In its 2025 Podcast Issue, The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the 44 most powerful players in podcasting, showcasing the creators, executives and dealmakers redefining the industry through reach, deals, and cultural influence.
Among the featured are standout creators like Ashley Flowers of Crime Junkie, listed among podcasting’s elite alongside household names like Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy), Michelle Obama and more.
Their inclusion underscores the growing recognition of diverse voices and the rising star power of genre creators.
Industry insiders also foresee bold shifts ahead, highlighting a growing emphasis on live content and deeper audience interactivity, as brands increasingly lean into dynamic, multiplatform creator ecosystems.
What This Means for Creators and Business Storytellers
- Inclusion in such lists signals not just personal achievement, but a shift toward diversity of subjects, formats and communities in podcasting.
- The emphasis on live shows and real-time engagement suggests creators and businesses should explore formats like live Q&A, listener polls or virtual events.
- Platforms and brands can benefit by supporting creators in alternative formats, helping build community and deepen trust beyond traditional episode publishing.
