Podcast predictions for 2026 are already taking shape. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Amy Stone dive into the trends that matter most for women podcasters, especially Gen X women building sustainable, story‑driven shows.

They unpack fresh data about women‑hosted podcasts, CPMs, and listener growth, then connect it to real‑world decisions about ads, networks, YouTube SEO, and how to book (and be) better guests in 2026.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why women‑hosted shows make up a minority of podcasts but over‑index on downloads and ad revenue.
• How Gen X women have become one of the fastest‑growing podcast listener groups—and what that means for your content and offers.
• What’s changed in podcasting since 2016, from indie hosting and RSS to celebrity shows, video, and “is this even a podcast?” confusion.
• How bro marketing, culture, and power dynamics shape who gets booked, who gets paid, and who gets heard.
• Our podcast predictions for 2026: new creators, shifting CPMs, Substack / algorithm fatigue, SEO vs schema, and authenticity / verification tools.
• Practical moves Gen X women podcasters can make now: booking more women, using networks and directories wisely, and building collaborative communities instead of going it alone.

About our guest

Amy Stone is the host of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, an interview‑style podcast where she shares real turning‑point stories and practical strategies for navigating adult life with more honesty and less perfectionism.

Links & resources

• Full episode show notes: KandasRodarte.com/303
• Listen to Amy’s show: The Art of Imperfect Adulting
• Explore Gratitude Geek Lab: KandasRodarte.com/lab

If this episode resonates

• Follow Gratitude Geek in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
• Share this conversation with a Gen X woman podcaster who is ready to grow her show in 2026.
• Leave a quick rating or review to help more women find the show.

Chapters

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

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