Podcast Redefined: What's Next in 2025?

Here we go again.

It’s time for me to play Nostradamus and share my mostly accurate podcast predictions for 2025.

First off: can we all agree that 2024 was a different kind of year for podcasting? Podcasting got some extra shine during our 2024 US elections. Joe Rogan hosted Donald Trump on his podcast which ended up being president-elect Donald Trump’s longest interview ever according to him. Kamala Harris appeared on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast which also made headlines.

As we edge closer to 2025, the podcasting world is changing and getting more attention. We’re seeing more than just growth; we’re witnessing a deeper appreciation and respect for our medium.

These are exciting times and I don’t see it slowing down in 2025.

Here’s what I see coming for podcasting in coming year.

Prediction 1: More Attention To Retention

The Death of Downloads. For too long, podcast creators have been obsessed with download numbers as a measure of their success, but I believe that’s all about to change. We’ve shifted gears in our podcast network in the way we monitor podcast growth. After attending Podcast Movement DC this past year, I discovered we weren’t the ones seeing this shift in our industry.

In 2025, the focus will be more on attention and retention. How long are listeners listening? Are they coming back for more content? These are the real metrics that matter. Podcasters will need to embrace a deeper understanding of their audience’s behavior, moving beyond surface-level stats aka “downloads,” to focus on real engagement. It’s time to get real about the impact of podcast listenership/engagement, ditch the vanity, and start focusing on the connections that truly count. Community is currency. Everything else is for the birds.

Prediction 2: YouTube Dominates the Video Podcasting Space

And Still… YouTube has been quietly revolutionizing the podcasting world for a while now, and in 2025, it’s going to make a BIGGER presence known even more. I believe YouTube will continue investing more in better features that support podcasters for curated discoverability, new tools, and education to make video casting one of their core pillars of entertainment. Spotify is already pushing to attract and help creators build their video podcasts on their platform. If YouTube wants to become the powerhouse for video podcasting, they will need to step up - and I believe they will. Video isn’t just a trend anymore; it’s becoming a core part of podcasting. Don’t sleep on this.

Prediction 3: The Rise of Local Podcast Communities

In the past year, I’ve seen more and more podcasters building local communities, and this trend is only going to explode in 2025. Podcasting has always been about connection, but now we’re seeing creators bring that connection home. Local meetups, live events, and even in-person collaborations are becoming the new norm. I’ve had the privilege of consulting with podcast leaders who are actively working to create local spaces where podcasters and listeners can connect in a deeply personal way. These micro-communities will grow, offering real-world value and connections that go beyond the digital world. Expect more podcasters to leverage the power of localized, hyper-targeted audiences to build stronger, more engaged communities. As the founder of Pod Houston, a local podcast community —- this makes me smile.

Prediction 4: The AI Assistants Take Over (But It’s Not All Bad)

AI’s role in podcasting is about to get way more interesting. We’ve seen the rise of podcast-centric AI tools to streamline production, editing, and even content creation, but 2025 will bring more sophisticated AI features that go beyond just convenience. Expect specific AI tools that will offer personalized, streamlined workflow and content recommendations, and even help you engage with your audience in real-time.

No, AI won’t ever replace human creativity, but it’s going to make your podcasting journey a whole lot easier, letting you focus on what matters—your voice, your story, and your community. Period.

Prediction 5: Podcasting Into Everyday Life

Podcasting isn’t just for the “content creators” anymore. It’s becoming a mainstream part of everyday life. In 2025, podcasting will be more integrated into social media, entertainment apps, newsletters, plane and bus rides, and even smart devices. I meet people every week who listen more to podcasts and make them an essential part of their daily routine.

Prediction 5: Don’t call it a comeback: Audio IS the blue ocean!

I’ve been in the podcasting space for 10 years now. And let me be straight—I love all things audio. It’s the most intimate, most soulful medium we could ever consume. And I will always be an advocate for protecting our RSS feed. RSS is the cornerstone of podcasting. That being said, with all the buzz around the reemergence of video integration into podcasting, I believe true AUDIO-only content is the blue ocean heading into 2025. Audio podcast content will stand out above the rest and if you are good at your craft as a storyteller and community builder—you will win in 2025!

Prediction 6 The year of the REMIX!

I predict we’re going to see podcasters flip more switches on the formats of their shows. We need more creativity and do things differently to keep things fresh and new in podcasting. As a podcaster, this is a challenge to myself and other indie podcasters to experiment, get creative with marketing shows, and package our brand differently.

Prediction 7: Audience-centric shift

We hear “Know your audience,” “Understand your audience,” and “Meet them where they’re at, pretty much all year round at podcasting conferences and from podcast consultants, and I 100 percent agree. But, why is this repetitive mantra so hard to understand and adopt in the podcasting community?

I predict we’re going to see a stronger focus on targeted audience strategies, especially in the advertising industry. High consumption rates with the right audience - this will make advertising companies very happy.

So…

I’m looking forward to another successful year in podcasting. From video podcasting to innovations in AI and strategic collaborations, our medium continues to evolve in response to audience preferences and technological advancements. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or listener, the future of podcasting promises untapped opportunities and experiences for all.

Cheers and Happy Podcasting in 2025!