What Is a Podcast? A Practical Podcasting 101 Guide
Podcasting has exploded over the last several years, especially since the pandemic. What started as a niche audio medium has turned into one of the most powerful tools for education, marketing, brand building, and community development. At Aaron Ross Media Company, podcast production is not theoretical for us. We have filmed and produced hundreds of podcast episodes across industries, formats, and experience levels.
This article is the foundation of our Podcasting 101 series. We are starting at the most basic level and answering a deceptively simple question: what is a podcast? From there, we break down podcast formats, platforms, distribution, expectations, and what actually makes a podcast successful.
What Is a Podcast?
At its core, a podcast is an on-demand audio show delivered through an RSS feed. That RSS feed distributes episodes to platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other podcast directories.
In 2025, however, that definition is incomplete without video. Most successful podcasts today also include a video podcast component, usually published on YouTube. While audio remains the foundation of podcasting, video has become the primary discovery and marketing engine.
In simple terms:
Audio is the core product
Video is the growth and discovery channel
This is why modern podcast production almost always includes cameras, lighting, and post-production optimized for YouTube.
Podcasting is best understood as the natural evolution of traditional radio talk shows. Long-form conversation, storytelling, commentary, and interviews—without music restrictions or broadcast schedules—delivered on demand.
Core Podcast Formats
There is no single “correct” podcast format. However, nearly every podcast falls into one of the following categories.
Solo Podcast Format
A solo podcast features one host speaking directly to the audience. This format is especially effective for:
Educational podcasts
Thought leadership
Brand authority
Niche expertise
If your podcast is based on what you do professionally every day—law, finance, media, fitness, technology, or consulting—a solo podcast allows you to build trust without relying on guests. It is one of the most efficient formats for establishing credibility.
Interview Podcast Format
The interview podcast is one of the most common formats in professional podcast production. Each episode centers around a guest, usually within a specific industry or theme.
This format is excellent for:
Networking
Industry positioning
Community building
Expanding reach through guest audiences
Interview podcasts are especially popular in industries like music, business, tech, and culture. They function as a modern, on-demand version of long-form television interviews.
Roundtable Podcast Format
Roundtable podcasts feature multiple recurring hosts rather than rotating guests. Think duos, trios, or group discussions built around personality and chemistry.
The strongest roundtable podcasts make the audience feel like they are part of the room. When done correctly, this format builds deep audience loyalty through relatability and personality-driven content.
Narrative Podcast Format
Narrative podcasts are highly produced, documentary-style shows. These often involve:
Research-heavy storytelling
Scripted or semi-scripted narration
Sound design and advanced editing
Examples include true crime podcasts, historical deep dives, and investigative journalism. Narrative podcast production requires significantly more planning, research, and post-production but can be extremely impactful.
Hybrid Podcast Format
A hybrid podcast combines multiple formats. You might mix solo commentary with interviews or blend narrative segments into conversational episodes.
One of the strengths of independent media is flexibility. There are no hard rules. The best podcast format is the one you can sustain consistently while delivering value to your audience.
Where Podcasts Live: Platforms and Distribution
Audio Podcast Distribution
Audio podcasts are distributed via RSS feeds. Most creators use a podcast hosting platform that:
Stores audio files
Generates an RSS feed
Distributes episodes to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and other directories
From a production standpoint, you do not need to understand the technical details of RSS feeds. You upload the episode, and the distribution platform handles delivery.
Video Podcasts on YouTube
Video podcasts live in the standard YouTube ecosystem. Titles, thumbnails, descriptions, watch time, and consistency all matter—just like any other YouTube channel.
YouTube also serves as a hub for:
Full-length podcast episodes
Short-form clips
YouTube Shorts used for discovery and growth
Short-form clips often outperform long-form episodes early on, which helps maintain momentum while the podcast builds traction.
What Makes a Podcast Successful?
Most podcasts fail not because of talent, but because of structure, consistency, and expectations.
Clear Delivery and Audio Quality
If people cannot clearly understand what you are saying, they will not stay. Audio quality is foundational to podcast success. Professional podcast production prioritizes clarity, consistency, and listenability.
A Clear Point of View
A successful podcast has perspective. What you disagree with often differentiates you faster than what you agree with. Authentic opinions create identity. Playing a character does not scale long term.
Consistent Release Schedule
Consistency matters more than frequency. Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly can all work—but randomness does not.
Audiences build trust when episodes arrive on schedule. Algorithms reward consistency as well.
A Reason to Click the Next Episode
Every successful podcast answers one question:
Why should someone listen again?
Niche podcasts often grow faster because the value proposition is clear. General entertainment podcasts rely heavily on personality and take longer to build momentum.
Common Podcasting Misconceptions
Podcasting is not “just talking.” Strong podcasts follow structure, pacing, and intentional conversation design. Even the best conversationalists use frameworks, beats, and transitions.
This is why many podcasts fail after one or two episodes. Talking for an hour without structure is harder than most people expect.
Podcast vs Show vs Live Stream
Podcast: On-demand, episodic, conversation or storytelling-based
Show: Broad category that includes podcasts, game shows, reality content, and more
Live stream: Real-time, interactive, often unedited
You can record a podcast live, but not all live streams are podcasts. Podcasting centers on conversation and narrative delivery.
Realistic Podcast Growth Expectations
Most podcasts take 20–40 episodes to see consistent traction. Growth is cumulative and slow at first. Podcasting is a long-term commitment.
Creators who succeed treat podcasting as a 12–18 month investment, not a viral lottery ticket. Small, incremental improvements matter more than constant format changes.
Listener feedback, comments, and watch time are valuable signals. Ignore trolls. Pay attention to constructive criticism.
Podcasting as Brand Authority
Podcasting is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate expertise at scale. It builds trust, authority, and long-term visibility.
At Aaron Ross Media Company, we believe in sharing knowledge openly. Professional podcast production is not about gatekeeping—it is about execution, consistency, and experience.
If you are considering launching a podcast, restarting one, or improving an existing show, understanding these fundamentals will save you years of frustration.
For more insights, watch the full podcast episode on our YouTube channel and explore how professional podcast production can elevate your content.
