April 29, 2026
Can Indie Podcasters and Media Creators Still Win? | Dave Jackson #661
In episode 661 of The New Media Show LIVE on Weds, April 29th a 6 pm EST / 3 pm PST, 2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee is joined live by 2018 Podcast Hall of Famer Dave Jackson, Head of Podcasting at Podpage.com and founder of School of Podcasting, for a timely conversation about whether independent podcasters and media creators can still succeed in today’s fast-changing podcasting, video, AI, and creator economy landscape.
The podcasting industry is more competitive, more visual, more platform-driven, and more confusing than ever. Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, AI-generated content, creator burnout, audience overload, ad challenges, crowdfunding, video podcasts, podcast SEO, platform algorithms, and the blurry definition of what a “podcast” even is are all reshaping the future of independent media creation.
At the same time, indie podcasters and media creators still have major opportunities if they build on trust, consistency, audience ownership, direct listener relationships, and a clear reason their show exists. The strongest creators are no longer just publishing episodes. They are building media brands, content systems, websites, email lists, communities, video channels, and audience relationships that can survive beyond any one platform.
The recent merger of Podpage and School of Podcasting gives this conversation a practical, timely focus. What happens when podcast education, podcast websites, creator coaching, community, show strategy, discoverability tools, and audience growth support come together? Can that combination help podcasters move beyond “record and publish” into building a stronger independent media presence across audio, video, search, social, email, and community?
Rob and Dave will explore the current optimism and pessimism around podcasting, the pressure to do video, the discoverability problem, the rise of AI slop, the limits of advertising, the hope for crowdfunding and direct support, free speech concerns, creator independence, podcast websites, and why creators may need to return to the most important question of all: why are you doing this show in the first place?
Can indie podcasters still succeed in 2026?
Yes, but success now requires more than publishing episodes. Indie podcasters need a clear audience, a strong reason for the show to exist, a discoverable website, consistent content, trust-building, a platform strategy, and multiple ways to connect directly with listeners.
What does the Podpage and School of Podcasting merger mean for podcasters?
The merger brings podcast websites, podcast education, coaching, and creator support closer together. It points to a future where successful podcasters need both publishing tools and strategic education to grow.
Is video necessary for podcasters now?
Video can help discoverability, especially on YouTube and social platforms, but every creator should decide based on audience behavior, resources, show format, and goals. The bigger question is whether the creator is building for audience connection, not just format.
How is AI changing podcasting?
AI is making production, editing, promotion, and repurposing easier, but it is also increasing the amount of low-effort AI-generated content. Human trust, voice, experience, and authenticity become more valuable as AI content increases.
How should podcasters monetize today?
Advertising remains one option, but many independent creators may need to combine sponsorships, crowdfunding, memberships, consulting, products, services, events, community, and direct listener support.
Why do podcasters need a website?
A podcast website gives creators a home base outside of platform algorithms. It can improve search visibility, build trust, collect email subscribers, organize episodes, support monetization, and create a stronger connection between the creator and audience.
Guest Dave Jackson Links:
Podpage: https://www.podpage.com
School of Podcasting: https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com
Dave Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejackson/
Rob Greenlee Links:
New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com
Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com
Adore Network: https://adorenetwork.com
Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee
YouTube: @RobGreenlee" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee
Want to create live audio and video show streams like this? Support Trust Factor Lab by checking out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5606177711325184
The podcasting industry is more competitive, more visual, more platform-driven, and more confusing than ever. Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, AI-generated content, creator burnout, audience overload, ad challenges, crowdfunding, video podcasts, podcast SEO, platform algorithms, and the blurry definition of what a “podcast” even is are all reshaping the future of independent media creation.
At the same time, indie podcasters and media creators still have major opportunities if they build on trust, consistency, audience ownership, direct listener relationships, and a clear reason their show exists. The strongest creators are no longer just publishing episodes. They are building media brands, content systems, websites, email lists, communities, video channels, and audience relationships that can survive beyond any one platform.
The recent merger of Podpage and School of Podcasting gives this conversation a practical, timely focus. What happens when podcast education, podcast websites, creator coaching, community, show strategy, discoverability tools, and audience growth support come together? Can that combination help podcasters move beyond “record and publish” into building a stronger independent media presence across audio, video, search, social, email, and community?
Rob and Dave will explore the current optimism and pessimism around podcasting, the pressure to do video, the discoverability problem, the rise of AI slop, the limits of advertising, the hope for crowdfunding and direct support, free speech concerns, creator independence, podcast websites, and why creators may need to return to the most important question of all: why are you doing this show in the first place?
Can indie podcasters still succeed in 2026?
Yes, but success now requires more than publishing episodes. Indie podcasters need a clear audience, a strong reason for the show to exist, a discoverable website, consistent content, trust-building, a platform strategy, and multiple ways to connect directly with listeners.
What does the Podpage and School of Podcasting merger mean for podcasters?
The merger brings podcast websites, podcast education, coaching, and creator support closer together. It points to a future where successful podcasters need both publishing tools and strategic education to grow.
Is video necessary for podcasters now?
Video can help discoverability, especially on YouTube and social platforms, but every creator should decide based on audience behavior, resources, show format, and goals. The bigger question is whether the creator is building for audience connection, not just format.
How is AI changing podcasting?
AI is making production, editing, promotion, and repurposing easier, but it is also increasing the amount of low-effort AI-generated content. Human trust, voice, experience, and authenticity become more valuable as AI content increases.
How should podcasters monetize today?
Advertising remains one option, but many independent creators may need to combine sponsorships, crowdfunding, memberships, consulting, products, services, events, community, and direct listener support.
Why do podcasters need a website?
A podcast website gives creators a home base outside of platform algorithms. It can improve search visibility, build trust, collect email subscribers, organize episodes, support monetization, and create a stronger connection between the creator and audience.
Guest Dave Jackson Links:
Podpage: https://www.podpage.com
School of Podcasting: https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com
Dave Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejackson/
Rob Greenlee Links:
New Media Show: https://newmediashow.com
Rob Greenlee: https://robgreenlee.com
Adore Network: https://adorenetwork.com
Podcast Hall of Fame: https://podcasthall.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgreenlee
YouTube: @RobGreenlee" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@RobGreenlee
Want to create live audio and video show streams like this? Support Trust Factor Lab by checking out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5606177711325184