RS354: The State Of Podcasting Heading Into 2026

Craig is back! Today, he welcomes fellow podcaster Colin Gray back to the podcast. They dive into the ever-evolving world of podcasting, reflecting on how much the landscape has shifted over the last decade and what people are craving now more than ever: genuine human connection. From the tug-of-war between YouTube and podcast growth, to what it really means to build an AI-first product, they explore the trends shaping creators, customers, and the platforms that connect them.

Highlights from Craig and Colin’s conversation:

• How podcasting has changed over the last 10 years 

• The more we’re pulled toward AI, the more we crave genuine connection

• Is it easier to grow a YouTube channel or a podcast?

• Content integration and becoming a centralized hub

• Spotify’s role in the evolution of podcasting

• Monetization: ads, donations, subscriptions, and more

• Balancing and prioritizing feature requests

• How AI is shaping customer expectations

• How to make your product AI-first

Resources and Links from This Episode:

• The Podcast Host: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/ 
• Colin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colinmcgray?originalSubdomain=uk 
• beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/ 
• Kit: https://kit.com/
• Creator Hooks: https://creatorhooks.com/ 
• Castos Free Tools: castos.com/tools
• Email me: podcast@roguestartups.com
• Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

• Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt
• LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt
• Email: podcast@roguestartups.com