In & Around Podcasting

Episode: The Podcast Show 2025: Insights and Highlights

Hosts: Danny Brown & Mark Aswith (Captivate)

Date: June 10, 2025

Overview

In this bonus episode, hosts Danny Brown and Mark Aswith dive deep into their experiences at The Podcast Show 2025, highlighting what sets the London-based conference apart from other industry events. As industry veterans, they dissect everything from the evolving dynamics of conference programming, to the increased presence of major players like Apple, to the challenges and unique vibe of The Podcast Show. The theme throughout is inclusivity, accessibility, and the value of community for all types of podcasters—not just industry professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First Impressions & Vibe of The Podcast Show

• Danny’s First UK Experience: Having attended North American events (Podcast Movement, PodSummit), Danny notes The Podcast Show’s "very different vibe"—a blend that caters to both indie creators and industry giants.
  • “It was good, really good to come over. This is my first podcast show, London, mate...really different vibe from the podcast movements, etc. And overall I really really enjoyed it.” (03:22)
• Mark’s Long-Term Involvement: Mark recalls being involved in the show’s conception as far back as 2018, providing advisory input on finding a balance between creators and industry professionals.

2. Apple’s Unprecedented Presence

• Apple's Public Engagement: Apple’s visible, public-facing participation was a show highlight, including a keynote on open podcasting and open standards.
  • “Apple being there in public for the first time as well...they did a really good sort of mini keynote, if you like, about the open podcasting space, how Apple’s still your friend.” – Danny (05:47)
• Leveling the Playing Field: Mark applauds Apple’s shift towards transparency and equal opportunity for hosting companies:
  • “Every hosting platform that's decent...should get the same chance because it's unfair otherwise. And I think that's what stood out to me with them doing this keynote.” (07:54)
  • “What stood out...is not to put them against YouTube and Spotify. It's to show that Apple, the megacorp, has got an eye on creators.” (09:56)
• Industry Dynamics: Mark dismisses conspiracy theories about Apple targeting Spotify, emphasizing instead Apple’s historic support for creators.

3. The Show’s Place in the Conference Ecosystem

• Is The Podcast Show 2025 the World’s Top Podcasting Event?
  • Both hosts discuss how the event is garnering a reputation as the leading global podcast conference, with Podcast Movement perhaps having “peaked” in previous years. (11:40)
  • Danny: “I did feel it got the mix just bang on with between what you wanted from big bands and big businesses and for creators and smaller, you know, people...” (12:06)

4. Evolution of Exhibitors & Exhibitor Strategies

• Shift from Audio Gear to Video & Network Building
  • Fewer traditional audio hardware manufacturers, more video-oriented and creator-focused brands on the show floor.
  • “There wasn't a lot of hardware manufacturers...the majority of the other stuff was all about video.” – Danny (12:06)
  • “Podcasting has become such a broad spectrum term...It's not just, I sit here and do audio...but it isn't that...this isn't just that anymore.” – Mark (13:07)
• Smaller, Targeted Meetups Replacing Show Floor Hustle
  • Mark: “Every single conference we've done has been more about the people that already use us and we want to make feel special.” (14:57)
  • Discussion of the role of community meetups (like Captivate’s) alongside big exhibitor displays.

5. Growing Pains, Logistics, & Critiques

• Venue Congestion & Room Naming: The mezzanine level caused bottlenecks and confusion.
  • “It's a mezzanine level that's not that wide. There's a lot of bottlenecks to it.” (32:11)
  • “The sign posting was shocking. Like I said, the names of the rooms...I just want theater one.” (32:49)
• Access Inequality & ‘Classism’: Some branded booths and events were only accessible to certain pass-holders or by invitation, creating perceived barriers.
  • “Sometimes made you feel that it was just out your reach as a creator ...and it's invite only…” – Danny (35:59)
  • “There's a lot of classism...that still goes on in podcasting. I think those are the kind of places that it becomes quite apparent.” – Mark (39:23)
• Lack of Clear "Official" Parties: Multiple overlapping sponsor parties led to confusion and missed opportunities for large-scale networking.
  • “I honestly don't know. Like, they all had parties and we had our meetups and everyone else had meetups...I didn't know if that was the big one, the official one.” – Mark (32:11)

6. Programming & Scheduling Excellence

• Creator-Focused Content: The addition of a dedicated creator stage and actionable sessions was a direct response to community feedback.
  • “I feel like the programming is pretty right, in my opinion. That honestly is where every other conference ... has struggled. They've not been able to get the balance of content right.” – Mark (27:29)
• Industry Representation: The event brings together a comprehensive cross-section of the podcasting world—from celebrities to indie creators, from tech companies to advertisers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple’s Approach:
  • “It shows that they listen. Yeah, you know, the open podcast standards things, an interesting one for me because, like, we need it and we want it, but it is boring.” – Mark (08:30)
• On Industry Growth:
  • “51% of people now in the UK have said they listen to one [a podcast]; that is mainstream. We've tipped.” – Mark, noting James Cridland’s announcement (14:46)
• On the Venue:
  • “The Podcast Show ain't in a hotel. It's in a really impressive looking venue in the center of London. And it just feels like the entire industry representation in a place that is befitting of an industry that has grown up.” – Mark (29:21)
• On Classism and Exclusivity:
  • “There's a lot of dickheadry still in podcasting and it is. There's a lot of classism. There's a lot of class, you know, stuff that still goes on in podcasting.” – Mark (39:23)
• On Positive Takeaways:
  • “If we spoke and you'll know that you're included in that because I, I have that many friends... we're catching up and so on and so forth.” – Mark, on community connections (41:13)
  • “I'm gonna have a really quick shout out...but I'm gonna give a shout out to Apple, in fairness, to be up.” – Danny (42:32)
  • “Public facing humanity from a brand like Apple was very refreshing.” – Mark (43:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Apple’s Keynote & Approach: 05:47 – 11:40
• Is The Podcast Show Now #1?: 11:40 – 13:07
• Evolution of Expo Floor / Community Meetups: 13:07 – 18:41
• Industry Growth & Show Scale: 14:46 – 19:59
• Programming & Balancing Tracks: 27:29 – 29:21
• Critiques (Logistics, Parties, Exclusivity): 31:09 – 39:23
• Final Reflections & Shout-outs: 41:01 – 43:44

Conclusion

Mark and Danny’s review positions The Podcast Show 2025 as a mature, globally leading event that offers a nuanced, inclusive space for the entire range of podcasting voices. From Apple’s increased engagement to the thoughtful curation of attendee experiences, the London event exemplifies how conferences can evolve to meet a diverse and growing industry—despite some logistical and cultural kinks left to iron out. The episode closes with a round of “flattering rams,” giving appreciative shout-outs to the Captivate team, the broader podcasting community, and Apple for its positive steps toward creator inclusivity.

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