Leah Reis-Dennis

In this special episode of Podcast Perspectives recorded live at Podcast Movement at SXSW on March 13, 2026 in Austin, TX with Audacy's Leah Reis-Dennis, Acast's Greg Glenday, and Libsyn's Brendan Monaghan. Together, we dig into how podcasters are actually making money in 2026, what AI means (and doesn’t mean) for creators, how video is changing the business, where global growth is really happening, and how consolidation and M&A are reshaping the industry from the inside. With a mix of hard numb...

2025 in Podcasting: A Year of Reckoning2025 was a year of big shifts and even bigger headlines. We saw companies close, new ventures launch, and familiar players rebrand or pivot. Video podcasts continued to grow, bringing shows to streaming platforms, theaters, and even the Golden Globes stage. Revenue models evolved, AI loomed large, and creators explored new ways to connect with audiences, from premium content to live events and derivative IP.Despite all the change, the podcasting community remains vibrant, and many companies reported record revenues. Optimism is high, and opportunities for creators are abundant—whether you’re experimenting with video, exploring new formats, or building the next breakout show. Our guests had some thoughts of their own.

Leah Reis-Dennis is the Head of Podcasts at Audacy, the second-largest radio company in the US. Leah joins the show to share her unique path to podcasts, including leading content and partnerships at Himalaya and working in business development at Stitcher and SiriusXM before landing at Audacy, where she oversees content, partnerships, and marketing for over 300 shows. We discuss Audacy’s partnership with PAVE and Tenderfoot, the benefits of working in both podcasts and broadcast, and Audacy's experience with M&A, specifically Cadence13, Podcorn, and Pineapple Street Studios. Leah also provides insights into future trends for podcasters and podcast business models, and details Audacy’s plans for growth in podcasts and radio.You can find Leah at audacy.com or on LinkedIn.I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned pod…