Episode 38 is inspiring and real.

Unacknowledged white privilege, racial injustice, and silence have gone on for too long. Now is the time to listen and make People Of Color’s voices heard. Here are some podcast resources for unlearning racism in our own lives and learning what we can do in the world to stop it:

We’re baking a cake in the shape of a microphone. Analysts at eMarketer expect the total reach of podcasting in the U.S. to hit 105.6 million listeners this year. Guess which state clocks in the most listening!

We wish we had this growing up. PRX, a public media organization, has created TRAX, a curated network of free podcasts and multimedia for audiences ages 9–13. Shows cover friendship, mental health, wellness, and race, personality, school, and more.

We cue up these beach listens. Meredith Corporation, the legacy print and digital media company, are bringing four popular magazine titles to the audio space. This summer, their launching spinoffs of Allrecipes, PARENTS, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure.

We go for a bike ride. Having trouble coming up with new episode ideas? Daren Lake, guest blogger on the Podcast Host, helps solve your creative woes with science. He suggests ways to fall into a flow of unconscious, passive thought, making it “easier to passively solve a problem or come up with great ideas.”

Lastly, our random podcasting thought of the week highlights how RSS feeds came to be.

Psssst. Before we get started, we want to let you in on a little secret about Sounder. We are officially coming out of Beta! To help podcasters and listeners connect, we’re launching our Discovery Suite, packed with a new embedded player, in-audio search and share, a beautiful listener show page, upgraded analytics, and more. Thank you for being part of this journey! We’re building Sounder with you, not just for you.

First up, Joe Rogan really shook up the podcast industry with his recent Spotify licensing deal rumored to be between 100 and 200 million dollars. The Joe Rogan Experience is still available to everyone until September, when it will become a Spotify exclusive, meaning only Free and Premium Spotify users can listen (and watch). Yes, his videos are leaving YouTube too. Spotify randomly tested video podcasts early in May, seemingly to make sure everything runs smoothly for Rogan’s onboarding. YouTube is understandably irked by losing Rogan’s channel with 8.5 million subscribers and is readying a full launch of something called YouTubeMusic.

It looks like a few other audio technology giants are looking to stake their claim in podcast exclusivity. Apple is ramping up its push into original podcasts mainly to support its TV and movie titles, reports Bloomberg. “(QUOTE) In the industry, podcast producers are waiting for Apple to put more of its money into the medium. So far, it’s just dipping its toe into original podcasts -- nothing like the massive bet that Spotify is placing on the category (UNQUOTE),” writes Bloomberg reporters.

Amazon is also said to be adding podcasts to its digital storytelling vertical, Audible. According to Bloomberg, Audible has already purchased shows from documentary producer John Battsek and comedians Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish. The acquisitions are part of a new multimillion-dollar “shopping spree” to help establish Audible as a destination for podcast fans (and fend off growing audio-storytelling competition like Spotify).

Leaders in the podcast industry have a lot of opinions. Some say the Rogan-Spotify deal is detrimental to podcasting. Some say it’s positive. Ashley Carmon of The Verge writes, “(QUOTE) There’s never been a single podcasting company that sells ads, makes shows, has an already-popular podcast player, and offers the tools to make new series…. Podcasting was once equal across all platforms, but it now seems like there will be two podcast worlds: Spotify versus everybody else. (UNQUOTE).”

Podcast Consultant Brett Johnson has a positive take. He says, “(QUOTE) It shows the amount of money that is moving into this industry to compensate talent. It also opens opportunities for podcasters. JRE moving from an open-source RSS leaves a void that will be filled with new talent (UNQUOTE).” A lot is changing in the podcast space, but there’s one thing we can agree on: it’s growing....

Episode 36 is making it look easy.

We learn from audio experts what hitting 1M shows in Apple Podcasts actually means for podcasters. A general consensus is that podcasters need to get better at promotion and social media marketing. Here are some articles to help with that.

We cheer for the NYT as they continue to see growth and invest in the audio space.

We take a look at the history and appeal of the “super short” podcast episode. 

We introduce our Coaching Series on Medium, where we invite experts from around the podcasting industry to offer advice and answer common questions. This month, we welcomed Travis Brown from PodDecks to debunk several common interview and hosting myths.

And we took page after page of notes from this live stream all about music licensing.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

We can dig it. Data from Edison Research’s quarterly Podcasts Consumer Tracker says fans today are listening to podcasts for roughly the same amount of time as they were back in January before the lockdowns.

We agree with Podcast Business Journal’s Traci DeForge who explains what to include in your episode closing to keep listeners engaged until your next episode.

We follow Guardian writer and radio critic Miranda Sawyer down memory lane, as she landscapes the podcast industry back from 2006 when the word “podcast” was added to the dictionary and was marked as “the next big thing”.

