In & Around Podcasting

A podcast conference can be about the sessions, the people, or both. Elsie Escobar joins Robb Dunewood, Mayra Ortiz, and Julio Axel Ponce to hear what Podcast Movement NYC was like from the floor and the stage. They talk about the nightclub venue, switching between presentations on headphones, planning connections before arriving, and the travel costs behind an affordable ticket. The conversation moves into the gap between how creators define podcasts and how audiences consume them. The roundtable discusses Sounds Profitable’s 2026 audience research, what reported Netflix use does and does not tell us, and why audio still fits parts of a listener’s day that video cannot. They also ask how conference recordings can reach more people, why modest view counts deserve context, and where audio versions could help. Reports of changes to Apple Podcasts recommendations prompt a discussion about personalized discovery, editorial curation, and visibility for independent and local shows. Elsie notes that Apple’s background statement, as quoted by Podnews, says its editorial approach has not changed. There’s also portable microphone and Leveler app talk, a case for direct listener relationships through email, and Flattering Rams for the Black Podcasting Awards, Life and Tech with TechLifeSteph, Narratives of Care Puerto Rico, and La Brega. Guest Contributors Robb Dunewood - The Tech Jawn Mayra Ortiz - Qué Está Pasando en el Podcasting Julio Axel Ponce - Qué Está Pasando en el Podcasting Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Robb Dunewood / The Art of Podcasting The Tech Jawn Qué Está Pasando en el Podcasting Mayra Ortiz / Podcasteras Media Julio Axel Ponce / Tropical Podcasting Podcast Movement Stephen Robles Demetrius Bagley / Black Podcasting Awards Life and Tech with TechLifeSteph Charlotte Bayala / Narratives of Care: Puerto Rico La Brega Apps & Technology SmallRig S70-A wireless microphone Hollyland wireless microphones DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Leveler for Mac Articles & Episodes Sounds Profitable’s 2026 audience research: the core numbers Sounds Profitable’s 2026 audience research: full report Podnews reporting on Apple Podcasts recommendations and editorial curation Podcast Movement 2026 session recordings on YouTube 2026 Black Podcasting Awards winners and nominees Captivate Office Hours and Growth Labs events calendar IAB Certified Analytics, Plays vs Downloads, & Interpreting Growth Spikes, by Matthew McLean This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Rob Walch returns from Podcast Movement NYC with a recap of the Terminal 5 venue, meetings with industry peers, Captivate’s new partnership with TWiT, and the presentation moment when his screen went black. His talk challenged advice built for podcasting’s top tier and tested the claim that video is now the baseline. Rob shares his comparison of Apple Podcasts downloads for more than 100 shows before and after they added HLS video, along with Acast’s Podcast Pulse findings on audio choice, discovery through social clips, and rising trust in podcasters. Beyond Podcast Movement, Elsie and Rob discuss Apple Podcasts chapter settings, Spotify’s ad-skipping feature, Apple Podcasts subscription video and new playback features, Threads’ expanded podcast tools, and sponsor reads designed to work for people watching or listening. A reported $140 million SiriusXM deal for Giggly Squad opens a wider conversation about the value Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo built across podcasting, video, social media, touring, publishing, and entertainment. Global also announces the upcoming investigative series A Very British Epstein. The episode also visits Apple Maps’ Hidden Histories guides, the International Women’s Podcast Awards, and a Talks.co giveaway. The Flattering Ram celebrates Tony Doe’s work on the Nigerian Podcast Index, Rob shares Captivate’s July 2026 download benchmarks and Magellan AI’s estimated August podcast ad spending, and the hosts point listeners toward Rob’s Outlier Edge interview and Seth Resler’s community-building Growth Lab. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Podcast Movement New York City 2026 Giggly Squad TWiT.tv’s partnership with DAX and Captivate A Very British Epstein Tony Doe and Into the Podverse Support the Nigerian Podcast Index Rob Walch on The Outlier Edge, episode 1037 From Audience to Community with Seth Resler Captivate Growth Labs events calendar Captivate Office Hours: October Apps & Technology Apple Podcasts subscription video New Apple Podcasts features in iOS 27, tvOS 27, and macOS 27 Threads podcast tools for creators and listeners Articles & Episodes Acast’s Podcast Pulse 2026 How to Create Podcast Ads That Work for Both Video and Audio Inside the Giggly Squad Podcast Bidding War Apple Maps and Apple Podcasts launch Hidden Histories International Women’s Podcast Awards 2026 Talks.co 2026 Podcast Giveaway Nigeria’s podcasting ecosystem and the Nigerian Podcast Index Magellan AI’s August 2026 podcast ad spending estimates In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

