October 4, 2025 • 5 mins
What is called a podcast has sparked more debate in our community than mic choices or interview styles.
There’s a lot of confusion, and even controversy, around this seemingly simple question. And if you’ve been in the podcasting game for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard a dozen different definitions.
According to WhatsAPodcast.com:
podcast (noun)
Episodic multimedia content that is downloadable via RSS (“really simple syndication”). A podcast can be audio or video.
Yes, this is technically correct. But let’s be real. That doesn’t really explain what a podcast is in the way that matters to us as creators.
A Podcast Is a Distribution Method, Not Just a “Show”
At its core, a podcast is a show distributed via podcasting technology. Namely, RSS feeds. That’s it. The magic isn’t in the audio file or video format, It’s in how it gets to your audience. A podcast isn’t just a genre of content, it’s a method of delivery. That’s a crucial distinction we, as creators, need to understand… Even if our audiences don’t.
Listeners (or viewers, if it’s video) might never think twice about RSS. But we should. RSS is the backbone of podcasting. It allows for decentralized distribution, meaning no single company owns or controls where or how your content is accessed. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature.
Why YouTube Isn’t a Podcast (And That’s Okay)
There’s a common argument: “If I post my show on YouTube, that’s a podcast, right?”
Well… Not quite.
A video uploaded to YouTube is a video. You might also be running a podcast that features the same content, but unless it’s distributed via RSS, it’s not technically a podcast. It's just another method of media distribution. And, There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
There are many ways to distribute a show:
TV or radio broadcast
YouTube or other video platforms
Embedded audio on a website
Live streaming
Podcasting via RSS
The important thing is understanding what makes something a podcast: RSS-powered syndication that lets people subscribe (or follow) and receive new episodes automatically, in their preferred app, without being tied to any one platform.
Why This Matters to Independent Creators
You might ask, “Who cares if my content is called a podcast or not?”
Well, as an independent creator, you should care… at least a little. RSS keeps podcasting open and democratic. It’s what allows your show to appear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Overcast, and hundreds of other directories, all without being locked into a single ecosystem.
When your content lives only on one platform, you’re at the mercy of that platform’s algorithm, terms of service, and monetization policies. With podcasting, you own your feed. That’s powerful.
Use Podcasting as One Tool in Your Creator Toolkit
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose just one path. You can distribute your content however you like.
Record your live radio show? Great turn that into a podcast. Record a video for YouTube? Strip the audio and publish it as a podcast. Do a podcast? Add video and stream it live. Repurpose your content across channels. Just understand the distinctions.
Podcasting is just one way to reach your audience. But it’s a way that gives you freedom, control, and ownership. And that’s why it’s worth preserving the true meaning of what a podcast is.
A podcast isn’t defined by whether it’s audio or video, entertaining, educational or just plain stupid. It’s defined by how it’s distributed. Via RSS. Understanding that gives you more power as a content creator, not less.
Keep creating. Keep sharing. And most importantly, keep owning your feed.
HAPPY PODCASTING!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
So you might be asking yourself, what
really is a podcast? Or maybe you're not.
But, anyway, this article I wrote back in
May
2025.
I figured I'd turn it into a podcast
episode. Why not?
So let me, attempt to read this without
sounding like I'm reading this.
(00:20):
What is called a podcast has sparked more
debate in our community than mic choices or
interview styles?
It's a lot of confusion, even controversy
around the seemingly simple question.
And if you've been in the podcasting
game for any amount of time, you've likely
heard a dozen different
definitions.
(00:41):
According to what'sapodcast.com,
go check that out.
A podcast is a noun. It's an episodic
multimedia
content that is downloadable via RSS,
which stands for really simple syndication.
And a podcast can be audio or video.
And, yes, this is technically
(01:03):
correct, but let's get real. Doesn't really explain
what a podcast is
in the way that matters to us creators.
So podcasting is a distribution
method,
not just a show.
At its core, a podcast is a show
distributed
via podcasting technology,
(01:24):
namely RSS feeds.
That's it.
Magic isn't in the audio file or the
video format.
It's in how it gets to your audience.
A podcast isn't just a genre of content.
It's a method of delivery.
That's a crucial distinction
we, as creators, need to understand even if
(01:44):
our audiences don't.
Listeners or viewers, if it's video,
might never think twice about RSS. They might
not even know that it exists,
but we should.
RSS is the backbone of podcasting.
It allows for decentralized
distribution, meaning no single company owns or controls
(02:04):
where or how your content is accessed.
That's not a bug. That's a feature.
So why isn't YouTube a podcast?
And that's okay.
There's a common argument.
If I post my show on YouTube, it's
a podcast.
Right?
Well, not quite.
(02:25):
A video uploaded to YouTube is a video.
You might also be running a podcast that
features the same content. But unless it's distributed
via RSS, it's not technically
a podcast. It's just another method of media
distribution,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
There are many ways to distribute a show.
(02:47):
You know, TV or radio broadcast,
YouTube or other video platforms,
embedded audio on a website, live streaming, and
podcasting
via RSS.
Important thing to understand is what makes something
a podcast.
RSS powered syndication
that lets people subscribe or follow and receive
(03:08):
new episodes automatically on their preferred app without
being tied to any one platform.
So why does this matter to us independent
creators?
