Podcasts have hit the big time this year, providing company to millions in lockdown. Chanté Joseph speaks to the people who make them – and the fans who can’t switch off
This year took a lot from us: birthdays, holidays, time with friends and family. Too many social interactions took place in tiny pixelated squares, where meetups started with the ceremonial: “Can you hear me? Is the mic on? Oh you’ve frozen. Oh wait, no, I’ve frozen.” Jittery wifi and pregnant pauses caused by weak connections made the steady, comforting flow of conversation more trouble than it was worth in many cases.
Technology slowly became exasperating, trying to catch up with friends a chore. So it’s unsurprising that podcast consumption on Spotify doubled between March and July. During the course of this year’s first pandemic lockdown, podcasts provided an uninterrupted flow of voices and company that helped us feel less lonely. When we really needed them, storytellers and newsmakers were there to accompany us at the touch of a button.
