How time flies when you’re having fun! Add to that, when you’re steeped in discovery, weathering pitfalls, celebrating eureka moments and probably shedding a tear or two in frustration. Several members of the Blubrry team have been podcasting since the medium’s inception 20 years ago, and many others joined soon after. Today, on International Podcast Day, we celebrate and commiserate on the highs and lows our veteran team members have encountered over podcasting’s first score.
View the 20-Year-Anniversary Podcast on YouTube/Podcast Insider
Todd Cochrane
I’m Todd, host of the Geek News Central podcast, co-host of the New Media Show, and co-host of Podcast Insider. My podcasting journey began with my first show on Oct. 9, 2004, and here we are, approaching 20 incredible years in podcasting. It all started after I realized I was a failed blogger – I had the gift of gab and loved telling stories, but writing wasn’t my strong suit. Adam Curry and Dave Winer‘s podcast The Daily Source Code was the spark that lit the fire for me to jump into podcasting, and from there we were just figuring it out as we went along. We had no idea what we were doing back then, but somehow it all worked out.
I’ve always said I’ll pull the plug when podcasting stops being fun, but after two decades, I’m still here, loving every minute of it. If anything, my biggest regret is not having more time to dive into even more shows on different topics. I’d love to explore something such as a paranormal show – it’s a dream I’ve had for a while.
At its core, podcasting has always been about connecting with an audience. It’s about being that companion people take along in their day-to-day lives. As long as I can be that voice, and as long as there’s an audience to connect with, podcasting will keep growing.
Barry Kantz
Hey everyone, Barry here from the Home Based Travel Agent Show. I first hit the airwaves in February 2005, right when podcasting was just a baby. Inspired by early trailblazers like Trucker Tom and Geek News Central, I thought, “Why not dive into the world of travel agents?” After all, I was neck-deep in a travel agent course and figured, “Hey, why not share my journey with the world?”
Just a few months in, I got a game-changing email from Lorene Romero out in California. She had some killer tips to jazz up the show. One thing led to another and boom, Lorene was my co-host, making the show a whole lot better. We rocked the podcast together for years until her full-time job demanded more of her time. It was tough saying goodbye, not just to a co-host but to a friend. She and her partner Gayle, along with me and my wife Gail, had formed quite the squad. Though we don’t chat as often, we’re still keeping the friendship alive.
One of the best parts of podcasting? The friendships. Back in the day, we podcasters were like one big happy family, catching up at conferences and sharing tips. Even though the scene has exploded since then, that camaraderie hasn’t faded; it’s just got more people in it now.
Podcasting isn’t slowing down anytime soon. It’s a treasure trove of topics and experiences, and the beauty is, you can tune in from anywhere — while driving, working out, you name it. And as more folks realize they can share their passions and expertise easily, we’re only going to see more voices joining the mix. It’s also become a savvy move for business folks who use their shows to dish out valuable insights, build trust and convert listeners into customers along the way.
Mike Dell
I’m Mike, from Mike Dell’s World and Podcast Insider.
As I reflect on nearly 20 years in podcasting, I can’t help but think about how it all started. Back in the early 2000s, I was an avid AM talk radio listener. I loved tuning in to voices like Bruce Williams, Sally Jessy Raphael, Jim Bohannon, Larry King, Art Bell, and of course, Paul Harvey. I had always dreamed of having my own show, but it felt like a distant goal — until podcasting came along.
When I first heard about podcasting, I thought, “This is my chance!” So, as soon as I figured out how to encode an RSS feed (which was much harder back then), I jumped in. My first episode was recorded in April 2005, right on my front porch in the woods. I used a Dell laptop (I have no relation to Dell computers) and a stick microphone that came with it. The sound quality? Let’s just say it was rough, but it didn’t matter — I had started!
A few years later, in 2007, I attended the Portable Media Expo in California, where a chance encounter changed everything. I was at a party with fellow podcasters Trucker Tom and Fr. Roderick when we met Barry and Todd from RawVoice. That meeting led to my work with RawVoice, now better known as Blubrry, and I’ve been here ever since.
Over the years, I’ve launched and retired more podcasts than I can count, but one show has remained consistent: Mike Dell’s World, the podcast that started it all. My passion for podcasting has stayed strong for nearly two decades, thanks to the endless variety of topics and the stories that I get to hear and share.
Podcasting has evolved in countless ways, but the heart of it remains the same — passionate people telling their stories. The technology will always change, but podcasting isn’t about the tech; it’s about the people. If you’ve got a story to tell, podcasting is for you. If you want to hear a great story, podcasting is for you too. And that’s something I don’t think will ever change.
