Podnews Extra

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Nick Dunkerley, Director of Hindenburg Systems, discusses their professional audio editing software, Hindenburg Pro 2, which is designed for serious podcasters and journalists. He explains how the software differs from typical DAWs by focusing on speed and efficiency while maintaining high production quality, with features like offline transcription that prioritize security for journalists working with sensitive material.

The conversation delves into Hindenburg's approach to AI, with Dunkerley revealing they've been using AI-like features before it became trendy. He introduces an intriguing concept called "proof of work," drawing parallels between...

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Alberto Betella discusses RSS.com's recently awarded patent for AI-driven scalable ads called "GOST.AI", which uses voice cloning technology to create programmatic ads for podcasts. The technology can replicate a host's authentic voice for advertising while maintaining ethical guidelines and consent, allowing for customizable, contextual content that leverages the parasocial relationship between hosts and listeners.

The discussion delves into RSS.com's upcoming launch of dynamic ad insertion features, with a notably low $1 minimum payout threshold. Alberto explains their partnership with iHeart for ad inventory and discusses the...

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Neil Mody, CEO of Headliner, discusses how his company has become a dominant force in podcast video creation, generating over 10,000 videos daily. He reveals how Headliner has evolved from a simple social media clip creator to a comprehensive suite of tools that help podcasters grow their audience across multiple platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify.

The conversation delves into the fascinating debate about video versus audio podcasting. Mody shares insights about how interview-format podcasts are increasingly finding success through video content, citing Joe Rogan's interesting case where he...

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Sam Sethi chats with Matt Campion, co-founder and creative director of Spirit Studios, a modern production company that creates content across multiple platforms including television, podcasts, and branded content. The discussion centers around their evolution, their content strategy, and their adaptation to changing media landscapes, particularly their IP 360 approach which focuses on creating and exploiting content across different platforms.

A significant portion of the conversation explores how Spirit Studios adapts to industry challenges, including their shift toward true crime content and documentary programming due to better international monetization...

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

Support the show

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

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

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

Support the show

Got feedback? Send us a text message.

This podcast episode features Sam Sethi interviewing Oscar Merry, co-founder of Fountain, a podcasting 2.0 app. Oscar discusses the new features in Fountain version 1.1.5, including a major overhaul of the content library for better performance, the ability to pay creators using Lightning Network invoices, and the addition of artist pages for music podcasts. He also talks about Fountain's plans to support Nostr Wallet Connect, which would allow users to connect their main Lightning wallet to Fountain.

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(An attempt to see if Apple transcribes this correctly)

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Sam Sethi is joined by Sandy Wilheim from YouTube to discuss how podcasts are being integrated and consumed on the platform. They cover topics like the unique storytelling format of podcasts, the growing preference for video-based podcasts among younger audiences, the importance of data and analytics for creators, and the various monetization opportunities available to podcasters on YouTube. 

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The South African Podcast Guild is a vibrant community of over 300 independent podcasters in South Africa. Founded by Paolo Diaz, the Guild aims to help local podcasters gain exposure and grow their shows through partnerships, collaboration, and shared resources. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, the Guild offers both free and low-cost membership tiers, making it open to creators of all backgrounds.

Beyond just providing a supportive network, the Guild is also working to address key challenges facing the South African podcasting landscape. This includes exploring ways...

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The Ambies are the premier awards for excellence in audio, celebrating the best in podcasting. Hosted by the Podcast Academy, the Ambies are open to submissions from podcasters around the world, with categories spanning fiction, non-fiction, and more. The 2025 Ambies ceremony will take place on March 31st in Chicago, in conjunction with Podcast Movement. Podcasters are encouraged to submit their best work before the November 22nd deadline, with members of the Podcast Academy receiving discounts on submissions. The awards aim to recognize outstanding talent and creativity in the rapidly growing...

