Podcast Powerhouses: The New Media Frontier

Let’s talk about podcasts. They’re huge right now. And one of the biggest names in the game right now is Kylie Kelce. She’s not just a former field hockey coach, but a celebrity wife. Her husband, Jason Kelce, is a big deal in the NFL. She started a podcast named Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce. It’s all about her take on motherhood, sports, and sometimes politics. Pretty cool, right? Podcasts are still mostly a guy’s world, but there are exceptions. Think Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy. Other big names include Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and Andrew Huberman. But here’s the thing: Kelce’s show has been giving Rogan a run for his money. Why is Kelce’s show so popular? There are a few reasons. She’s got connections to big names like Jason Kelce and Taylor Swift. She talks about things that lots of people can relate to, like being a mom and being a woman. And her episodes are short, about 45 minutes, which is a nice change from longer shows. But this isn’t just about Kylie Kelce. It’s about how people are getting their news these days. Podcasts are a big deal. They’re not just for entertainment anymore. They’re where people go to learn about current events, politics, and culture. Podcast hosts have a lot of power. They can influence what people think and do. This is especially true when it comes to politics. In the 2024 campaign, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both used podcasts to reach voters. Trump talked to popular male hosts, while Harris tried to catch up with smaller liberal ones. Podcasts have grown a lot. A decade ago, only a small part of Americans listened to them. Now, nearly half do. And the kinds of podcasts people listen to have changed too. It’s not just public radio and big institutions anymore. Independent podcasters and non-news organization shows are taking over. Who’s listening to these shows? It used to be mostly men, millennials, and older Americans. But now, Gen Zers and women are driving the growth. People are listening to podcasts to stay up to date with news, politics, and pop culture. And they trust what they hear. Why are podcasts so influential? Because they’re intimate. They’re not like traditional news. People feel connected to the hosts. They trust them. And that trust can lead to action. Listeners might watch a movie, read a book, or even vote based on what they hear. But there’s a downside. People are sorting themselves into ideological bubbles. They’re listening to podcasts that match their beliefs. This can create different realities, depending on who you’re listening to. And it’s not just about politics. It’s about how we see the world. For example, Kylie Kelce’s fans were surprised to see her succeed in a podcast world dominated by men and they weren't expecting to see her name at the top of the charts. This is a big deal for politics. Podcasts are shaping how people think and vote. And it’s not just about the content. It’s about the trust listeners have in their favorite hosts. This trust can lead to real changes in behavior and beliefs. And that’s a lot of power for one person. What does this mean for the future? It means that podcasts are here to stay. And they’re going to keep shaping how we think and vote. As the podcast world evolves, we’ll see more innovation. Podcasters are experimenting with new formats, like livestreams and video content. And young people are loving it. Kylie Kelce’s success is a big deal. She’s showing that there’s room for new voices in the podcast world. And she’s inspiring others to do the same. This is a critical moment for politics and media. It’s a time when podcasts are becoming a major force in how we understand the world. And that’s something to watch.