You might ask, who cares if my content
is called a podcast or not?
Well, as an independent creator, you should care
at least a little. RSS keeps podcasting open
(03:31):
and democratic.
It also allows your show to appear on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
PocketCasts,
Overcast, and hundreds of other directories, all without
being locked into a single ecosystem.
When your content lives only on one platform,
you're at the mercy of that platform's
algorithm,
terms of service, and monetization
(03:53):
policies.
With podcasting,
you own your feed,
and that's powerful.
Use podcasting as just one tool of your
creator toolkit.
Here's the good news. You don't have to
choose just one path. You can distribute your
content however you like.
Record a live show?
(04:13):
Great. Turn that into a podcast.
Record a video for YouTube. Strip the audio
and publish that as a podcast. Do a
podcast, add video,
and stream it live. Repurpose your content across
channels. Just understand the distinction.
Podcasting is just one way to reach your
audience,
but it's the way that gives you the
(04:34):
most freedom, control, and ownership.
And that's why it's worth preserving the true
meaning of what a podcast is.
A podcast isn't defined by whether it's audio
or video,
entertaining,
educational, or just plain stupid.
It's defined by how it's distributed
via RSS.
(04:54):
Understanding that gives you more power as a
content creator, not less.
Keep creating,
keep sharing, and most importantly,
keep owning your feed.
Happy podcasting.
Okay. If you've stuck with me long enough
trying to read that, hopefully, I can edit
that into something that sounds smart, and,
(05:16):
you'll be you you will have already heard
it.
So catch me next time.
So you might be asking yourself, what
really is a podcast? Or maybe you're not.
But, anyway, this article I wrote back in
May
2025.
I figured I'd turn it into a podcast
episode. Why not?
So let me, attempt to read this without
sounding like I'm reading this.
(00:20):
What is called a podcast has sparked more
debate in our community than mic choices or
interview styles?
It's a lot of confusion, even controversy
around the seemingly simple question.
And if you've been in the podcasting
game for any amount of time, you've likely
heard a dozen different
definitions.
(00:41):
According to what'sapodcast.com,
go check that out.
A podcast is a noun. It's an episodic
multimedia
content that is downloadable via RSS,
which stands for really simple syndication.
And a podcast can be audio or video.
And, yes, this is technically
(01:03):
correct, but let's get real. Doesn't really explain
what a podcast is
in the way that matters to us creators.
So podcasting is a distribution
method,
not just a show.
At its core, a podcast is a show
distributed
via podcasting technology,
(01:24):
namely RSS feeds.
That's it.
Magic isn't in the audio file or the
video format.
It's in how it gets to your audience.
A podcast isn't just a genre of content.
It's a method of delivery.
That's a crucial distinction
we, as creators, need to understand even if
(01:44):
our audiences don't.
Listeners or viewers, if it's video,
might never think twice about RSS. They might
not even know that it exists,
but we should.
RSS is the backbone of podcasting.
It allows for decentralized
distribution, meaning no single company owns or controls
(02:04):
where or how your content is accessed.
That's not a bug. That's a feature.
So why isn't YouTube a podcast?
And that's okay.
There's a common argument.
If I post my show on YouTube, it's
a podcast.
Right?
Well, not quite.
(02:25):
A video uploaded to YouTube is a video.
You might also be running a podcast that
features the same content. But unless it's distributed
via RSS, it's not technically
a podcast. It's just another method of media
distribution,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
There are many ways to distribute a show.
(02:47):
You know, TV or radio broadcast,
YouTube or other video platforms,
embedded audio on a website, live streaming, and
podcasting
via RSS.
Important thing to understand is what makes something
a podcast.
RSS powered syndication
that lets people subscribe or follow and receive
(03:08):
new episodes automatically on their preferred app without
being tied to any one platform.
So why does this matter to us independent
creators?
You might ask, who cares if my content
is called a podcast or not?
Well, as an independent creator, you should care
at least a little. RSS keeps podcasting open
(03:31):
and democratic.
It also allows your show to appear on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
PocketCasts,
Overcast, and hundreds of other directories, all without
being locked into a single ecosystem.
When your content lives only on one platform,
you're at the mercy of that platform's
algorithm,
terms of service, and monetization
(03:53):
policies.
With podcasting,
you own your feed,
and that's powerful.
Use podcasting as just one tool of your
creator toolkit.
Here's the good news. You don't have to
choose just one path. You can distribute your
content however you like.
Record a live show?
(04:13):
Great. Turn that into a podcast.
Record a video for YouTube. Strip the audio
and publish that as a podcast. Do a
podcast, add video,
and stream it live. Repurpose your content across
channels. Just understand the distinction.
Podcasting is just one way to reach your
audience,
but it's the way that gives you the
(04:34):
most freedom, control, and ownership.
And that's why it's worth preserving the true
meaning of what a podcast is.
A podcast isn't defined by whether it's audio
or video,
entertaining,
educational, or just plain stupid.
It's defined by how it's distributed
via RSS.
(04:54):
Understanding that gives you more power as a
content creator, not less.
Keep creating,
keep sharing, and most importantly,
keep owning your feed.
Happy podcasting.
Okay. If you've stuck with me long enough
trying to read that, hopefully, I can edit
that into something that sounds smart, and,
(05:16):
you'll be you you will have already heard
it.
So catch me next time.
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