In today’s fast-changing world, where every day feels like a race to keep up, podcasting offers a refreshing way to pause, listen, and connect. As a corporate anthropologist, I’ve always been fascinated by how humans create and use culture to solve problems. Podcasting is one of those transformative tools—it’s changing how we share ideas, amplify voices, and challenge traditional media structures. And it’s doing so in ways we couldn’t have imagined even a decade ago.
What I Have Learned after Seven Years as a Podcaster
In some ways, I have learned a great deal and nothing at all!!
When I posted my 400th interview for On the Brink with Andi Simon, I reflected on why I remain so excited about the medium. After I publish a session, I listen to each podcast and find new insights in the conversations that emerge over time. As I watched the importance of podcasting during the recent presidential election, I had to think about where podcasting was heading and what I should think about for my next season. Then, I spoke with my adolescent granddaughter about what types of podcasts she was listening to and I was a bit shocked. She is a mature horsewoman, a competitor, and someone I love to talk with. She loves to listen to podcasts about unsolved crimes. Who knew!! And she could tell me all about them.
So, I wrote this blog to share my observations with our listeners and readers. Perhaps I will do a podcast about this so you can listen to my reflections. What is most important to me, however, is what you are looking for as we move into the next year–our eighth. I am ready for a “new season” and would like to build it with your interests and needs at the forefront of what who we interview.
Tell us what you love, don’t like, and want to know more about. Let’s talk!
Remember, On the Brink with Andi Simon is a podcast created to help you get off the brink, with fresh ideas and new role models to help you “see, feel, and think” in new ways. So, let’s hear from you. Reach out and we can take your ideas and move ahead co-creating the next new season.
What is the Power of Podcasting and Why Now?
What makes podcasting so powerful? First, it meets us where we are. Unlike traditional media, podcasts don’t demand your full attention or a spot on your calendar. They fit seamlessly into our lives—whether you’re on a long commute, working out, or sipping coffee on a quiet morning. This flexibility makes podcasting one of the most efficient ways to communicate ideas and spark curiosity.
Podcasts are Intimate
But it’s not just about convenience. Podcasts are intimate. Think about the last time you listened to one—did it feel like the host was speaking directly to you? The human voice carries emotion, authenticity, and nuance that written words or polished videos often lack. This intimacy creates trust, helping people form connections with ideas, stories, and even brands in ways traditional media struggles to replicate.
Podcasting vs. Traditional Media: The Great Disruption
Podcasting is more than a communication tool; it’s a cultural phenomenon. In the same way that streaming disrupted TV and film, podcasting is shaking up how we create and consume media. Here’s what I find fascinating: it democratizes content creation. Anyone can share their story with just a microphone and an internet connection. This democratization has opened the door for historically overlooked or dismissed voices—women, people of color, grassroots activists, and more.
Not Just Another Type of Media
Traditional media often caters to the masses, but podcasts thrive in niches. There’s a podcast for everything—true crime, business strategy, mental health, gaming, you name it. This is where the magic happens: niche audiences form tight-knit communities. And in a world where we’re more connected but often feel less connected, these communities are gold.
Podcasts are also on-demand. No more waiting for the 6 o’clock news or a weekend feature. Listeners are in control—they decide what to consume, when, and how. It’s this combination of accessibility, personalization, and diversity that’s challenging the dominance of traditional media.
Who’s Listening—and Why It Matters
The numbers tell a powerful story. Millions of people tune into podcasts every week. The Edison Research Infinite Dial Report highlights that nearly 40% of Americans now listen to podcasts monthly, with weekly listenership growing yearly. Globally, podcasting is booming, with growing audiences in countries like Brazil, India, and South Korea. But what’s even more interesting is who’s creating and why they’re listening:
Educators and Thought Leaders
Teachers, scholars, and changemakers use podcasts to share ideas and inspire action. I’ve found that podcasts like my own, On the Brink with Andi Simon, open doors to conversations about culture, leadership, and innovation that might otherwise go unheard.
Businesses and Brands
Entrepreneurs and companies are leveraging podcasts to build trust and loyalty. Podcasts are not about pushing products; they’re about storytelling. People want to know the “why” behind a brand, and podcasts let them hear it.
Advocates and Activists
In a world of fleeting social media posts, podcasts allow advocates to dig deeper, creating spaces for dialogue and awareness around critical issues.
Everyday Visionaries
From personal stories to niche hobbies, podcasting empowers individuals to share what matters to them, often sparking meaningful conversations within their communities.
The Cultural Shift Podcasting Represents
What excites me most about podcasting is how it’s reshaping culture. Unlike social media, where quick takes and viral moments often dominate, podcasts create space for thoughtful, long-form conversations. They encourage listeners to slow down and engage deeply with ideas, a rare and much-needed experience in today’s fast-paced society.
At the same time, podcasts are redefining whose stories get told. Historically, gatekeepers in traditional media decided what was worth sharing. Now, those gates are wide open. Women, people of color, and underrepresented communities use podcasting to amplify their voices, shifting narratives and challenging societal norms.
Where Podcasting Goes Next
Podcasting is still evolving. AI tools are making creating and discovering content more accessible, and interactive formats are pushing creative boundaries. As more people tune in, the opportunities to connect, educate, and inspire will only grow.
So whether you’re a listener seeking inspiration or a creator with a story to tell, podcasting is the medium of our time. It’s not just a tool for sharing ideas—it’s a platform for changing the world, one episode at a time.
Listen in to On the Brink with Andi Simon, and then tell us your ideas and bring us wonderful folks who you want to hear from.
Let’s talk!
From Observation to Innovation,
CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
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