In this month's "Question of the Month," I wanted to explore the discrepancy between Spotify's perceived dominance and the actual listening habits of podcasters. Despite frequent headlines touting Spotify as the number one streaming platform, my personal statistics and community feedback tell a different story. By surveying my audience about their platform preferences, I uncovered that Apple remains the top choice for most listeners, challenging the narrative often presented in media reports about Spotify's market leadership.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in!

Gear Review: HollyLand Lark M2s Wireless Lavalier System

Quick Take:

I was genuinely impressed by the Holly Land Lark M2s - this tiny microphone packs a surprisingly warm sound. At around $150, it's a solid investment for podcasters and content creators.

Key Features:

Compact wireless lavalier microphone system
Versatile receiver with USB-C and headphone jack connectivity
Compatible with phones and recorders (I used my Rodecaster Duo)
Built-in noise reduction app
Option to record two mics on separate channels for post-production editing

Pro Tip: Grab this from Sweetwater. They offer:

Extended warranties
Killer customer service
Competitive pricing
Free shipping (often cheaper than Amazon)
FREE CANDY<<<<<

Noise Reduction: The app's built-in feature is decent - not perfect, but definitely helpful. Pro move? Set up both mics on separate channels so you can fine-tune your audio in post-production.

Bottom Line: The Lark M2s is a compact, versatile mic system that punches above its weight. Definitely worth checking out for podcasters looking to upgrade their audio game.

Takeaways:

The new Hollyland Lark M2S microphone sounds surprisingly warm, which totally blew my mind!
Spotify claims to be the number one podcast platform, but the real stats tell a different tale.
Charging guests to appear on your podcast? Brace yourself, the FTC has some rules you need to follow!
Using music in your podcast? Be careful, because Spotify's bots don’t care about your permissions!
It's always a good idea to double-check the facts you find online, especially from big companies!
Exercise is tough, but once you get through it, you'll feel so proud of yourself, like you just conquered a mountain!

Links referenced in this episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I'd love to meet you in person, I'm currently coming to July 12th, 20025 Higher Ed Podcon, Chicago, Ill AUGUST 18-21, 2025 Podcast Movement, Dallas, TX. September 26-28, 2005, Empowered Podcasting Conference, Uptown Charlotte, NC For more information and links, click the link below. If you'd like for me to speak at an in-person or online event, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This question comes from the AMAZING Steve Stewart from the Podcast Editors Academy (see schoolofpodcasting.com/pea and yes that is my affiliate link) and he wants to know what steps, practices, strategies, etc you are doing to speak better (with less, um, you know, like, you know crutch words). I need your answer by July 25th, 2025. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question

Question of the Month

Check Out Dave's Newsletter With Behind the Scenes Content

In each issue of Podcasting Observations, I share my thoughts on what is happening in the podcasting space, my latest content, and things that have caught my eye. I also may ask for your opinion. Join the free community

Podcasting Observations

You Have A Message That Needs to Be Heard

You have a message that needs to be shared. Discover the art of podcasting at the School of Podcasting. We teach you to shine a light on your stories, inspiring others one episode at a time. Let your voice be your legacy. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

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2652. Idea de negocio: Especialista en Midjourney