"Hey, We Should Start A Podcast" The Sentence Said By Millions

 How Independent Podcasters are the Trailblazers of the Podcast Industry

 

 "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast" is a sentence repeated millions of times by millions of people all around the world. They're saying it in Australia, Brazil, Finland, Nigeria, Thailand, and even the world's smallest island country, Nauru in the South Pacific, with a population of about 10,000 people and an area of 8.5 square miles, has a podcast. Somebody must have uttered a sentence at one time.

While there is no empirical evidence to support the assertions we are about to make, there is, however, common-sense proof.  

Assertion # 1: At least half of the people saying, "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast," have either ingested cannabis via gummies, smoking, or a favorite foodstuff. Many will forget that they uttered that sentence the next day, some will not. 

Assertion # 2: About 25 percent of the people uttering, "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast," are coworkers who are coalescing and commiserating about their workplace and its supposedly unique properties. Most will abandon the idea after the alcohol haze wears off and fear of unemployment strikes.

Assertion # 3: About 20 percent of the people blurting out "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast," are celebrities who have been informed by their agent and manager that their current career dry spell is now officially a potentially career-ending drought. Most of them will search out a podcast network like iHeart and Spotify and pitch them a podcast concept. Their pitch will have pet phrases like "at the intersection of," "unfiltered, opinionated, and controversial," or "tell-all."

Assertion # 4: About five percent of the people announcing, "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast," will be people who will consider the idea of a passion project in which they can connect with an audience with similar needs, interests, or viewpoints.

This last group makes up the bulk of the independent podcasting community. One lesson you would learn quickly from talking with independent podcasters is that -- although they would love to make a career from the show and a good living -- almost all of them began because of a love for podcasting.

Contrast that with the large podcast network, iHeart. While they may indeed have a heart in their corporate name, it is not for podcasting. It's for that other P -- profits.

It's independent podcasters that fuel the engine of podcasting. Do you know what "drafting" is in cycling? Drafting is a cycling technique where a cyclist rides close behind another cyclist to reduce air resistance and conserve energy. That's what the large podcast networks are doing to the independents. Drafting behind them, "borrowing ideas," "mirroring the indies' innovation," and throwing money at a podcast instead of infusing it with quality.

Podcasting is one of the few -- maybe only -- mediums that allows people to perfect their craft while they are actively engaged in podcasting. Imagine doing that on a TV show where the script is still evolving, and the actors are still learning to act.

Independent podcasters do not burst upon the podcasting scene fully formed. Go back and listen to the first episodes of any successful podcast. You can immediately recognize the upgrade in practically everything, from audio quality to interviewing skill.

Independent podcasters are on an upward trajectory. They get better and better as time goes on and experience sets in. By contrast, network-supported podcasts begin life with all the bells and whistles accorded to them by "Big Audio" and exist in the podcasting space like an entitled baby that never matures. 

Don't believe me? Listen to some celebrity podcasts and their narcissistic take on the world. There is even a celebrity podcast about that person's orgasms. I can respond with: TMI, keep it to yourself, who cares, and get a room.

Why am I bringing this all up now? Well, it's January -- the time of resolutions. The calendar changes, and we hope that we can make a necessary change. Maybe it's our weight. Maybe starting your own business. Maybe just being a better spouse or parent.

Lets' go back to the beginning of this article. "Hey, We Should Start A Podcast" is a resolution uttered millions of times in January as people consider making upgrades to their lives. 

It's those few brave people out of those millions who start an independent podcast. Think about what they give us.

For science-fiction film fans --and there are millions of them -- we get Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever by Ayesha Khan. 

For those battling weight, health, stress, and lifestyle issues, you have Salad With A Side Of Fries. Every Wednesday, host Jenn Trepeck clears up myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food/diet industry.

There is so much trauma, stress, and conflict in life that we often despair about our own lives and the society we live in. Thankfully, we have The Life Shift and Multispective to learn from others and their ability to lift themselves up from horrible life episodes. 

It's energizing to know that there are others that suffer from our specific life trauma and have been able to overcome it.

I could offer thousands of other examples, but I think my point is clear.

Independent podcasters are the bulwark of the podcasting industry. As we begin 2025, the staff at Ear Worthy asks you to support independent podcasters by listening, by donating and by supporting.