487 - Podcasting Has Officially Surpassed Talk Radio.

In this episode of Podcast Answer Man, I talk about a milestone moment that I never thought I’d see so soon. For the first time in history, audio podcasting has surpassed AM/FM talk radio as the most popular way Americans consume spoken-word audio.

This episode is part industry insight, part personal reflection, and part behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been building lately. I also share several important updates related to podcasting tools, events, and opportunities for creators.

Podcasting Has Overtaken Talk Radio

A close friend sent me an article this week. According to recent research, podcast listenership has officially overtaken talk radio among Americans who consume spoken-word audio.

I walk through the data, what it means, and why this shift matters so much for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about starting a podcast today. I also reflect on my own long history with radio. From childhood fascination with microphones and transmitters, to years of listening to talk radio, to the moment podcasting completely replaced radio in my own life.

Why Podcasting Continues to Grow

I break down why podcasting continues to grow year after year:

On-demand listening instead of fixed schedules

No fear of missing content due to live broadcasts

The ability to choose exactly what you want to listen to

Deep, focused engagement without constant interruption

I also talk about how radio itself helped accelerate the growth of podcasting by educating audiences on what podcasts are, even if that wasn’t their original intention.

People Really Do Listen. And They Binge.

There’s a persistent myth that attention spans are shrinking too much for long-form audio. I address that directly in this episode and share a voicemail from a listener who has been binge-listening dozens of episodes and was inspired to finally launch his own podcast as a result.

People are not just listening. They’re staying. They’re finishing episodes. And they’re building long-term relationships with the voices they trust.

Trust, Attention, and the Power of the Medium

I also comment on recent industry research around trust and podcasting. While I share my honest opinions about advertising and ad-skipping, I explain why podcasting remains one of the most powerful mediums for building trust, connection, and influence over time.

Podcasting allows for depth. It allows for nuance. And it allows for real human connection in a way that very few platforms can match.

Tools and Resources Mentioned

CNET article on podcast listenership surpassing talk radio: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/podcasts-officially-outrank-talk-radio-for-the-first-time-in-history

iHeartMedia State of Podcasting 2026 report: https://www.iheartmedia.com/advertise/insights/articles/the-state-of-podcasting

Episode 477: Why I Moved Podcast Answer Man to Podpage: http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/477

Podpage Affilate Link: http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/podpage

Podcast Movement 2026 information and early access signup: https://2026.podcastmovement.com

Social Media Marketing World 2026 Affiliate Link: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/?sme=371

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What I’m Building

Toward the end of the episode, I share an update on a personal project I’ve been working on. After attending a masterclass, I began building my own podcast-focused software using AI-assisted development.

The project is called PodBriefer, and while it’s still in private beta, it’s already changing how I personally consume, manage, summarize, and engage with podcasts. I explain what it does, why I built it, and how it’s helping me stay deeply connected with the work of clients, peers, and people I care about without being overwhelmed.

More to come on that soon.

The Path Forward

If you’re listening to this and you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or a solopreneur who feels isolated in the decisions you’re making, I want to speak directly to you.

Many people building serv