S3 103. The Podcast Show 2025: Recap & Highlights To Grow Your Show
If you're serious about podcasting in 2025, you need to know what’s coming — and what’s already changing. Whether you're trying to grow your audience, stay visible without burning out on social media, or figure out if you really need to start filming your episodes, this episode is packed with exactly the kind of insights that can help you make smarter moves. Think of it like your shortcut to understanding what the industry’s top platforms, creators, and marketers are buzzing about right now.
The Podcast Show in London brought together over 6,000 creators and industry leaders from around the world, and the biggest themes were clear: video podcasting, YouTube strategy, smart AI tools, and new ways to grow without relying on downloads or going viral. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down for you — the trends, the tools, and most importantly, how to apply it all to your podcast, whether you’re just starting out or already in deep.
Chapters:
00:01:30 – Embracing authenticity and longevity in podcasting, even when episodes aren’t perfect
00:03:00 – Key takeaways from YouTube’s session at The Podcast Show
00:03:30 – Stats reveal that more UK listeners are consuming podcasts on YouTube from their smart TVs
00:04:00 – UK listener data that shows mixed podcast listener preferences
00:05:00 – YouTube and AI innovations may soon help podcasters reach multilingual audiences
00:06:00 – Choosing hosting your podcast on RSS vs. YouTube
00:07:00 – Best practices for using AI to enhance productivity without losing creative or strategic control
00:08:30 – Industry leaders push for more accurate podcast growth metrics to reflect modern listening habits
00:09:30 – A creator who sold two podcasts, and what those figures were
00:10:00 – Email marketing, newsletters, podcast swaps as ways to grow a podcast
YouTube is looking to bring in more podcast audiences to the platform in 2025
First of all, yes — video is trending, but don’t believe the hype that audio is dead. I attended YouTube’s panel, and their own data shows that 70% of UK users say video helps them stay entertained, however, Ofcom’s reasearch showed that 41% still prefer audio.
Portability, data usage, and ease matter, but audio remains queen — so if you’re not ready to do full video, don’t worry. Just make sure your audio show is on YouTube at the very least by connecting your RSS feed.
Speaking of YouTube: they’re doubling down.
Think auto-dubbing for multi-language reach, better integration of Shorts for discoverability, and new tools like Riverside’s AI-generated thumbnails (yes, please!).
Podcast platforms and SaaS companies are using AI in all facets of the workflow
AI is everywhere, by the way. The key takeaway? Use it for boring, repetitive stuff. Keep the creative work (like interviewing or writing killer intros) human.
Behind the scenes, hosting platforms like Captivate are working on better dashboards (I know what’s coming — it’s exciting but under wraps for now). Also, expect a shift away from downloads as the main metric. Platforms are starting to prioritize unique listeners and streams, and if you’re pitching to sponsors, you’ll need to speak their language in 2025.
Another hot topic?
Podcast ownership. I spoke to a friend who sold two shows — one for low five figures, the second for nearly half a million dollars. These weren’t massive networks; this was an indie creator with a smart strategy.
There’s a real path to monetization and exit in podcasting now.
How to Grow Your Podcast Organically in 2025
Organic growth? Still possible, but you have to get intentional. Podcast swaps, guesting on aligned shows, and being featured in newsletters are the real MVPs. And while social media feels more unpredictable than ever, building your email list is your safety net. I even created a guide with five plug-and-play newsletter formats that have worked for me and my clients — the link’s in the show notes if you want to take a peek.
Then there's the role of AI in podcasting, a hot topic at the show, discussed in multiple panels across the Festival.
According to James Cridland (Podnews) and Kendall Breitman (Riverside.FM), AI can handle the tasks you’d rather skip—like generating suggestions for episode titles or summarizing guest backgrounds—leaving you free to focus on creativity and strategy. While AI can be incredibly helpful, it's important to always infuse your content with a personal touch to keep it authentic and aligned with your audience.
A shift away from Podcast downloads as a success metric
Companies are also shifting metrics away from downloads to unique listeners or streams, which many regard as a more accurate measure of growth. As metrics evolve, understanding these new standards will be crucial for securing sponsorships and demonstrating success.
Closing
So here’s the deal: there’s no “one-size-fits-all” for podcasting success in 2025. One speaker might say “Video or you’re left behind!” while another swears by email marketing and slow growth.
My advice? Take it all with a grain of salt.
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to know what works for you and your audience — and double down on that.
Whether you’re experimenting with alternative video setups like me, or fine-tuning your audio workflow back home, remember: your voice matters. Your message matters. And the best way to grow? Stay curious, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to make imperfect content.
I’ll see you in the next episode!
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
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ABOUT THE HOST
Hi, I’m Ana Xavier, a multilingual award-winning podcast marketing and content strategist specialized in generating online visibility for women, multilingual, and minority impact-driven business owners.
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