Tag: podcasts

Spotify Creates a Custom Podcast Experience Aligned With the Stars

September 12, 2022

a graphic image that shows all the zodiac signs on a yellow background

Whether you set your day according to your chart or just indulge in the occasional horoscope, it’s fun to learn how what’s written in the stars aligns to your life. And from hilarious memes and social videos to daily podcast episodes, there’s no shortage of mediums to get the latest on your astrological sign.

Spotify listeners have plenty of ways to consume the cosmos.

They can check out our Cosmic Playlists or pick from a selection from the playlist shelf on Bumble’s profile curated by Aliza Kelly, host of the podcasts Astrology Dating and Stars Like Us. They can also visit Astrology Club, a podcast hub for both the devoted and beginners. Now Spotify is bringing a new astrological listening experience made just for you with the Astrology Club microsite—created by global interactive production studio makemepulse with illustration by Lebassis, represented by Jelly London.

Visiting the microsite unlocks a variety of astrological goodies, including romance advice and relationship insights from Bumble’s Compatibility Corner and personalized podcast playlists based on your sign that are curated by Spotify and reviewed by astrologist Aliza Kelly.

For the Record sat down with Aliza to talk about love, podcasts, and everything under the stars.

How did you first get into astrology?

I have always been into astrology. I have an amazing Sagittarius mom who collected books and was generally very curious and open minded about the world. In my apartment growing up, we had books on Christianity and Catholicism next to a book on astrology, next to a book on the Quran, next to a book on Kabbalah. There were no sorts of boundaries as to what I could explore. And from a young age, I was always really interested in astrology, mysticism, and alternative practices that had more magical roots. So while I’ve always been interested in it, I guess my learning began to crystallize when I was in my early 20s and I was living in Los Angeles. I was living out what I thought I was going to be very happy pursuing and decided it wasn’t fulfilling. At that time, as so many people do, when I was in the process of looking for answers and trying to figure out how to really get to know myself better, I took my astrology interests further. And I actually started an astrology dating app with a friend of mine from college—this was 10 years ago.

How should people use astrology readings and how shouldn’t they?

I think that astrology is an incredible tool for self-awareness and self-actualization. What makes astrology so successful is that it is an incredibly complex and rich vocabulary for understanding who we are, how we move through the world, our likes, our dislikes, our passions or proclivities. Astrology provides us with a ton of beautiful, informative insights that help us get to know ourselves and how we relate to our environments better. We can really help guide our person by having this outside perspective on different dimensions of who we are. But where I think people use astrology in less than ideal ways is when we stereotype, judge, typecast, or set boundaries on our relationships based on it. And we become sort of like dogmatic in jest, regurgitating information that we receive about it without actually exploring it and taking the time to see if that aligns with someone, if that checks out, or if that resonates.

I love to be surprised by the way that somebody manifests and metabolizes an energy that I have already an interpretation of. And if their experience with it differs from my interpretation, that’s beautiful and exciting and really thought provoking because that allows me to refine my understanding of these different archetypes.

Do you approach writing horoscopes differently than how you approach astrology in an auditory format like podcasts?

So with my written work, there’s definitely a lot of pressure on wanting to make sure that you are inspiring people. You know, being very clear and specific in the directives, in making sure that people know that there’s a lot of interpretation and to approach it with an open mind. That type of language needs to punctuate a lot of the writing. Whereas with a podcast or an auditory form, I can sort of deliver messages a little faster because I don’t need to have to constantly be like, Who is this for? Am I being too intense? Is somebody going to misinterpret it if they read this wrong? [For a podcast] just being able to communicate something with my voice and being able to, you know, intimate differently based on my inflection is really helpful. And people can know if I’m joking or being sarcastic. I don’t want people to think that, you know, if I’m saying something is doomed, that I actually mean that it is like, truly, definitively doomed. I usually would use something like that more playfully or in jest. So it’s easier to have sort of different tones through the podcast than when you’re just working with writing.

How do you see podcast genres and podcasts overlapping? Are there particular types of podcasts that might interest a particular sign?

Well, I think that it would be hard to say that one sign would be more inclined to listen to a certain podcast genre than the other. But like with this project, with the Astrology Club, we created different podcast playlists based on the zodiac signs, and we curated them to touch on some of the qualities of the signs. For instance, with the Aries podcast playlist, we made sure that we emphasize things around like ambition, winning, passion, and excitement. And with Capricorn, which is very much associated with working hard and entrepreneurship, we incorporated podcasts that had those sorts of themes along with how to manage burnout and take a step back to create a healthier dynamic with whatever is on your plate. I think that it’s really fun and exciting to be able to pair different podcasts with the zodiac and to create playlists to inspire different conversations through that.

How about music tastes? Are there any signs and genres that stick out as being paired for you?

I’m a Pisces moon, so I’m obsessed with music. And it’s a huge part of my life. So having music that sort of picks up the tone and flavor of that astrological season is really important to me.

And you know, generally the fire signs—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—are really passionate. So maybe we’re going to see some more power ballads with them. The Earth signs—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are more practical, realistic. They are more tangible. So they’ll probably focus more on the production of the music, right? Like on the quality of something. The air signs—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—are like wordsmiths. They’re very intellectual. So I have found that some of the most amazing rappers and poets are often those signs—specifically Gemini. Scorpio and Pisces are also very much associated with music and the creative arts in general. I will often create playlists for each astrological season because each one has its own sort of tone.

How should people use their signs to approach relationships?

I see when people come together and they talk about, you know, their sun, moon, and rising, or they share and compare their birth charts or just like the tidbits of astrology, these conversations among strangers become so much richer, so much more empathetic, so much kinder, so much more open, so much more profound.

As it relates to compatibility, my favorite way of incorporating astrology into relationships is to lead with curiosity and to ask questions. So instead of making assumptions as to how somebody experiences their astrological archetypes . . . actually listen to them and then work together to create a really interesting profile for how the two of you connect.

So what podcast or playlist should you listen to next? Let the stars dictate your journey and visit the Astrology Club microsite to see what your sun sign has in store for you.

Legendary Game Creator Hideo Kojima Explains How Fans Inspired His New Podcast, ‘Brain Structure’

September 8, 2022

Hideo Kojima is nothing if not a genius. Responsible for the iconic Metal Gear franchise, the Japanese game creator has a number of critical and commercial hits to his name, including 2019’s DEATH STRANDING. But at Gamescom in August, Kojima announced a different sort of project: a Spotify Original podcast. Premiering today, Hideo Kojima Presents Brain Structure offers listeners unique insight into how Hideo finds inspiration for his projects and how the creative process works at large.

