For all the research that’s conducted every year, we never know what will become successful in the worlds of pop culture and entertainment. That’s especially true in both the music and radio industries. Today’s #TBT post features two such stories which prove that as smart and experienced as you may be, you just never know. Or as a friend of mine in the business likes to say, “Nobody knows anything.” He’s right.

Both the Infinite Dial and Techsurvey 2025 reports reveal strong numbers for podcasting. In fact, each study reveals that podcasts have entered the mainstream. Smart podcasting studios like Wondery are seizing the moment, and proactively marketing their companies to audiences, advertisers, and podcast creators. It turns out that many of the attributes that make podcasts popular are the very same characteristics common to great radio shows and stations. But there are some key differences, too, that are determining factors.

Broadcast radio of all varieties finds itself under growing pressure to figure out its most advantageous place in the media hierarchy. How can it both be different and viable? Public radio stations have increasingly faced challenges to remain credible, relevant, and financially stable. Of course, there are no simple solutions, but there may be an available pathway that could solve myriad problems. That’s the basis of today’s blog post.