Introduction:

Nowadays there is a podcast for every mood, hobby, and personality; it now feels like even dogs have a podcast. Alright, maybe not, but podcasts have gained ground lately.

What exactly is it about this media that is getting people hooked, whether they’re doing their laundry, relaxing before bed, or even driving to work?

There must be an obsession of some kind with this; let’s dig deep and analyse them.

What is a Podcast?

You’re not alone if you’ve been wondering what a podcast is. You, I, and many others out there have also wondered the same.

Simply put, a podcast is a streaming online audio program that is also available for download. Podcast topics cover recent news, educational events, interviews, and entertainment in general. It has the same features as a radio show except it can be downloaded and listened to whenever you want to. Interesting, right? It is usually published in episodes too and can be found on platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Google.

Looking at the nature of this media, let’s analyse 10 reasons why podcasts are so popular.

1. The Perfect Companion for Multi-Tasking

Visualise this; you’re having a bad day at work, tired, stressed, and just want to give up. There’s no time to watch your favorite motivational show on YouTube because there’s a lot of work and the deadlines are up close. So you just sit back, download an episode of the Tony Robbins podcast, plug in your headphones, listen and smile because he’s giving you back your strength not to give up and you continue working. Remember your headphones are still plugged in while you’re working. Hence, podcasts let us listen to anything, anywhere, and at any time without stopping everything else in a world when time seems to be a rare resource. This surely changes the game!

2. A Break From Screen Time

Most of the time, our eyes are fixated largely on screens. From scrolling through social media on our phones to infinite Zoom meetings or watching the television, our eyes are always engaged. This is where podcasts give a lasting solution, giving a very good break from these screens. Rather than being focused on yet another screen, we may simply listen to a good business conversation, a clever comedy show, a gripping real crime story, and many more content that is associated with a podcast. It’s like you’re allowing your eyes to relax while your brain stays active.

3. Podcasts Establish Personal Connection

It isn’t just enough watching TV shows or social media videos that are scripted, there’s a different intimacy in listening to someone talk directly into your ears. It’s quite different when guests address you, not talk at you. Most podcast episodes appear like listening in on a friend’s chat, listening to their own ideas, experiences, and even mistakes. Podcasts help establish personal connections with listeners.

4. There is a Podcast For Everything

Would you like to know more about space far away? Or about crime stories? No matter the niche you want to listen to, there is a podcast for everyone. Traditional media tends to be broad and general, but podcasts can be very specific

covering a wide range of topics, from self-help to fiction, history to pop culture, making them feel very important to every listener.

5. Free (Or Quite Reasonably Priced)

Of all the reasons why podcasts seem to be popular, I think this is one of the most interesting ones, they are usually free. Compared to streaming companies like Netflix and Spotify that charge subscriptions, podcasts allow budget-conscious listeners hours of tremendous enjoyment without breaking the bank.

Podcasts are free on Apple, Google, and YouTube,

even first-rate podcast networks offer very reasonable memberships. This is a reasonable reason why this entertainment platform is popular.

6. Everyone Is A Creator

Would you love to start a podcast about how much you love books from the 18th century, go for it! Do you also feel the need to share how your cat behaves every day? That too has an audience.

Everybody has creative capacity and podcasts are about the creators as much as the audience.

Podcasting is open unlike common radio, which calls for costly equipment and broadcast licensing. Anybody performing using a microphone and a web connection can start a podcast. This creative freedom implies that podcasts go beyond media titans or celebrities. They are often regular people with fascinating tales, knowledge, or insights that may speak for themselves to the world.

7. The Power Of Storytelling

Storytelling is powerful, the most part of podcasts are just stories told. Whether it’s an in-depth

investigation shows like Serial, an inspiring talk on The Tim Ferriss Show, or a funny conversation between friends on My Favourite Murder, podcasts are great at pulling people into a story.

As mentioned earlier, storytelling gets us hooked on, it keeps us interested, makes us feel things, and helps us remember things. That’s why podcasts that teach, like those about history, science, or business, don’t feel like lectures and instead feel like interesting chats.

8. You Belong Somewhere

Podcasts are about being a part of something, not just in terms of listening. Many podcasts have devoted fan bases, internet forums, and social media groups where listeners can discuss episodes, contribute ideas, or even interact with hosts. This sense of connection makes podcasting seem more appealing than other forms of entertainment. You engage in something more than just listening in a passive manner.

Some podcasts even plan live shows and meet-ups, turning online acquaintances into real friendships.

9. Demandable And Specialised Material

Unlike live radio where you have to tune in to listen to at a designated time, podcasts are entirely on-demand. One weekend you might be embarking on a long road trip and you might just decide to binge an entire series or save episodes to listen to on your trip. It’s been observed that most websites now provide members with additional resources, bonus episodes, and ad-free listening. This gives listeners greater control over what they listen to and when therefore improving the degree of customizing the podcast experience.

10. Helps Reduce Depression

Podcasts are also a great means to reduce depression, tension, worry, or loneliness. While some people listen to calming podcasts before bed to relax, many others use them to feel less lonely in times of anxiety. Listening to a light-hearted comedy podcast that makes you laugh could help to reduce tension and anxiety. Some mental health professionals even create podcasts offering listeners burnout, anxiety, or despair direction and coping strategies.

Conclusion:

Podcasts are here to stay, these revolutionary audios aren’t going anywhere, because every day new podcasts are launching and it makes them even more accessible.

So if you’re still wondering why podcasts are so popular, it’s because they fit into modern life. They are the best partners for multitasking, they don’t hurt your eyes as they give you a break from the screen. Enabling you to be a part of a community is also a credible reason and the fact you don’t have to break the bank to listen to these stories or be a creator.

Whether you’re in an environment where you feel lonely or tense, there’s a podcast specially designed for you. And the best part is that you can listen anywhere, anytime, and any day.

If you’re not already hooked, now might be the perfect time to start.