Fans can tune in for talk show–style discussions on a wide range of his favorite topics, including games, movies, books, art, philosophy, and the social landscape. Kojima has invited special guests across business, technology, and entertainment to discuss compelling themes centered around creativity, and each episode of Brain Structure will also feature a special segment on the latest gaming news from prominent games journalist Geoff Keighley.

For the Record had the opportunity to catch up with Kojima and discuss what fans can expect from the podcast, what makes his approach to video games unique, and how his many different interests have inspired his work as a game creator.

Brain Structure is an interesting name for a podcast. Can you tell us a little about the meaning behind the name and what fans can expect from the show?

In the past, creators were not supposed to talk much about their personal lives so that their works alone could be appreciated and understood. However, in the current age of social media, we can speak directly to our fans all around the world. I believe that we should use this technology and opportunity.

I am often asked by the media and the fans, “What the hell is going on in your head?” So, I wanted to share a little insight on a creator’s typical brain structure, thought processes, and electrical currents of the synapses.

In this program, I would like to share not only the process, ideas, methods, and techniques of creation, but also the various “stimulations” I’ve encountered that have led me here. By “stimulation” I mean something that is born from meeting people, movies, books, music, art, and other things in our daily lives. These “stimulations” may be a bit different from what other people have encountered, or they may be something that you are unaware of.

What made you want to create this podcast?

Way back in 2005, I did my own podcast, Hidechan! Radio, for a long time. I grew up in the generation of radio and after I became a creator, I wanted to give something back to the medium that was there for me when I was a lonely kid. As technology evolved, audio became video, and we created “HideoTube” after starting my independent studio.

However, we became busy with production and eventually stopped streaming. Then the pandemic happened, and I remembered the importance of connection with other people.

After that, we started up an experimental radio program for one season. The response from Japan was great, but we also received a lot of comments from overseas fans on social media saying, “I can’t listen to it in my country!” and “I can’t understand it in Japanese!” I couldn’t just ignore these voices! So, I decided to make a podcast show with English dubbing to stream worldwide. Spotify agreed to this reckless endeavor. I’m not sure if this way of communication with the fans across the world will work, but I’m really excited about this new challenge.

People have so many different ways to problem solve and think creatively. What would you say is the most unique part of your creative process?

Planning, ideas, world settings, character settings, plot, story, scripts, gimmicks, game design, events, directions, sound design—and so on and so forth—all of which I create simultaneously as I work my way to the finish line. I suppose that is what makes me different from the others.

And every day, I continue brushing up the details until the last minute, when we submit the master. I think this is one of our unique ways of working on our projects, and it’s the strength of “A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME.”

Whether you’re creating a movie or creating a game, it involves having a massive team on a project, so the work is usually split up. Also, once the process starts, you can’t turn back, almost like a river flowing downstream. In my case, since I stop and check every day, it is possible to go back and correct things without wasting time. Even if a character has already been completely set up, designed, and modeled, I can easily modify and add in newly adjusted settings or designs and even change the role of the character in order to tweak some dialogue in a certain scene to make it more effective. This method may be similar to how Pixar operates, revising scene by scene until the very end.

What type of things will Geoff Keighley, the driving force behind The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest, talk about as a regular contributor on Brain Structure?

Geoff is based on the West Coast in the U.S., but he travels all over the world and has a global presence. He has deep connections not only in the game industry, but in the movie and music industry, too. He is deeply involved with people not only on the business side of things, but also with the creators themselves. So, he will be reporting on the latest and most up-to-date news, including ongoing trends, movements, issues, and opinions that are happening in the industry right now. His report will be very valuable to the show.

It’s become clear over the years that your love of movies has greatly influenced the way you make video games and helped you develop a unique approach. When did you first realize that the creative elements of filmmaking could be applied to video games?

First, I may need to clear up some misunderstandings. My creative process is not only influenced by films, but also by books, music, art, education, and every experience in my life that I have absorbed and digested.

I started creating games in 1986. At the time, game consoles had extremely limited capabilities. There were pixel and color limitations and also no music or voices, just beeps for sounds. Animation was also very simple. Characters had no faces, expressions, voices, personalities, or even backstories. However, even in this situation, screen layout and storytelling were possible to some extent. So, in a way, it was possible to use directional techniques that I had learned from movies and novels. This is because storytelling is a primitive human activity.

After that, technology evolved, and the number of colors that could be displayed increased, the resolution became higher, and the medium became CDs, so sound, music, and video (still compressed images at the time) could be played. This was before real-time 3D. It was around this time that film and stage techniques, including sound effects, could be used effectively.

Next came 3D polygons and the ability to make use of the camerawork. This was revolutionary. Then, more improvements to the graphics and frame rates brought to life the subtle movements and performances of actors, and the important concept of lighting, which is critical in movies, was carried over to games.

To be honest, back in 1986, I had no idea that games would evolve so rapidly, but I believed that games would one day be a comprehensive art form that would surpass movies. Art is something that transcends time and place to convey something to people. It has existed with us human beings since the time when murals were painted on the walls of a cave. Creation is a reflection of the progress of mankind itself; it is a reflection of the experiences in our lives. It is with this conviction and belief that I jumped into the game industry and continue to create today.

Ready to dive into the mind of a creative mastermind? Press play below and start streaming the first episode of Hideo Kojima Presents Brain Structure.

Spotify’s New Home Feeds Make Discovering Your New Favorites Easy

August 9, 2022

Two phones displaying on a green and black graphic background

Spotify’s Home is a go-to spot to find new recommendations and revisit recent favorites. And with an upcoming update to Home, users will get a gateway to great content they will love—from tried-and-true playlists to new artists and thought-provoking podcasts.

This week, we are launching a new Home experience that includes feeds for both Music and Podcasts & Shows. The feature is currently rolling out to Android users and will soon be available on iOS. By creating these feeds, Spotify will help listeners to easily scroll through the type of content they’re looking for at that moment. The updated interface will make the experience more personalized while allowing users to dig even deeper into their recommendations.

In the Music feed, listeners will have quick access to suggestions based on their music taste, making discovering new favorites easier than ever. There will also be album and playlist recommendations as well as buttons that make it easy to share, like, and instantly play music.

In the Podcast & Shows feed, listeners will be able to head straight to new episodes of their favorite shows. They’ll also find personalized podcast recommendations. What’s more, listeners will be able to read episode descriptions, save to Your Episodes or start playing podcasts without leaving the page, so the experience all starts from one place.

