Podcast Perspectives

Leah Reis-Dennis is the Head of Podcasts at Audacy, the second-largest radio company in the US. Leah joins the show to share her unique path to podcasts, including leading content and partnerships at Himalaya and working in business development at Stitcher and SiriusXM before landing at Audacy, where she oversees content, partnerships, and marketing for over 300 shows. We discuss Audacy’s partnership with PAVE and Tenderfoot, the benefits of working in both podcasts and broadcast, and Audacy's experience with M&A, specifically Cadence13, Podcorn, and Pineapple Street Studios. Leah also provides insights into future trends for podcasters and podcast business models, and details Audacy’s plans for growth in podcasts and radio. You can find Leah at audacy.com or on LinkedIn. I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need. To find more about The Podglomerate:– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods– Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate– Twitter: @podglomerate– Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sim Sarna is the founder and CEO of Cloud10 Media, a rapidly growing podcast network ranked among the top 15 by Triton Digital. Sim joins the show to discuss his path from independent film producer to building a leading podcast network, the critical role of network support in production and marketing, and how Cloud10 helps creators at every stage. We also dive into the evolution of celebrity podcasts, the surge of video in podcasting, and new revenue models transforming the business. Sim shares insights on building sustainable show growth, what makes certain podcasts break out, and why collaboration and adaptability remain central to Cloud10’s success. Plus, he offers candid advice for new podcasters and reflects on how teaching at USC continues to shape his vision for the future of the audio industry. You can find Sim on LinkedIn. I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro  The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need. To find more about The Podglomerate: – Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods – Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate – Twitter: @podglomerate – Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Svensk is CEO of PodX, what he calls a global podcast federation consisting of 13 companies from 8 different countries. He joins the show to discuss the importance of IP in entertainment, differences between the international podcast market compared to the US market, and PodX's recent acquisition of Lemonada. Patrick and I also look at his origins as a TV and film producer and how it led him to work in the audio industry. You can find Patrick on LinkedIn or on podxgroup.com. I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need. To find more about The Podglomerate:– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods– Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate– Twitter: @podglomerate– Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Hampshire Public Radio is home to both acclaimed limited-run podcasts like the ground-breaking investigation Bear Brook and duPont-Columbia Award winner The 13th Step, as well as chart-topping “always on” series like Outside/In and Civics 101. But it took a great deal of strategic marketing, audience development, and revenue generation efforts for NHPR to get to this level of sustainable podcast success and impact. If you’re interested in elevating your on-demand audio strategy in the wake of the “2024 podcast election,” then join The Podglomerate and NHPR for the second session of our two-part case study series as we explore the resiliency of NHPR’s podcasts. We’ll share our playbook for how successful and sustainable podcasts are marketed, financed, and distributed, not to mention how to activate your owned and internal channels for audience growth success. Whether you’re a journalist wanting to jump into the audio field or a network looking to scale your podcasts, this session is a must-attend. Be prepared for actionable tactics – as well as common mistakes to avoid – to kickstart your podcast plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Podglomerate and NHPR for this first session of our two-part case study series as we explore the resiliency of NHPR’s podcasts, including: The comprehensive and years-long production planning and editorial process behind The 13th Step. How NHPR navigated and overcame challenges to its podcast reporting, including physical threats, vandalism, and legal pressures. Key lessons learned from NHPR maintaining journalistic integrity while ensuring staff safety. The guiding principle of NHPR’s Document team and how “taking the time to tell the whole story leads to bigger impact” Designed for newsroom leaders and journalists looking to build – and strengthen – their podcast reporting strategy, this interactive session will provide actionable insights for developing sustainable workflows and support systems for audio journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam McNeil is SVP of Client Services at Adopter Media. He joins the show to discuss the intricacies of podcast advertising, the advantages of dynamic ad insertion versus baked-in ads, and experiences with ad buys for smaller podcasts. Adam and I also explore the risks of YouTube ads and the future of podcast advertising. You can find Adam on LinkedIn, at adopter.media, or The Roast newsletter theroast.beehiiv.com I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro  The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need. To find more about The Podglomerate: – Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods – Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate – Twitter: @podglomerate – Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a listen to a special session from Podcast Movement Evolutions 2025: What does it take to create an award-winning podcast in 2025? From understanding today’s awards landscape to crafting editorial excellence, this evocative session will provide strategic insights to help your show stand out from the crowd. With observations and advice on how to take home gold from David Sirota, investigative journalist and host of award-winning podcast Master Plan, Jeff Umbro, CEO of The Podglomerate and The Signal Awards General Manager Jemma Rose Brown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re curious about venturing into the world of video podcasting, then join AIR and The Podglomerate for a can’t miss panel discussion featuring real experts from the worlds of YouTube and Spotify. Moderated by The Podglomerate's VP of Production Services Chris Boniello (who has 14 years of Emmy- and The Webby Awards-winning video and audio expertise), this panel discussion will include insights from: - Spotify's Senior Partner Manager Yih Lee - DCP Entertainment founder/CEO Chris Colbert - The Upload Club founder/CEO Hayley Rose Danick Whether you're unsure about video or ready to hit record, this free webinar will provide the guidance you need to successfully navigate the transition (or addition) of video podcasting. The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.To find more about The Podglomerate:– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods– Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate– Twitter: @podglomerate– Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Konans is the Program Lead for Audio and Podcasts at NASA. She joins the podcast to discuss NASA’s growing audio strategy, including how to make complex science accessible, the need for community engagement, and the future of NASA’s audio programming. Katie and I discuss the success of NASA’s Curious Universe, as well as the rest of their audio portfolio, and how to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts. You can find Katie on LinkedIn, or you can head to NASA.gov/podcasts. I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro  The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need. To find more about The Podglomerate: – Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods – Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate – Twitter: @podglomerate – Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stuart Last is the CEO of Audioboom, a leading global podcast network which supports more than 8,000 podcasters, delivers more than 100 million downloads per month, and has put more than $250,000,000 into podcasters pockets to date. He joins the podcast to discuss the future of podcasting, Audioboom’s remarkable growth, and monetization strategies for podcasters through Spotify’s Partner Program. Stuart and I also talk about the importance of prioritizing independent creators as well as consolidation across the podcast industry. You can find Stuart on LinkedIn, and you can find your next listen at audioboom.com.I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.To find more about The Podglomerate:– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods– Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate– Twitter: @podglomerate– Instagram: @podglomeratepods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices