In today’s social media-driven world, one may see a new podcast aired by their favorite influencer or radio personality on every media platform. The trend of podcasts initially rose in popularity when people sought them over timed-talk radio and disliked the required attention when listening to videos.

 Though holding an established place in pop culture through the 2010s, podcasting entered the official era of its peak in 2022 with confirmed reports of over 1 million active podcasts and over 30 million podcast episodes existing nationally. Compared to past statistics, podcast numbers continue to proliferate. This spike in numbers resulted in the audio streaming app Spotify working consistently for years to expand its brand as a platform for podcasts and music. Now picked up by mainstream media, podcast audiences consist of mostly millennials and Gen Z. Millennials matured in the era of radio broadcasting. At the same time, Gen Z grew up conditioned to visual entertainment such as content from TikTok and YouTube. However, the groups found a common interest in podcasts and as a platform that allows for conversations regarding controversial topics, popular topics, gossip and self-help. 

A podcast can allow a host to illustrate sequences of their life events relating to concerns in today’s society. Podcasts present a compilation of audio episodes, with each episode seemingly unrelated. An average podcast consists of at least one host who discusses various topics and may feature other guests to display different opinions or thoughts.

“I have participated and listened to podcasts. I have nothing but good to say about them, though I think our generation underrates podcasts. I think they’re useful whether you’re listening or participating, and people who listen to them are more open-minded because they listen to others’ thoughts,” sophomore Bryce Wilson said. 

Along with the number of podcast listeners increasing, podcasts’ monetization peaked. Corporate interest in podcasts also rose, and so did ad revenue and creators’ profit. Back in 2021, the industry of podcast advertisements was expected to reach $1 billion in profits and 2 billion by 2023. 

“I think podcasts are a positive thing. It was the first type of social entertainment that everybody could listen to, and It’s something that people can tune in to have a good time, learn something, or interact with it. I think our generation drifted away from podcasts. Most creators [or] influencers have a podcast but post them on YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok. It’s usually short, funny, interesting parts of the podcast that we hear are useful to learn about life experiences and advice. However, the podcast I listen to is usually funny or full of influencers,” magnet junior Ridian Akanda said. 

Podcasts allow listeners to tune into their audio program anywhere or anytime they choose. What started as an outlet for independent creators to voice their thoughts and opinions on topics turned into a complete media platform for a new generation of people to relate to and find new ways of profiting from the rise in trends.