This is a post about why does everyone have a podcast.
Should you start a podcast in 2026?
Let’s deal with the obvious question first. Is podcasting oversaturated? Are there too many podcasts? Has the boat already sailed?
The short answer is no. But the longer answer is more interesting and useful if you’re actually trying to decide whether a podcast is right for you.
There are around five million podcasts in existence right now. Of those, the vast majority haven’t published an episode in over a year. The reality is that the barrier to entry is low, which means lots of people start but very few continue. That’s not a warning against starting, it’s actually a reason to take it seriously. The competition isn’t as fierce as the raw numbers suggest, because most of it isn’t really competing.
So yes, you should probably start a podcast in 2026. But let’s talk about when it makes sense, what you’ll actually need and why most people who ask this question are already ready to answer it themselves.
Why People Are Still Asking “Should I Start a Podcast?”
The question tends to come from one of two places: either someone has been sitting on the idea for a while and needs a nudge or someone has heard podcasting is “too saturated” and is looking for permission to dismiss the idea and move on.
If you’re in the first camp, this post is your nudge.
If you’re in the second, the saturation argument doesn’t really hold up and we’ll get to why.
The podcast medium has matured. It’s not the wild west it was in 2015, but that’s a good thing. Audiences are more sophisticated, production tools are better and cheaper than ever and the ecosystem around monetisation and discoverability has grown significantly.
Starting a podcast in 2026 means you’re walking into a well-lit room with good infrastructure, not a ghost town.
Why You Should Start a Podcast
A podcast makes sense when you have something worth saying on a regular basis to a specific audience who cares about hearing it.
That sounds obvious, but it rules out a lot of half-formed ideas. A podcast isn’t the right format for a one-off thing and it’s not a great fit if you genuinely don’t enjoy talking or don’t have a natural point of view. But if you have expertise, opinions, stories or access to interesting people and there’s an audience who would benefit from hearing them, you’re more than halfway there.
For businesses, the case is particularly strong. A podcast positions you as an authority in your field in a way that a blog post or social media account simply can’t replicate. It creates a recurring, intimate touchpoint with your audience. People listen while they’re doing other things (driving, running, cooking), which means your voice is quite literally in their ears in a way no other medium achieves. Not to mention you can show off your personality a lot more.
When You Probably Shouldn’t
A podcast probably isn’t for you right now if you don’t have a clear sense of who you’re making it for. “Everyone who likes travel” isn’t an audience. “Independent travellers over 40 planning their first long trip since their kids left home” is.
I mean, if you want to start one as a hobby, yeah, why not?! You can also start as a hobby and turn pro at some point…honestly, you never where things may go these days. I LOVE stories about people who started something for fun and ended up creating a business.
It’s also not the right move if you’re expecting overnight results. Podcast growth is slow. Most shows take six to twelve months of consistent publishing before they start to see meaningful traction. If you need quick ROI, there are potentially faster-moving tools such as your social media strategy, your email list, your Google presence. A podcast is a long game but, if you ask me, the connection is much deeper. Turning cold leads into warm connections, for me, is one of the best outcomes (besides actually securing the client, of course!).
And if the idea of turning up every week or fortnight to record feels exhausting rather than energising, that’s worth paying attention to. Consistency is everything in podcasting. A show that publishes a few episodes and disappears is worse for your brand than not starting at all.
How to Start a Podcast
It’s not that deep.
The podcasting equipment rabbit hole is real and deeply unnecessary if you’re just getting started. A decent USB microphone, a quiet room and a free recording platform will get you further than most people expect. There’s a full breakdown of beginner podcast equipment here if you want the specifics.
You need a hosting platform, a cover image, a name and a basic idea of your episode format. That’s it. You don’t need a studio. You don’t need a production team on day one. You don’t need ten episodes recorded before you launch, although having a few in the bank is sensible and I highly recommend.
What you do need is clarity on your premise. Who is this for, what will they get from it and why are you the right person to make it? If you can answer those three questions with confidence, you’re ready.
The Format Question
One of the things that holds people back is not knowing what kind of podcast to make. Solo show? Interview format? Co-hosted? Narrative?
The truth is that the best format is the one you’ll actually stick to. Interview shows are popular because they share the content creation workload and bring in other people’s audiences. Solo shows are powerful for establishing authority and require nothing except your own preparation. Co-hosted shows live or die on the chemistry between hosts.
There’s a more detailed guide to podcast formats here if you’re stuck on this decision. But don’t let it become the thing that delays you indefinitely. Pick a format, test it for a few episodes and adjust.
What About Discoverability in 2026?
This is where a lot of the “too saturated” narrative comes from and it’s a fair concern. Getting found on Spotify or Apple Podcasts is harder than it was five years ago. The algorithm isn’t as forgiving and the competition for top search spots is real.
But discoverability was never just about the platforms. The shows that grow are the ones that treat their podcast as part of a wider content ecosystem. Show notes that are properly optimised for search. Social clips that reach people who haven’t discovered the show yet. Pinterest, which remains one of the most underrated drivers of podcast traffic for evergreen content. Email lists that keep listeners coming back.
A podcast that sits in a vacuum and waits to be found will struggle. A podcast that’s actively marketed across multiple channels is a completely different proposition. The full podcast marketing strategy post goes deeper on this. It’s one of the more practical things on the blog if you’re serious about growth.
So, should you start a podcast in 2026?
If you’ve read this far, you probably already know the answer.
The medium isn’t oversaturated. It’s underpopulated with good, consistent, genuinely useful shows (with high quality sound!) made by people who know what they’re talking about. There’s room for yours if you’re willing to show up regularly, market it properly and think of it as a long-term asset rather than a quick win.
The best time to start was a few years ago. The second best time is now. (I know, so cliché…I had to!)
If you’re thinking about starting a podcast and want support with production, strategy or getting the whole thing off the ground, that’s what Good Season is here for! Get in touch and let’s talk about what your show could look like.
