Have you ever had a free moment, chose to scroll through YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify, just to find a “Podcasts” section? When scrolling through just to find one that you could listen to in the car or doing your homework, did you realize just how many podcast hosts or episodes there are on the platforms?
It is true. Podcasts, or audio videos, are programs made for viewers to listen to, without having to watch a video. The listener can simply hear the hosts speak directly from their audio on their device. Many people, including myself, choose to listen to podcasts on hour-long night drives because people can take the serenity of the night along with the calm, have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat voice of the host, commonly known as “podcast voice.” Since the audience can listen on-the-go or download episodes for a future date, it is no wonder that many people, including students, are switching from listening to music to listening to podcasts to get their tasks done.
According to a Sept. 30, 2025 Podcast Statistics article, there are 4.52 million podcasts globally with approximately 585 million listeners. Most of the people consuming podcasts listen on YouTube.
There are a few reasons the world of podcasting has increased over the years. More topics are being implored, leading to an increase in niche topics. For example, have you heard about “La Lechuza”? In truth, I have never heard of that word before, but I recently learned what it was in the “Stuff You Should Know” podcast.
Those unique topics give rise to listeners learning more about subjects they have either never heard much about or allow listeners to come back for more.
Plus, the distinctive episodes allow the listener to venture into more podcast shows on the same topic, leading listeners into other podcast hosts or shows as well.
Secondly, podcasts are on the up and up because a lot of celebrities you may look up to, or you find their lives entertaining, have their own podcast show. This allows the listener to feel that they have a “safe space” when listening to their favorite entertainer’s podcast.
For instance, I am a fan of Amy Poehler. I have loved her as a cast member on SNL to her portrayal as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation. When I listen to Poehler’s “Good Hang” show, I feel comfort and ease. As a listener, I also feel that she will bring on guests who match her energy and personality, too, making the listener like me stick around for another episode of her show.
Poehler is not the only actress who has celebrities and guests come onto her podcast. Many of the most popular Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and whichever platform you listen to on, have guests arrive almost daily, if not weekly.
Some of these podcasts that do such include “Call Her Daddy” by Alexandra Cooper, “Armchair Expert” by Dax Shephard, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” and a multitude of others.
Fun fact, those three podcast shows are in the top categories across Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Finally, podcasting is not only increasing because it’s free.
Unlike music on my music platforms, you have to pay a subscription to have your music played in the order that you want immediately. However, podcasts are free and you can pick the order of how you want to listen.
Whether you are on Spotify or Pandora, it is free. There may be ads, but it does not bring a cost to the consumer. With it being free, you can take it on-the-go or play it whenever you want to listen to an audio video.
With podcast shows, hosts, and episodes increasing by the day, it is not too late to put on a random episode you have never heard of before. It may lead you down a rabbit hole!
With many podcast genres like crime, talk-show, interviews, television or movie recaps, to everything in between, podcasting is not going away anytime soon.
