Amplifying Women’s Voices: How Women in Podcasting Are Stepping up to the Mic and Stepping Into Their Power

March is Women’s History Month, a time when we honor the contributions of women throughout history and contemporary society. While we recognize the breakthrough accomplishments of women in the past, we also acknowledge women today and their ability to transform humanity.

Through digital audio podcasting, women continue to drive societal movements and build communities centered on positive change. 

Read on to learn how podcasting can help women step into their power and make their voices heard.

Women in Podcasting

Women’s voices are valuable – and impactful – in the history of podcasting.  

Consider Sarah Koenig, who collaborated with WBEZ Chicago to produce and host the hit true-crime podcast Serial. Odds are you’ve heard of Serial, the highly-successful 2014 podcast that used its episodes to tell an unforgettable story in a new way. 

The series revolutionized podcasting, and we can thank Koenig for the boom of digital audio content we see today. Koenig’s story is proof of women’s ability to succeed and thrive in the podcasting world. 

Still, studies show that the majority of top-rated podcasts feature male hosts. Media is generally dominated by men, a theme that has always presented challenges when it comes to supporting women’s involvement and promoting equality. According to a report from Sounds Profitable, just 29% of podcast creators in the US identified as women.

But despite the odds, podcasting allows women’s voices to break through the noise so that they can break barriers. According to a recent report, female-led podcasts account for 50% of the top ten top-rated podcasts.

Technical And Creative Expression Through Digital Audio

A lot has changed since podcasting was first developed in 2004. Today, the competition between shows demands high production quality.

When most people imagine podcasters, they typically picture the person in front of the mic. However, if my time working with Q’d Up has taught me anything, it’s that many moving parts are involved in developing a successful podcast. Odds are, your favorite show has a crew of individuals working in different roles for its production.

Podcasting calls for both technical and creative skills. Developing and launching a successful podcast involves recording, editing, publishing, distributing, and marketing. 

That said, this creative medium can open more professional roles to people interested in pre and post-production work. But why is this important for women?

Back in 2015, an article by Frontiers in Psychology about cultural stereotypes suggested that the mechanical processes involved in podcast production may have once been a deterrent from women creating podcasts, as these have historically been thought of as “male” interests. 

However, increasing the representation of women in podcasting may just be what it takes to encourage young women to study these technical skills. Computer editing software, sound engineering, and digital audio equipment are all areas of knowledge involved in podcasting, and seeing more women in podcasting could inspire young women to pursue STEM.

Podcast production also involves creativity to transform the show’s vision into a reality, and some might argue that the great thing about podcasting is the expressive freedom it provides. Every member of the production team can add their own unique spin on the show and contribute to its mission and overarching message.

Writers, graphic designers, social media representatives, and other creatives can contribute to a podcast’s success. And while podcast writers can use their words to communicate the show’s message, digital artists and marketers can work to develop the brand and set its goals in motion.

Forming Communities Around Women’s Voices

People seek out media that they can identify with, and surveys show that most podcast fans prefer to listen to their own gender. But promoting sex and gender diversity in podcasts is essential, as digital audio media is a platform that can amplify more narratives and perspectives. 

So how does podcasting empower women to share their voices and illuminate important topics?

As an influential medium, podcasting enables women creators to make their voices heard, shed light on both relatable and diverse subjects, and form communities surrounding important topics they are passionate about.

The Women’s 2022 Podcast Report, conducted by Edison Research for SXM Media, showed some interesting insights into how women use podcasts to bond socially over significant topics.

According to the report, 73% of women listeners discover new podcasts from friends and family, while  84% of women listeners recommend podcasts to their friends and family. 

Recommending podcasts allows women to connect over shared interests relating to the show’s topic – and can help to spread its message.

Community and bonding are significant motivators, with almost half (47%) of the women listeners’ reported having shared podcasts based on a desire to have a deeper connection with someone, and 47% had recommended podcasts to others as a way to share their feelings.

Along with the desire to connect and feel understood, women also share shows that invoke action. For example, 75% of women listeners reported sharing a podcast because they were inspired by it.

Women’s ability to communicate ideas and form impassioned communities through digital audio makes podcasting a powerful vehicle for influencing social change and sparking transformational conversations.

Raising Women’s Voices

So we know that women enjoy listening to podcasts and using them to connect with like-minded individuals and grow communities. But despite the fact that 85% of influencers are women, we still have a long way to go to bring equality to the podcasting landscape.

According to The Women’s 2022 Podcast Report, 55% of women listeners said that they would listen to more podcasts if there were more that included female stories and perspectives, and 52% said they would listen to more podcasts if there were more hosted by women.

The need for diversity is especially prevalent regarding women of color in podcasting. The report showed that among monthly listeners, 57% of Multicultural Women wish more podcasts existed that focus on women of color, and 47% of Multicultural Women have a hard time finding podcasts that focus on women of color. 

But fortunately, you can make a difference in amplifying the voices of women in podcasting. 

The simplest way to support the efforts of women podcast creators is by listening – by seeking out more podcasts created by women and in support of women and tuning in to shows that amplify women’s voices and have women in control of the narrative. 

