<p>YouTube says it’s cracking down on AI slop in 2026. At the same time, it’s rolling out more AI tools for creators. So which is it? Today, we share more of YouTube&#39;s upcoming shakeups, including tighter standards around low-quality AI content and monetization shifts that could reshape how podcasters get discovered and paid. Is this a clean-up… or a quiet pivot? Since it’s news day, we’re also bringing you the latest headlines across the podcasting space. Rumble is pushing short-form video, and Bill Simmons is questioning YouTube’s long-term strategy. And a new hosting platform is betting big on paywalls over downloads. If you want to stay ahead of platform shifts instead of reacting to them, this episode will get you thinking.</p><p><strong>Episode Highlights: </strong></p><p>[02:47] Vanderbilt University speaking engagement</p><p>[05:27] Preview of an upcoming podcast evaluation</p><p>[07:56] Podcast data and industry trends</p><p>[08:57] Top podcasts on Spotify and Apple</p><p>[10:27] Events and conferences</p><p>[12:03] Content creator business tips</p><p>[20:10] Hulu enters the podcast licensing race</p><p>[27:52] New podcast trends and AI content removal</p><p>[29:12] Debate on YouTube’s viability for podcasts</p><p>[39:30] YouTube’s 2026 overhaul and built-in AI tools</p><p>[45:16] True Fans and the paywall-first hosting model</p><p><strong>Links &amp; Resources: </strong></p><p>The Podcasting Morning Chat: </p><p><a href="https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.podpage.com/pmc</a></p><p>Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠</a></p><p>Book A Free Call With Me: </p><p><a href="https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall</a></p><p>Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠</a></p><p>Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: </p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header</a></p><p>Upcoming Evaluation Movies in a Nutshell: </p><p><a href="https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&sort=popularity" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&amp;sort=popularity</a></p><p>Podnews:</p><p><a href="http://www.podnews.net" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.podnews.net</a></p><p>Meetup &amp; Match Up Virtual Event Use Code PMC for Free Admission:  </p><p><a href="https://luma.com/pdevents" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://luma.com/pdevents</a></p><p>Empowered Podcasting Conference: </p><p><a href="http://empoweredpodcasting.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://empoweredpodcasting.com</a></p><p>Big YouTube Shakeups: </p><p><a href="https://digiday.com/media/the-rundown-what-youtube-creators-should-expect-to-change-in-2026/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://digiday.com/media/the-rundown-what-youtube-creators-should-expect-to-change-in-2026</a></p><p>Previous Episode Discussing Substack: </p><p><a href="http://www.podpage.com/pmc/354-how-to-get-more-from-spotify-for-creators-with-chris-stone" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.podpage.com/pmc/354-how-to-get-more-from-spotify-for-creators-with-chris-stone</a></p><p>How to Monetize Your Content on Facebook: </p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1049081556813520/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.facebook.com/business/help/1049081556813520</a></p><p>Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.</p><p>Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠</a></p><p>Live on YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠</a></p><p>Brought to you by<a href="http://ironickmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠</a>⁠ </p><p>Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!</p><p>--- Send in your mailbag question at:<a href="https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠</a> or ⁠[email protected]⁠</p><p>Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: </p><p><a href="https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>