The Home refresh is currently rolling out to users on Android mobile devices. iOS users can stay tuned for updates coming in the near future.

Argentina’s First Scripted Thriller, ‘Número Oculto,’ Takes Listeners on a Chilling Journey Through Time

July 28, 2022

If you received a mysterious call with information about your future, what would you do? This question serves as the premise for Número Oculto, Spotify’s latest fiction audio series, which is now available to stream.

This sci-fi thriller marks an exciting new step for Spanish-language and Latin American podcasts as the first project of its kind to be produced in Argentina. Executive-produced by Nacho Gil—who also helmed the breakout Chilean hit Caso 63—Número Oculto features the talents of Argentine screen actors Candela Vetrano, who steps into the lead role, and Peter Lanzani, who takes on the directing responsibilities. The two have starred together in various hit TV series including Chiquitas and Casi Angeles.

Número Oculto opens with Sofía, a promising young writer played by Candela, who is on her way to an important meeting when her day takes a peculiar turn: She begins receiving calls from an unknown figure who possesses a startling amount of information about not only her past, but her future. Caught between her practical plans and these strange premonitions, Sofía must decide whether to listen to the secret caller as they attempt to divert her from her appointment.

Photo of Numero Oculto protagonist Sofía, played.by Candela Vetrano

Candela Vetrano as Sofía

Time and destiny are key to Número Oculto as each of the 10 chapters narrates a race against time and a chance to change an uncertain future. It’s an experience that’s sure to leave listeners on the edge of their seats, subway benches, or wherever else they may be streaming from.

Curious about the ingredients needed to create a successful audio thriller, For the Record caught up with Nacho to discuss the creative thinking behind Número Oculto, the enduring success of Caso 63, and the impact of scripted fiction audio series on the podcasting landscape.

Are there particular qualities about the sci-fi thriller genre that work particularly well for a scripted audio series?

I think audiences in Latin America love science fiction, and there is not a lot of high-quality content being produced in that genre—mostly because of the elevated cost to produce these stories in other formats. Audio is a phenomenal space for these types of stories because it invites people to complete the story, to bring them to life and create their own version of these realities in their minds. It’s amazing to hear how different people picture the worlds that we’ve been presenting to them in audio.

Creatively speaking, were there any new ideas you were aiming to explore with Número Oculto?

We loved the idea of characters’ interacting with themselves at other points in time. Usually in these types of stories, it’s a no-go. So bringing that interaction to life was definitely exciting, but also a challenge in audio since you don’t have the visual support to know who is who.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of Número Oculto?

The idea was brought to us by Emiliano Torres and Diego Copello at K&S. “What if you could call yourself in the past?” We were immediately hooked. That was the seed of what became Número Oculto. We loved the potential for an audio drama series based on the idea of a phone conversation with oneself at another moment in time.

With the success of projects such as ***Batman Unburied, as well as your previous podcast, Caso 63*, scripted audio series are starting to hit their stride. Why do you think this format has become so popular with listeners?**

I think scripted fiction is a great alternative to novels. People are embracing both having a role in the story and experiencing immersive storytelling in a hands-free way. In Latin America, scripted fiction has allowed us to provide audiences with heroes that are like themselves. It’s pushing representation in a genre that usually features American protagonists. With Caso 63 and Número Oculto, we have Latin characters at the center of stories with global stakes.

Speaking of ***Caso 63*, what was it like to have the show reach a global level of popularity and receive multiple adaptations?**

It was very rewarding to see Caso 63 travel like it did. It was a unique moment in time in which all of humanity was living the same story, even if not a positive one. Caso 63 indirectly reflected upon what was happening at a global level. When people were looking for answers, Caso 63 not only presented an escape, but also offered an interesting take on the larger issues that got us to a global pandemic. Latin America has always been a region with incredible talent that knows how to tell universal stories. It’s great to see that happening in the audio space as well.

Número Oculto features the Argentinian TV and movie stars Peter Lanzani and Candela Vetrano. What was it like to work with such notable actors on this project?

We were thrilled to have Peter in a directing role for the first time. His work as an actor is incredible, so he can really speak to what’s needed to deliver an impactful performance. Lately he’s been doing theater and I think there is a lot of common ground with scripted audio, which he brought to the project.

photo of Numero Oculto lead actress Candela Vetrano and director Peter Lanzani

Candela Vetrano and Peter Lanzani

Candela also did an amazing job bringing to life the writer Sofía Zemanov, and their excitement about exploring the format is reflected in a unique project that is the first of its kind in Argentina. The country has a long tradition of radio theater, and Número Oculto continues that tradition with a fresh take for contemporary audiences who like serialized narratives that are more concise.

When you think about the future of scripted audio series, how do you envision its evolution?

I think we are still at the early days of the format, but an increasing number of writers are embracing it and defining the language. Projects like El Gran Apagón, Guerra 3, Quemar tu Casa, Toxicomanía, and Somos Novios, along with many others, are exploring different subgenres within scripted audio. We have been collaborating with creators that come from other mediums such as TV, film and theater, and they’re realizing that audio provides them with more creative freedom and fewer budgetary limits to bring very ambitious stories to life.

On the other side, actors are embracing the challenge of bringing characters to life only with sound and shorter production timelines in which the focus of the process is on their performance. The industry is also paying attention. We are now seeing audio series being adapted into TV shows, like Homecoming in the U.S. and El Gran Apagón in Spain. I’m very excited about the future of scripted audio series and can’t wait to see where creators take it next.

Ready to unravel the mystery of these future dispatches Sofía is receiving? Hit the play button below to start streaming Número Oculto now.

El primer thriller de ficción de Argentina, ‘Número Oculto’, lleva a los oyentes a un escalofriante viaje en el tiempo

July 28, 2022

Si recibieras una llamada misteriosa con información sobre tu futuro, ¿qué harías? Esta pregunta sirve como premisa para Número Oculto, la última audio serie de ficción de Spotify, que ya está disponible para disfrutar.

Este thriller de ciencia ficción marca un nuevo y emocionante paso para los podcasts en español y latinoamericanos como el primer proyecto de este tipo producido en Argentina. Con la producción ejecutiva de Nacho Gil, quien también tuvo una mano en el gran éxito chileno Caso 63, Número Oculto presenta el talento de los actores de pantalla argentinos Candela Vetrano, quien asume el papel principal, y Peter Lanzani, quien asume las responsabilidades de dirección. Los dos han protagonizado juntos varias series de televisión exitosas, incluidas Chiquitas y Casi Ángeles.

