Why Podcast Downloads Improve Accessibility Making podcast episodes downloadable is one of the simplest ways to improve accessibility—and listener trust. Downloads allow people to listen offline, use assistive or custom playback tools, and avoid interruptions caused by poor connectivity or data limits. They also support listeners with visual, cognitive, or neurodivergent needs who benefit from predictable, interruption-free playback. While downloads represent a small share of total listens,...

The Inventory and the Scale: Growing Audiences Starts with Creators Following up on last week’s look at entry barriers, this week we dive into how to support underrepresented creators so podcast audiences can truly grow in 2026.Key Takeaways: • Representation shapes audiences: Audiences reflect the diversity of creators; marketing alone isn’t enough. • Different challenges, different solutions: • Entry barriers for women need role models and industry support. • Retention challenges for LGBTQ+...

Books Every Podcaster Can Learn From Podcasting tools and platforms change fast—but the fundamentals don’t. This curated reading list highlights books that help podcasters strengthen the skills that matter most: storytelling, interviewing, audience understanding, creativity, and sustainable growth. The recommendations span narrative audio, journalism, interviews, collaboration, mindset, and monetization. Some focus on craft and story structure, others on building trust with listeners, growing...