Earning Time…. Not Just Listeners
Tom Webster of Sounds Profitable nails it in his latest piece, saying the story of podcasting right now is about depth rather than reach. As a producer of branded shows, I see the same trend happening, with growth coming from listeners spending more time with fewer shows instead of adding more people to the pile. The average person now spends six hours and twenty minutes a week listening to podcasts, which is roughly an extra full episode for many. That is the real win, not a bigger audience but a more invested one. If you work in this space and want to grow, maybe it is time to stop chasing ears and start earning minutes.
So You Want to Make Money on YouTube? Here’s the Reality Behind the Revenue
Stephen Robles of Riverside.FM breaks down the real economics of YouTube stardom, and the numbers may surprise you. While only a fraction of creators earn enough to call it a full-time living, Robles reveals how smart monetization, consistency, and diversification can turn passion into profit.
Key Takeaways:
Only 0.3% of YouTubers make over $5,000 per month, but those who diversify income beyond AdSense—through brand deals, affiliates, and merch—see far greater returns.
YouTube’s Partner Program opens doors at 1,000 subscribers, but true earnings depend heavily on niche, audience demographics, and location.
With nearly four billion users worldwide, YouTube remains one of the most powerful platforms to grow a brand and build sustainable creative income—if you play it smart.
The Charlie Kirk Show’s Posthumous Podcast Surge
Edison Research’s latest data offers a striking look at how major events can transform a podcast’s reach overnight. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September 2025, The Charlie Kirk Show surged from 49th to 17th place in U.S. weekly podcast rankings, its audience more than doubling in just one quarter. Yet what’s most revealing is how consistent the listener profile remained, dominated by older, politically aligned fans rather than new demographics. Edison’s findings highlight how audience growth can be explosive, but not always transformative.
Audio Listening Hits Nearly Four Hours a Day
People are spending more than ever with their favorite audio content, clocking in nearly four hours of listening each day according to The Record, a joint report from Nielsen and Edison Research. For people aged 18-34 (Gen Z and Millennials) 31% spend their time with podcasts. 43% with radio.
AEO is Stealing SEO’s Crown
I had a chance to sit down with Vince Nero of Buzzstream recently and look at Answer Engine Optimization and how it’s changing the SEO landscape. What does it mean for podcasters? Check out this video
