Into The Podverse: Innovation, Challenges & Opportunities In Podcasting

Sep 29, 2026 · 14m

In this special International Podcast Day episode of Into the Poverse, host Tony Doe breaks down findings from the 2026 Nigerian Podcast Index. The NPI now documents 604 Nigerian and diaspora podcasts, marking an 83% increase from 325 shows in 2025. However, while creator output is expanding, only 44.4% of catalogued podcasts remain active, with 55.3% currently on hiatus.This episode explores why African podcasting faces a sustainability bottleneck and what creators must do to build resilient, long-term media properties. Tony Doe analyses hosting concentration, noting that Spotify for Creators hosts 63.7% of shows across 36 hosting platforms. He also examines content trends across top genres—including Society & Culture (172 shows), Religion & Spirituality (108 shows), Business (73 shows), and Education (48 shows)—while highlighting significant growth opportunities in indigenous languages, comedy (17 shows), true crime (2 shows), and regional reporting.Key Topics Covered in This Episode:The 2026 NPI Data Breakdown: How the Nigerian podcast ecosystem grew from 325 to 604 documented shows in one year.The Active vs. Hiatus Reality: Why the active show rate dropped from 73.3% in 2025 to 44.4% in 2026, even as total active shows increased from 241 to 268.RSS Feeds & Open Infrastructure: Why RSS feed ownership and metadata management are essential for multi-platform distribution, resilience, and monetisation.Language & Diversity Gaps: Addressing the 93% dominance of English and expanding opportunities for Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin, and rural voices.International Podcast Day: Reflecting on the global history of International Podcast Day since its roots in 2013–2015 and celebrating creators worldwide.Read the full transcript here.Visit nigerianpodcastindex.com for more on the report.

Sep 2, 2026 · 16m

I’m tired of podcasting. Not the act of making shows, but everything around it: the endless platform wars, monetisation debates, chart obsession, video demands, clip culture, SEO advice, and the constant pressure to “work harder on discoverability.”In this episode of Into the Podverse, I unpack the quiet exhaustion many independent creators feel as podcasting has developed an uncomfortable class system. Celebrities can launch a show on Monday and outpace a four-year indie project by Tuesday. Platforms keep asking for more (video, clips, performance), while the original democratic promise of RSS and a simple microphone gets buried under content strategy.But this isn’t just a rant. I also highlight a practical experiment worth following: Stephanie Fuccio’s Podcast Discovery Lab (via her Substack PodcastSteph). She’s testing whether richer, human-edited, SEO- and GEO-focused show notes can make existing episodes more discoverable, including by AI systems, without turning your catalogue into robot-speak.Using the dormant podcast Geopats Abroad, she’s systematically improving older episode notes, documenting the process, and exploring how traditional podcast SEO, AI discovery, and generative engine optimisation intersect. The bigger lesson? Your back catalogue isn’t dead content. It’s often just poorly packaged for how people (and machines) search today.I also share a simple, free workaround for adding searchable transcripts when your host doesn’t provide them: using Google NotebookLM + Google Docs’ “Publish to web” feature.If you’ve ever felt the arms race of modern podcasting is exhausting the joy out of the medium, this episode is for you.Key topics: - The celebrity migration and the indie–famous divide - Platform pressure vs ownership and RSS - Why “anybody can start a podcast” no longer means equal visibility - Podcast Discovery Lab & the case for treating show notes as a real asset - A practical transcript workflow you can use todayFollow Stephanie’s ongoing experiments at PodcastSteph / Podcast Discovery Lab, and let me know if better packaging of what you’ve already made changes anything for your show.Until next time, I’m Tony Doe, and I’ll see you somewhere in the Podverse.Find the transcript here.

