My Apple Watch arrived a couple of weeks ago, and so far, it’s been a wonderful tool for reminders, notifications, and fitness tracking. (Thanks for reminding me that I’ve been parked at my desk for 2 hours!)
Unexpectedly, it’s also helping me enjoy more podcasts, via the Overcast app. (The Apple Watch doesn’t currently support the native iPhone Podcast app, for some reason).
Podcasting is experiencing a resurgence over the last few years, having originated in the 1980’s and dropped (mostly) from the public eye in the 1990’s. I always dabbled in podcast listening, but never really paid attention to the business possibilities until I discovered Christopher Penn and John Wall’s Marketing Over Coffee several years ago. This was “patient zero” for my own podcast awakening.
In 2014, Edison Research noted that “podcasting is bigger than you think,” in its Share of Ear study. With the ever widening array of content, we are looking to audio as an easy to digest path to consumption.
Whether you’re interested in communications, marketing, PR, running a small business, or the latest crime documentary (you can slip in some Serial if you like), there is a podcast for you. Learn about anything, while working out, folding laundry, or flying to Chicago.
How do you discover new podcasts?
There is a new website built for podcast discovery: Convince & Convert’s MarketingPodcasts.com. Type in your parameters and find the exact podcast you’re seeking, by topic, by host name, or by popularity. It’s basically podcast heaven.
Another great podcast resource is BlogTalkRadio, which categorizes shows, allows you to subscribe, and if you’re feeling bold, start your own podcast. Podcasts hosted on BlogTalkRadio include a live chat feature, so that you can talk to other listeners as well.
If you’d rather have an app for that, you can download Stitcher, which will learn your listening preferences over time and make recommendations for you. You can also use it to “stitch” together podcasts and shows to make your own personal radio station.
Some new podcasts to whet your appetite
If you’re ready to start listening, here are some of my favorite new podcasts. Smart people talking about business, life, taking risks, and doing it with guts.
- The Successful Failure – hosted by Gigi Peterkin
- 100 Proof: The Badass Radio Show – hosted by Jason Falls and Tania Dakka (this one’s somewhat NSFW)
- The Heart of Marketing – hosted by Jayme Soulati & John Gregory Olson
Do you have a favorite new podcast? Are you considering hosting your own show? Please share with us!