What does it take to host your first ever podcast event? That’s the question I had before my trip to Podcast Movement.


I met podcast hosts building their shows to share stories with the world.


I discovered how artificial intelligence is changing the way we make content.


I learned what the corporate side of podcasting looks like and why Speak Fest aims to be different.

Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoot me an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com.

Buy tickets to Speke Fest: Night of the Living Pod here, and grab 25% off now through 8/31.

Key Takeaways

1. Venue and Event Size


Theme: The Podcast Movement event was hosted at the Gaylord Resort in Grapevine, Texas—a venue described as "obnoxiously big," impressive, and almost overwhelming.


Main Takeaway: The physical space and scale of an event set a strong first impression and tone, influencing how attendees experience and interact with the event itself.

2. Community & Networking


Theme: The power of meeting diverse podcast creators and professionals—from HVAC business owners to mental health advocates—demonstrated why podcasting attracts a wide range of voices aiming to share their stories.


Main Takeaway: Events like Podcast Movement are invaluable for forging connections, building relationships, and learning from people outside your immediate niche or comfort zone.

3. Accessibility vs. Professionalism in Podcasting


Theme: The beginner workshop highlighted a tension: showing off high-end studios and expensive gear can set unrealistic expectations for newcomers, potentially discouraging those without access to such resources.


Main Takeaway: Podcasting should be accessible; success isn’t determined by fancy equipment but by authentic content, and the industry needs to support beginners by emphasizing achievable entry points.

4. Corporate Influence and Atmosphere


Theme: The event had a notably "corporate" vibe, featuring large sponsors, vendors, and industry executives. This contrasted with a desire for grassroots, community-driven gatherings.


Main Takeaway: While corporate support can bring resources and legitimacy, it may also alienate some creators and detract from the organic, inclusive spirit podcasting was built on.

5. Embracing Technology and Artificial Intelligence


Theme: The growth and necessity of AI tools in podcast workflows was a major subject, with the host advocating for their selective, relationship-first integration into content creation.


Main Takeaway: Leveraging AI and technological advances is essential for efficiency and growth, but human connection and storytelling should always remain at the core of podcasting.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Podcast Movement 2025 Recap"

05:41 "Podcasting Barriers for Beginners"

07:40 Networking Insights at Tech Event

13:05 "Effective Podcast Intros"

15:37 "Speak Fest: Unique Podcast Event"

17:29 "Speak Fest 2025 Invitation"

What does it take to host your first ever podcast event? That&rsquo;s the question I had before my trip to Podcast Movement.
<ul>
<li>
I met podcast hosts building their shows to share stories with the world.
</li>
<li>
I discovered how artificial intelligence is changing the way we make content.
</li>
<li>
I learned what the corporate side of podcasting looks like and why Speak Fest aims to be different.
</li>
</ul>
Subscribe to&nbsp;Your Mic on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl">Spotify</a> or wherever you get your <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/spekepodcasting/playlists/your-mic">podcasts</a>.
Shoot me an email: <a href="mailto:freddy@spekepodcasting.com">freddy@spekepodcasting.com</a>.
Buy tickets to Speke Fest: Night of the Living Pod <a href="https://spekepodcasting.com/spekefest2025">here</a>, and grab 25% off now through 8/31.
Key Takeaways
1. Venue and Event Size
<ul>
<li>
Theme: The Podcast Movement event was hosted at the Gaylord Resort in Grapevine, Texas&mdash;a venue described as "obnoxiously big," impressive, and almost overwhelming.
</li>
<li>
Main Takeaway: The physical space and scale of an event set a strong first impression and tone, influencing how attendees experience and interact with the event itself.
</li>
</ul>
2. Community &amp; Networking
<ul>
<li>
Theme: The power of meeting diverse podcast creators and professionals&mdash;from HVAC business owners to mental health advocates&mdash;demonstrated why podcasting attracts a wide range of voices aiming to share their stories.
</li>
<li>
Main Takeaway: Events like Podcast Movement are invaluable for forging connections, building relationships, and learning from people outside your immediate niche or comfort zone.
</li>
</ul>
3. Accessibility vs. Professionalism in Podcasting
<ul>
<li>
Theme: The beginner workshop highlighted a tension: showing off high-end studios and expensive gear can set unrealistic expectations for newcomers, potentially discouraging those without access to such resources.
</li>
<li>
Main Takeaway: Podcasting should be accessible; success isn&rsquo;t determined by fancy equipment but by authentic content, and the industry needs to support beginners by emphasizing achievable entry points.
</li>
</ul>
4. Corporate Influence and Atmosphere
<ul>
<li>
Theme: The event had a notably "corporate" vibe, featuring large sponsors, vendors, and industry executives. This contrasted with a desire for grassroots, community-driven gatherings.
</li>
<li>
Main Takeaway: While corporate support can bring resources and legitimacy, it may also alienate some creators and detract from the organic, inclusive spirit podcasting was built on.
</li>
</ul>
5. Embracing Technology and Artificial Intelligence
<ul>
<li>
Theme: The growth and necessity of AI tools in podcast workflows was a major subject, with the host advocating for their selective, relationship-first integration into content creation.
</li>
<li>
Main Takeaway: Leveraging AI and technological advances is essential for efficiency and growth, but human connection and storytelling should always remain at the core of podcasting.
</li>
</ul>
Timestamped Overview
00:00 "Podcast Movement 2025 Recap"
05:41 "Podcasting Barriers for Beginners"
07:40 Networking Insights at Tech Event
13:05 "Effective Podcast Intros"
15:37 "Speak Fest: Unique Podcast Event"
17:29 "Speak Fest 2025 Invitation"

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.
Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX

Twenty-six year radio veteran Freddy Cruz has gone indie.


From former special forces operators and CEOs to authors and journalists, join
Freddy as he seeks to learn from some of the highest achieving individuals in the
world. These are stories of grit and blasting through the crucible of life. Stories of
standing up to powerful corporations and defying the odds. Not all of his guests
are authors, but they all have epic stories to share.

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