The rise of industry podcasts

The rise of industry podcasts

The first time I was ever hooked on a podcast was with the one and only Serial. Sarah Koenig’s masterful weaving of a narrative so compelling and shocking had me taking “the scenic route” every chance I could, so as not to have to leave my car before the episode ended.

Serial not only kicked off a decade-long campaign for the freedom of the accused but also earned her the very first Peabody Award ever given to a podcast, among a slew of accolades. With the success of Serial, a new era of podcasting was born.

As a podcast producer, I am often asked by clients to benchmark against what’s out there on the scene and to give compelling recommendations accordingly. Without a doubt, the most popular podcast types in the UAE today are interview and conversational formats.

It’s no wonder these formats lend themselves to almost any industry or subject matter. The formula is simple: a charismatic host or two speaks to popular figures in a given space. And it works—interview-style podcasts have been trending on social media for years, with the rise of mega-successful podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience, Diaries of a CEO, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, and