There have been countless thought pieces about the inexorable rise of the podcast market and what we can learn from it. Which is why I’m going to give you another one.
You see, I listen to all of the podcasts all of the time. I’m properly addicted.
As a proud centrist Dad, of course I listen to the Rest Is (insert literally any word here). It’s Parenting Hell whilst doing the dishes or a 7 part series on the history of the Titanic during my commute. I honestly can’t believe the variety and quality of content that is now available to me as a consumer at no cost.
From a JLA perspective, I think there is a link between what podcasts can offer and the continued success of live events, and the associated contribution of external talent.
Firstly, in today’s world of 280 character tweets, TikTok and dual screening, there is a converse movement towards long form content. Tortoise’s slow news concept is a laudable expression of this in print, and long form is the central selling point of a podcast; the focus on a single subject for the best part of an hour, listening to experts doing a deep dive in a certain subject area.
That 45-50 minute mark is exactly the same length as a typical keynote speech at a conference, with the same focus of someone at the top of their subject area, giving insight and a peak behind the curtain to a listening audience.
Secondly, attending an event is akin to being part of a club, especially if it’s an annual event with a returning audience or a trade association conference. Relationships are formed and in-jokes abound – just like the best podcasts I listen to. It’s like you’re part of a gang and the people you’re listening to are your mates in the pub. You can disagree and have more open conversations, exchange ideas and make each other laugh.
Finally, the ability for listeners to interact with the podcasts hosts mirrors a Q&A at a live event – the big podcasts now have standalone Q&A episodes, aside from the main content piece. At live events, the “in conversation/fireside chat” format is now de rigueur in the way it wasn’t pre pandemic. As podcasts have become more popular, live event formats have become more conversational.
Given I’m writing this a few hours after Sir Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister outside Number 10, and I’m a self proclaimed political nerd, I thought I’d pick out a few of my favourite politics podcasts.
Political Currency
Less banter more economics isn’t a great sales pitch, but former dispatch box rivals George Osborne & Ed Balls clearly get on and their “Inside the Room” episodes are incredible. Michael Gove was interviewed about his role in the Brexit referendum, and his honesty about the process and lessons learned eight years on is amazing. It felt like an unusual level of openness for someone still in high office.
View Ed Balls’ and George Osborne’s JLA profiles here.
Not Another One
The new kid on the block, Steve Richards hosts brilliantly and his centre left perspective is balanced with Iain Martin and Tim Montgomerie on the right and Lib Dem supporting Miranda Green. This wider political base allows more philosophical conversations and a proper divergence of views – the recent episode on whether the public are ready to listen to truthful politicians being a good example.
View Steve Richards’ JLA profile here.
Electoral Dysfunction
Probably my pick of the bunch, Beth Rigby hosts, alongside Ruth Davidson and Jess Phillips (newly ennobled Ayesha Hazarika has been depping for Phillips during the election campaign). You get razor sharp insight and a sense of what’s going on in the two main parties, but the tone is warm, funny and informal – it feels like earwigging on a conversation they are having in the pub. You get a sense of the strain it puts on Davidson and Phillips’ personal lives, and they talk about what they do outside politics. It’s a great way of demonstrating the human side of our elected representatives.
View Beth Rigby’s and Ayesha Hazarika’s JLA profiles here.
To hear more of what the above political speakers have to say, simply search for their podcast through your regular podcast provider or contact us to discuss what they can bring to your next event.