It’s been a decade of perpetual arrival for podcasts, but they’ve well and truly established themselves among the ranks of mainstream media. What began as “audio-blogging” in 2004 has gone global, with over 1.75 million podcasts and 43 million episodes available to stream across a variety of platforms as of January 2021. But let’s go back to the mid-2000s for a minute. Chances are you may remember scrolling through an early-gen iPod, seeing the “Podcasts” tab and scrolling right past on your way to shuffle your latest (probably pirated) music downloads without giving it a second thought.
Now podcasts are hailed as one of the most innovative and effective communication platforms. Companies are launching internal podcasts to engage with their employees and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in both the consumption and production of podcasts. One survey conducted by Edison Research found that podcast listenership more than doubled in 2020, and Podcast Insights reported that 850,000 active podcasts in January of 2020 — which have since been joined by almost a million more.
Podcast producer, host and academic Siobhan McHugh notes that as radio’s first cousin, there are certainly similarities. Podcasting offers “a whole new cultural space,” she says. Where radio thrives in spontaneity and personality, podcasts take the listening experience to another dimension. Listeners are able to search for a show or episode that fits exactly what they’re in the mood for, catch up on their favourite radio shows, listen to news and engage in almost any niche their minds desire (think pens and pen accessories, the mystery of McDonald’s pizza-selling days and the banter of two comedians as they watch all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls).
Audio magic
This story is from the Issue 192 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 192 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION
Life is messy and we all make mistakes, but by embracing imperfection, we can begin to accept all parts of ourselves.
Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care
As a busy mum of a three-year-old and expecting another baby, finding time for self-care often feels like a luxury.
Are you doom spending?
If \"doom spending\" has become your go-to for coping with stress, you could be making withdrawals from not just your bank account, but your health too.
THE POWER OF music
Most of us enjoy music. But science shows music is central to being human and its effect on us is far more astonishing and impactful than we realise. Music is fundamental to life.
SYNTHETIC FOODS
Synthetic, or genetically modified, fake meats and the like attempt to mimic real meat in both looks, taste and texture. But how much do we really know about the production process and how do they affect the environment and our bodies?
Embracing the power of nature
Menopause is more than just a biological change, it represents a significant life stage that can present numerous challenges - from hot flushes and mood swings to fatigue and sleepless nights.
Jan Fran
From a young age, Jan Fran's deep curiosity and keen interest in social issues sparked her journey into the world of journalism. As an accomplished journalist, media commentator and broadcaster, Fran's passion for storytelling has always been driven by a desire to explore, question and shed light on the world around her.
Helping teen girls thrive
Statistics reveal that many more teen girls are struggling with mental health issues. What's going on with them? More importantly, what can we do to help them flourish?
Your ageing eyes
Your eyes work hard for you every waking minute. It is no surprise that how your eyes age will be determined by how you protect them. Eating the right foods can go along way towards ensuring that your eyes stay healthy for a lifetime.
The bottom line
During the Couid pandemic, we were shocked to see people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper and to see empty shelves that had once held roll after roll. The reasons behind the run for toilet paper during this time reflect the unique place that it holds in our psyche and are deeply rooted in our history.
