“2025 countered the narrative that the medium is somehow no longer interested in audio—with a slew of ambitious productions that emphasized podcasting as an art form in itself.”

Podcasting has suffered layoffs, AI-produced slop, and a growing focus on video platforms. But 2025 fought back with ambitious audio productions. Ronan Farrow’s “Not a Very Good Murderer” explores how investigative reporters vet sources. Jonathan Goldstein’s “Heavyweight” returned triumphantly at Pushkin after Spotify’s cancellation. U.S. podcast consumption hit record highs: 773 million hours per week.