Students utilize podcasts as form of self expression, entertainment

Podcasts are digital audio files that users can stream or download and listen to. Popular platforms, like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, allow individuals to listen to their chosen podcasts.

The State News podcast coordinator Taylor Ochoa said podcasts are a type of entertainment that varies from creator to creator.

“Podcasts are just a form of audio entertainment… they can be informational as well, and even artistic,” Ochoa said. “Podcasts can be one person, but I feel like a lot of them are more conversational, like two people, and they can be regular appearances, like two co-hosts talking, or it can be a regular host and they bring in different people to interview. They’re just kind of a medium that’s purely audio that you can take anywhere you go.”

Recently podcasts have been increasing in popularity in terms of audience listening, according to “The Infinite Dial” report conducted by Edison Research.

As of March 28, 2024, the overall percentage of podcast listening has increased. Of the U.S. population, ages 12 and up, 47% have listened to a podcast in the last month, according to the report. This percentage was a 12% increase from the previous year. 

On the other side of the mic, podcasts can create opportunities for individuals to create a platform to voice their opinions.

For Michigan State University students like journalism junior Joseph Des Vergnes, host of The Joe Dez Hour, said he chose to create his own podcast because of the form’s originality. He seized the opportunity to make something of his own, outside of the competitive job market.

“I think a big appeal for podcasts, at least for me, was the fact that it gives you something that’s actually yours,” Des Vergnes said. “I wanted something that would give me my own passion project to work on, and give me a sense of worth outside of what a corporation tells me.”

Economics senior Aryaman Khosla said students may choose to create podcasts to showcase a niche interest.

“It’s a great way to kind of display your skills or knowledge of a topic,” Khosla said.

Khosla became interested in trying out the podcasting because of his desire to delve deeper into his topics of interest, exploring details and specifics that casual fans may not know.

“I’ve dabbled in starting a music podcast and a sports podcast,” Khosla said. “My intention of that is, I got one or two of my buddies who were also very sports-minded or very music-minded, and instead of just talking about charts (we wanted to) get into the analytics of things, get into the business side of things, (and) things that daily listeners, or people that are into a topic on the surface level, (things) they don’t really think about.”

Many social media platforms allow users to share their opinions, but podcasts are unique because of the lack of visual components, Ochoa said. 

“I feel like it’s easier to catch people’s attention with a TikTok where you can really grab people’s eyes with the visuals,” Ochoa said. “With podcasts, it’s more reliant on people’s personalities, and the chemistry that people have, and that kind of regular, like, you keep coming back to the same podcast, and getting familiar with the people on it.”

Des Vergnes said another highlight of podcasts is their authenticity.

“I think a big thing for podcasts is, it’s usually about actually sharing ideas and learning the people that are speaking on the podcast,” Des Vergnes said. “A lot of the time (on) TikTok or Instagram, it’s usually just a character that they’re playing for very short-form content. But when it’s a longer form like (podcasts), it’s usually people being authentic, being their real selves.”

The long-form nature of podcasts, with episodes usually lasting at least 30 minutes, makes authenticity not easily feigned, Des Vergnes said. Ochoa said this authenticity allows podcasts to create bonds with their audience.

“If you’re talking about something that’s really personal, and then (the) other people listening (can) connect with that,” Ochoa said. “To know that they’re kind of just listening to your voice, and that’s the purest form of just listening to your experiences.”

Khosla said the auditory form of podcasts can also make creators feel more comfortable putting their thoughts out into the world.

“I think it gives people a platform without having to show their identity as much, they can make a platform with just their voice,” Khosla said. “It gives people a space to talk. It’s a lot different than just going on live or recording a YouTube video, it’s more like open space to talk.”

While few students actually start a podcast, many more listen to them throughout their daily lives. Khosla thinks podcasts are a convenient form of entertainment for busy college students. 

“I think it’s perfect for a student, because as a student, you’re kind of constantly on the go,” Khosla said. “Being able to just throw in your headphones and listen to a podcast while you’re just getting from point A to point B, or while you’re cleaning up your dorm, or whatever the case may be, I think that makes it really convenient for students.”

Ochoa also said podcasts can take away other aspects that could potentially affect how viewers watch and comprehend the material presented. With no visual components, listeners can focus completely on the ideas and topics being discussed.

“I feel like with TikTok and other forms of media, there’s a big importance placed on appearance,” Ochoa said. “When it’s just audio, you’re able to focus on the voice and the things that they’re saying, rather than how they look while they’re speaking.”