Podcaster Dave Jackson will be the lead trainer during the PodINDY event on Nov. 4 at HeavenEarth Church.
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The popularity of podcasting has never been greater.
As of 2022, an estimated 177 million people in the United States have listened to podcasts, according to the Infinite Dial. Of that number, 38% listened to one in the past month; 26% in the past week. The Interactive Advertising Bureau estimated that podcast revenues will exceed $4 billion by 2024.
Now, local residents interested in the podcasting world can hear from experts about the best way to get their own show off the ground.
Podcasters from all over the region will gather in Whiteland on Saturday for PodINDY, a one-day independent podcaster training and networking event. From noon to 5 p.m., people will meet at HeavenEarth Church, 309 E. Main St., to talk all things podcasting — planning a show, plus how to launch, grow and monetize it.
The featured trainer will be Dave Jackson, a Hall of Fame podcaster who specializes in helping people start their own shows.
The hope is that PodINDY gives local residents the skills needed to establish their own podcast, and position themselves for success, said Dr. Brad Miller, a Greenwood resident and founder of the “Cancer and Comedy” podcast.
“Podcasting is big and getting bigger,” he said. “This is a business-oriented conference, and it opens the doors for people.”
Miller founded his podcast earlier this year, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The goal was to help uplift people who were going through their own personal struggles, particularly those who are struggling with cancer.
Through his experience with “Cancer and Comedy,” Miller has made connections throughout the podcasting world. His discussions with Indiana-based podcasters motivated to plan an Indianapolis networking event.
“As far as we can tell, there’s been no live podcasting conferences in Indy ever,” Miller said. “They’re all around the country, but not in the Indy area.”
In addition to Jackson, the conference will feature Chris Spangle from “The Bob and Tom Show” and “The Chris Spangle Show” discussing how to build a thriving community through your independent podcast; Dr. Craig Van Slyke of Louisiana Tech University on artificial intelligence and podcasts; Jennifer Longworth from Lexington, Kentucky’s Bourbon Barrel Podcasting Network on all things editing, and Alan Haw from WISH-TV-Indianapolis and the All INdiana Podcast Network.
Tickets to PodINDY are $27 for general admission, or $17 for students. More information and links to tickets can be found at cancerandcomedy.com/podindy.