Número Oculto comienza con Sofía, una joven y prometedora escritora interpretada por Candela, que se dirige a una reunión importante cuando su día toma un giro peculiar: comienza a recibir llamadas de un desconocido que posee una cantidad de información sorprendente no sólo sobre su pasado, sino también de su futuro. Atrapada entre sus planes día a día y estas extrañas premoniciones, Sofía debe decidir si escucha a la llamada desconocida mientras intentan desviarla de su cita.

Candela Vetrano

El tiempo y el destino son claves en Número Oculto ya que cada uno de los 10 capítulos narra una carrera contra el tiempo y la oportunidad de cambiar un futuro incierto. Es una experiencia que seguramente dejará a los oyentes al borde de sus asientos, en los bancos del metro o en cualquier otro lugar donde lo puedan escuchar.

Curioso sobre los ingredientes necesarios para crear un thriller de audio exitoso, For the Record se reunió con Nacho Gil para hablar sobre el pensamiento creativo detrás de Número Oculto, el éxito perdurable de Caso 63 y el impacto de las series de audio de ficción con guión en el panorama de los podcasts.

¿Hay cualidades particulares sobre el género de suspenso de ciencia ficción que funcionan particularmente bien para una serie de audio con guión?

Creo que al público de América Latina le encanta la ciencia ficción y no se produce mucho contenido de alta calidad en ese género, principalmente debido al elevado costo de producir estas historias en otros formatos. El audio es un espacio fenomenal para este tipo de historias porque invita a las personas a completar la historia, a darles vida y crear su propia versión de estas realidades en sus mentes. Es sorprendente escuchar cómo diferentes personas imaginan los mundos que les hemos estado presentando en audio.

Hablando en términos de creatividad, ¿había alguna idea nueva que quisiste explorar con Número Oculto?

Nos encantó la idea de que los personajes interactúen con ellos mismos en otros momentos. Por lo general, en este tipo de historias, es medio imposible. Así que dar vida a esa interacción fue definitivamente emocionante, pero también un desafío en el audio, ya que no tienes el apoyo visual para saber quién es quién.

¿Cuál fue la inspiración detrás de la creación de Número Oculto?

La idea nos la trajeron Emiliano Torres y Diego Copello de K&S. “¿Qué pasaría si pudieras llamarte a ti mismo en el pasado?” Nos enganchamos de inmediato. Esa fue la semilla de lo que se convirtió en Número Oculto. Nos encantó el potencial de una serie dramática de audio basada en la idea de una conversación telefónica con uno mismo en otro momento.

Con el éxito de proyectos como ***Batman Unburied, así como su podcast anterior, Caso 63,* las series de audio con guión están comenzando a avanzar. ¿Por qué crees que este formato se ha vuelto tan popular entre los oyentes?**

Creo que la ficción con guión es una gran alternativa a las novelas. Las personas están adoptando tanto tener un papel en la historia como experimentar una narración inmersiva con manos libres. En América Latina, la ficción guionada nos ha permitido brindar a las audiencias héroes que son como ellos mismos. Está impulsando la representación en un género que generalmente presenta protagonistas estadounidenses. Con Caso 63 y Número Oculto, tenemos personajes latinos en el centro de historias con intereses globales.

Hablando de ***Caso 63*, ¿cómo fue la experiencia de que la audio serie alcanzara un nivel de popularidad mundial y recibiera múltiples adaptaciones?**

Fue muy gratificante ver viajar el éxito de Caso 63 como lo hizo. Fue un momento único en el tiempo en el que toda la humanidad vivió la misma historia, aunque no positiva. Caso 63 reflejaba indirectamente lo que estaba pasando a nivel global. Cuando la gente buscaba respuestas, Caso 63 no solo presentó un escape, sino que también ofreció una visión interesante de los problemas más importantes que nos llevaron a una pandemia global. América Latina siempre ha sido una región con un talento increíble que sabe contar historias universales. Es genial ver que eso también sucede en el espacio de audio.

Número Oculto presenta a las estrellas de cine y televisión argentinas Peter Lanzani y Candela Vetrano. ¿Cómo fue trabajar con actores tan notables en este proyecto?

Estuvimos encantados de tener a Peter en un papel de director por primera vez. Su trabajo como actor es increíble, por lo que realmente puede hablar de lo que se necesita para ofrecer una actuación impactante. Últimamente ha estado haciendo teatro y creo que hay muchos puntos en común con el audio guionado, que él aportó al proyecto.

Candela Vetrano y Peter Lanzani

Candela también hizo un trabajo increíble dando vida a la escritora Sofía Zemanov, y su entusiasmo por explorar el formato se refleja en un proyecto único que es el primero de su tipo en Argentina. El país tiene una larga tradición de radioteatro, y Número Oculto continúa esa tradición con una nueva versión para las audiencias contemporáneas a las que les gustan las narraciones serializadas que son más concisas.

Cuando piensas en el futuro de las audio series con guión, ¿cómo imaginas su evolución?

Creo que todavía estamos en los primeros días del formato, pero un número creciente de escritores lo están adoptando y van definiendo el lenguaje. Proyectos como El Gran Apagón, Guerra 3, Quemar Tu Casa, Toxicomanía y Somos Novios, entre muchos más, están explorando diferentes subgéneros dentro del audio guionado. Hemos estado colaborando con creadores que vienen de otros medios, como la televisión, el cine y el teatro, y se están dando cuenta de que el audio les brinda más libertad creativa y menos límites presupuestarios para dar vida a historias muy ambiciosas.

Por otro lado, los actores están aceptando el desafío de dar vida a los personajes solo con sonido y plazos de producción más cortos en los que el enfoque del proceso está en su actuación. La industria también está prestando atención. Ahora estamos viendo series de audio adaptadas a programas de televisión, como Homecoming en los EE.UU. y El Gran Apagón en España. Estoy muy entusiasmado con el futuro de las audio series con guión y no puedo esperar a ver a dónde lo llevarán los creadores a continuación.

¿Listo para descifrar el misterio de estas futuras llamadas que está recibiendo Sofía? Presione ‘play’ a continuación para comenzar a disfrutar Número Oculto, disponible gratis en Spotify.

