The Emergence of Podcasting in 2020

2020 has been a transformational year for many industries. For media and content creators, pivoting strategies is nothing new. With the emergence of OTT and other cord-cutting methods, television networks, movie theaters, and even traditional radio have been shifting for at least a decade.

With consumers demanding more content quicker, podcasting is taking over earbuds and smart speakers everywhere. Not surprisingly, podcast listening rose during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Seventy-five percent of Americans know about podcasts, according to Edison Research. Digging deeper into the numbers, about 104 million Americans listen to podcasts monthly -- with the average listener streaming at least five hours of podcast content a week.  

While there may be close to 1.5 million podcasts out there, not all of them are in production. Don’t let that discourage you from joining the podcasting revolution. Podcasting is one of the best ways to get your business message out there, no matter your niche.   

Why should you believe me? 

2020 will go in the books as one of the best ever for C-Suite Radio, the world’s only business podcast network. We saw record downloads across our podcast network, made up of 250 different business-centric shows. C-Suite radio is in the “blade” of the proverbial hockey stick of growth.

Even my personal podcast, All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett, saw incredible growth -- our downloads grew 541% (!) year over year. Part of it came because of my team’s idea to begin “live casting” the show across LinkedIn and Facebook. We also hosted some great guests, giving our audience great insights on business, leadership, and all things c-suite from those in the know.

Here are some of the most downloaded episodes throughout the year – even before the pandemic. 

10. Julie Roehm – Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Party City

Julie was a featured speaker at C-Suite Network High Stakes Leadership Forum back in April. We were planning to host this event in Las Vegas, but the pandemic forced us to hold it online! 

Party City was one of many businesses forced to pivot because of COVID, including the c-suite.  

Most of the senior management were fresh into their new positions when the corporate office shut down. Julie said this helped leadership get creative.  

9. Carey Lohrenz – First U.S. Navy female F-14 Tomcat pilot 

Carey spoke during our C-Suite Network Battleship Forum in June -- another event we were supposed to hold on location before shifting online. She made history in the early 1990s as the first woman to fly a Navy F-14 Tomcat. During our talk, Carey shared fundamental principles she learned in the cockpit that could be applied to the business world. She talked about why it’s OK to feel fear and why debriefs are essential to every organization.  

8. Alyssa Rapp – CEO, Surgical Solutions and Author, Leadership & Life Hacks 

 Alyssa Rapp is a CEO, accomplished businesswoman, and best-selling author. While Alyssa and I spoke months before the pandemic hit, our conversation's overarching theme revolved around, aptly enough, pivoting. Alyssa is an expert in changing business models on the fly. She also offered a theory on who survives tough economic times and becoming lean carnivores. If you want to find out what she meant, listen to the episode. 

7. Mike Abrashoff – Retired Naval Commander, NY Times Best-Selling Author 

 Mike was another featured speaker from June’s C-Suite Network Online Battleship Forum. Mike is a best-selling author and former Naval commander best known for turning around the worst ship in the U.S. Navy to the best using the same crew. During this podcast, Mike shares his secrets and leaves the audience with the traits he thinks all great should have. 

6. Gender Parity Gap Digital Discussion

There are many tremendous female leaders in business and public service. The C-Suite Network hosted several in a special Digital Discussion to honor the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, giving most women the right to vote. The discussion focused on gender parity in the workplace. The panel included: 

• Barbara Franklin – President & CEO, Barbara Franklin Enterprises, 29th U.S. Secretary of Commerce 
• Melyssa Barrett – Vice President, Visa, Vice President/General Manager Jali Enterprises, Co-Chair, C-Suite Network’s Diversity Council 
• Evelyn Sanguinetti – Executive Director, HOPE Fair Housing Center & Former Illinois Lieutenant Governor 

 5. Pat Iyer – Ghostwriter, Editor, C-Suite Network Advisor 

 While Pat started her career as a nurse, she’s pivoted to becoming a book writing coach. Pat also authored or helped write 49 books as a ghostwriter. During our discussion, Pat and I compare notes on our very different writing processes -- she thinks mine is kind of crazy. Pat says many of us have a book trapped inside of us but don’t know how to get started. If that’s you, don’t miss our conversation. 

 4. Arianna Huffington – Founder, Thrive Global 

Arianna Huffington almost needs no introduction. She’s a best-selling author, TV personality, namesake of The Huffington Post, and founder of Thrive Global. Arianna’s latest project stresses the importance of sleep and for everyone to take care of themselves in the chaotic world we live in. While there wasn’t much “pillow talk” during our conversation, Arianna and I addressed the behaviors that are killing us and what silver linings will come out of the pandemic.  

3. Jim Rowley – CEO, Crunch Fitness 

Jim was another guest from the C-Suite Network High Stakes Leadership Forum. He is the CEO of Crunch Fitness and a former U.S. Marine, who served during the Persian Gulf War, and a 27-year veteran of the fitness industry. Despite his Marine Corps demeanor, Jim assured me he’s “not a hard ass all the time” and left our audience with some inspiring leadership lessons during the pandemic and beyond. 

2. Andrew Zimmern – James Beard Award-Winning Personality, Chef, and Activist 

We’ve all seen Andrew Zimmern on TV eating some truly strange foods, but there’s more to this TV chef than eating. Andrew is on a mission to bring to light the food insecurities many Americans face and the inequalities in our food supply chain. He says there are genuinely two food Americas, and COVID-19 is making that more apparent than ever. My conversation with Andrew was enlightening and gave a different perspective on how we think about food. He also told me what he wouldn’t eat – and, spoiler alert, it wasn’t all that bizarre. 

1. Anthony Scaramucci – Founder & Co-Managing Partner, SkyBridge Capital 

 Since 2020 was the most politically-charged year in recent memory, I wasn’t surprised that “The Mooch” was the most listened to All Business episode of the year. Most people remember Anthony Scaramucci as the one-time White House Communications Director under President Donald Trump. He may have only lasted 11 days in the job, but he continues to be a go-to for quotes on the Trump Administration. The Mooch didn’t pull any punches in this interview, and it shows. 

While we had a great 2020, we’re looking forward to an even bigger 2021! My team is continually coming up with the guests and content you need to become the most strategic person in any room, including the Zoom room.  

Don’t forget to turn up the volume on business and here’s to a great 2021. Cheers!