TikTok may be driving a hot new wave of podcast discovery, and the statistics are tough to ignore. If short clips can send a song to the top of Spotify, imagine what they could do for a podcast when creators treat TikTok as a real discovery engine instead of a passive scroll. We also break down Libsyn’s new pricing and the growing move toward solo shows. Are folks ditching their co-hosts? Finally, we look at what a sudden surge in visibility really means for indie podcasters and why viral spikes rarely turn into loyal listeners. Sometimes the jump is exciting, but often it's just a flash in the pan.

Episode Highlights:

[02:30 ] Podcast Evaluation Series Announcement   

[05:35 ] Listener Mail and Feedback  

[08:33 ] Empowered Podcasting Conference Announcements  

[13:59 ] Podcasting News and Statistics  

[15:40 ] Upcoming Events and Meetups  

[19:31 ] Spotify's Top Shared Episodes of 2025  

[27:05 ] Analyzing Podcast Popularity Trends  

[27:50 ] Introducing the Weekly Business Bit  

[30:41 ] Golden Globes Recognizes Podcasts  

[33:18 ] iHeart Media's Guaranteed Human Label  

[34:54 ] Rise of Solo Podcasts  

[37:30 ] Omni Studio Supports Video Podcasting  

[50:31 ] TikTok as a Podcast Discovery Platform 

Links & Resources: 

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Empowered Podcasting Conference: 

www.eventbrite.com/e/empowered-podcasting-conference-tickets-1976757134803

Libsyn Office Hours: 

https://podnews.net/event/libsyn-office-hours

Podcast Expo Coupon Code: MARC for 10% off: 

https://podnews.net/event/podfest-expo-our-12th-annual-event

Meetup & Matchup Use code PMC for free entry: 

https://podnews.net/event/meetup-matchup-with-podcasters-speakers-and-authors-19

 iHeart Declares “Guaranteed Human,” Voices: 

https://bit.ly/4pogPnM

Solo Shows Are Taking Over, and Co-Hosts Are Becoming Endangered:

https://bit.ly/4aFbdAT

What Happens When An Indie Podcast Skirts Virality: 

https://bit.ly/4aIZZeJ

Podnews: 

www.Podnews.net

Ralph Estep Is Seeking A Co-Host: 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8oYLvj7H/?mibextid=wwXIfr

To Have Your Podcast Considered For Evaluation, Please Complete This Form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U

Preview of our Upcoming Evaluation Carefree Highway Revisited: 

https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-j6vtj-1961b14

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

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