A successful podcast can still reach a point where its creator is ready to move on. Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch discuss Pat Flynn’s sale of Smart Passive Income, the audience relationship involved in a host handover, and what the reporting on Crime Junkie and Audiochuck brings up about growth, workload, and building a business around one person. The Apple conversation covers hardware costs, AirPods recording, and the balance between useful listening tools and privacy for the people nearby. Elsie and Rob also discuss iOS 27 podcast search and CarPlay changes, plus Apple Podcasts’ video embed player and why website plays don’t appear in Apple Podcasts Connect Analytics. Audacity 4 brings a new editing experience and a reminder from Rob to check MP3 export settings after installing. Audio Hijack 4.6 updates transcription and macOS support. The Flattering Ram remembers Todd Cochrane, followed by news of Audacy Creator Lab’s closure, TWiT’s move to Captivate for ad management, Elsie’s immigration story on Heidi de la Cruz’s podcast, and upcoming Captivate community events. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income, sale announcement Liz Wilcox, incoming Smart Passive Income owner, announcement conversation Lex Roman and Revenue Rule Breakers, analysis of the SPI sale Todd Cochrane, remembered by Rob Greenlee Rob Greenlee and New Media Show, remembrance of Todd Cochrane Podcast Movement New York City Apps & Technology Apple Podcasts embed player Apple Marketing Tools Audacity 4 Audacity 4 download on MuseHub Audio Hijack iPhone Duo, pricing report iPhone 18 Pro, feature overview AirPods 5, feature overview Apple Watch Audio Intelligence Articles & Episodes Apple Doesn’t Want You to Worry About the New Apple Watch’s Listening Features iPhones Are Getting More Expensive, but AirPods Are Cheaper Than Ever Apple Podcasts Takes Video Beyond Its App With Upgraded Web Player Apple Audio Intelligence Privacy Overview Ashley Flowers’ ‘Crime Junkie’ Podcast Empire, Audiochuck, Faces Reckoning The biggest news in Smart Passive Income’s History! I Sold SPI Audacity 4 has arrived: Easier editing, better effects & more Audio Hijack 4.6 Is Now Available Remembering Todd Cochrane, One Year Later Mike Dell’s remembrance of Todd Cochrane TWiT.tv Partners with DAX United States for 2027 The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, episode 162 with Elsie Escobar Captivate Growth Labs events calendar Captivate Office Hours: October From Audience to Community: A New Revenue Model for Podcasters, September Growth Lab In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

What does a successful podcast launch look like when you do not have a large audience waiting? Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch answer a new podcaster’s question by moving the focus away from industry benchmarks. A show’s own baseline, consistent 7-, 30-, and 90-day comparison windows, seasonality, format, and audience goals give creators more useful information than a single early dip. YouTube will count a public view from the first frame while keeping creator analytics, monetization, click-through rate, and recommendations tied to engaged views. Elsie and Rob discuss what that split means for creators and sponsors, why a public number can misrepresent attention, and how losing a channel to automated enforcement can cut a creator off from years of work. An email connection and distribution beyond one platform remain practical safeguards. The episode also covers YouTube’s competition with Netflix for top creators, Unwell’s $500 million valuation, Threads’ podcast transcript test, and Magellan AI’s estimated podcast ad spending for July 2026. Rob shares an early look at his Apple Podcasts HLS video analysis, the show remembers Dolly Parton and her podcast appearances, and the Flattering Ram celebrates Paulette Erato of Latinas in Podcasting. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Dolly Parton on Table Manners: Second Helpings Dolly Parton on Table Manners Dolly Parton on Khloé in Wonder Land Dolly Parton on Dumb Blonde Dolly Parton on Living & Learning with Reba McEntire podCast411 Episode 237 with Zach Smith Paulette Erato - Latinas in Podcasting The Parent Tap Podcast Movement NYC 2026 Apps & Technology YouTube engaged views Threads podcast transcription test Articles & Episodes🔬 Reddit post about podcast success and podcast analytics Growth Lab Event with Rob, Danny and Elsie! Demystifying Your Podcast Analytics Rene Ritchie explains YouTube engaged views YouTube counting public views from the first frame The Parent Tap petition for channel reinstatement YouTube creator exclusivity deals and Netflix Unwell’s $500 million valuation after the WTSL investment Magellan AI top podcast advertisers In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

From reel-to-reel tape and cassette fast-forwarding to one-tap podcast controls, listeners have gained more power over what they hear and when they hear it. Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch follow that history into discussing Spotify’s Skip Ahead test, which can jump Premium subscribers past intros, outros, ads, and other promotional segments. That convenience creates a difficult question for podcasters: when a platform identifies a segment as skippable, who gets to decide what counts as an ad? Elsie and Rob discuss baked-in sponsorships, creator promotions, listener habits, Spotify video, and why YouTube’s new monetization requirements make diversified publishing even more important. The episode also covers Overcast’s packed feature release, including transcript tools, Replay Podcast, Smart Complete, chapter controls, and new Premium audio effects. Plus, Disney+ expands its podcast distribution deals, the show remembers John C. Dvorak, and the Flattering Ram celebrates Ana Xavier’s visit to the Obama Presidential Center. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Marco Arment The Overlap Stick to Football Hope Gets a Studio: Inside the Obama Presidential Center's Vision for Community Storytelling In & Around Podcasting: A Platform For Indie Podcasters Podcast Measurement Is Changing. Elsie Escobar Says Creators Need a Seat Build in Beta for the AI Curious Synergy Squad Podcasting in the AI Era with Rob Walch Podcast Movement New York City Apps & Technology Overcast SponsorBlock Unwatched Understanding the "Skip ahead" button Articles & Episodes Spotify’s new ‘skip’ button could end the podcast business as we know it Spotify’s New Ad-Skipping Feature Is Not Scaring Off Podcast Advertisers Yet Spotify threatens industry with ad-skipping tool New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program TestFlight Build 1172: Smart Complete, Replay Podcast, changes to Episode Limits ATP 703: Part of a Healthy Breakfast — Accidental Tech Podcast The Overlap signs landmark sponsorship and distribution deal with Disney+ Disney Brings iHeartMedia Video Podcasts to Disney+ and Hulu Adam Curry Honors John C. Dvorak's Impact in Tech Journalism on No Agenda In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy