In this special edition of Podcast Insider, we delve into the inspiring journey of podcasting pioneer Elsie Escobar, who has been crafting audio content since 2006. As a community leader, she offers unique insights into the evolution of women’s voices in the podcasting landscape.
Elsie’s podcasting path began with a yoga podcast that stood out from the prevalent chat shows of the time. Her unique audio yoga classes quickly gained traction, cementing her position in the early podcasting community. What started as a creative outlet soon transformed into a mission to uplift underrepresented voices in the medium.
“Podcasting provided me the freedom to be myself, unlike my Hollywood experiences where I was told who I was and couldn’t deviate from that image,” Elsie said, highlighting how podcasting offered liberation from industry constraints.
The early podcasting landscape in Los Angeles welcomed Elsie through communities like Lance Anderson’s L.A. Podcasters group. Despite being new to the medium, she was invited to participate in a women-in-podcasting panel after just two months of experience — an opportunity that made her feel seen and valued in a space where female voices were scarce.
Building Communities and Overcoming Barriers
Around 2014, Elsie co-founded She Podcasts, creating a safe space for women and non-binary podcasters to learn and grow without judgment. The community emerged in response to what Elisie found as intimidating and often condescending advice prevalent in male-dominated podcasting spaces.
“The initial focus was on encouraging women to simply get behind the microphone,” Elsie explains, addressing the pervasive imposter syndrome many women face. Before tackling brand messaging or monetization strategies, the fundamental challenge was overcoming internal barriers — fear of judgment, aversion to their own voices, and persistent self-doubt.
Women podcasters face unique challenges beyond content creation itself. Elsie recounts recording on her bed, in hallways outside her children’s classes, and while managing childcare responsibilities — a stark contrast to the assumed image of a podcaster in a dedicated studio. It wasn’t until 2021, after years of improvising, that she achieved a proper studio setup.
Monetization and Self-Promotion Challenges
While monetization strategies between male and female podcasters are largely similar, Elsie notes a critical difference: “Women podcasters, deeply connected to their communities, often struggle with asking for money.” This reluctance stems from their strong emphasis on community value, making it difficult to transition to a business mindset.
Self-promotion presents another hurdle. “There’s a need to claim space and actively seek opportunities,” Elsie emphasized, noting women tend to champion others’ work more readily than their own. Even when women do promote themselves, they often face pushback, creating a persistent struggle.
Content Style and Representation
Content analysis reveals interesting patterns. While men’s podcasts tend toward assertiveness, women’s shows often provide more emotional depth and information-rich content. Elsie acknowledges the inspiration drawn from assertive female podcasters, contrasting it with her naturally softer approach and highlighting the effort required to assert positions clearly.
Despite progress, representation issues persist. Elsie expresses frustration at consistently being the “token woman” on panels, questioning why other successful women aren’t invited. “I’m tired of being the only woman on panels,” she states, emphasizing that organizers need to actively seek diverse voices rather than adding women as afterthoughts.
Future Outlook and Advice
Looking forward, Elsie believes women excel in content creation due to their multimodal approach — effectively utilizing various formats and understanding how different content types work together. Women’s creativity often stems from necessity, born from juggling multiple responsibilities and adapting to limitations.
Her advice to aspiring female podcasters is refreshingly simple: just start. “The act of speaking and giving voice consistently is a valuable lesson in itself,” she suggests, emphasizing that podcasting’s transformative power lies in the process, not necessarily in audience building or business outcomes.
As the podcasting landscape continues to evolve, voices such as Elsie’s remain crucial in ensuring the medium fulfills its promise as a truly democratized platform where everyone, regardless of gender or background, can share their unique perspective with the world.