Podcasts have become one of the most powerful tools for thought leadership and brand-building in today’s media landscape. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your voice, and your platform, there’s never been a better time to start. When I was younger, I LOVED daytime talk shows. I was a huge fan of The Rosie O’Donnell Show and still watch Live! With Kelly and Mark when I can. It was my dream to host my own show.
Now here we are, many years later, and while talk shows are still on TV (please don’t leave us Kelly Clarkson), podcasts are now all the rage. So, when I was approached by our agency to co-host our podcast, I immediately jumped for joy. My dream was becoming a reality! But after working behind the scenes in PR for so many years, I had to wonder: With so many podcasts out there, what makes mine worth listening to?” It’s a common question, and one I had to ask myself.
It’s a question a lot of professionals ask themselves as podcasts continue to be one the rise. Yes, we all know content is king, and sure, we like to tune in, but do we really need to host our own show?
My answer is a strong and resounding YES! A fantastic complement to your media relations strategy, a podcast gives you a modern platform where you have full creative control. The topics, the guests, and even the tone of storytelling, it’s all up to you. You can create a direct line of communication with your audience through consistent, curated content.
Unlike a traditional media interview, where a third-party journalist is asking the questions and inserting your commentary into a broader story, hosting your own podcast allows you to tell your story, your way. You control the tone and delivery, creating a completely personalized experience. In a world increasingly infiltrated with AI-generated content, podcasting offers the ultimate level of human touch, and, more importantly for businesses, their own personal touch.
Hosting a podcast helps you:
- Build thought leadership in your niche
- Humanize your brand with consistent voice and tone
- Establish direct engagement with customers or clients
- Create long-form content that can be repurposed
- Generate networking opportunities with industry leaders
So why does every company need a podcast in 2025?
According to Edison Research, over 80 million Americans now listen to podcasts weekly. For professionals, it’s no longer optional, it’s a smart way to stay relevant and connected. Now more than ever people are craving real connections with every brand they interact with. Hosting a podcast gives businesses a chance to find and share their authentic voice. With a host or co-host leading the way, it becomes a platform to talk about what matters in your industry, build thought leadership, and most importantly, it puts real people behind the brand. It’s a way to create community and trust, just by showing up and being yourself.
One of the things I love most about podcasting, especially as someone who’s worked in PR for years, is that it’s not about being perfect. It’s conversational by nature. It’s real, it’s honest, and it’s human. There’s something powerful about hearing people talk freely, sharing stories and insights you wouldn’t get in a press release or polished quote. It’s like getting a front-row seat to meaningful, unfiltered conversations between some of the industry’s best and brightest talent.
So, if that’s not your sign to start a podcast, I don’t know what is.
My best advice for those looking to start their own business podcast? Start small. Be curious. Talk to podcasters who’ve done it before. We’ve all been in the “what-if” stage, just like you are now. And from my own experience, I can tell you, it’s worth it. You’ll learn, grow, and have the opportunity to network and engage in meaningful conversations with some of your industry’s best and brightest, an opportunity that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
You don’t need to be a celebrity or influencer to start a meaningful podcast. You just need curiosity, commitment, and something valuable to say. And trust me, your industry is waiting to hear it.