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Gautam Raj Anand announces the launch of the fourth edition of the HupHopper Podcast Awards. The awards aim to recognize and shed light on podcast creators, especially from emerging markets that often receive less recognition. The awards will have eight categories, and entries are free for any podcast that has released at least one episode in the past year and has a minimum of five published episodes. This year, the awards are expanding beyond the Indian market to include other Asian regions, and they are also accepting YouTube and video...

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Ross Adams, the CEO of Acast, takes Sam Sethi through the company's recent international consumption report.

Press Release: https://podnews.net/press-release/consumerism  

The podcast industry is experiencing continued growth, with emerging markets like India, Brazil, and Singapore seeing particularly high engagement and time spent with podcasts. Podcast hosts are building strong relationships with their audiences, leading to higher purchasing rates from podcast listeners compared to other media. While younger audiences are gravitating towards video podcasts and short-form content on platforms like YouTube, the transcript suggests th...

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Mark Asquith, the CEO and co-founder of Captivate, discusses the company's new AI tool called Spark AI. Spark AI is integrated into the Captivate platform and aims to be the most useful podcasting AI assistant available. It offers features like episode title suggestions, show note generation, transcript creation, and ad placement recommendations. Spark AI also allows users to customize personas and generate fresh episode ideas based on the user's analytics and industry trends. Asquith emphasizes that Spark AI is designed to be a complementary tool for creators, not a replacement...

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In this conversation, Carl Fridsjö, the co-founder and CEO of the Swedish podcasting platform Podspace, discusses the company's focus on revenue optimization and workflow efficiency for large enterprise publishers. Podspace has been growing rapidly, having raised 10 million Swedish krona in funding last year and recently hiring a trio of high-profile executives from Spotify to lead its expansion efforts. While Podspace is currently focused on audio, it is monitoring the development of video podcasting and is open to incorporating it if the market demands it. The conversation also touches on the t...

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We asked Google's Notebook LM - https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-audio-overviews/ - to read our article on how to understand podcast stats - https://podnews.net/article/understanding-podcast-statistics - and make a "lively deep-dive discussion" on it.

It's (whisper it) quite good. And weird.

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Steve Pratt, author of the new book "Earn It: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers", joins Sam Sethi of the Podnews Weekly Review to discuss the importance of earning attention in the modern digital landscape. Pratt argues that traditional interruption-based marketing tactics no longer work, and that brands must create unique, valuable content that audiences actively want to engage with. He shares insights on measuring audience attention through metrics like completion rates and first-minute effectiveness, and provides examples of companies like Oatly and Red Bull that have successfully captured attention through...

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Russell Harrower, the CEO of PodToo, has announced the launch of the "Pod Fund" - an initiative to support independent podcast app developers who are implementing Podcast 2.0 features. The goal is to provide financial assistance to these developers, as many are struggling to sustain their work due to a lack of revenue, while the major platforms like Spotify and Apple are not investing in the open podcast ecosystem. Harrower explains that the Pod Fund will be funded by a small percentage contribution from participating podcast hosting providers, with the funds...

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Mike Russell, the founder of Music Radio Creative, discussed the use of AI tools in the audio production industry, including voice cloning, transcription, and summarization. He highlighted the ethical considerations around these technologies, such as the need for permission and transparency when altering audio content. Russell also shared his enthusiasm for exploring emerging AI tools and their potential to augment human creativity, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining human connection in the industry. He encouraged attendees to explore the rapidly developing podcast and audio landscape in Asia, which he found...

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Castro is a unique and productivity-focused podcast app for iOS, developed by a small team led by Dustin Bluck. The app has a dedicated user base that loves its differentiated features, and the team is working to bring it up-to-date with the latest podcast standards and functionality, including support for episode artwork, transcripts, and chapters. While Castro is currently iOS-only, the team is also working on an Android version to expand its reach. The app generates revenue through a subscription model and advertising, and the team is focused on improving...

