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Cameron Moll, head of design at Buzzsprout, shares insights from their transformative 2024, highlighting a complete brand overhaul and the successful launch of iOS and Android apps. The company also introduced new podcast website themes, an updated embedded player, and manual insertion points for mid-rolls.

Looking ahead to 2025, Moll predicts AI will evolve from being a prominently advertised feature to becoming seamlessly integrated into podcast workflows. He specifically notes the advancement of AI voices, referencing tools like Google Notebook LM and Spotify Wrapped, while maintaining that AI is unlikely to replace human podcasters entirely.

Moll addresses the tension between major platforms like Spotify, Apple, and YouTube and the open nature of podcasting. While these platforms offer vast listener reach, their business models often conflict with podcasting's open ecosystem, potentially affecting the industry's long-term health. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining podcasting's accessibility and reach across multiple platforms.

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PodEngine pulled in a bunch of podcasts talking about Podcasting 2.0, and wrote a report on it all.

Kevin Bae put that report into Google's NotebookLM to make a podcast to summarise it.

This is that podcast.

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Russell Harrower, CEO of PodToo, introduces Secure RSS, a new technology addressing a key challenge in podcast monetization. The system adds a payment layer between users and premium content, allowing creators to securely sell audiobooks, TV shows, movies, and bonus podcast episodes while preventing unauthorized access and AI scraping.

The technology offers flexibility in payment methods, supporting both cryptocurrency micropayments and traditional currencies. Creators can set fixed prices or offer rental options, and notably, they keep 100% of their recommended retail price when sales occur through participating podcast players. PodToo's first audiobook using this system is set to launch in January.

The conversation also explores the ongoing challenge of cross-app comments in podcasting. Multiple solutions are discussed, including Boostagram Live for handling longer comments and media attachments, the Social Interact tag, and a potential return to standard RSS comment tags. This technical discussion reveals how the podcasting community is working to create interoperable systems outside of major platforms like Spotify and Apple.

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Claire Waite Brown introduces her new podcast "Podcasting 2.0 in Practice," which aims to demystify podcasting technology for independent creators. Rather than focusing on technical aspects, she breaks down complex features into human-friendly, practical lessons that both podcasters and listeners can understand and implement.

The show is structured like a course, with episodes designed to be followed in sequence. Each topic includes expert guest interviews, hands-on homework assignments, and step-by-step instructions. Notable guests include James Cridland from Podnews, Ellie Rubinstein from Pocket Casts, and Jordan Blair from Buzzsprout, who share their expertise on various podcasting features.

The podcast launches January 1st, 2025, with weekly episodes running through March. Claire's approach stems from her background in illustrated non-fiction books, allowing her to present information in a clear, organized manner. She particularly emphasizes features like "pod roll," which enables podcasters to support each other by recommending shows they trust, creating a supportive community of independent creators.

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Jessica Cordova-Kramer, CEO of Lemonada Media, shares the origin story of her company, which began after she and co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs both lost their brothers to heroin overdoses. After hearing Stephanie make jokes about overdose on a podcast, Jessica realized podcasts could save lives, leading them to create a company focused on making life "suck less" through audio content.

The conversation reveals Lemonada's strategic approach to content creation, including partnerships with high-profile talent like Meghan Markle, David Duchovny, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Cordova-Kramer discusses how the company maintains high advertising rates and fill rates by treating ads as content, with hosts personally engaging with brand messages rather than relying on programmatic advertising.

The discussion explores Lemonada's expansion into books through a partnership with Simon & Schuster, their careful approach to incorporating video content, and their position on AI in podcasting. Cordova-Kramer emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity in their creative work while using technology to enhance production efficiency, not replace human creativity.

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Daniel J Lewis discusses his platform Podgagement, which helps podcasters track audience engagement through ratings, reviews, and voice messages. He explains how the platform allows listeners to record audio feedback that podcasters can use in their shows, creating a deeper connection with their audience. The system also tracks podcast rankings across 34,000 charts from different regions and genres, updating in real-time.

The conversation delves into Spotify's strategy with podcast analytics companies, with Lewis suggesting that Spotify acquired these companies primarily for user tracking and data collection, but later shut them down due to profitability concerns. He argues that Spotify prioritizes its closed ecosystem over supporting open podcasting standards, contrasting this with Apple's occasional engagement with the Podcasting 2.0 community.

Lewis shares his vision for Podgagement's future, including plans for SEO features and AI-powered analytics. As a podcaster-turned-developer, he emphasizes building features that serve real podcaster needs rather than tracking audience behavior across the internet. He also reveals a unique feature that allows users to watch podcast charts change in real-time, which he describes as "podcasting cocaine."

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Rob Greenlee, a 2017 Podcasting Hall of Fame inductee, discusses how he helped rescue and revive the Podcasting Hall of Fame after it went dormant during the pandemic. Originally started by Podcast Movement, the Hall of Fame ceremony has now found a new home at Podcast Expo in Orlando, with the next induction ceremony scheduled for January 17th, 2024.

The conversation reveals the challenges of making the Hall of Fame truly international, as it has historically been US-centric. Greenlee acknowledges this limitation and describes efforts to diversify both the board and voting pool by including representatives from different countries. He mentions Gautam from Hub Hopper as the first non-US board member, with plans to add more international voices.

The discussion also touches on the nomination and voting process, highlighting the difficulty of recognizing international pioneers when voters may not be familiar with their contributions. Greenlee explains that while international candidates have been included on recent ballots, they often struggle to get enough votes due to the current US-dominated voter base, something he aims to change through expanding global representation.

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Ross Adams discusses Acast's acquisition of Wonder Media Network for $7.8 million, marking a strategic move to enhance their creative studio capabilities. The acquisition strengthens Acast's position in the US market while expanding their ability to produce high-quality branded content and original productions. Ross also shares insights about Acast's first profitable quarter and their focus on video podcasting as a growing opportunity.

Shira Atkins, CEO of Wonder Media Network, provides valuable insights into the branded podcasting industry, revealing how they work with Fortune 500 companies to create authentic content that resonates with audiences. She emphasizes the importance of strategic groundwork and consultation to ensure podcast success, noting that while corporate podcasts might not naturally attract listeners like true crime shows, they can be compelling when done right.

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Australia has passed a stupid law banning social media for kids. As we discuss in this bit that didn't quite make it to the full Podnews Weekly Review, it's all to do with Rupert Murdoch, and dumb politicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8SkLRxFRVM&list=PLDTPrMoGHssBtV3J7BBLZAuY9U5UX92mt has lots more on it, if you fancy a quick YouTube watch.

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Jon Thoday, a prominent figure in entertainment management, shares insights about his company Avalon's early involvement in podcasting, dating back to the early 2000s. He reveals their work with notable talents like John Oliver, David Baddiel, and Frank Skinner, and discusses managing successful shows like "Shagged, Married, Annoyed" and "WTF with Marc Maron."

Thoday draws parallels between podcasting and stand-up comedy, noting how both mediums share a simple formula of talent and microphone with low barriers to entry. He emphasizes the importance of creative freedom in podcasting and expresses concerns about programmatic advertising potentially damaging the intimate relationship between podcasters and their audiences.

The conversation takes an interesting turn when discussing the evolution of podcasts into live shows, with Thoday sharing insights about how podcast success can now lead directly to arena-sized venues without needing traditional television fame first. He also offers a compelling perspective on video podcasting, suggesting that while it may help with monetization, the true innovation lies in the audio format itself, similar to how radio was a bigger breakthrough than filmed radio shows.

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