By Lauren Hyland
“I don’t believe in dinosaurs … What makes a dinosaur a dinosaur is extinction.” One of the many infamous ideas discussed on the podcast “You Should Know.” With over 770k YouTube subscribers and a 4.9-star rating on Spotify, this podcast consists of two men with microphones, making it one of the hundreds with similar formatting.
Podcasts have exploded in popularity over the past decade. The allure of podcasting is often due to passion for having your voice heard, or the ease of the media form compared to others. Although podcasting can be a powerful tool for sharing knowledge and amplifying community voices, not everyone needs a podcast — and more importantly, not everyone should have one.
At its core, a podcast is a series of audio episodes designed to inform, entertain or inspire listeners. The beauty of podcasting lies in its accessibility. Anyone with a smartphone and internet connection can start one. But, therein lies the problem. The lack of barriers to entry has created an overwhelming flood of content, much of which lacks substance, research or purpose beyond the pursuit of fame.
Outrageous podcasts have carved out their own niche in the industry, often gaining traction by shocking listeners with provocative or downright absurd ideas. Take Flat Earth Files, where hosts question centuries of scientific conclusions and push conspiracy theories with little to no factual basis. Or consider The Joe Rogan Experience, which, while immensely popular, has been criticized for platforming controversial figures and spreading misinformation under the guise of open dialogue.
These podcasts often position themselves as platforms for free thought. Yet in reality, many of them contribute to the spread of harmful narratives, creating doubt in established knowledge and fostering mistrust in its credibility. When podcasters lack accountability, it’s easy for misinformation to hide as truth, and listeners can be led astray by charismatic hosts who sound convincing but have no credible expertise.
One of the most concerning aspects of this phenomenon is the sheer volume of low-quality content. Many podcasts are conversations between friends with little preparation or depth. While casual conversational podcasts can be enjoyable, they often lack the research and preparation needed to provide meaningful insights.
So, why shouldn’t you start a podcast? Because creating something worthwhile requires more than just plugging in a microphone and hitting record. It demands time, effort and a genuine desire to provide value to your audience. If your podcast exists purely to hear yourself talk, to vent about personal frustrations or to share uninformed opinions, then you’re contributing to the saturation problem rather than solving it.
And, why shouldn’t you listen to every podcast that pops up in your feed? Because your time is valuable, and not all content is created equal. Listening to podcasts that lack substance can lead to wasted hours and, worse, the uncritical acceptance of ideas that don’t hold up to scrutiny. Just because someone has a platform doesn’t mean they deserve your attention.
Before listening, question: is this podcast contributing to meaningful conversations, or is it just adding to the noise?
