The Trendcast

Podcasting has gone visual. In this episode of The Trendcast, we explore how video is reshaping discovery, engagement, and monetization—and what it means for creators, audiences, and brands. Is video replacing audio, or expanding it? Industry experts weigh in on the future of a now hybrid medium. Special thanks to our guests: Jenny Barish, Tom Webster, Katie Nolan, Gabe Tartaglia, and to Advertising Week for their partnership. Want to dive deeper into podcasting trends? Check out the Podcast Trends Report.

A new era of podcasting is here. The Trendcast Season 2 explores the key questions shaping what comes next.

Sophie zeroes in on how perfectly targeted ad placements not only bring brands closer to their audiences, but deliver real results not typically found in other forms of media. She deep dives into this trend and discusses the effect that data driven, and sometimes AI powered solutions, has on a show and the audience, itself. This episode features Tamara Zubaity, co-founder and CEO of Barometer, Paul Riismandel, President at Signal Hill Insights, and Shankar Vedantam, Executive Editor and host of Hidden Brain.

Sophie dives into the ever-important host-listener relationship, and how the breaking down of the fourth wall brings the audience in as contributors, taking them from listeners to part of the show. With her guests, she discusses the use of social media, how hosts will take the extra step to make their fans feel seen and heard, and just how advertisers can align themselves with this trend. This episode features Alie Ward, host of the comedic science podcast Ologies, and Matt Shapo, Director of Digital Audio and Video at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

Podcast creators are here to shake up the industry make-up, representing a whole host of races, genders, and cultures which allow for a richer, more diverse medium. In this episode, Sophie discusses how the industry has expanded into the multi-cultural phenomenon we know today along with the uncharted territory brands have to advertise have within the space. This episode features Jack Hobbs, CEO of Revolver Podcasts, Jordi Olivares, co-founder and general manager of Pitaya Entertainment, and Gabriel Soto, Senior Director of Research at Edison Research

Bingeable podcast creation has led to a rise in listener-creator engagement. In fact, two-thirds of listeners are taking in multiple episodes back-to-back in a single session, as they seek connections with not only the story, but the storytellers themselves. In this episode, Sophie discusses how the bingeable model engages listeners while also benefiting advertisers pursuing a way to tell their own brand's story while speaking to devoted audiences. This episode features Tom Webster, partner at Sounds Profitable, and Delia D’Ambra, host and producer of three hit shows, Counterclock, Park Predators, and Dark Arenas.

As we dive into what it means for creators to turn their podcasts into their mainhustle, and main source of income, we also explore the benefits advertisers can find in the space. In this episode, Sophie sits down with Mike Davis, co-founder Dirty Mo Media, Sarah Bolton, Advertiser Perceptions, and Cameron Hendrix, CEO of Magellan.