I Love Podcast Conventions — And That’s Why I Don’t Go

Podcasting, Access, and the Indie Reality Series Premise

Join me in this adventure into discussing podcasting, access and the indie reality. Podcasting was built on openness and DIY creativity—but the modern podcast ecosystem increasingly favors those with money, access, and proximity to industry hubs. This series explores why that matters, how it impacts creators, and why sustainable indie podcasting still works without playing the industry’s game.

I love the idea of podcast conventions.

On paper, they sound perfect: a room full of creators, storytellers, producers, and audio nerds swapping notes, learning new skills, and leaving energized to make better shows. That’s the promise. That’s the marketing. That’s the highlight reel.

If podcasting is about community, creativity, and shared experience, then conventions should be the physical embodiment of that.

But for many independent podcasters, podcast conventions aren’t really built for us anymore. They’re built for the top tier—the networks, the agencies, the platforms, the advertisers, and the people who can expense the trip without blinking.

Podcasting is supposed to be open.
Podcast conventions increasingly are not.

And that tension—between what podcasting is and what its conference ecosystem has become—is why I don’t attend.

Not because I don’t care.
Because access matters.

The Promise vs. the Reality

Podcast conventions sell the dream well. Community. Learning. Networking. Inspiration. The chance to finally meet people you’ve only known through RSS feeds and social media avatars.

That’s not fake. Those things do exist at these events.

But there’s a growing gap between the intent of podcast conventions and the experience of independent creators who operate without corporate backing, large budgets, or built-in industry access.

The further podcasting moves toward big business, the more its conferences follow suit—mirroring the structures, locations, and pricing models of the media industry rather than the creator culture that built the medium in the first place.

Podcasting Was Built by Outsiders

Podcasting didn’t start in boardrooms.
It started in bedrooms, basements, dorm rooms, and garages.

It was built by people figuring it out as they went—using what they had, learning by doing, and sharing what worked with others. No gatekeepers. No permission slips. No velvet ropes.

That DIY energy is still alive. You see it every day in indie shows that stick around because the creators care enough to keep going.

But when the physical gathering spaces of podcasting start to feel exclusive—financially, geographically, or culturally—it creates a disconnect that’s hard to ignore.

It’s like being told you’re part of the band… but you’re not allowed backstage.

This Isn’t an Anti-Conference Rant

Let me be clear: this isn’t about hating podcast conventions.

They can be inspiring. They can be valuable. They can absolutely help people who are positioned to take advantage of what they offer.

This is about recognizing that interest and access are not the same thing.

A lot of indie podcasters want to attend. They just can’t justify the cost, the travel, or the trade-offs required to do so.

And that’s where the conversation actually needs to start.

🎙️ Join the Conversation

Have you ever wanted to attend a podcast conference—but decided it wasn’t worth the cost, distance, or disruption?

In the next post, we’ll break down the real cost of podcast conferences—and why the ticket price is only the beginning.