Steve Hamoen and Sean Duncombe delve into the evolving landscape of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of capturing audience attention. They discuss the shift from traditional audio formats to video and short-form content, and the rise of podcasting as a trusted media source. The episode examines changing consumption habits and explores strategies for engaging audiences through shorts and stories. They address challenges podcasters face, reasons for quitting, and platform-specific engagement tactics. The conversation highlights AI's transformative role in podcast production, efficiency, and the creation of synthetic and personalized content, concluding with insights on AI in business intelligence. (0:00) Introduction to Sean Duncombe and the significance of attention in podcasting (1:18) Evolution of podcasting: From audio to video and shorts (3:04) The podcast boom and trust in media (6:31) Shifts in podcast consumption habits (8:42) Building audience engagement with shorts and stories (12:00) Overcoming challenges and reasons for podcasters quitting (20:57) Strategies for driving audience engagement (24:44) Platform-specific engagement differences (29:56) The role of AI in podcasting evolution (35:03) AI’s impact on podcast production and efficiency (37:53) Synthetic podcasts and personalized content (43:02) AI in business intelligence and closing thoughts (43:43) Episode sign-off