Another Podcast Movement Evolutions is in the books, and at Acast we’re reflecting on an inspiring week in Dallas, Texas alongside creators, partners, and industry leaders. The days were filled with panel discussions, keynotes, and countless conversations about the power of podcasting and where the industry is headed next.

A major theme at this year’s conference? Growth. Not just in downloads, but in meaningful connections, new monetization strategies, and stronger advocacy within the industry.

Here’s what’s resonating post-conference, through the lens our own Acasters:

Mike Leonard: Community is Everything 

On the keynote stage, Mike Leonard, Global Business Development Director, Creator Network, sat down with Ryan from Toni & Ryan (with Toni cheering from afar due to a broken foot). Leonard led a conversation that emphasized how much the show’s success is tied to community engagement.

Leonard said, “Ryan gave the advice to podcasters that no matter the size of your audience, responding to comments, running surveys, and hosting live events are all powerful ways to engage.”

The TARPERS (Toni & Ryan Podcast Listener) aren’t just listeners, they’re active participants in shaping the show. Ryan also reminded the audience that there’s no silver bullet for going viral: it comes down to consistency, experimentation, and doubling down on what resonates. When podcasters create content they genuinely care about, that passion naturally connects with fans.

Leonard said, “Ryan reminded me that there is no silver bullet for going viral. It’s all about consistency, experimentation and doubling down on what resonates.” 

The why behind the reasoning of content is something Ryan mentioned on the panel. He said when podcasters create content they genuinely care about and enjoy, it connects deeply with their fans.

Heather Gordon: Rethinking Measurement

Heather Gordon, Managing Director of Canada, joined a panel on driving podcast audio growth.

“It was an honour to share the stage with three other talented audio executives,” said Gordon. “There is a consensus that podcasts have moved on from the limiting measurement of downloads and the industry is embracing other very important metrics to evaluate a creator's true value.”

Heather also noted that podcast value increasingly extends to other monetizable platforms like video and social. For advertisers, this means greater opportunities for integrated campaigns and high-impact partnerships; for creators, it means maximizing revenue streams across channels.

Gabriella Gregoris: Advocating for Yourself

Gabriella Gregoris, Group Business Director, led a dynamic panel on women in podcasting and how to advocate for yourself. The conversation resonated with everyone in the room, from creators to executives, with a focus on ensuring every conversation counts, regardless of gender.

She also shared an important industry insight: while omnichannel strategies and video dominate the conversation, programmatic advertising remains one of podcasting’s most underutilized tools.

“A key industry insight to remember is, even as omnichannel strategies and video dominate today’s buzz, programmatic advertising remains one of the most underutilized tools in podcasting,” said Gregoris. 

The panel talked about programmatic and how it offers scale, efficiency and the ability to introduce new brands to the medium, which can serve as the first step to bringing advertisers into podcasting. 

“Once these advertisers are in, those campaigns can grow into deeper partnerships, like host-read and integrated sponsorships,” said Gregoris. “In short, programmatic isn’t just a transactional tool, it’s a critical gateway for long-term investment in this space.”

Looking Ahead

These are just a few of the many takeaways that the Acast team had from this year’s Podcast Movement Evolutions. 

If you’re an advertiser interested in exploring podcast opportunities, our sales team would love to talk with you about how Acast can help you reach engaged listeners. Get in touch at sales@acast.com to start the conversation.