Podcast Fans Prefer Quick Start to Episodes

A new study shows that 75% of podcast listeners want hosts to start episodes quickly, either by jumping right into the main topic or keeping chit-chat short. Most listeners also prefer podcasts to be an hour or less, with many stopping early if episodes are too long or repetitive. The findings will be discussed in a free webinar on Thursday, September 11th at 2 PM ET.

Spotify Premium Adds Lossless Audio

Spotify is launching lossless audio for Premium subscribers, offering higher-quality sound with up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC streaming. Users can choose their preferred sound quality based on their data usage, including a new "lossless" option. For the best experience, Spotify recommends using wired headphones or speakers over Wi-Fi, since Bluetooth connections can't support true lossless audio.

More Famous Actors Join Harry Potter Audiobook

Audible and Pottermore Publishing have announced more big stars joining the cast of “Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions,” an audiobook adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books. Over 200 actors will voice the seven-part series, with new names including Kit Harington, Keira Knightley, and James McAvoy. These famous actors will play fan-favorite characters like Professor Lockhart, Professor Umbridge, and Mad-Eye Moody.

Radio Still Leads, But New Tech Shifts In-Car Listening Habits

In Q2 2025, just over one-third of Americans age 13 and older have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in their main vehicle, and 83% of adults with access use these systems. While radio still holds the largest share of in-car listening at 47%, streaming audio and SiriusXM are becoming more popular, each making up 20% of listening time for these users. Despite the rise of digital platforms, the amount of time people spend listening to podcasts in the car remains low and steady.

Podcast Tool

PodChapters is an AI-powered tool that simplifies the historically tedious process of adding chapters to podcasts by automatically generating precise timestamps and titles based on your episode's content—eliminating platform-specific headaches and compatibility issues. It supports multiple standards (MP3, Podcasting 2.0, Podlove) and allows creators to effortlessly edit, drag-and-drop, or enrich chapters with links and images, making episodes more navigable and engaging for listeners. By blending automation with customization, PodChapters ensures chapters enhance accessibility and retention without sacrificing creative control.

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Drop the Mic UNsummit

Sept 15 2025

Online

Workshop: Podcasting

Sept 17 2025

CMAC

1555 Van Ness Avenue Suite 201 Fresno, CA 93721 United States

The Power of Collectives: Exploring the Benefits of Community and Collaboration

Sept 18 2025

Online

Podcast Tip Of The Day

Host-read ads build trust and feel genuine to listeners, making them ideal for evergreen brand partnerships—but if your ads include time-sensitive offers (like limited promo codes), use dynamic ad insertion (DAI) to keep content fresh without re-recording episodes. For the best results, ensure hosts still deliver the message even in dynamic ads; unfamiliar voices weaken impact. Balance baked-in authenticity with DAI’s adaptability to maximize revenue and listener engagement.