What I’d Lean Into If I Were Starting a Podcast in 2025
If you're thinking about starting a podcast in 2025, you’re not too late—you’re right on time.
But the podcasting space has evolved, especially in wellness, where the content is saturated yet still highly in demand. Audiences are craving authenticity, connection, and content that actually helps them feel better.
After launching, managing, and growing top wellness podcasts like Almost 30, Real Pod, The Confident Collective and more, here’s what I’d lean all the way into if I were starting fresh today:
1. Niche Down, But Go Deep
The gold is in the micro-niche. Instead of a general wellness show, think: somatic healing for chronic stress, emotional eating recovery for high performers, or hormone health after 30.
Specificity builds trust faster.
📌 Example:
The Big Silence by Karena Dawn focuses on mental health through the lens of lived experience and nervous system regulation—a unique angle that helped them land top 100 in Mental Health on Apple Podcasts.
📊 Stat:
There are over 5 million podcasts globally, but only 450,000 are active. Niche podcasts tend to retain loyal listeners better than broad-topic ones. (Source: Podcast Index & Edison Research)
2. Go Video-First (Even If It’s Scrappy)
Clips > trailers. TikToks > text posts. In 2025, your growth will be driven by short-form video snippets that hook and convert new followers.
📌 Example:
Almost 30 clips regularly hit 50k+ views on Instagram and TikTok, even from episodes that aren’t “viral”—because they’re emotionally resonant and visually engaging.
📊 Stat:
Podcasts that use video on YouTube grow 2x faster than audio-only shows. (Source: Riverside.fm, 2023 Podcast Trends Report)
💡 Tip: Start with your phone and natural light. Clip the moment that made you feel something. That’s what your audience will remember.
3. Lead with Emotional Storytelling + POV
Don’t just share tips—share transformation. Be honest about your journey. The highs, the lows, the messy middle. This is what keeps listeners coming back.
📌 Example:
Real Pod by Victoria Browne grew to Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition by leading with deeply personal stories on topics like body image, self-worth, and mental health.
📊 Stat:
74% of podcast listeners say they listen to feel connected to a host, not just for information.
(Source: Edison Research)
📝 Say what others won’t. Be bold in your takes. Your authenticity is your algorithm.
4. Build Community First, Downloads Second
A powerful podcast doesn’t start with numbers—it starts with relationships. Create a feedback loop: reply to DMs, share listener wins, poll your audience on episode topics.
📌 Example:
The Heal Podcast by Kelly Noonan Gores invites listener questions, then incorporates answers into episodes. This interaction builds an engaged wellness tribe, not just passive listeners.
📊 Stat:
Podcasts with community-building strategies (Discords, IG Q&As, email newsletters) see 50% higher listener retention. (Source: Podnews & Supercast)
5. Use AI to Work Smarter, Not Harder
AI tools can save you hours per week—freeing you up to focus on storytelling, creativity, and connection.
📌 Tools We Love:
Castmagic: turns raw audio into timestamps, quotes, titles, and blog post drafts
Descript: edits video/audio by editing text
Opus Clips: turns long videos into engaging short-form content
ChatGPT: brainstorms hooks, writes show notes, episode titles, and social captions
📊 Stat:
Podcasters using AI tools report a 3x faster turnaround time and 20% growth in consistency.
(Source: Buzzsprout Creator Survey, 2024)
Final Thoughts
Wellness podcasting in 2025 is about intention, intimacy, and visibility. Lean into your lived experience. Get specific. Show your face. Use tools that help you stay consistent and in your zone of genius.
And remember: the future of podcasting doesn’t belong to the loudest—it belongs to the realest.
Ready to bring your podcast vision to life? I’d love to help you craft something powerful, aligned, and truly you.
Reach out today and we’ll walk you through the process!
