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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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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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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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.

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

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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...