From Ear Hustle to Art Educators: Live Podcasting Stories That Matter with Ashe Woodward
Poduty and the News is your go-to live news podcast about... podcasting! Hosted by Jeff Revilla, each episode dives into the latest trends, headlines, and conversations in the podcast world, with a unique focus: live podcasting. That means the shows we feature aren’t just recorded in a studio—they’re performed in front of real, present audiences. If you want to discover what’s happening on the front lines of podcasting innovation, community, and live events, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re a podcast superfan, a budding host, or just curious about the evolving media landscape, Poduty and the News breaks down not just how podcasts are changing, but how doing them live adds something special—think deep audience engagement, real-time energy, unscripted moments, and a unique connection between creator and listener.
What Sets Us Apart:
Spotlighting Live Shows: We highlight the creators who take the stage or go on tour, talk art, policy, music, comedy, and more—all live.
Industry Insights: Hear about the trends shaping podcasting, from the “attention economy” to innovative uses like podcasts behind bars and creative arts education.
Audience Impact: We don’t just talk numbers and downloads—we care about how these shows are impacting real lives, from giving voice to the voiceless to building community right in the room.
Actionable Takeaways: If you dream of taking your show live (or just want to support creators who do), you’ll find tips, stories, and inspiration here every week.
This Week's Guest: Ashe Woodward
Meet Ashe Woodward: Scholar, Storyteller, and Podcasting Trailblazer
https://www.spookyscholars.com/
https://instagram.com/spooky.scholars
This week, Ashe Woodward joins Jeff Revilla for her second appearance on the show! Ashe is the creator and host of Spooky Scholars, a groundbreaking podcast that explores horror through scholarly, queer, and feminist lenses. It’s about more than just jump scares: Ashe digs into the deeper meaning behind our favorite scary stories, revealing connections to society you might never expect.
But that’s not all. Ashe also helms Horror Helpline, an interactive radio call-in show where listeners air their real-life struggles—and get matched with a thematically relevant horror film for comfort, perspective, or just plain fun. This beloved radio format is soon to become a podcast, bringing her blend of compassion, insight, and pop culture savvy to an even wider audience.
Why you’ll love Ashe on Poduty and the News:
She’s brilliant at connecting the dots between pop culture, real issues, and the podcasting medium itself.
With her deep experience in both audio and radio, she’s thoughtful about what’s changing (and what stays true) when podcasts go live.
Ashe is active in the community—look her up at @spooky.scholars on social media for even more takes on horror, creativity, and podcasting.
Check out her proudest publication, Darkest Margins (from 1428 Publishing), all about liminality in horror and featuring an essay on the Flatliners film universe.
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Transistor FM - for podcast hosting
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Streamyard - for livestreaming and recording podcast episodes
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The 6 Podcast News Stories we Covered on This Episode:
The Attention Economy Has a New Champion
Source: Inside Radio
https://www.insideradio.com/free/data-shows-podcasts-are-winning-the-battle-for-attention/article_871ddc1f-117f-4fd5-a70a-9bd8fa26e5ca.html
New research shows podcasting is winning the battle for attention. Nearly 40% of listeners say podcast time replaces social media scrolling, while others are choosing podcasts over television and streaming music. Adults now spend about 103 minutes per day listening to podcasts, more than major social platforms like TikTok or Instagram. This deep engagement is driving more advertisers toward the format.
Podcasting Behind Bars
Source: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2026/03/03/ear-hustle-live-records-podcast-at-ccwf/
The award-winning podcast Ear Hustle returned to its roots by recording a live episode inside the Central California Women’s Facility. For incarcerated attendees, the event created a rare moment of connection and hope. The story highlights how podcasting can give voice to people who are often unheard and create meaningful experiences in unexpected places.
Can Live Podcasting Make Policy Feel Human Again?
Source: Capitol Weekly
https://capitolweekly.net/special-episode-a-conversation-on-housing-with-asm-buffy-wicks/
A live conversation with California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks turned housing policy into a personal story about stability, opportunity, and community. Instead of a traditional press conference, the discussion allowed audiences to connect with the human impact of housing shortages. It shows how live podcast-style conversations can make complex issues easier to understand and more engaging for audiences.
Big Crowds, Big Names, Bigger Ticketing Problems
Source: Crossed Wires
https://crossedwires.live/line-up
The Crossed Wires podcast festival is expanding with more headline acts and multiple days of live programming. The event drew around 25,000 attendees last year and continues to grow with major podcast talent and sponsors. However, the frustrating ticket purchasing process shows how friction in the buying experience can make it harder for fans to attend even the most exciting live events.
When Podcasting Meets the Arts
Source: KPBS
https://www.kpbs.org/events/2026/02/26/arts-educators-save-the-world-live-podcast-recording
The Arts Educators Save the World podcast hosted a live recording at the Comic-Con Museum focused on mentorship and creativity in the arts. Featuring Emmy-winning writers Joshua Pruett and Scott Peterson, the event explored how learning and mentorship shape creative careers. With tickets priced at only five dollars, the event showed how podcasts can support arts education and strengthen creative communities.
Not Every Podcast Needs Words
Source: Alpha Rhythm on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmUuM5JGTQs&list=PL3q1D4QzH9acCTwP836fK0WjP3mJKjMfq
The Alpha Rhythm Drum and Bass Podcast is celebrating its 400th episode with a live music-driven show. Instead of interviews or storytelling, the podcast focuses on DJ-style mixes that introduce listeners to new electronic music. The show highlights how podcasting can extend beyond spoken-word formats and blend elements of radio, music performance, and live entertainment.
Host your show at Poduty:
Curious about taking your own podcast live in front of an audience? Learn more about staging your own event at Poduty.com—no contracts, no minimum ticket sales, just real podcasting energy!
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Check out our services and packages at:
https://poduty.com/done-for-you-podcasting-services/
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