Where Americans listen most

• Where do Americans listen to audio the most? Not the car - but at home, with a sharp increase in at-home listening since the pandemic, says Edison Research. The company suggests a “new normal” of around 55% of all audio being consumed at home.

• Entries for the Women Podcasters Awards go up in price from tomorrow.  Fees for nominations and sponsorships for the international people’s choice awards event will go to regular pricing.

• The Age of Audio podcast documentary movie is showing at Podfest on Jan 16; and in the AFS Cinema in Austin TX on Jan 18, complete with a Q&A with the director.

• Podcasting may have a “missing security model”, says an article from software engineer Kfir Gisman.

• Beamly has posted 10 Practical Ways to Make Money Podcasting.

What’s next: 2026 in podcasting

Hannah Southern, Podcast Discovery:

Going into 2026, creators know that they need to have a multi-platform approach. YouTube is the place where this is being tested in the wild. This year, we’ve worked with a lot of shows from independents, publishers, networks, that have all been really successful for a long time on RSS. They’ve grown really strong audiences, really strong revenue streams. What’s been really interesting is seeing the same shows and how they approach their YouTube strategy for their podcast. Just uploading the audio version as a video just doesn’t cut it for YouTube audiences who are consuming podcasts on that platform.

We’ll see creators actively reworking underperforming YouTube channels. We’ll see them changing formats, making shows feel native to the platform, and in the process reaching a totally new audience. We’ll see lots of strategic testing and learning on packaging and editing. And I’m really looking forward to see these podcasters find their audiences across this platform.

It’s not just about the content and the edit for YouTube as well. YouTube audiences love the community side as well. They like going to the comments, interacting with the creators, and this should be the same for podcasters as well. So I’m looking forward to seeing podcasters actively replying to comments, posting updates on YouTube, using all of the community engagement elements they can on the platform, and treating YouTube as somewhere where you show up for your audience, and not just a place where you upload your podcast.

• Hear more in the Podnews Weekly Review

Podcast News - with Airwave

With Airwave: If you are one of the many people who can’t sleep, Sleep Cove might be for you. You’ll hear relaxing sleep hypnosis, guided sleep meditations and bedtime stories – all designed to help you relax and get a peaceful night’s sleep.

In The OrganizedPreneur, Aldreama Harper breaks down three specific signs that God may be nudging you to start a show. She packs the episode with actionable insights and genuine encouragement to stop overthinking and start planning. If you’re sitting on the fence, this is the push you’ve been waiting for.

Podcasts in the wild

Spotted in Atlanta GA, USA, by Podnews reader Andrew: this big banner for something that looks like it’s called the Kindness Calloway Podcast. It’s actually called Loving Kindness Everyday, but thankfully most searches would find it. The show was last published in October.