Tom Webster

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.

Tom Webster is a partner at Sounds Profitable and has spent over 25 years researching audio. He joins the podcast to discuss his new book, “The Audience is Listening.” Tom shares his insights into understanding and developing podcast audiences, He and I explore listener behaviors, the challenges of monetizing smaller shows, and what metrics should be looked at to gauge success. Tom also describes the growing trend of video content in the podcasting world.