You can be part of the change by supporting shows and companies that raise women’s voices, feature women’s stories, and enable women’s progression in the podcasting space.

Meet the Women of Q’d Up

Izzy – Creative Director

I love stories. I’ve always loved good stories in any form. So, when I was searching for a writing job and saw an opportunity to work for a podcast agency, I was ecstatic! I’d never worked in podcasting before but was an avid listener. 

Podcasts to me take us back to our roots: having another person tell us a story. Except this time, anyone can gather around the digital campfire, anyone can tell their story, and anyone can listen. That’s the magic of podcasting. 

I began at Q’d Up as a show notes and blog writer, and three years later, am Creative Director! I never imagined I would end up here but I’m so grateful that I did. Every day, I get to do something different, whether that’s putting ideation for a new client, writing scripts, or reviewing and editing work by our other writers.

For any woman entering the podcasting space, I say – hold your mic firmly and speak proudly. Oftentime, women get interrupted or ignored in the studio and out. So whether you’re an engineer, producer or host (or all three!) don’t be afraid to keep creating noise! There will always be someone to listen.  

Maddie – Writer

Growing up, I always wanted to do something creative. But, after setting my ambitions aside and spending my time in a cubicle, it was in 2020 that I realized I couldn’t continue working in a career that lacked creativity.

Today my role in podcasting has allowed me to use my creative writing degree and honor my skills more than any other job I have had. I write scripts, blogs (like the one you just read!), and other content representing the mission of brands we work with – while working in a medium I love.

Now I am proud of my work and contributions to the podcasting space, and my new connections with like-minded creatives have brought so much inspiration to my life. As someone who abandoned the 9-5 for a creative outlet, I feel fortunate to have found Q’d Up.

My advice for women seeking a career in podcasting is to pursue it. Podcasting is an excellent avenue for honing your craft, using your skills and contributing to something bigger than yourself. I can’t wait to see how people continue to use their creativity in this medium to tell new stories and uplift new voices.

Amanda – Writer

What I love about podcasting is the ability to learn about different issues, people, and industries that may be otherwise unknown. As a naturally curious person, I felt inspired by this medium and sought opportunities where I could utilize my skill set as a writer and passion for media. At Q’d Up, I have had the chance to pitch, research, and write about topics I care deeply about, which has been both creatively and professionally fulfilling. It’s been a pleasure to be part of a continuously evolving industry that allows me to grow with it as a lifelong learner and professional creative.

Laura – Graphic Designer

I am a graphic design specialist and I work with Q’d Up to build unique and engaging visuals for a wide range of clients. Working in the podcasting industry is exciting because there are always new opportunities for creativity and challenges to tackle in a fast-paced and evolving industry.

The team environment is really supportive, which helps to create a collaborative environment where each individual can learn and grow. I enjoy contributing to the success of our brands by using a combination of creativity and technology to elevate their visuals, helping them stand out in a competitive and crowded marketplace.

What makes working in podcasting different from other industries I’ve worked in? There is definitely more creative freedom, so if that is important to you, podcasting is a great industry to get into! The fast-paced environment allows for more opportunities to learn and grow. My skill set has expanded substantially since joining Q’d Up, as we’re always exploring new ideas and approaches to reach our audiences.

Laurie – Social Media Specialist

As a social media coordinator, I really enjoy the creative aspects of the role and love getting to share the final results of the podcasts, which the Q’d Up team has worked so hard to produce, with the rest of the world. My favorite part of my job is brainstorming with the team to come up with fun ideas to help make our social channels stand out and showcase what Q’d Up is all about!

The podcast industry continues to trend upward and it’s exciting to be part of a growing industry. I’d encourage any woman to consider a career in podcasting. Whether it’s hosting your own show or working behind the scenes as a writer, producer, or designer, podcasting can allow you to work on a wide variety of different topics and is a great way to show off your own unique skills, story, and voice!

Ines – Audio Producer

I started in the podcasting iindustry spontaneously after finishing my Bachelor of Arts in music production and sound design.  I taught myself to edit podcasts and began as a freelancer to gain experience in the industry. I enjoyed the job and was fascinated by the ability to clean up dialogue, manipulate sound effects and music, and create podcast structures.

Since 2019, I’ve been working with Q’d Up. I’m proud of the growth and projects we have achieved together, from basic dialogue cleanup to full podcast production and audiobook creation with spatial audio design. I’m now mainly focused on audiobooks but excited to work on other podcasting projects.

Being a woman in the audio industry can be overwhelming, but working with Q’d Up, I feel inspired and equal. My opinions and suggestions are valued and implemented, and I’m proud to be a woman in this role. I advise all women to build skills, never stop improving, and not to feel overwhelmed because there is no male/female distinction in this role.

Working in the podcasting and audiobook industry is a great job, especially as podcasts are becoming more popular for promoting businesses and sharing stories. The future is promising, with endless options for sound design, spatial audio, production, and video. I’m excited to join this growing movement of podcasting and audio production.