A podcast is a series of audio episodes, usually spoken, that you can listen to online or download, similar to a radio show you control. People often subscribe to podcasts on topics like news, stories, or education.
Coined in the early 2000s from *iPod* (Apple’s music player) and *broadcast*. At first it described audio shows delivered to portable music players, then broadened to any online audio series.
The word *podcast* is a snapshot of early 2000s tech culture, when people thought the iPod would be the forever device. Even though many listeners now use phones, the name stayed—language often freezes brand moments into everyday words.
Podcasting emerged in the early 2000s with a landscape initially dominated by male hosts, especially in tech and politics, mirroring existing media imbalances. Over time, women and nonbinary creators have expanded the medium, often calling out underrepresentation and bias in guest selection and topic framing.
When discussing or curating podcasts, avoid assuming hosts or experts are male by default and aim for balanced representation in recommendations and examples.
Women and gender-diverse podcasters have been crucial in broadening topics, styles, and audiences, particularly in true crime, health, and social justice genres.
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