Podcasting has always been about connection. In recent years, Podcasthon has demonstrated what can happen when that connection is coordinated, intentional, and rooted in purpose. With more than 2,000 podcasts now participating worldwide, the annual charity podcasting initiative has reached a milestone that signals both scale and long-term relevance.
Jeremie Mani, co-founder of Podcasthon, recently spoke with Doug Downs of Stories and Strategies about the project’s growth, its expanding international footprint, and why podcasting, as a medium, is uniquely positioned to drive social impact at scale.
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From a Simple Idea to a Global Movement
Podcasthon did not begin as a sweeping global campaign. It started as a straightforward idea: invite podcasters to dedicate one episode of their show to a charity they care about and release those episodes during the same week. The alignment, Mani believed, could amplify awareness far beyond what any single podcast could achieve.
The concept was first tested in France, where Mani is originally from, before expanding to other French-speaking countries. It wasn’t until 2025 that Podcasthon formally opened to English-language podcasts, a move that dramatically accelerated its growth.
“We recently passed a major milestone with more than 2,000 podcasts registered,” Mani said. “At the same point last year, we were closer to 1,500, so the growth has been quite significant.”
Today, Podcasthon spans four languages, with French, English, Spanish, and German-speaking podcasters participating in the 2026 edition. Shows from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia are all part of the same coordinated initiative.
Doug Downs, founder of Stories and Strategies, views that expansion as evidence of thoughtful scaling rather than rapid saturation. “This didn’t happen by accident,” Downs said. “Podcasthon grew carefully, building trust with podcasters before expanding its reach.”
That trust has been essential, particularly among established shows that were initially hesitant to commit. As Mani explained, many larger podcasts wanted to see proof of structure and credibility before dedicating an episode.
“They wanted to know if this was serious, well organized, and aligned with their values,” Mani said. “Over time, we showed that it was.”
Why Podcasting Is Uniquely Suited for Social Impact
At its core, Podcasthon is built on the belief that podcasting offers something rare in today’s media environment: time, attention, and emotional connection. Unlike short-form platforms, podcasts allow stories to unfold gradually, often during moments when listeners are open and reflective.
“Podcasting is probably the best medium ever to convey emotion,” Mani said. “That emotional connection is essential for charities trying to reach new supporters.”
Rather than emphasizing fundraising targets, Podcasthon focuses on awareness. Participating podcasters can spotlight a charity in whatever format best suits their show, whether through interviews, personal storytelling, or solo episodes.
For a podcast producer, this flexibility matters. It allows content to remain authentic while still contributing to a larger collective effort. Podcasthon does not impose creative constraints, making it accessible to shows of all sizes and formats.
Episodes are released during the same week in March, creating a noticeable shift across podcast feeds. A listener moving between shows may encounter multiple charity-focused episodes in a short span of time.
“When that happens, it stops feeling isolated,” Downs said. “It feels like an industry choosing to pause and focus on something meaningful.”
This coordinated moment is especially powerful for independent creators working in podcast production, who may not have large marketing budgets but still want to create meaningful impact.
Measuring Impact Beyond Downloads and Donations
Like many nonprofit initiatives, Podcasthon does not rely on traditional performance metrics. There is no centralized dashboard tracking donations or volunteer sign-ups. Instead, the organization gathers qualitative feedback from participating charities after each edition.
“We don’t know how many donations come directly from Podcasthon episodes,” Mani said. “When the goal is awareness, measurement becomes much more complex.”
After each campaign, Podcasthon surveys charities to understand what changed as a result of participation. The responses reveal a wide range of outcomes, many of which would be difficult to quantify.
“We’ve collected hundreds of stories,” Mani said. “Some charities found volunteers for time-sensitive events. Others gained local media attention or used podcast episodes to support grant applications.”
One example came from Australia, where a charity struggling to recruit volunteers released a Podcasthon episode ahead of a major event. The episode helped drive local engagement well beyond expectations.
“It wasn’t spectacular on paper,” Mani said. “But for them, it made a real difference.”
For many podcast producers, especially those working with mission-driven clients, this kind of impact highlights the broader value of storytelling beyond traditional marketing goals.
Stories and Strategies as a Silver Sponsor
Again this year, Stories and Strategies is proud to support Podcasthon as a Silver Sponsor, helping amplify the initiative and encourage broader participation across the industry. Sponsorship plays a practical role in sustaining the infrastructure needed to coordinate a campaign of this scale while keeping participation free for podcasters.
For Mani, that support reflects what makes Podcasthon sustainable: collaboration and shared values across the podcasting ecosystem.
“This is a community-led initiative,” Mani said. “Alone, we can’t do anything. Together, we can make it grow.”
Downs believes Podcasthon resonates with creators because it aligns naturally with how podcast production already works. “Every podcast producer understands the power of a well-told story,” he said. “Podcasthon gives those stories a shared moment and a shared purpose.”
As Podcasthon prepares for its fourth edition in March 2026, surpassing 2,000 podcasts feels less like a finish line and more like a signal. Podcasting continues to mature not just as a business, but as a medium capable of collective action.
And for every podcast producer who chooses to dedicate one episode to a cause that matters, Podcasthon offers a reminder that meaningful impact doesn’t require massive audiences, only intention, alignment, and a story worth telling.