Cathy Beuten
As a communications specialist, I wondered whether I should weigh in on this 20-year, International Podcast Day celebration – I’ve pretty much been behind the scenes throughout podcasting’s existence. But then I realized, hey, this is the perfect time to give a shout-out to the complete lineup of folks who are integral to the advancement of the podcast industry.
From the birth of podcasting, I have been a writer, producer, researcher, social media manager and editor with Blubrry and in a former professional role. I give a hearty salute also to the voice/video talent, audio engineers, booking agents, transcriptionists and others who have contributed to making podcasting the phenomenal success it is today.
It has been a joy to see the growth of podcasting and how RawVoice/Blubrry has evolved from a hobby for about five folks, to the thriving, ingenious team and leading-edge platform it is today. I’m proud to be a part of its history and can’t wait for 20 more years of Blubrry’s groundbreaking achievements!
MacKenzie Bennett
As we hit the 20-year mark of podcasting, I can’t help but laugh when I think about the last decade I’ve spent in this weird, wild, and wonderful industry. Who would’ve guessed that pressing “record” and talking into a mic would turn into a global phenomenon? Me! I went to school for media and worked in radio, didn’t I? Back when I started at Blubrry, podcasting was still finding its way. Yet, here I am, 10 years later, still handing out podcast recommendations to friends and my honest opinion on any new podcast tool.
Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to watch podcasting grow from a quirky passion project to a full-blown industry. And let me tell you, I’ve seen some things: the rise of advanced analytics, advertising options that don’t sound like they were recorded in someone’s garage, and integrations that actually make podcasters’ lives easier for people like me who don’t really care to become a tech expert.
Looking back, it’s wild to see how far we’ve come. Podcasting went from something you had to explain at parties – thankful I don’t have to do that anymore (and no, my parents still don’t truly understand what Blubrry does; a tale as old as time really) – to a mainstream medium that everyone’s talking about.
And while the industry has gotten bigger and shinier, what I’m most proud of is how we’ve made space for diverse voices and stories. As we celebrate 20 years, I’m pumped for what the future holds and pretty stoked about all the fun, chaos, and creativity I’ve been lucky enough to witness — and contribute to — over the past 10 years at Blubrry. Here’s to another decade of podcasting magic!
Dave Clements
Hi, I’m Dave, host of GEEK THIS! and member of the Playing Games with Strangers podcast. It’s hard to believe that podcasting is now two decades old — old enough to move out, get a few tattoos, and maybe even question some life choices! Though we can’t quite celebrate with champagne, it feels like a milestone worth raising a glass to.
I’ve often joked that I’ve been a podcaster since before podcasting existed. Back in my teen years, my friends and I would create our own “radio shows” on cassette tapes, never realizing that years later, I’d have the opportunity to do it for real — multiple times, in fact.
My first encounter with podcasts came around 2010 during long night-shifts stocking pet food at a grocery store. With a cheap Virgin Mobile Android phone in my pocket and one earbud discreetly tucked in, I listened to podcasts non-stop as I worked. A few “How to Podcast” shows piqued my interest, and once I realized how simple it was, I was hooked.
In 2012, armed with an old stick microphone I found in a forgotten box and using Audacity I recorded the first episode of Geek This, Nerd That, which quickly evolved into GEEK THIS! in just a few episodes. PowerPress helped me publish, and I invited friends to join as rotating co-hosts. Those early days were a crash course in learning about mix-minuses, working with Skype, and the thrill of creating something from scratch. While the show hasn’t always been consistent—life and changing schedules tend to get in the way—my love for podcasting has only deepened over the years.
In 2018, I took a leap and reached out to Blubrry, asking if they were hiring. To my surprise and excitement, they were! I joined their support team part-time before moving to full-time in 2019, and I’ll be celebrating my five-year full-time anniversary on Oct. 9!
My podcasting journey didn’t stop there. In 2020, I became heavily involved with the Playing Games with Strangers podcast, a unique experience that combined voice acting, editing, and collaboration with a group of seven others in a mostly improvised Dungeons & Dragons setting. It’s been an incredible learning curve, both in terms of building new friendships and honing my skills as a communicator and editor.
Looking ahead, I’m more excited than ever about what’s on the horizon for podcasting. With the Podcasting 2.0 initiative driving the medium forward, I can’t wait to see how it evolves and how I’ll continue to grow with it. Here’s to making more shows, improving my craft, and embracing the endless possibilities that podcasting offers.