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Grammar Girl, hosted by Mignon Fogarty, is celebrating its 18th anniversary this week. The podcast, which started as a "quick and dirty tip" about writing, has evolved into a show that explores all things language - from the exciting and fun to the quick tips. Over the past 18 years, Fogarty has seen major changes in the podcasting industry, such as the rise of dynamic ad insertion and the increasing presence of celebrities in the medium. While the core of producing the show hasn't changed much, Fogarty has embraced new technologies...

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In this episode, host Sam Sethi is joined by Joe Tannorella, the CEO and co-founder of Pod Engine, an audio intelligence platform that mines podcast data at scale. Joe discusses how Pod Engine uses transcription, natural language processing, and other AI techniques to extract deep insights from podcast episodes, including identifying topics discussed, guests, advertising, and more. The conversation covers how Pod Engine's technology can be used for podcast discovery, guest booking, and even monitoring for misinformation. Overall, this episode provides an in-depth look at the capabilities of Pod Engine...

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Bumper, a podcast growth agency started by Dan Misener and Jonas Woost, has launched the Bumper Dashboard - a tool that aggregates podcast data from various sources like hosting providers, marketing attribution services, and podcast apps. The dashboard aims to provide a comprehensive view of podcast performance metrics beyond just downloads, which Misener argues may not be the best measure of audience engagement and reach. The dashboard allows users to see verified listener numbers, total listen time, and other insights across different platforms, helping podcasters make...

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Josh Divney is the Content Lead at Podcast Discovery, a UK-based marketing agency that helps podcasts get discovered. Divney explains that Podcast Discovery was founded by Matt Deegan and Matt Hill to provide marketing solutions for podcasts in the UK. Divney's team at Podcast Discovery has worked with popular shows like Nish Kumar and Coco Khan's Politics podcast, Crooked Media's Pod Save the UK, and The Economist. Divney discusses Podcast Discovery's new "Virtual Studio" service, which provides remote podcast guests with high-quality video and audio equipment as well...

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Mathew Passy is an experienced podcast consultant who recently sold his previous company, The Podcast Consultant. After taking some time off, he has now started a new venture called Custom Podcast Solutions, where he and a business partner are exploring various podcast-related ideas and products. One of their key projects is the "Podcast Beacon" - an NFC-enabled device like a bracelet or keychain that allows podcast listeners to easily access a creator's show by simply tapping the device. Passy is also working on developing a portable "podcast case" that aims...

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Sam Sethi chats with Oskar Serrander, CEO and co-founder of Wondercraft, about their new AI-powered advertising platform. Learn how this innovative tool is revolutionizing audio ad creation, from generating ad copy to producing studio-quality voiceovers and sound effects. Discover how Wondercraft is streamlining the advertising workflow, empowering creatives, and transforming the audio industry.

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Sam Sethi interviews Andrew Mason, the CEO of Descript, a popular audio and video editing platform. They discuss Descript's history, innovative features like the "Overdub" voice cloning tool, and future plans for the platform, including improvements to the editing workflow and the integration of AI-powered automation tools. The conversation provides an in-depth look at the evolution of podcast production tools and the challenges of balancing powerful editing capabilities with maintaining an authentic, human-sounded final product.

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Lower Street, a UK-based branded podcast agency, has acquired the Pacific Content brand and trademarks. Lower Street was founded in 2017 and has been a long-time admirer of Pacific Content's work in creating high-quality branded podcasts.

The acquisition allows Lower Street to continue the "mission and values" that Pacific Content stood for in pushing the boundaries of creative and impactful branded podcast content. Several Pacific Content employees will be joining the Lower Street team.

Harry Morton, founder of Lower Street, believes the branded...

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"Startup Daily" was an automated daily podcast that provided the latest startup news without any human hosts. The creators, Manan Bhalodia and his co-founder, originally wanted to create a daily podcast covering startup news but found it too time-consuming given their other commitments. They ended up automating the podcast, which surprisingly gained a growing audience who enjoyed the unique non-human voices delivering the news.

Bhalodia has now evolved this concept into a new app called "Quickie" which allows users to create their own personalized daily news podcasts. The...