Study Finds Listeners Connect with Authentic Podcast Hosts

A study from the University of Salford in the U.K. found that authenticity plays a significant role in connecting podcast listeners to hosts. Factors such as self-disclosure, everyday language use, and perceived honesty were highlighted as important for listener connection. The researchers suggest future studies should include larger samples and focus on how different factors contribute to perceptions of host authenticity.

Sports Podcast Awards 2025 Winners Announced

The Sports Podcast Awards 2025 has concluded, celebrating the best sports podcasting of the year. The BBC's No Balls: The Cricket Podcast was a standout, winning two Gold awards and a Bronze. New winners this year included New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (Sports Talk), The Rick Shiels Golf Show (Golf), Talking Bull (Motorsport) from Red Bull Racing, For The Love of Rugby by Crowd Network and Tested by CBC and NPR which explores gender-testing in sport.

Billy Corgan Starts New Podcast 'The Magnificent Others'

Billy Corgan, lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins, is launching a new video podcast called The Magnificent Others. Set to premiere on February 5th, the show will have Corgan talking with various guests including musicians, artists and scientists. It's being produced in collaboration with Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios.

Departing NBC, Chuck Todd Takes Podcast With Him

Chuck Todd is leaving NBC News after nearly 20 years to pursue new projects. He will keep the rights to his podcast, which he stated will find a new home soon. His departure comes amid significant changes at NBC News and MSNBC as they report on a second Trump administration.

Shots Podcast Network Welcomes MoonPay as Exclusive Crypto Partner

MoonPay, a crypto payments company, has partnered with Shots Podcast Network for several years. This partnership will allow MoonPay to advertise across all of the network's shows and potentially integrate further over time. Additionally, John Shahidi, CEO of Shots Podcast Network, will join MoonPay as a creative advisor.

Meet Hannah Castillo, the soothing voice and friendly guide behind the Love Your Calm: Mini Meditations podcast. Hannah is passionate about helping others find peace in their busy lives through mini meditations. With each episode, she gently reminds us that we all deserve a few minutes of calm every day. Join her weekly as she leads short but impactful meditation sessions designed to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and embrace the tranquility within.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

In addition to hosting the podcast, I am a mental health counselor and a coach on the Aura app. I love working with people to help them improve their self-care and regain a sense of balance in their lives. Personally, I believe in practicing what I teach and making consistent efforts to prioritize my own self-care. I have been meditating daily for years, including movement daily and love journaling.

What inspired you to start a podcast?

I truly believe that everyone is going through something. Personally, I live with a chronic illness and experience periods of increased symptoms. For other people, it may be anxiety, depression, or even the struggles of managing day-to-day responsibilities. I started the podcast to provide a free resource to help anyone who may need it. To help provide a daily dose of self-care.

How did you come up with the name of your podcast?

I would love to help everyone learn to connect with the sense of calm that exists within them. I love the idea of people all around the world listening to the short meditations and creating these small pockets of calm. When I was trying to decide on a title, Love Your Calm came to me in a dream. I loved it and it seemed to fit perfectly.

What is the main focus or theme of your show?

Love your calm provides weekly mini meditations. The goal of the show is to help make meditation less intimidating, more accessible and to help people focus on developing consistent daily self-care.

Have there been any particularly memorable moments during the recording that stick out to you?

I have 2 dalmatians. Mabel, the younger one, has always liked to come and sit by me when I meditate. You can see her beside me in a lot of my Instagram posts. When I recorded the first few episodes and was listening to them before uploading, Mabel came over and sat beside me, putting her paw on my leg...it seemed like she was giving her approval. I loved that.

Who has been one of your favorite guests so far, and why?

It is a solo podcast, so I don’t have guests.

What's next for your show – any exciting plans we should know about?

I am registered to participate in Podcasthon in March of this year and am hoping to use this to help bring awareness to 2 non-profit organizations that are particularly meaningful for me.

Create your own podcast website in minutes, it’s that simple.

Monetize your podcast with your own landing page & products or services.

Effortless publishing for driven brands, you create, they distribute & you grow.

• How to get more listeners to your Podcast

• Date: Feb 12, 2025

  Cost: £0 – £48.72

  Location: Online