Podnews Extra

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

Sam Sethi chats with Dave Jones from The Podcast Index on what he is working on next, and where he sees the future of podcasting.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

Sam Sethi talks with the co-founders of new UK company Everywhere.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

Why did Acast buy Backyard Ventures? Sam Sethi talks with CEOs of both companies to discover how it all came about.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

After Steve Ackerman was made a Non-Executive Director for SupaPass, we figured it was worth speaking to him, and CEO Juliana Meyer.

SupaPass helps media companies bring content, membership, subscriptions and community together through their own branded websites and native apps. The platform is built around a simple principle: your audience, your data, your revenue. It enables businesses to develop direct relationships with their audiences, turn followers into members and customers, gain first-party audience insight, and reach them directly through their own feeds and push notifications.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

This was wholly created with Wondercraft's new AI tool "Wonda".

The prompt used was: 

Make me a podcast about things to do in Dallas, Texas. Call it "The Podnews Guide to Dallas". Make it funny. Include some craft beer.

(Tweaks made: We removed most of the annoying music, and lowered it in volume before exporting).

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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.

We're sponsored by Buzzsprout. Start Podcasting. Keep Podcasting.

Support the show