Podcast Answer Man 480 - Why Podcasting Conferences Still Matter. PodFest 2026
In this episode, I share why podcasting conferences still matter in 2026. Attending podcast-focused conferences has shaped my entire career. From the early days of missing the very first podcasting events to the way conferences eventually accelerated my growth, my relationships, and my income, this episode is a reflection on why rooms full of podcasters change everything.
For the first few years of my podcasting journey, I was creating alongside others, but I was not yet connected to the larger community of podcasters who lived and breathed this medium the way I did. That changed the moment I started attending podcasting conferences.
In this episode, I walk you through:
- Why missing the earliest podcasting events created some of the biggest regret in my career.
- How attending my first industry conference shifted the trajectory of my business.
- What actually happens when you get in rooms with other people who love podcasting.
- Why conferences collapse years of learning into just a few days.
- How events like BlogWorld, Podcast Movement, and PodFest shaped the podcasting industry.
- Why I am intentionally returning to podcast conferences in 2026 and beyond.
I also share a recent conversation with Nick Pavlidis, CEO of PodFest Expo, where we talk about:
- How he got into podcasting through conversations with his kids.
- Why he bought PodFest and what he is trying to protect and grow.
- How PodFest is different from other podcasting conferences.
- Why the event is built around independent creators.
- The Podcast Hall of Fame and why it now lives at PodFest.
- The changing needs of podcasters and how in-person events meet those needs.
Key ideas from this episode
- The highest value of podcasting conferences come from the in-person relationships.
- Being in the same room with other creators changes how you see yourself and your work.
- The best opportunities in this industry almost always come from conversations, not presentations.
- If you keep the same people around you, your life and business will look the same in five years.
- PodFest is designed to serve independent podcasters first, not corporate sponsors.
Resources and links mentioned
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PodFest Expo
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Promo Code for PodFest
Use PAM for 10 percent off your ticket
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Podcast Hall of Fame
Ready to stop doing this alone?
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The next session begins January 26.
Learn more and register at: PodcastingAtoZ.com