry’s challenges. The episode wraps up with a plan to return to their normal schedule next week, followed by Todd promoting his upcoming “Mythbuster” YouTube series focused on debunking common podcasting myths.The post The Shift from Word-of-Mouth to Social Media in Podcasting #628 first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode titled “The Growing Ad Revenue in Podcasting,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various insights related to the podcast industry’s current state, including recent earnings reports and trends in advertising revenue. The episode begins with a casual greeting between Todd and Rob, where Todd shares that he is sleeping late due to late meetings. Rob then brings up an upcoming podcast event in Madrid that Todd has been invited to, which piques their interest. They shift the conversation to recent news that the podcast industry has surpassed the two billion dollar mark in ad revenue, with Rob clarifying that the figure is for 2024 and reflects previous years’ performance. They discuss how podcast advertising revenue compares with other forms of online advertising, noting that podcasting remains a small segment of the overall ad revenue pie. Todd expresses skepticism regarding the presented figures, citing concerns that only a small percentage of shows receive ad revenue. He notes that many new creators are coming in with clear strategies rather than as hobbyists. Rob agrees and suggests that the podcasting space is trending toward professionalism. Rob mentions a well-known podcaster, Stephen Bartlett, who turned down a significant offer due to concerns over increased ad loads. Both hosts reflect on the challenges of balancing monetization with audience experience. They explore the complexity of current advertising dynamics, including host-read versus automated ads, and discuss the fluctuating ad loads across different platforms. Todd highlights that much of the industry’s growth may stem from digital video intersecting with podcasting. The conversation then turns to the importance of data analysis in understanding podcast metrics, including drops in audience and engagement. Todd shares insights on how creators can leverage existing data to improve their shows. Rob and Todd also delve into the fast-evolving landscape of video podcasts, mentioning the challenges creators face when transitioning to video content, including time and resource constraints. They discuss how companies like Netflix explore video podcasting but recognize that not all shows fit this model, emphasizing that creators should focus on what works best for their content. The episode concludes with Todd and Rob reflecting on their podcasting journey, their experiences with equipment and production, and the technical aspects involved in creating high-quality audio and video content. They wrap up by thanking their listeners and encouraging engagement with their show’s resources.The post The Growing Ad Revenue in Podcasting first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode of the New Media Show, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee come together to discuss various topics including growth in podcast listening among women, deep fakes, and AI assistants. The episode opens with Todd welcoming Rob back, explaining that he has been on vacation. Todd mentions a recent situation involving deep fakes, referencing a listener’s suggestion to discuss a post from the Rich Roll podcast where the host’s voice was used in a deceptive deep fake video. Todd expresses concern over the lack of responsiveness from platforms like Facebook and YouTube when such false content is reported, prompting questions about self-protection against deep fakes. Rob notes that while deep fake technology has been prominent in celebrity culture, its entry into podcasting is concerning. The discussion continues on how the rapid advancements in AI could complicate the landscape of content authenticity and individual rights. The hosts then shift focus to the significant growth of women listeners in podcasting, referencing a report that indicates women’s podcast listenership has tripled over ten years. They highlight that 45% of women in the U.S. are monthly podcast listeners, with Rob observing a noticeable increase in female creators in the industry. Todd agrees, suggesting that women might be dominating the creation of new content, but acknowledges that perception still exists regarding men holding a more significant presence. Todd expresses the idea that many listeners, including women, might still be drawn to male-hosted shows, particularly within popular genres like true crime. Rob counters that he recognizes a trend of female-led teams in the podcasting platforms and that there’s an increasing number of women creators entering the field. The conversation then circles back to deep fakes, with Rob mentioning a new U.S. bill aimed at protecting individuals’ likenesses and voices. They both agree on the complex challenges presented by unauthorized reproductions through deep fakes and the difficulties in ensuring entities are responsive when such violations occur. Next, Rob brings up emerging AI tools related to podcasting efficiency, specifically focusing on one called Podcast Prepper that claims to reduce guest preparation work significantly. However, he raises concerns about the potential for these tools to create more work rather than efficiencies, highlighting the importance of careful oversight and validation of AI outputs. Todd agrees on the necessity of validating AI-generated content, reflecting on the challenges of relying on AI for podcast summaries, which may not always accurately represent the discussions held during episodes. The hosts deliberate on how AI could effectively be integrated into the podcasting workflow while maintaining authenticity. They discuss various platforms and tools available for AI and podcasting and the potential for an all-in-one solution to emerge in the industry. As they conclude, they transition to lighter discussions about their experiences and reflections on the podcast space, including a recent controversial bug in the Descript tool affecting audio transcription. Finally, Todd and Rob wrap up the episode, sharing their plans for an upcoming trip to London and highlighting changes in entry requirements for U.S. citizens visiting the UK. They exchange contact details and invite listeners to reach out before ending the episode.The post Women in Podcasting and the Rise of Female Listeners first appeared on New Media Show.

In this episode, “Podcast Movement Insights and Survey Trends,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss Todd’s team’s experiences at the recent Podcast Movement conference, share insights from various panels, and explore trends in the podcasting industry, particularly regarding video and audio convergence. The episode begins with Todd and Rob welcoming listeners and noting their show’s successful troubleshooting of audio issues. Todd provides an overview of his team’s perspective on the Podcast Movement event, stating that it was unfavorable from an exhibitor standpoint due to poor traffic and layout. There were concerns about the attendance, with Todd mentioning his team’s estimate of only 800 to 900 attendees, while the official count was allegedly around 1,600. Rob adds that the event may need to pivot to a more networking-focused format as it no longer attracts many new podcasters. They discuss key topics from the event, including commentary on industry figures like Jared Easley and trends observed regarding attendance and participation from new creators. Rob emphasizes the ongoing convergence of audio and video in podcasting, referencing studies indicating a strong engagement of podcasts in both formats among listeners. Next, Todd mentions reports from Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media about the audio and video consumption trends, citing that a significant percentage of consumers now engage with both formats. Does the growth in video consumption represent a fundamental shift, noting that audio remains strong? The report indicates high engagement rates of Gen Z with audio and video content. They question how accurately platforms like Apple and YouTube are facilitating podcast visibility and how metrics from these platforms compare. As they discuss the challenges and opportunities for podcasters regarding video content, Todd shares his observations on Apple Podcast data, noting that we do not know if Video on Apple Podcast is being watched despite its potential. They express concern about the industry’s current focus on monetization and how it affects content creation and creator relationships. Todd and Rob dive into insights from a Podnews report, highlighting how various podcast platforms rank in terms of user satisfaction regarding discoverability, monetization, and overall usability. Rob expresses disappointment in the chaotic state of the podcast ecosystem, while Todd emphasizes that feedback from hardcore podcasters may not represent the general creator community. Throughout the episode, they touch on the problems with automated metrics and how platforms need to improve their services to better support podcasters. They also criticize the disconnect between listener engagement and platform metrics. As they wind down the discussion, they exchange ideas about advancements in AI tools for video editing and content creation, explicitly mentioning various platforms and their associated challenges. They conclude with light-hearted banter about their personal experiences, including potential social gatherings over the following week. Todd and Rob thank their listeners and confirm their commitment to bringing valuable insights into the podcasting landscape in future episodes.The post Podcast Movement Insights and Survey Trends first appeared on New Media Show.