And we congratulate the staff of This American Life for being honored with the first Pulitzer Prize for Audio Journalism. A BFD.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Episode 34 is full of #facts.

We cheer after reading Podtrac’ s latest Coronvavirus impact study—downloads and audiences are growing!

We say brilliant to RAJA’s latest study that reports over 10.1m people in the UK now listen to podcasts every week.

We agree with Matty Staudt of Podcast Business Journal, who reminds podcasters that introducing your episodes with random banter only works if you’re FAMOUS. Instead, he suggests a few simple adjustments to hook new listeners.

We hear echo, echo, echo, after reading Matthew Boudreau’s latest piece for Podcast Host, which explains what latency is and how to reduce it.

And, we open the tissue box for anyone who’s ever gotten a horrible review. With the help of therapists, podcasters, and artists, we put together a step-by-step guide for overcoming negative reviews (and spinning them into growth opportunities!). TK LINK WHEN LIVE.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Episode 33 is all about real talk.

We bake a cake in the shape of a microphone because according to the My Podcast Reviews service, there are now more than one million podcasts to choose from in Apple Podcasts. (Does anyone else hear “one million” in Austin Power’s Dr. Evil voice or is that just us?)

We feel warm and fuzzy learning that 5.1 million Middle Eastern listeners are embracing podcasts to "beat virus lockdown blues”, writes Ameera Abid of Arab News.

We tackle an uncomfortable topic: not all friends make great roommates, and not all buddies make great co-hosts. If your friend-turned-co-host has dropped their end of the workload, check out our latest Medium post.

We set it straight: only change your release dates and times to accommodate new quarantine habits if you fall into this category.

And we sign up for a few of the side hustles from Podcast Movement put together a to get a little extra cash $ ~flowing.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Episode 32 is all about staying strong.

We start to see how listening is shifting during the lockdown. Weekends are 32% more popular and listen-through rates are sky-high.

We learn the plus-minus storytelling method, compliments of Doug Fraser of The Podcast Movement. It’s a quick and easy method to visualize positive and negative emotional shifts throughout a story, which are important for keeping an audience hooked.

We highlight some unique ways to support your audience during this hard time. Troy Price of Podcast Business Journal suggests helpful affiliate programs, live sessions, and more.

We highlight a few new podcasts, that are too fun to pass up.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Short Guitar Clip by Audionautix- (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode 31 is all about adapting.

We learn that things aren’t as bad as they seem. Downloads are dipping but they’re still higher then they were pre-COVID-19 peak.

We help you create a badass audio editing plan if you’re new to the skill. In our latest blog, we walk you through how to discern if learning to edit is a good use of your time or if you should outsource and focus your skills on other aspects of podcasting. AND provide two free ways to outsource.

We rapidly shake our heads yes, when The Podcast Hosts asks, is there a discovery problem? Their latest survey is full of truly fascinating metrics. Like, did you know that nearly 94% of listeners are okay with adverts in their podcasts?!

We applaud the adaptation of all podcasters. Especially ones recording from their garden.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Episode 30 is all about podcasting in a pandemic.

We get to the bottom of why you may have seen a dip in downloads these past few weeks. (Thanks, Podnews, Edison Research, and Podtrac!)

We answer some hard podcasting questions, like should I still put out new episodes? And do I have to talk about COVID-19?

We remind you that you have a hall pass for podcast quality, especially if you’re new to remote recording. If you’re on the hunt for equipment, Brian Heater of Tech Crunch talks about his favorite remote podcasting equipment. Alejandro Medellin of Premium Beat compares programs, including long-distance recording solutions, to fit a range of budgets. And the Podcast Host has a great starter-friendly list.

We’re happy a new (fun, light, easy) sub-genre of COVID-19 podcasts exist. Hint hint: when you’re stuck at home with your partner, what else is there to do?

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Short Guitar Clip by Audionautix- (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

We scratch our heads while wondering about Nicholas Quah’s question: has podcasting become big enough to shape election politics? Sort of, actually. He explains why in his latest piece for Vulture. 

We get to see just how big a bite Apple Podcasts takes out of the podcast pie. My Podcast Reviews, a service run by podcast-consultant Daniel J. Lewis, found the official number.

We could not agree more with Joshua Dudley of Forbes who says transcription is more than just an SEO tool, it’s a way to include deaf and hard of hearing people in the world of podcasting.

We feel very meta when Dan Misener of Pacific Content explains why longer episode notes make for better discoverability in Google and Apple Podcast searches.

And, we love Oprah’s idea to turn her old TV episodes into a podcast and wonder what else can be upcycled into new content.

The podcast industry is rapidly growing. Sounder makes it easy for audio creators to stay on top of it all with This Week In Podcasting, where we discuss this week’s most exciting podcasting news and tips, all in under 10 minutes.

Short Guitar Clip by Audionautix- (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/