By Susannah Richardson

I must confess. I have an obsession!

Experiencing isolation during 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and it’s ongoing effects has shifted my extrovert tendencies and pointed me towards an influx of alone time. I enjoy it and even find myself craving more of it, too! Socializing is still important to me, of course, to fulfill the primal need for connection, but more often than not, I’d rather recharge by myself. This newfound introvertedness was discovered during the pandemic when I had no choice but to entertain myself with...well...myself. 

Thus my obsession with podcasts was born. 

I’ve always been the type of person to carry headphones on me at most times. Panic sets in when I can’t find my AirPods case. I find entertainment and joy in listening to music throughout parts of my day, so it is no surprise that my podcast obsession ensued. 

Music was certainly an anchor during the darkest parts of the pandemic; I even taught myself how to play guitar!! However, I was longing for conversations!! I love learning new things through talking with others and hearing their perspectives. It’s something that people couldn’t do too much of face to face during that time. I started satisfying my curiosity and hunger for new perspectives through listening to podcasts. Just one or two per week at first, but then my obsession grew!! 

Listening to podcasts became my go-to when I would go on walks to get some fresh air.

Soon though, I’d want to hear them every time I was in the car or when I was making my breakfast in the morning. Podcasts kept me sane during the pandemic and as far away from feeling stuck as was possible. It didn’t feel like I was alone in the obsession either -- each time I streamed my favorite shows via Spotify, it seemed like the numbers were skyrocketing! Even the hosts of the shows would mention how excited they were that people wanted to spend an hour of time with them each week. I felt a sense of community through these sorts of sentiments. 

According to Oberlo, a business toolkit company, there are over 2 million active podcasts with a combined 48 million episodes in 2021. This is compared to just around 500,000 active shows that were active in 2018. I’m only a little surprised by this seemingly startling statistic...I totally understand the attraction to podcasts. 

Even today, as we near the end of 2021, podcasts are more popular than ever among all types of consumers. Oberlo also reports that nearly 6 in 10 consumers over 12 listen to podcasts. In the age of social media overconsumption and trivial entertainment, I’m refreshed that people still want to tune in and listen to people speak about all sorts of fresh topics. 

In case you’re one of the few who hasn’t tried listening to a podcast, don’t fret!

I’d love to recommend a couple to you through this Spotify playlist. It’s collaborative in case you are someone who would like to add a couple of your favorites.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5SwJ6fCrrKljyJOC8vl6Qe?si=24f993740f0b4400

Oberlo: https://www.oberlo.com/blog/podcast-statistics