In this week’s news and commentary episode, we dig into one of the biggest stories in podcasting right now: PodPage’s Bold Acquisition—PodPage acquiring the School of Podcasting, and what that really means for you as a creator. It might sound like just another business move, but there’s a bigger shift happening here toward a more connected podcasting experience where tools, education, and growth all work together. Dave Jackson joins us live to share the heart behind the decision, what changes (and what doesn’t) for members, and how this could help podcasters stay consistent instead of burning out.

We also zoom out and talk about where the industry is heading, from Apple leaning harder into video and what that could cost, to new data showing just how effective podcast ads really are, plus updates from YouTube and Spotify. If you’re podcasting right now or thinking about starting, this conversation will help you make sense of where things are headed and what to pay attention to next.

Episode Highlights:

[00:05] Opening and introduction to today’s news and commentary episode

[01:20] Meet the PMC cast and crew + special guest Dave Jackson

[02:21] Big announcement: Ralph Estep Jr. steps in as Co-Executive Producer

[13:12] PodPage acquires School of Podcasting. What’s really behind the move

[14:27] Dave Jackson on retention and why podcasters quit

[28:41] Apple Podcasts’ video push and what it could cost creators

[31:35] Are platforms building for creators or advertisers?

[37:02] Why trust is podcasting’s biggest advantage

[42:52] Risks of platform dependence and AI moderation issues

[50:44] New AI podcasting tools and the “Canva-ification” of content creation

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