Why You Should Follow Your Favorite Podcasts on Spotify

July 6, 2022

Purple hand holds a phone displaying podcast What's New feed on Spotify

Many podcast fans have their own personal go-to’s: tried-and-true podcasts that teach you something new, bring a smile to your face, or connect you with the world at large. Loyal listeners tune in regularly, whether a few times a month, once a week, or daily, to the shows that just click. At Spotify, we’re always working to help those dedicated fans not only continue to enjoy their favorite shows, but to find them and know about them even more simply and easily. That’s where the “Follow” button comes in.

Hitting “Follow” allows you to stay up-to-date with your shows, access them easily, and sink into the listening experience with ease. Here are three features to fall in love with:

Get notified when new episodes drop

Stay plugged in with your favorite shows and never miss a moment thanks to notifications with every new release. All you have to do is hit the bell icon at the upper-left section of the show page to get notifications on your phone every time an episode drops—whether that’s for a news show you stream daily or that biweekly podcast you simply can’t wait for.

Find it quickly in What’s New

Back in July 2021, we launched What’s New, which makes it easier than ever to catch all the latest songs and episodes from the creators you follow. Plus, it’s even updated in real time, so you know you’ll get to listen to new content just as it’s released. All in, if you’re not sure what to listen to or where to start, head to What’s New—your one-stop shop for any new content from all the podcasters and artists you follow. We’re continuing to iterate and make this feature even simpler, allowing you to jump back into your favorite shows quickly, so stay tuned.

Seamlessly search

Did you know that following a show makes it more likely to come up in your search results? That means that if there’s a show that piques your interest but you don’t have time to dive into it right that second, you can simply follow it. Then, when you go back to search that one keyword from the title that’s stuck in your memory, it’s more likely to pop up quickly. We’re constantly evolving Search with the latest technology to simplify your searches. Find out more here.

(Not really a podcast person? You can Follow your favorite artists for notifications, easy search results, and access in the What’s New Feed too!)

Discover the Pioneering Influence of Disco Singer Sylvester With Our New Podcast Series, ‘Sound Barrier’

June 22, 2022

When Jason King was a kid, his family had a compilation full of disco hits from K-tel records in their music collection. On that tape was the song “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” from the singer Sylvester. Jason—who is a musician, a nationally recognized journalist, and the Chair of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music—didn’t know much about Sylvester at the time. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if Sylvester’s signature falsetto belonged to a man or a woman. But he knew it was his favorite song on the tape.

Sound Barrier host Jason King.

As an adult, Jason’s love of this song led him to learn more about Sylvester, an openly gay Black man living in 1970s America who dressed in drag and challenged gender conventions with a fervor few other musicians possessed. Though he wasn’t a household name, Sylvester’s innovative sound and persona paved the way for countless artists—particularly LGBTQ+ artists—to express themselves freely. And this is a big reason why Jason’s appreciation for Sylvester has made its way into his journalistic and academic work.

This has set the stage for the launch of Sound Barrier, our new documentary podcast hosted by Jason that aims to explore artists who have made pioneering contributions to music and culture. Fittingly, he has turned his focus to Sylvester for season one—exploring not only the singer’s life, but also the influence Sylvester has continued to have on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists after his death.

In celebration of Black Music Month and Pride Month, For the Record caught up with Jason to talk about his journey creating Sound Barrier, Sylvester’s one-of-a-kind music career, and why Sylvester is more relevant today than ever before.

The description for Sound Barrier labels Sylvester as “a musician who is perhaps even more relevant today than in the ’70s and ’80s.” In your eyes, what makes him so relevant right now?

Sylvester is someone who was an intersectional figure before intersectionality was a buzzword. He’s somebody who was operating at the nexus of being Black and being gay and being femme when those things were still considered stigmas—they still are to some degree. But they were certainly considered stigmas at that time.

He was just unapologetically himself despite incredible pressure from his record label to be more straight and more normative. Every time he met that pressure, he pushed back and he became more himself. And so I think he’s instructive to contemporary generations of how to be yourself at all costs.

Are there any particular eras or aspects of Sylvester’s life that you’ve focused on over the course of the season?

It covers him chronologically in every aspect, but one thing we take a close look at is his musicianship. I feel like Sylvester is often celebrated for being a cultural icon, which he was, and for being a pioneer around issues of identity. But he did it through the lens of music, and he was a phenomenal musician.

I really wanted to talk about the way his career evolved over the years and to push back against the narrative that Sylvester’s best work was in the ’70s and everything that came after that was an afterthought. I think his ’80s work is some of his most creative work, particularly given that he had an AIDS diagnosis in the late ’80s and was still continuing to make really important music.

Sound Barrier features many notable LGBTQ+ artists who span multiple generations. How did you decide on these featured guests?

Well, we knew that we wanted to have scholars who really studied and thought about Sylvester’s life. So that includes Joshua Gamson, who wrote the biography of Sylvester, The Fabulous Sylvester.

We knew that we wanted to have his collaborators, his friends, and people who knew him at that time who could testify about who he was: singers like Jeanie Tracy and Martha Wash, as well as Patrick Cowley, who was an innovator with synthesizers. And then we knew that we wanted to also have the younger artists who may not have known Sylvester, who may not be vested connoisseurs necessarily, but who have been touched in some way by Sylvester’s music or his spirit.

So I reached out to people whom I felt were in Sylvester’s musical genealogy. That included Alex Newell, famous for their work on Broadway and Glee; that included Billy Porter, who I think is very outspoken about how much of a role Sylvester played in Billy’s own self-acceptance—before and after he won his Tony award for Kinky Boots; that included the vocalist and rapper Mykki Blanco, who’s maybe not directly in Sylvester’s vocal tradition but is very much influenced by Sylvester in other ways.

In reporting out season one of ***Sound Barrier*, the team managed to unearth some never-before-heard demos and interviews from Sylvester. How were you able to discover these, and what do they reveal about him?**

I thought I knew a lot about Sylvester, but I learned a lot through this series about what made him tick, his musical choices, his aesthetic, and the pressures that he faced.

And having heard Sylvester’s unreleased early 1970s demos before, I felt like one of the things I could bring to this series was to connect our team to Universal Music Group executive Harry Weinger, who has been in possession of these unheard recordings. They were produced by Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, and they’re fascinating because they capture Sylvester as a work in progress who was really figuring out who he was and how to be his most authentic self. And he did that in these first recordings.

In one of the demos, he’s singing “Superstar,” which is a song that’s incredibly famous because it’s a Leon Russell song that was performed by the Carpenters and later by Luther Vandross. Sylvester is doing maybe the first cover of it, but it’s astounding because he’s taking these baby steps to figure out how to deploy that incredible falsetto of his.

