“Is podcasting dead?”

It’s a question I’ve been getting a lot lately, especially after Jenna Kutcher announced she’s stepping away from her podcast.

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening in podcasting in 2026 using real industry patterns, listener behavior, and what I see every day working behind the scenes with podcasts that convert (and ones that quietly disappear).

This isn’t a hot take.

And it’s definitely not fear-based marketing.

It’s a grounded look at why podcasting isn’t dead, but why the way people approach podcasting has changed.

in this episode, we talk about:

Why the “is podcasting dead?” conversation keeps coming up

The long-standing stat about most podcasts ending after 10–20 episodes

How listener behavior has shifted toward fewer, more trusted shows

Why big creators stepping away doesn’t mean podcasting failed

What actually works in podcasting in 2026

The one question every podcaster should be able to answer

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:

Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44

Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/⁠checklist⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction⁠

My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ

Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

72. Is Podcasting for Business Still Worth It in 2026? Real Data