Women are shaping the future of podcasting, but the industry still isn’t built for us.
In episode 303 of Gratitude Geek, I’m joined by Amy Stone, host of Imperfect Adulting, for a candid conversation about women in podcasting, where we actually stand right now, and what needs to change as we head toward 2026.
From representation and revenue to power, permission, and platform control, this episode pulls the curtain back on the realities women podcasters are navigating today.
If you’re building something in a system that wasn’t designed with you in mind, you’re not alone. Inside Gratitude Geek Lab, we experiment, build in public, and create sustainable paths forward for Gen X women solopreneurs who are done waiting for permission.
This conversation felt urgent. Professionally, I’ve been watching consolidation, layoffs, and platform shifts quietly reshape podcasting in ways that disproportionately affect women.
Personally, I know there’s technically nothing stopping women from creating, and I also see how often we’re still expected to play by rules we didn’t write.
Talking it through with Amy, someone who understands both the creative and cultural layers of this work, brought clarity and conviction about what comes next.
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What This Episode Is About
Episode 303 explores the current state of women in podcasting and what’s coming next as the industry moves toward 2026.
Amy Stone and I unpack why women remain underrepresented as podcast hosts despite higher engagement, stronger download numbers, and better monetization outcomes.
The conversation speaks directly to women creators and solopreneurs who feel the tension between opportunity and visibility in a rapidly consolidating media landscape.
Listeners will walk away with clearer insight into industry power dynamics, emerging trends, and how women can build sustainable platforms without waiting for permission.
Key Takeaways
Women are driving podcast growth, but not controlling the infrastructure.
Even with higher engagement and monetization, women are still underrepresented as hosts, executives, and decision-makers in podcasting. Visibility hasn’t caught up to impact.
Podcasting is easier to start, but harder to sustain alone.
The tools are more accessible than ever, yet consolidation, platform shifts, and rising costs make long-term sustainability tougher for indie creators without collaboration or networks.
“Bro marketing” still dominates, and it actively repels women audiences.
Many pitches, platforms, and communities are built around assumptions that don’t match how women build trust, tell stories, or make decisions.
Community and collaboration are becoming survival strategies, not bonuses.
Small networks, collectives, and shared platforms are emerging as viable alternatives to going it alone in an increasingly crowded and noisy industry.
The future belongs to creators who build in public and build together.
Transparency, verification, and showing the real process—not just the polished outcome—are becoming powerful differentiators for women creators heading into 2026.
Episode Breakdown
- 00:00 – Live Stream Blooper & Intro
- 02:30 – What Changed in Podcasting Since 2016
- 05:30 – Women in Podcasting: Stats That Matter
- 10:00 – Why Women Need to Book More Women
- 15:00 – Bro Marketing and Gendered Pitches
- 19:00 – Power, Culture, and Who Gets to Talk
- 26:00 – The Business of Podcasting in 2025
- 33:00 – Podcast Predictions for 2026
- 41:00 – What Gen X Women Podcasters Can Do Now
Meet Amy Stone
Amy Stone is the host of The Art of Imperfect Adulting and a longtime podcaster who explores how life’s choices, transitions, and disruptions shape who we become.
With a background in coaching and years of experience in podcasting, Amy is known for thoughtful, honest conversations about change, resilience, and building a life that actually fits.
“We need to be okay with the fact that we’re going to be building our own tables in our own rooms.”
Amy Stone
Connect with Amy
- Website: Amy Says So
- Podcast: The Art of Imperfect Adulting
Resources Mentioned
- Edison Research – Podcast listener demographics and industry data
- Podchaser – Podcast host demographics and industry insights
- Sounds Profitable – Podcast monetization, CPM, and advertiser research
- Acast – Creator reports and podcast industry trends
- Spotify for Podcasters – Podcast growth and creator insights
Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. No added cost to you.
Your Turn
What resonated with you in this conversation? Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram or LinkedIn. Prefer to keep it on the blog? Drop a comment below.
Final Thoughts
Women are making huge strides in podcasting and much of the real power is still up for grabs.
This conversation reinforced why my work is centered on Gen X women solopreneurs who are done waiting for permission and ready to build platforms on their own terms.
If there’s one practical takeaway, it’s this: clarity and momentum come faster when you stop trying to fit into existing rooms and start intentionally creating spaces that actually support you.
Support the Show
If this episode brought you value, here’s how you can help:
- Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Goodpods
- Share this episode with a friend who’s rebuilding her business after disruption.
- Want to be a guest? Send me a message on Podmatch.
- Support the podcast financially – every bit helps to keep the mics on.
This episode of Gratitude Geek Podcast is made possible by listeners like you! Thank you!
If this conversation lit something up for you, don’t let it fade into “that was interesting.”
Gratitude Geek Lab is where Gen X women solopreneurs stop circling the same ideas and start building real momentum. It’s a space to experiment, collaborate, and grow businesses rooted in clarity, connection, and zero performative nonsense.
Join us inside the Lab and start creating on your terms, with people who actually get it.
Stay Groovy!
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