There are now so many queer artists with non-queer fan bases, and vice versa. Do you think Sylvester would be surprised by that if he were still here?

I think he would have thought that was the most normal thing possible. But he was lucky enough to come of age at a moment when there were new possibilities for out gay artists to actually achieve success on their own terms. He was someone who benefited from that change in the culture, but he also ushered in the rise of a kind of androgyny in ’70s and ’80s pop music.

There’s something in the podcast that I call the “Sylvester Effect.” When you look at the rise of artists in the ’80s like Dead Or Alive’s Pete Burns, who was definitely gender-bending, or Boy George, or somebody like Bronski Beat’s Jimmy Somerville, who had that huge hit “Smalltown Boy” about coming out and being gay, I don’t think any of that would have been possible without Sylvester.

I think he helped open up this space for people to just be themselves. But also, for greater acceptance of LGBTQIA+, artists in the ’80s who would have all kinds of fan bases. And today we have someone like Frank Ocean, who has an incredibly diverse fan base. That’s really a result of the kind of freedoms that Sylvester helped push for.

Learn more about the life and influence of Sylvester with season one of Sound Barrier.

Spotify Closes Acquisition of Findaway, a Global Leader in Audiobooks

June 16, 2022

Today, we’re excited to share that Spotify has closed the acquisition of Findaway, a global leader in digital audiobook distributions. As our CEO, Daniel Ek, said at our 2022 Investor Day last week, “We believe that audiobooks, in their many different forms, will be a massive opportunity.” Now, with Findaway officially part of the band, we are looking forward to innovating, growing, and rethinking what the audiobooks market can be—together.

Findaway works across the entire audiobook ecosystem with a platform and offerings that serve authors, publishers, and consumers. Their technology will help propel Spotify into the rapidly growing audiobooks industry with substantial market opportunity: the audiobooks market is expected to grow from $3.3 billion to $15 billion by 2027. Our global head of audiobooks, Nir Zicherman, said in his 2022 Investor Day presentation, “We believe this presents a unique opportunity to introduce music and podcast listeners around the world to audiobooks and drastically expand that market.”

In addition to offering the largest catalog of distributed titles, Findaway has actively worked to democratize audiobooks through leading technology tools that independent authors can use to publish and distribute their stories to new audiences. We plan on accelerating the growth of these tools, with the goal of scaling and expanding the audiobooks market overall.

Findaway’s technology infrastructure will enable Spotify to quickly scale its audiobook catalog and innovate on the experience for consumers, simultaneously providing new avenues for publishers and authors to reach audiences around the globe. Chapter one begins today . . .

How Gen Z Is Using Audio To Hear and Be Heard

June 14, 2022

It’s no secret that the influence of Gen Z is rapidly growing when it comes to culture, commerce, and everything in between. Whether they’re deciding the latest social media trend or the hottest new artist, these young tastemakers are the ones setting the agenda. That’s why each year, Spotify releases our Culture Next report to show how Gen Zs are shaping audio streaming and culture at large—and to explain what that means for advertisers on Spotify.

For the 2022 Culture Next report, we interviewed dozens of Gen Zs around the world—and surveyed thousands more—to identify the most influential audio trends that the world should take notice of. From there, we pulled together the five main takeaways (which you can find in our full report). But we realized that these play into a bigger, overarching idea: Gen Z is blurring the line between creation and consumption.

Redefining the boundaries of creation

While this idea is unfolding in many ways, it’s especially relevant to the relationship between creators and their fans. What was once a dynamic built around a one-way broadcast is now an interactive, two-way exchange.

On Spotify and Anchor, for example, the recent addition of polls and Q&As allow listeners to instantly weigh in on topics discussed in new episodes. And thanks to the emergence of platforms such as Discord, Twitch, and TikTok, Gen Z creators are hearing from fans as much as fans hear from creators. In fact, 47% of Gen Zs said they’ve joined a digital community, such as a subreddit or Discord, for fans of a particular creator.

And Gen Zs aren’t just using these digital spaces to get the latest info on their favorite stars. When it comes to up-and-coming stars in particular, fans in these communities are using these platforms to hang out with other fans, as well as with creators themselves.

“We’re all just kind of homies” is how 21-year-old singer-songwriter Dreamer Isioma put it.

Emotional-support podcasts

But Gen Z musical acts aren’t the only ones forging these intimate bonds with their fans. The world of podcasting now has its own stable of celebrity hosts, and highly engaged fans are cultivating communities around them. And this interactivity isn’t just serving as an effective way for creators to better reach their audiences—it’s fundamentally changing the way listeners relate to the content they’re consuming. Comparing Q1 2022 to the year prior, we’ve seen an approximate 40% increase in average podcast listenership among Gen Zs on Spotify.

And podcasts in particular have become more than just entertainment for Gen Z. They’ve become a form of content Gen Z can turn to for perspective and understanding as they tackle the increasingly complex issues they’re facing in their lives. Gen Z creators are finding themselves surrounded by a loyal base of fans who are using these podcasts as a form of support. Mental Health, Gen Z’s top podcast genre, experienced a roughly 62% increase in streams among Gen Zs in Q1 2022 compared to the year before.

Keeping it real

To better understand what makes podcasting such an appealing format for Gen Z to process ideas and topics that might be controversial (or even taboo), For the Record sat down with Kayla Suarez, cohost of Teenager Therapy, to hear her insights on the roles that honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability play in building lasting audiences and communities among Gen Z listeners.

One of the defining traits of Gen Z content creators seems to be how interactive they are with their community—much more so than previous generations. In your eyes, what has led to this dynamic?

I think with Gen Z, there is such a sense of community, especially online. People can just find groups of people, or podcasts, or even brands that have similar interests. With Teenager Therapy, we’re advocating for mental health and being authentic and vulnerable. And with that comes being honest with our audience and establishing that foundation of trust and honesty. We want to get to know them and then get them to trust us and know that we’re not experts or therapists, but we are going through the same experiences as them.

I think Gen Z really values that because I think nowadays it’s easy to see if a brand is just doing something just as a facade or if they’re being really honest. And so I think if, you know, a brand or company is just transparent about that, it goes a long way.

We noticed that Teenager Therapy was created with Anchor. Were there any features that attracted you to it, or are there any ways you use it to engage your fans?

