The Future of Storytelling: Why Podcasting Matters

The New York Time’s Modern Love is the perfect example of how a great story transcends any medium. The popular column featuring reader-submitted essays about the complicated love stories of real people started in 2004 and since then, it has been turned into books, a podcast, and a TV series. 

Modern Love’s achievements in the podcast industry are worth mentioning. In 2016, the podcast debuted at the top spot on the iTunes chart. More than 200 episodes later and the podcast still gets rave reviews. It is consistently included in prestigious lists of the best podcasts ever created. 

What makes it stand out? The funny, intimate, and heartwarming podcast takes listeners on an immersive audio experience — which lasts anywhere between 15 to 50 minutes — that brings honest and hopeful stories to life. Essays are read by household names in film and TV. Plus, audiences get to listen to a follow-up interview with the author and are intrigued by deeper conversations about love and relationships. 

Modern Love’s success shows how podcasts can be powerful tools to capture the attention of audiences and engage listeners. Here’s why podcasts will continue to revolutionize storytelling in the digital world. 

Podcasts are Convenient and Time-Effective

Technology powers the increasing popularity of audio storytelling, and lets listeners control what they want to hear and when they want to hear it. And with most people on their smartphones, it’s very easy to subscribe to podcasts and consume episodes on-demand anywhere. You can even listen to a podcast during your commute or while staying on top of responsibilities at home and work. 

More and more people are getting into the habit of listening to podcasts on a weekly and even daily basis. In the U.S., nearly six in 10 or about 57 percent of consumers above 12 years of age have listened to at least one podcast. As of 2021, more than 41 percent of Americans listen to podcasts at least once a month. More than 65% of users tune in to podcasts using smartphones and tablets, through various platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and SoundCloud.

Podcasts are Authentic and Intimate

Podcasting offers more than just plain narration. Content creators can combine the best of words and sounds to stimulate the listener’s imaginations, retain their attention, and transport them into the story.

Nothing beats audio when it comes to capturing honest and authentic moments, like the sound of a voice as it cracks or breaks, the sound of one’s breath, and those meaningful silences and pauses. 

What makes podcasts appealing is that they are raw. Audiences can feel the host or guest’s mood, state of mind, and emotions just by listening to them and interpreting their voices and sounds. 

Podcasts are among the most intimate mediums for both listeners and podcasters. More often than not, podcasters go personal and share even the most vulnerable of stories. Listeners, meanwhile, pay attention to every little detail and participate by building vivid images of the story and creating their own production in their minds. It comes out as an alluring conversation and in-depth discussion of the complexities of a story.

Podcasts Empower Audiences To Connect and Empathize

Podcast listeners are among the most engaged audiences, with about 94% of them active on at least one social media channel. Podcasters and listeners are passionate about very specific topics and want to share their knowledge about them. Compelling podcasts resonate well with listeners because they educate, entertain, inform, and inspire. 

More than anything else, podcasting’s ability to connect people in the most profound ways is what makes the medium stand out. By listening to the hosts and guests, audiences can empathize with them and experience their truths as they speak. Even if they are miles apart, podcasters connect to listeners who appreciate and value every story. 

The podcasting industry is growing by leaps and bounds and shows no signs of slowing down. Ever wanted to do a podcast but didn’t know how to start? Or maybe you need that creative push to build loyalty and long-term interest in your brand, message, or venture? Podcast Engineers is the team you can trust to turn your brightest ideas into a narrative that your audiences will love. 

No matter where you are in your podcast journey, our podcast editors have got the experience and expertise to make you sound your best. Find out how we can make sure that all the elements work together to bring your podcast to life. Schedule a consultation and let’s get started!