Along with other members of our team, our Audience Development Director, Catrin Skaperdas, attended The Podcast Show last week.
For many, attending a podcast conference often means a calendar packed with meetings, catch-ups, and spontaneous hallway conversations—leaving little time for panels. However, this year at The Podcast Show, Catrin still managed to attend five.
Here are some of her takeaways:
Podcasting 2025–2035: Predictions for the Future of Global Podcasting
One of the first takeaways came from Jessica Cordova Kramer of Lemonada Media, who spoke on the ongoing debate, “Should my podcast have video?” Her perspective: there’s no universal answer. Whether a show is audio-first, video-first, or both depends entirely on the series and the talent involved.
Lizzy Pollott of Acast (hilarious, by the way) announced that Acast is about to roll out a new tool that will transform how ad buying works.
And in a subtle but telling moment, Chloe Straw of AudioUK noted that Megan Bradshaw of Amazon Music now holds the title “Head of Spoken Word,” instead of “Head of Podcasts.” That shift says a lot about where platform strategy might be headed.
YouTube Podcasting in 2025: Discovery and Audience Growth
– 59% of surveyed weekly podcast consumers in the UK report actively watching the video podcasts they consume. (Edison Research Q4 2024)
– On average, viewers are watching over 18 hours of YouTube on living room screens per day.
The message from this panel: YouTube is all about user-first discovery. The algorithm isn’t pushing your content – it’s surfacing what it thinks the viewer wants to engage with next.
One thing podcasters should be thinking about more? Thumbnails. They matter.
Also, for users engaging with podcasts on the platform, the podcast “chip” will show up more prominently for them.
The Art of Freelancing: Income, Impact and Independence
In a panel featuring Naomi Oiku of The Podcast Guys®, she shared some straightforward but important tips for freelancers navigating rates.
Before giving a number, ask the client what their budget is. It can set a clearer baseline for the conversation.
And make sure to check UKAN to see what others in the space are charging. It helps you stay informed, and avoids guesswork.
Overcoming Negativity and Isolation: How Does the International Podcast Scene Thrive in a Time of Global Uncertainty?
Stephanie S. Kuo of PRX said it succinctly with:
“It’s the independent spirit that built the podcast industry and it’s the independent spirits that keeps it alive.”
This panel reinforced something often heard – that niche audiences can still drive success. 50 engaged listeners will always mean more than 100,000 unique listeners.
And for independent creators looking to collaborate or grow their skills, the idea of skill swaps came up. If you’re not sure where to start, use these openers to get the conversation going:
“I need help with [X]. I can help with [X].”
Connecting Across Borders: Why European Podcasts Need Each Other
Some interesting trends from Podimo’s 2024 Global Report:
– In Spain, true crime engagement rose by +408%, particularly among women
– In Germany, 49% of listeners fall asleep to true crime
– Comedy is seeing explosive growth: +194% in Finland, +81% in Norway
Genres are evolving quickly – and not always in the same direction across countries.
Final Thought
For those who don’t often get the chance to attend many panels during conferences because they prioritize in-person connections, Joanna Aveillan of Acast had a great idea:
Have a day or two strictly for panels, and a day or two strictly for meetings.
It’s a small change that could make attending conferences much more useful and far less chaotic.
