Lifestyle or Popular Culture

Everyone Has A Podcast

People love to talk. And apparently, people love to listen. So naturally, podcasts make sense. In 2021, over 82 million people listened to podcasts, which is expected to rise to over 100 million by 2024. Looking at these numbers, it's safe to say podcasts are a huge part of people's lifestyles and popular culture, today. 

Background

Dave Winer, a software developer, is credited for inventing podcasts with his creation of Really Simple Syndicating (RSS). Adam Curry, an MTV personality, is credited for popularizing podcasts and is known as the "Podfather". After the creation and popularization of podcasts, iTunes began carrying podcasts in 2005 and since then, has grown to be one of the most popular and expansive audio media available.

Podcasts in Popular Culture

Podcasts are so popular today because they are not limited to any genre. There are over 3 million podcasts available and thousands of platforms available to listen to your favorites. Podcasts became pa of a huge lifestyle trend this past summer when The Hot Girl Walk became extremely popular. 

You may be wondering, "why are there so many podcasts?". And the short answer to that is podcasting offers a variety of opportunities for both consumers and creators. Making easily accessible media to consumers for a specific market (specifically social media) is a genius business plan, which is why everyone is doing it. 

Influencers and Podcasts

Businesses, celebrities, and now social media influencers are creating their own podcasts to establish a new platform to communicate with their target audience. 

Social media influencers have begun to release podcasts, especially TikTok Stars. The famous TikTok sisters, Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, started their own podcast in 2020 during the rise of their TikTok fame. Although the podcast is not active anymore, they are a great example of how rising social media influencers and stars incorporate podcasts to increase their content on multiple platforms. The D'Amelio sisters were not the first to do this, and they definitely won't be the last. 

In popular culture today, it is almost expected for social media influencers to release a podcast. Starting a podcast is a smart marketing and business move, especially for those with a large social media following, to allow them to increase their media presence. 

Who Wears the Pants Podcast

Abbie and Josh Herbert are a popular TikTok couple, known for their silly videos about "the Sass King" and their light-hearted content revolving around their small family. With almost 15 million followers on TikTok, this couple has absolutely established their ability to release relatable and fun content to large masses of people.  This past September, the couple started their own podcast (available on their Youtube account, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify).

The podcast primarily focuses on their marriage and family, occasionally featuring special guests. Since the podcast aired, the couple has been able to expand their social media presence on all platforms, reaching new demographics and audiences.

The Herbert's are a great example of the increasing popularity podcasts have in popular culture today and how they will continue to expand with the growth of social media. 

Conclusion

The expansion of podcasts through social media influencers and content creators has a great impact on popular culture and the lifestyle choices of today's generation.