Aug 18, 2026 · 13m

How do people actually find podcasts in 2026? In this episode of Into The Podverse, Tony Doe breaks down the shift from traditional apps and directories to Google, YouTube, social media, and AI search.You’ll learn why podcast SEO is no longer just about ranking your show; it’s about making the knowledge inside your episodes discoverable. Tony covers searchable episode titles and descriptions, the power of transcripts and guest names, and how to target the real questions your audience is asking.The episode also digs into YouTube podcast discovery, video podcasting, RSS feeds, hosting choices, and monetisation, including the key steps and risks of moving from one host to another.Tony answers a practical question: Can you trust emails promising 30,000–50,000 monthly downloads? He explains what to ask about audience sources, organic reach, rankings, ratings, reviews, and download measurement before saying yes to any growth offer.Plus a shout-out to Dave Jackson and the School of Podcasting for years of no-nonsense education.Ideal for podcasters, producers, creators, and media professionals who want to grow their audience and stay ahead of the changing discovery landscape.Useful links - [RSS.com podcast import guide](https://rss.com/blog/how-to-import-your-podcast/) - [RSS.com 301 redirect guide](https://rss.com/blog/301-redirects/) - [RSS.com PAID / PayPal guide](https://rss.com/blog/paid/) - [RSS.com PAID programme](https://rss.com/paid/) - [Paga PayPal integration](https://support.paga.com/)Transcript

Aug 12, 2026 · 19m

How can African creators turn a $3.1 billion creator economy into actual revenue in their local bank accounts? In this episode of Into the Podverse, host Tony Doe explores the "plumbing" of podcast monetisation in Africa and the structural challenges holding the sector back. We examine the recent PayPal and Paga partnership in Nigeria and why podcast hosting companies must look beyond current spreadsheets to see the "first-mover opportunity" in the African market.Instead of hosting companies building their own financial tools, we discuss the power of fintech partnerships to create compliant payment rails across Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. We also tackle the "Spotify dilemma," critiquing new features like the podcast ad skip button and why creators must be wary of platforms that prioritise their own engagement data over the host-listener relationship.Key highlights include:The Economics of the Ecosystem: Why infrastructure, not talent, is the primary barrier for African podcasters.The Spotify Skip Button: Is it a useful signal for creators or a threat to the value of host-read advertisements?.Case Study: "Why Am I Still Single?"How Check Edgar transformed a personal question into a business with over 130,000 downloads and a loyal community of "Checkmates".Platform Independence: Why owning your RSS feed, email list, and website is the only way to own your audience in an era of changing algorithms truly. Whether you are a creator navigating the Nigerian podcast landscape or an industry leader looking at the future of global growth, this episode provides the perspective needed to build a sustainable podcast business.Transcript: here.

Aug 5, 2026 · 13m

In this episode of Into the Podverse, host Tony Doe explores the delicate balance between community building and industry standards. The conversation begins with a correction regarding Spotify’s Swedish roots, leading into a deeper discussion on why the global podcasting industry, from Europe to Africa, needs a stronger voice in shaping measurement standards and platform strategies currently dominated by North American market realities.Tony also tackles a topic many creators avoid: the decline of podcast communities. Using the closure of the Pod People Circle as a case study, he examines why these spaces lose momentum, the reality of community manager burnout, and the ethical obligation to provide members with transparency and closure when a community must end.Also in this episode:A Salute to Community Builders: A tribute to Remi Roy and PodGround for their work in supporting independent creators through grants and mentorship.Listener Q&A: How do you know it’s time to update your podcast trailer? Tony shares four specific signs that your "elevator pitch" needs a refresh, including shifts in show identity and improvements in production quality.The Trailer Test: Three essential questions to ask yourself to determine if your current trailer is still working for you.Whether you are building a community or refining your brand, this episode offers essential perspective on the human elements that shape the future of podcasting.Read the transcript here.

Jul 29, 2026 · 10m

In this episode of Into The Podverse, host Tony Doe explores the AMP Accords, a landmark white paper from the Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting that marks a turning point for the global industry. This episode breaks down the three fundamental questions the industry can no longer ignore: What exactly is a podcast? How should we measure it? And how do we prove it works?.Key topics covered in this episode:The "Eyes Closed" Test: Discover a remarkably simple new definition to settle the video podcast debate: if the content works with your eyes closed, it’s a podcast.From Downloads to Consumption: Why the industry is shifting away from "vanity metrics" like downloads toward measuring actual listening and engagement.Closing the Advertising Gap: How standardised metrics and improved attribution could unlock billions of dollars in advertising revenue currently left on the table.The Global Perspective: A critical look at the "blind spot" of North American-centric standards and why creators in Africa, Latin America, and Asia must contribute to the global conversation.Podfest Naija 2026: A tribute to Tosin Adefeko and the importance of building a collaborative community in the Nigerian podcast space.Creator Sustainability: A vital reminder for independent podcasters that sustainability and mental rest matter more than sheer volume.Whether you are a creator, advertiser, or media professional, this episode provides the perspective needed to understand where the podcasting industry is heading next.Listen now to learn how these new standards will influence the next generation of platforms, analytics, and monetisation models.Read the transcript here.

