School of Podcasting: "Counting Episodes: Just How Many Do We Listen To?"

Host: Dave Jackson
Episode Date: October 27, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Dave Jackson tackles a timely question often discussed in the podcasting world: Is the podcast audience truly saturated, or is there still room for growth and new listeners? Dave asks contributors to share how many podcast episodes they listen to each week and how many different shows make up that listening. The responses, drawn from podcasters and listeners with varied backgrounds and habits, paint a revealing portrait of real-world podcast consumption and challenge the idea that listeners are “full” on podcasts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Podcast Listening Saturated?

• Dave challenges the notion that audiences can’t absorb more podcasts, comparing podcasting to the continual influx of new diet books: “Every January, new diet books come out… It's usually along the lines of you don't have to change your diet, you don't have to exercise and you'll lose weight, which is always a bunch of hooey, as my grandmother used to say.” (00:33)
• He questions industry surveys and brings real-world data from his audience to the table.

2. Listener Habits: Community Survey Results

Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist's Voice, Perrysburg Podcast) [01:55]

• Listens to about 14 episodes a week from ~7 different shows.
• Notes her listening evolved from just 4 shows when she started podcasting to a much larger “embarrassingly large” list today.
• Memorable quote:

  "I have an embarrassingly large number of shows in my Apple podcasts player app. I'm peeling back the curtain just in case anybody else is in the same situation." (02:27)

• Motivation shifted from learning the craft to enjoying edutainment as her journey continued.

Steve Stewart (Podcast Editor’s Mastermind) [04:27]

• Follows 23 active shows in Overcast, 16 music shows in Apple Podcasts, and overall approximately 51 shows spanning his interests.
• Listens to about 26 episodes a week in Overcast (including short daily shows), and 10 hour-long music episodes in Apple Podcasts.
• Memorable quote:

  "I listen to about 26 different episodes in Overcast a week, but I've got 78 currently in my queue right now. So I need a road trip or something like that." (07:36)

• Separates spoken-word and music listening by app to keep mindsets separate.
• Edits about 20 client episodes per week as a professional (not included in personal listening).

Zoe Richardson (Back Look Cinema) [09:27]

• Long-haul truck driver—listens to a lot: about 30 episodes per week, and claims over 30 shows regularly or semi-regularly.
• Points out occupation greatly impacts listening time:

  "I spend hours and hours on the road and I need to fill that road with something or I'd go crazy. And I listen to a lot of podcasts…” (09:42)

Ralph (Ask Ralph Media Network) [11:36]

• Hosts three shows himself—tries to listen to two podcasts daily and mixes in about nine more each week, for roughly 10-11 shows and a comparable number of episodes.
• Fills in additional shows as time warrants.
• Advocates for supporting indie podcasters:

  "Support your independent podcasters, especially if you’re a member of the school of podcasting. Do yourself a favor and do them a favor and really help them by listening to their shows whenever you can." (13:41)

Mark Lawley (Practical Prepping) [13:54]

• Listens to 10–12 different podcasts, 15–20 episodes per week.
• Picks episodes by interest for some shows, listens to whole catalog for others.
• Records that episode length varies greatly (5 minutes to 1+ hour).
• [No direct quote; concise report]

Spencer (Rucker’s Edge Podcast) [14:56]

• 6–8 episodes per week, from 6–8 different shows (roughly one per day).
• Listens while doing chores or working out.
• Memorable quote:

  "I'm glad you asked that question because I've never really paid attention to my listening habits, but it's pretty clear I really like podcasts." (15:46)

York (Welcome to Earth Stories) [16:29]

• 16 episodes per week from 7 shows.
• Lighthearted about his methodology, “I’m not the brightest bulb in Canada, but I think what you wanted was how many episodes I listened to in the week.” (16:36)

3. Dave Jackson’s Own Listening Patterns [17:26]

• “I listened to about 35 episodes… a week? It feels like that would be something, huh? Because I listened to two before I even get out of bed.” (17:40)
• Mixes news, religion, marketing, and a heavy rotation of podcasts about podcasting.
• Subscribed to 53 non-podcasting shows and 66 podcast-ing shows (about 19 of which are “dead”).
• Uses Pocket Casts for flexibility, cross-device synchronicity, and favorite feature: bookmarks to share episode highlights.
• Memorable quote:

  “What was interesting is I went back and looked at those 66 podcasts and 19 of those are pretty much dead. And yet I am still subscribed because someday Mark Asquith might come back to a microphone. Please. I miss Mark Asquith.” (18:43)

• Likes apps that let shows be categorized into “first string” or by topic, rearrange queues, and upload private/test episodes for pre-release listening.
• Points out that the queue in podcast apps is almost always full; when it empties, he explores other topics.
• Highlights the strength of podcasts: time-shifting—episodes can be listened to on the listener's schedule.

4. Synthesis and Patterns

• Almost everyone listens to more podcasts now than when they started.
• Listening habits are deeply influenced by lifestyle (long commutes, work-from-home, editing as a job).
• Many are subscribed to many more shows than they listen to weekly; the “queue” is a constant companion.
• Many hold onto subscriptions for shows on hiatus—the hope that a beloved host will return never dies.
• There’s a wide range in number of episodes/shows, but most hover between 6–35 episodes per week, drawn from 7–51 different shows.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Kim Newlove:

  “As my why for listening changed, I also changed the number of podcasts I listened to.” (03:29)

• Steve Stewart:

  “There’s no better life than to get paid to listen to podcasts all day and make them better.” (07:53)

• Zoe Richardson:

  “I need to fill that road with something or I’d go crazy. And I listen to a lot of podcasts.” (09:42)

• Dave Jackson:

  “If somebody gave me a show that really delivered value and I could look at my podcast app and go, you know what? I’ve got 13 sitting here waiting for me to listen to, I would still follow that show…” (26:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00: Dave introduces the “question of the month” – how many episodes and different podcasts do listeners consume weekly?
• 01:55: Kim Newlove shares her listening habits and how they’ve evolved.
• 04:27: Steve Stewart describes his detailed tracking and app usage for podcasts.
• 09:27: Zoe Richardson tells how driving for a living boosts his podcast consumption.
• 11:36: Ralph lists his daily podcast diet, supporting indie podcasters.
• 13:54: Mark Lawley gives stats with perspective on episode length.
• 14:56: Spencer quantifies his listening and thanks Dave for his influence.
• 16:29: York contributes with humor and efficiency.
• 17:26: Dave breaks down his own (prolific!) listening habits, app workflow, and reflections.
• 26:22: Dave’s synthesis: more podcasts are fine if they bring value; time-shifting increases flexibility.
• 34:01: Next month's question teased: “What do you wish you had known before starting your podcast?”

Takeaways

• Audience not full: Despite talk of “saturation,” most listeners feel there’s always space for another good show in their rotation.
• Listening varies: Between 6 and 35 episodes per week is typical, though jobs, lifestyle, and episode length skew these figures.
• Fandom persists: Listeners stay subscribed through hiatuses; hope for new content is strong.
• Time-shifting is key: On-demand listening means new podcasts can always find a place, even among crowded feeds.

Episode Tone: Friendly, Insightful, Encouraging

Dave’s hallmark coaching warmth shines through—he’s analytical yet supportive, giving practical advice and never shying away from personal anecdotes or humor.

For more resources and to pose your own questions:

• Visit School of Podcasting
• Next Month’s QOTM: “What do you wish you had known before starting your podcast?” (Answer by November 21, 2025)