What Happened To The Meaning Of A Podcast

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Hey everybody. Welcome back to Ask Velvet Podcast. I'm your host, Velvet, and as always, thank you for pressing play and spending a little time with me today. Now today's topic is something that's been on my mind for a while. I think we've gotten to a point where the word podcast is being used so loosely that people are starting to forget what it actually means. Whenever I tell someone I have a podcast, one of the first questions they ask is, Oh, are you on YouTube? And I say yes. I'm on YouTube. Then they ask, How many videos do you have? And I tell them, not a lot. That's when they look confused. I have to explain that my main content is audio. You can listen while you're driving to work, cleaning the house, exercising, cooking dinner, or just relaxing. That's the beauty of a podcast. You don't have to stop what you're doing to enjoy it. So today, let's talk about why the meaning of podcast seems to be changing and why I think it's important that we don't forget what made podcasts so special in the first place. Now don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a video podcast or putting your show on YouTube. In fact, that's a great way to reach new audiences. I have my podcast on YouTube too. But here's where I think people get confused. Some creators only post videos on YouTube or Instagram and call it a podcast. Even though their content isn't available on traditional podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Meanwhile, there are creators like me who focus primarily on audio because that's what podcasts were originally designed for. A podcast gives people the freedom to listen whenever and wherever they want. You don't have to stare at a screen. You can be commuting, folding clothes, grocery shopping, taking a walk, or just lying in bed with your eyes closed. That's what I love about podcasting. When someone asks me if I have YouTube videos, I have to explain that while I do have some, my biggest library is my audio episodes. Once I explain that, they usually say, Oh, now I get it. I think we've reached a point where people automatically assume a podcast means sitting in front of microphones with cameras rolling. That's only one style of podcasting. But it's not the only style. The heart of podcasting has always been about conversations, storytelling, information, entertainment, and connecting with listeners through audio. So if you've ever wondered what kind of podcast I have, now you know. Yes, I'm on social media. Yes, I have a YouTube channel, I have an IG, I have TikTok. But the Ask Velvet Podcast is built around audio. Episodes you can take with you wherever life takes you. Whether you're driving, working, cleaning, or just relaxing, I'm right there with you. I'd love to hear what you think when you hear the word podcast. Do you think of audio first or do you automatically picture YouTube? Let me know because I think this conversation is only going to become more important as podcasting continues to evolve. Thank you so much for listening to another episode of the Ask Velvet Podcast. If you enjoyed today's conversation, don't forget to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves podcasts as much as you do. Until next time, take care of yourselves, keep smiling, and remember, sometimes the best conversations don't need a screen. They just need someone willing to listen. I'll catch you in the next episode.