Gael was the one who figured that out, but I remember him mentioning that Anchor seemed to be the most efficient way to upload a podcast. It also didn’t cost anything, which was a big factor. And recently, Spotify put an option to ask questions or put polls at the end, which we’ve been using. For example, the last time we were talking about cheating in relationships, we put a question: “Do you consider this to be cheating or not cheating?” It’s just little ways to engage our listeners.

What is it about podcasting as a format that allows for these conversations to unfold in an honest way?

Our audience is very open minded, and they’ve built a comfortable space for us to talk about topics that need to be discussed, even if they’re uncomfortable. We always just advocate for being respectful toward each other, regardless of differing viewpoints. I think just acknowledging that not everybody’s going to be correct and encouraging people to have an open mind play a huge role.

I also feel like the fans are very comfortable with this form of media. The hosts are right in your ear, and it feels like you’re just in the conversation with them in a very safe environment. I feel like that really resonates with Gen Z because a lot of us do feel lonely and stressed at times, and we don’t always feel like we can go to certain people for that.

Going back to the idea of how Gen Z creators build relationships with their communities, do you have any favorite ways of interacting with your listeners?

We use platforms such as Instagram and Discord to ask our listeners questions. And Spotify Live is one of my personal favorite things to use because it brings together our listeners in the same room. It’s a very intimate setting where it feels like I can basically just say anything. And for the most part, it’s a lot of our regular listeners who come on stage to talk about their problems. It’s really nice to be able to put a voice to our listeners’ names, especially if they’ve been there for so long.

Have there been any episodes or moments from Teenager Therapy that felt particularly impactful?

One of the more impactful episodes that I remember was when I was about to start college. I was talking about some of the feelings of guilt I was experiencing over leaving home, especially being from a first-generation family. I wasn’t sure how people would react to it because I hadn’t really found a group of people that had really shared that feeling.

It ended up getting a lot of attention from a lot of people feeling the same way. It felt nice knowing I wasn’t the only one struggling with the transition to college. We even had people giving advice, which was really impactful for me because it was something that I had been struggling with for a long time and still struggle with a little bit.

Take a deeper dive

While the evolving boundaries between creator and consumer is definitely a theme to keep an eye on when it comes to Gen Z, it’s just one part of the Culture Next 2022 report.

We’ve also dug up insights and findings on how Gen Zs use audio streaming to help shape their identities, how they’re embracing nostalgia in their own unique way, and how they’re using Spotify to express themselves. And while this report was created with advertisers in mind, we think everyone can learn a few things from these trends.

To get the entire scoop on how this rising generation is transforming culture in real time, be sure to check out the full Culture Next report here.

10 Tips for Gen Z Podcast Creators

May 27, 2022

Cam Kirkham, Chloe Vardy, Rhyanna Coleman, and Jonny Mounsor speaking at the podcast show

Making a podcast isn’t as daunting as it used to be. With easy-to-use editing tools like Anchor and 120 million podcast listeners in the U.S. alone, there’s never been a better time for passionate creators of any age to start a podcast.

Cam Kirkham and Chloe Vardy, the hosts of the Spotify Original podcast TMI with Cam and Chloe, are the experts when it comes to creating a podcast that captivates younger audiences. On their show, the couple weighs in on the conversations and questions Gen Zers have but are too embarrassed to ask their friends. So May 26 at The Podcast Show in London, the duo joined Spotify Executive Producer Rhyanna Coleman and Spotify Creator Partnerships Manager Jonny Mounsor for a conversation about their experience building a hit podcast and the podcasting trends that resonate with young audiences.

Following that talk, For the Record had the chance to pick the brains of the four podcast experts on ways Gen Z creators can build a successful podcast. Below are their top-10 tips to help your show stand out from the crowd.

Be your authentic self.

Lots of people might be able to host a show or format, but your unique selling point is that you are unique. Being honest and presenting your truest self will help your audience connect with you.

Don’t be afraid to stray from the norm.

Just because someone’s format, style, or duration works for them, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best fit for you. Experiment with some new and different ways of doing things to find what suits you best. Not every podcast has to be an hour long!

Consider adding video to your podcast using Anchor.

People are consuming podcasts in lots of different ways now, and young audiences have become accustomed to watching podcasts—so why not cater to that audience? Allow people to connect with your show however they love to listen.

Utilize your existing channels to build your podcast brand.

Podcasting is way more than just an audio file. You should be building around the podcast with other great ways for your audience to get involved. That could be Instagram, Reddit, bonus content—whatever it is for you, make sure you’re thinking about the whole brand.

Look for the gaps in the market.

With millions of podcasts now available on Spotify, it’s really important to stand out and have a niche in order to increase your discoverability.

Be consistent with releases (whether always-on or seasonal).

Building listener habits is so critical in podcasting. You want your audience to know which days your episodes are released and be waiting for that content to drop!

Make sure you prep and research ahead of recording.

Preparing topics, doing research for guest interviews, and planning special features and segments in advance will have positive results on your output.

Focus on the best-quality audio and recording equipment available to you.

You don’t necessarily need to have the most expensive equipment to achieve good audio quality. Your audio may not sound like a studio from the very start, but take the time to learn how to make it sound as good as it possibly can. Poor audio quality is one of the biggest reasons people choose not to listen to a podcast.

Define your ideal listener.

Don’t forget that the most important part of your podcast is your audience. It’s really important to know exactly who it is that you’re speaking to when you’re recording, as this will help you tailor the content to ensure it’s exactly what they want.

Be proactive in promoting your podcast.

Nobody will talk about your podcast unless you do! With word of mouth representing 25% of all discoverability in podcasting, you want to shout about your podcast at every opportunity. There are more tools than ever to help promote your shows, so don’t ignore any of them.

Now that you have some tips, you’re ready to get started. Head over to Anchor to get access to all the tools you need to create, distribute, and monetize your podcast. And in the meantime, hear more from Cam and Chloe in the latest episode of their podcast below.

Ford CEO Jim Farley Launches New Podcast ‘DRIVE’ featuring Jimmy Kimmel and Dax Shepard

May 19, 2022

Cover art for podcast DRIVE with Jim Farley

It’s hardly a surprise that Ford CEO Jim Farley is a car guy. As a kid he was nicknamed Jimmy Car Car—a moniker that follows him to this day—and there’s hardly a moment when Jim isn’t talking about cars.

But he now has a new claim to fame: He’s the host of a new podcast called DRIVE premiering May 25. Jim is stepping behind the mic to interview friends, comedians, and fellow auto enthusiasts about the ways cars unite us all.

In anticipation of DRIVE’s premiere, For the Record caught up with Jim to find out what attracted him to podcasting, the passion that exists around car culture, and what he’s learned along the way.

