Why Have Podcasts Become So Popular?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a podcast is “a digital audio file made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.”

Before podcasts, there was radio. Well, radio still exists, but podcasts are slowly overtaking it. One of the factors that made podcasts so popular was the timeless nature they have. Episodes are available for download after release, so you can listen whenever and wherever. With radio, if you miss your favorite timeslot or your favorite DJ, then that is it.

Give The People What They Want

Secondly, the ability to customize the content that you listen to. Once again, with the radio, you had to wait for a specific time to hear a song played by a particular DJ. With podcasts, you subscribe to the person or show you want to listen to and pick which episodes to listen to based on the subject or topic that is to your liking. 

People are also drawn to the content they can learn from or anything other than the visual overload of Instagram or the loudness of Twitter. You are bombarded with millions of opinions on everything under the sun from the moment you log in.

Nobody Wants To Be Shamed by the “Wokes”

Podcasts also allow people to explore issues or topics without being judged by others for being ignorant or being made to feel stupid. There is a level of freedom that comes with them. The feeling of belonging to a community is another contributing factor.

Once you have found your tribe that is interested in the same topics, has the same questions about life, fashion or art, anything really- that makes people stay subscribed and return for more.

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They’re Everywhere!

Today you can find podcasts on Spotify, Soundcloud, and iTunes, making them available for Android and iPhone users.

Then there is the feedback element, seeing a podcast create content on a topic you suggested or have been waiting for. Which gives people the feeling of being seen and that their opinions matter.

During the pandemic, podcasts spiked in popularity for creators. It is easier to do because researching or planning for an episode you like is better than putting on makeup, dressing up, and searching for locations that are aesthetically pleasing to shoot in. There was nowhere to go, on top of all that. There is only so much television or Netflix a person can watch.

Here are a few we recommend if you’re considering getting into podcasts. Happy listening!

Small Doses With Amanda Seales Podcast

Covering everything from relationships, race, work, and industry-related issues, or Simply giving life advice to her viewers who message her, with a side of comedy, because Amanda Seales is a comedian after all; Small Doses with Amanda Seales has it all.

Bobo and Flex Podcast

Two women from the African diaspora, speaking about absolutely everything. Whether it’s academia, social media, love, or dating today, share their experiences about drugs they’ve tried and astrology. There is an episode for everyone on Bobo & Flex Podcast.

All The Smoke Podcast

Two former basketball players, who both had a troubled reputation on the court, and are now retired, come together—hosting other players in All The Smoke Podcast, who are still on the courts and legends of the game.

Unspooled Podcast

Paul Scheer, along with June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas, is very blunt individuals who rip “bad movies” apart. It can be hard to listen to, but Unspooled Podcast will surely make you laugh.

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The Business of Fashion Podcast

It is dedicated to everything that concerns fashion. The Business of Fashion Podcast is a gold mine for seeing the behind-the-scenes in the fashion industry. Hosted and founded by Imran Amed, it talks to high-profile industry designers and editors.