Founder’s Note

55 percent of adults in the U.S. now listen to a podcast at least once a month. For the first time ever, more people tune in than sit out - podcasting finally crossed the mainstream Rubicon. We felt that shift in Berlin last week: back‑to‑back days at KI Navigator and Staffbase’s Voices conference, mics in hand, schedules packed, and a constant stream of “Wait, can we record something together?” If attendance is the new Nielsen rating, the hallways proved the data right.

Between demoing our mobile studio, swapping stories with comms leads, and sneaking in the occasional Club‑Mate, one thing was crystal clear: brands aren’t asking why audio anymore - they’re asking how fast can we press record? And honestly, that’s the kind of problem I love solving.

The Big Topic

Reading & Leeds, once famed only for riff-heavy rock, now reserves a purpose-built stage called “The Aux” exclusively for Gen-Z talk shows—proof that festivals are banking on the foot-traffic of “pod-tribes.” Streaming giants have caught on, too: both YouTube and Spotify now list tour-readiness in their talent-signing KPIs, turning what was a passive listening habit into a 24-hour fandom loop - Discord chats at breakfast, merch drops at lunch, arena chants by night. Headphones, it turns out, were only the opening act.