What led you to do a podcast in the first place?

I’ve been passionate about cars basically my entire life, and the podcast was a chance to connect with others about our mutual love for the things that get us around. Having these conversations helps me recharge my batteries and connect with my love for cars outside of business.

Drive is a show about passion and what drives you, through the lens of cars. Why did you choose podcast as a medium for this conversation?

It seemed like the best platform to capture a full conversation. I learn by talking to people, and sometimes you need a solid block of time to dig deep with someone.

Your podcast guests include Dax Shepard, Jimmy Kimmel, The Duke of Richmond, and Patrice Banks. How did you decide on those individuals? What made their stories speak to you?

Each of my guests fascinates me in different ways. I wanted to talk with people from different walks of life who also shared a love of cars. When we first started, we had a big list of people we wanted to talk to and just narrowed it down over time.

There are so many different ways to be passionate about cars—driving, collecting, racing, fixing, general trivia—what do you think makes them such a beloved item and symbol for people?

Everyone has a story in their life that’s linked to a car. You don’t have to be a car collector or auto exec to connect through these stories. People are passionate about vehicles. Yes, they can physically take you from point A to point B, but what happens on these journeys is often what you remember.

What have you learned since creating and hosting this podcast?

Well first, I learned how to host a podcast! When I first started, I wasn’t all that good. But I got better. And I’m extremely grateful to my guests like Dax and Jimmy, who were gracious with their time and advice about how to do this.

Second, in talking to some really inspiring people, I learned that almost none of them had a sense of destiny that they’d find success or be great. All of them had doubts, failures, and adversities. It was humbling, and a reminder that what matters is the sense of purpose and passion to do what you love and do it well, not the sense that everything will work out.

What is your go-to song or podcast for listening in the car?

Whatever my kids want to listen to! They are in charge!

What drives you, personally?

A duty to my family and my grandfather, who was employee #389 at Ford. I truly believe Ford can help make the world a better place, and that’s a legacy I’m willing to sacrifice for.

Curious what you can expect once DRIVE premieres? Find out by listening to the trailer below.

The Eyes and Ears Behind Spotify’s New Podcast Editorial Submission Form

May 11, 2022

A phone displaying spotify's podcast "editor picks" on front of a blue background

Every day, members of Spotify’s Podcast Editorial team curate selections of their favorite podcasts across genres like true crime and sports, interests like television and music, and impactful topics like gender equity and finding community. And with a constant flow of new podcasts for the team to wade through, there’s always plenty to choose from—which also means it’s possible that the next great podcast could slide through the cracks.

To help better find, review, and amplify the latest, greatest, and most diverse indie podcasts, the Podcast Editorial team recently opened up an editorial submission form for the U.S. podcasting community. Each applicant will be considered for their editorial features, with the aim of highlighting a wide range of formats (including video podcasts), backgrounds, and experience levels. And if you do get an editorial feature, you’ll have earned a coveted spot as one of Spotify’s featured podcasts across one of our community destinations or in our New Releases section. Read more about how to get your podcast featured on Spotify.

Spotify Head of Editorial Carmen Dukes and Podcast Programming Lead Isabella Way are two of the many individuals who have brought this tool to life, and they help spearhead the team that will be listening to each and every podcast. For the Record asked them to tell us more about the importance and potential impact of the editorial submission form.

How does this new tool help listeners find even more podcasts to love?

Carmen: We believe that listening is for everyone, and no matter what you love, there is a podcast for you. By creating this submission tool, we’re hoping to amplify this idea by going beyond genre to find cool stories—on the obscure, the fringe, the funny, the playful, the inspirational, and everything in between. Ultimately, this is about recognizing the full breadth of human storytelling beyond the traditional and well-known podcasts and turning up the volume on more voices.

We know that listeners listen to podcasts for a sense of belonging, to learn, and to be a part of something bigger. We want to help them discover new creators and new shows that match their identity, tastes, and interests by better connecting them more with all the great podcasts that are uploaded to Spotify every day.

Why is it so important to use tools like this to surface these indie creators?

Isabella: Many creators don’t have money for marketing or know someone who knows someone, so we want to use this tool to give voice to all creators and give them a place where they can be featured, celebrated, and grow their audiences. Indie podcasting by nature is a passion project. Creators make their podcasts from their closets with little money, but they want to say something, tell a story, or make someone laugh—or all of the above—so what’s better than helping these creators shine some light on their work? The more listeners and fans, the more these podcasters can make and start to see in exchange for their work.

How does this tool help make podcast discovery easier for the listener?

Isabella: Podcast discovery is hard, even for our team sometimes, and finding the podcasts that interest you can be a mystery. We want to make this discovery process easier, especially in finding podcasts from communities and voices that you may relate to or want to hear from. It’s easy to hear and know about the big, power-player podcasts, but maybe that’s not your thing. Our goal with the submission form is to help fans find their new favorite podcast and feel like they were in it from the very beginning of the fandom.

How has Spotify been growing our Podcast Editorial team in order to support this initiative?

Carmen: Our editorial strategy is called Community Made Here. We seek to cultivate a sense of belonging and community between listeners and creators through our editorial curations. In order to do that, it was important that I build (and continue to build) a team that represents the diversity of our listeners and our creators. My team is amazing and they are so passionate about serving their listeners—this starts with empathy, understanding, and being empowered to share their own fandoms and passions with others. I believe that people care about people not things, and at the core of our work is a relentless focus on connecting humans to humans through shared experiences, shared joy, and shared ambitions.

Why are you personally excited for this new offering?

Isabella: Being an Asian American who grew up in Laramie, Wyoming, I felt othered and different, and I found that I often did not connect with some mainstream stories—as much as I really wanted to fit in. I really love that podcasting as a storytelling medium carries a low barrier to entry to allow for so many different types of people.

I’ve been working on getting this out to creators for the last eight months and am really thrilled that we have already received so many submissions. There are millions of podcasts out there, and we want to identify and surface creators doing great work. We will review every submission that comes in to give everyone an equal chance to be heard.

Carmen: Joy sharing is contagious, aspirational, and necessary work. To me, creating a podcast is a mode of joy sharing, and we’re happy to dedicate more space on Spotify to indie creators who subscribe to that idea. This is an opportunity for an indie creator to be recognized for their storytelling and creativity.

Like what you hear? Submit your podcast with the new editorial submission form, then come chat with the U.S. Podcast Editorial team and Anchor creators on the Spotify Podcasts Discord.