The Podcast Delusion

In an era where attention spans barely outlast a TikTok scroll, podcasts have sunk their teeth into the rhythm of daily life, as ubiquitous as doom-scrolling and algorithmic rabbit holes. No longer a niche indulgence, they’ve become a media juggernaut—not just entertainment, but a background score to an overstimulated existence. Whether it’s a true crime binge on the subway or a late-night confessional from an influencer, podcasts have become the white noise of modern consciousness, filling the gaps between silence and stimulation.

Once a tech nerd’s playground, podcasting has grown into a $35.56 billion industry and a feeding ground for cults of personality. “We should start a podcast” went from a punchline to an inevitability. With such a low barrier to entry, requiring little more than a microphone and an opinion, podcasting has fueled an endless onslaught of content. A space where casual, unfiltered chatter sits alongside hyper-produced investigations, and everyone from washed-up celebrities to political demagogues competes for airtime. Some hosts cultivate cult-like followings, while others stumble into viral fame. The result? A platform that feels both democratic and dangerously unregulated, where influence is decentralized but credibility is fluid.

Naturally, the big players took notice. Major platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts poured millions into exclusive deals, locking in figures like Joe Rogan and the Obamas. Legacy media scrambled to catch up, spinning out their own long-form audio verticals. In 2023, Spotify reported a 41% surge in podcast engagement, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge. According to Edison Research, 62% of Americans have listened to podcasts. A format that thrives on deep engagement has infiltrated an era built for distraction.

Podcasts also offer creators an unmatched level of authenticity. On Hot Mess with Alix Earle, the internet’s favorite “it girl” detours from the highlight reel, revealing the darker corners of her journey. In the episode “Overcoming My Eating Disorder,” she lays her struggles bare, admitting, “I just went down such a bad path with myself and my body and my image that I started to have this body dysmorphia.” Her vulnerability spills out in a way that feels like a late-night FaceTime call with a friend. Cancelled with Tana Mongeau & Brooke Schofield dissects influencer culture with the irreverence only insiders can provide. These shows create a space where audiences feel they’re getting an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the people they follow online. This side of these prominent figures is rarely allowed to show with the constraints of viral trends and algorithms, making it feel limiting.

But with influence comes responsibility—or the lack thereof. Unlike traditional media, which operates within journalistic ethics (at least in theory), podcasting remains a free-for-all. Anyone with a microphone can build an audience, but not all use that power wisely. Figures like Andrew Tate exploit the format to cultivate fervent followings, while pseudo-intellectuals like Jordan Peterson and Lex Fridman blur the line between insightful discussion and ideological indoctrination. And when the algorithms reward engagement above all else, what’s stopping bad ideas from metastasizing?

Studies show that long-form audio has a psychological advantage over visual media—when people listen, they absorb, they retain, they trust. Parasocial relationships form at an accelerated rate. A TikTok might influence your skincare routine, but a podcast might rewire your worldview. In a space where provocative claims get clicks and conspiracy theories find audiences, the consequences aren’t just hypothetical; they’re built into the system. Social media’s algorithm-driven echo chambers reinforce biases and magnify them, curating a feedback loop that blurs the line between belief and fact. Misinformation spreads unchecked, opposing viewpoints fade into obscurity, and engagement outranks truth every time.

As podcasting settles into its next era, its future feels uncertain. AI-generated voices are creeping in, threatening to automate authenticity itself. Misinformation concerns loom, pushing the possibility of regulation that could either professionalize or sterilize the space. Meanwhile, corporate consolidation tightens its grip, pulling podcasts further into the orbit of major media conglomerates. As major companies acquire independent studios, the once-unfiltered world of podcasting risks becoming just another extension of corporate media. With more oversight comes more influence—algorithms favoring commercially safe content, deals prioritizing profitability over originality, and a slow erosion of the indie spirit that made podcasts compelling in the first place.

What’s certain? Podcasts have become cultural artifacts, shaping how we consume, think, and even worship. The most influential voices aren’t on movie screens or primetime news anymore—they’re in our ears, speaking directly to us, whispering narratives that reshape our realities. When our worldview is molded by this content engagement in easy-access dialogues, the loudest voices are no longer from those on the big screens but those that are deep in our subconscious. The real question isn’t whether podcasts are the most potent force in modern media. It’s who’s in control of the frequency.

Strike Out,

Writer: Salette Cambra

Editor: Emily Montarroyos

Graphic Designer: Kate LaPine

Tallahassee

Right Time, Wrong Guy

A (Good) Case of Stripes: The Funky Tight Movement