Jul 22, 2026 · 11m

In this episode of Into the Podverse, host Tony Doe explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, copyright, and podcast measurement standards. We begin with a deep dive into the Suno AI data breach, which reportedly revealed plans to download 1 million hours of podcasts via Podcast Index for AI training. We discuss the urgent questions this raises for creators regarding transparency, licensing, and the security of RSS feeds.Next, we celebrate the career of Jollz, co-founder of the hit Nigerian podcast "I Said What I Said," following her inclusion in the Ynaija masterlist. Discover how she transitioned from podcasting to screenwriting and community building, proving that the microphone is just the beginning of building valuable intellectual property.Finally, we break down the IAB Tech Labs Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines version 2.3. Learn how these new standards address video podcasts, "podcast consumers," and the technical quirks of RSS feeds to build the trust necessary for podcast monetisation and advertiser confidence.Key Topics Covered:The Suno Hack: Training generative AI on copyrighted audio.Podcast Index: The accessibility of public RSS feeds for AI data sets.Nigerian Podcasting: The cultural impact of "I Said What I Said".IAB Guidelines 2.3: Why standardised data is the key to podcast deals.Creator Stability: Why you should build a life independent of your podcast income.Read Transcript here.

Jul 15, 2026 · 15m

People are no longer discovering podcasts only through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google. Increasingly, they're asking AI assistants like ChatGPT for recommendations.In this episode of Into the Podverse, Tony Doe explores what this shift means for podcasters and why AI Optimisation (AIO) is becoming just as important as traditional podcast SEO.You'll learn practical ways to make your podcast easier for AI systems to understand and recommend, including:Writing clear, descriptive episode titlesCreating detailed show notes and episode descriptionsPublishing searchable transcriptsBuilding a website with dedicated episode pagesExpanding your podcast's digital footprint through articles, interviews, newsletters, and social mediaHelping AI connect your podcast with the topics and audiences you serveWe also spotlight The Tswyza Show, an innovative South African hip-hop podcast that transforms every interview into a rap cypher. The host asks questions in rhyme, and guests answer the same way, creating a distinctive listening experience that's memorable, shareable, and impossible to confuse with any other show.Finally, discover this week's Podcast Tool: Pod Birth by Riverside.fm, a free tool that creates a personalised digital birth certificate for your podcast, making it easy to celebrate new launches and share them across social media.If you're serious about growing your audience, this episode will help you understand how podcast discovery is evolving and what you can do today to make your show more visible in an AI-first world.In This EpisodeWhy ChatGPT and other AI assistants are changing podcast discoveryWhat AI Optimisation (AIO) means for podcastersHow transcripts improve discoverabilityWhy websites matter more than everBuilding authority beyond your podcast feedSpotlight: The Tswyza ShowPodcast Tool of the Week: PodBirth by Riverside.fm Access The Transcript here.

Jul 7, 2026 · 13m

In this episode of Into the Podverse, host Tony Doe explores the "invisible" technology that makes podcasting unique: RSS (Really Simple Syndication). While many creators focus on recording and editing, understanding the underlying infrastructure is what gives you true ownership of your audience.In this episode, you will learn:What is RSS? Discover why this "disappointingly ordinary" file is the foundation of modern podcasting, acting as your show's permanent mailing address and master catalogue.Platform vs. Protocol: Why podcasting is bigger than any single company like Spotify or Apple, and how open standards protect creators from being controlled by algorithms.Grow Your Apple Podcasts Audience: Practical tips for increasing downloads and reviews on Apple Podcasts, especially in markets where Spotify is the dominant player.The Return of a Pioneer: We celebrate the comeback of Eldee The Don and the Nigerian American podcast, discussing his latest insights on creativity and the age of AI.Building the Future: An inside look at the Nigerian Podcast Index, a community project designed to help African creators get discovered and preserve our stories.Whether you are a new creator or a seasoned pro, understanding the fundamentals of podcast distribution and infrastructure is essential for building a long-term career in the Podverse.Support the Show: Help us build the infrastructure for Nigerian podcasting by contributing to the Nigerian Podcast Index. https://nigerianpodcastindex.com/support-us/Read the transcript here.Apple's Marketing toolbox.