What does podcasting really mean in 2026, and who gets to define it?

In this episode of Into The Podverse, host Tony Doe sits down with Elsie Escobar, one of the most influential voices in podcasting and a former longtime leader at Libsyn. Drawing from nearly two decades inside the industry, Elsie breaks down the biggest shift most creators still misunderstand: the changing definition of what a podcast actually is.

This conversation dives deep into:

Why podcasting has become a cultural vocabulary problem

The difference between RSS-based audio podcasting and platform-led video shows

Common myths about podcast hosting and why many creators don't need to pay to start

What creators are really paying for when they choose a hosting platform:

• Why discoverability is a community problem, not an algorithm problem
• Visibility vs discoverability and why confusing the two hurts independent creators
• The future of podcasting in a multimodal, AI-driven world
• Ownership, IP, and the personal cost of building corporate podcasts
• Why the human voice still matters more than ever in the age of AI

Elsie also reflects on founding ShePodcasts, supporting women and BIPOC creators long before it was fashionable, and what she would do differently if she were building a community today.

This episode is essential listening for podcasters, media professionals, platforms, and anyone serious about building sustainable, human-centred audio ecosystems, beyond hype, algorithms, and trends.

In 2025, global podcast listenership topped 584 million, marking a maturing industry with slower but steady growth. From an African view, the year felt like "settling", no explosive hype, but intentional expansion driven by community, niche content, and real-life needs like faith and grounding amid economic pressures.

While North America dominates billions in ad revenue, Africa's podcast scene builds independently: Nigeria's charts ruled by sermons, South Africa's deep listening habits, and Kenya's urban youth vibe. Creators prioritise owning their space over chasing metrics, using podcasts for education, advocacy, and culture, claiming power at their own pace.

What happens when the friend everyone calls for advice suddenly reaches thousands? This episode of Into the Podverse profiles Richard "Richie" Coleman, host of Richie's TalkZone, a fast-rising youth podcast in Nigeria.

Richie walks through the phone call that turned private guidance into a public platform, why he tackles the tough issues young people face, and how his voice-over background shapes his signature sound. He also breaks down his growth strategy and explains why impact, not monetisation, drives his work.

A sharp, honest look at the mindset behind one of Nigeria's most relatable youth voices, and a useful guide for creators who want to build content that truly resonates.

In this episode, Tony Doe sits with podcast producer and curator Damilola Oyeleke for a clear look at the state of Nigerian podcasting. She shares how she stumbled into the medium, what she learned from Podcast Movement in the US, and why Nigeria's ecosystem still struggles with reach, structure, and industry focus. They unpack Podfest Naija, the push for better curation, and the value of documenting creators' journeys. It's a simple, honest conversation about building a real podcast industry one brick at a time.

Podfest Naija lit up Lagos like never before. But now that the lights are out and the mics are packed, what's next for Nigerian podcasting?

In this episode of Into The Podverse, Tony Doe looks at the aftermath of Podfest Naija, the talks, the promises, and the call to move from hype to habit. He breaks down how data, policy, meetups, and training can turn one big event into a lasting ecosystem.

Discover how Podcast 2.0 is reshaping the audio landscape. Tony Doe breaks down the movement spearheaded by Adam Curry and Dave Jones, designed to restore podcasting's open, independent spirit. Learn about powerful RSS enhancements, chapters, transcripts, location tags, live broadcasting, and value-for-value streaming via Bitcoin's Lightning Network, which empower creators, developers, and listeners alike. While adoption faces hurdles from major platforms like Spotify and Apple, compatible hosts like Transistor.fm, Podverse, Fountain, Cast2Pod, Buzzsprout, Captivate.fm, and RSS.com open doors for innovation and creative freedom.

Listen and see why Podcast 2.0 could be the future of independent audio.

In this episode of Into the Podverse, Tony Doe sits down with Anita Chinwendu Opara, founder of Nkem Creatives and host of the African Authors Podcast, to explore how podcasting is reshaping African storytelling. Anita shares how her love for books evolved into a mission to spotlight African authors, why "buying back time" is at the heart of her production business, and what it truly means to tell our own stories in the age of audio.

From authors tackling taboo topics to lessons in leadership, cultural curiosity, and creative courage, this episode captures the pulse of Africa's growing literary podcast scene.

On this special International Podcast Day edition of Into the Podverse, Tony Doe reflects on the power of podcasting, its roots in oral tradition, its role in amplifying diverse voices, and its ability to connect people across borders. Featuring voices from Lagos to New York, podcasters share what they do in the podverse and why their work matters.

It's a celebration, yes, but also a checkpoint: Why do we podcast? Who are we reaching? What stories are we preserving for the future?

Voices featured:

Arielle Nissenblatt, Head of community and content at Pinwheel by Audily, New York City, USA.

Dumi, Co-founder of Shanda, Washington, DC, USA (originally Zimbabwe).

Muwaddah, Host of She Speaks Worth podcast, Nigeria.

Elzie Flenard, Host of Journey to Mastery podcast, United States of America.

Pereira Oluwabimpe Miracle, Host of Digital Bimpe Podcast & TV, Nigeria.

Sean Dillon, Host of Beyond the Mic with Sean Dylan, United States of America.

Queen Raffy (Rafiat Akinwande), Host of Queen Raffy's Space podcast and producer, Nigeria.

Remi Roy, Host of Driven Introvert podcast and founder of podground.io, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Vic Turnbull, CEO of Mic Media, Manchester, UK.

Oluwatunmise Oladapo Kuku, Host of Mindfully with Tunmise podcast, Lagos, Nigeria.

✨ Support the show: https://selar.co/showlove/intothepodverse

📘 Get Tony's ebook From Pulpit to Podcast: Building a Spirit-Led Sermon Series: https://selar.com/pulpittopodcast