Well, we're finally back with a new update! It's been a busy couple of months as I've traveled to the Bahamas (for work, mind you), Brooklyn for On-Air Fest, and then home, where I've found myself fighting all manner of ailments (congestion, foot pain from wandering NYC, and more allergies than you can shake a Bradford Pear Tree at). We've had some exciting projects germinating, and I'm thrilled to share my adventures with you over the next few newsletters.
So what's new? Well, as you may have gathered from the title, we're officially marketing our studio in Knoxville, TN, for rent. We've also got a new podcast episode to talk about, and so much missed news.
A lot is happening in the world of podcasting as the medium transitions into more video in more places (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other players), and I want to make sure you don't miss a second of it. So let's dive in.
Announcing Our Podcast Studio
I've been waiting to share this one. The HumblePod Podcast Studio is officially open and accepting bookings in Knoxville.
This has been a long time coming. We've built a purpose-designed podcast studio that's set up for the way podcasting actually works in 2026. Which means it's not just about audio, but full 4K video production. We're running a Blackmagic Design studio with up to four cinema cameras, an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO G2, Electro-Voice RE20 microphones, professional lighting, and the ability to record, livestream, or bring in remote guests without skipping a beat.
Whether you're a solo host, sitting down for an interview, or recording a full panel, the space is designed for it. And if you want to just show up and talk while we handle the rest, we offer full-service sessions with an on-site producer running the technical side.
We also offer post-production, social clips, show notes, and transcriptions. In essence, you can walk in with an idea and walk out with a finished episode.
The studio is located in Knoxville (shared building with Big Slate Media), and you can book your session online right now. If you'd rather come see the space first, we do tours too.
Book Your Session | Learn More About the Studio
From Logo to Lifestyle: Rebuilding the Soul of La-Z-Boy
What does it take to reinvent a 100-year-old brand? On the latest episode of We Built This Brand, I sat down with Diana "DQ" Quenomoen, Head of Design at Colle McVoy, to talk about how her team helped La-Z-Boy rediscover its soul heading into their centennial.
This wasn't a logo swap. DQ and her team built an entire brand system. From a new visual identity and color palette to a branded scent for their retail stores, an AI-powered recliner activation, and a philosophy they call "the ah place" that now drives every touchpoint of the La-Z-Boy experience.
What I love about this conversation is how much it reinforces something I believe deeply: your brand isn't your logo. It's the system behind everything you do. And that same thinking applies to podcasting. Your show isn't just audio in a feed. It's a strategic asset that should connect to everything else your brand is building.
This one's a must-listen for anyone thinking about brand identity, design systems, or how to modernize without losing your soul.
Podcast Stuff You Should Know
Apple Is Bringing Real Video Podcasting to Apple Podcasts
This is a big deal. In February, Apple announced that Apple Podcasts will support full video podcasting this spring using their HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) technology. That means listeners will be able to switch between audio and video within the app, watch in full horizontal display, and even download video episodes for offline viewing.
This is a pretty clear signal to the industry. Spotify has had video for a while. YouTube is dominating podcast discovery. And now Apple is making it clear that video podcasting isn’t a trend anymore; it’s the standard. Podcast hosts like Captivate, Podbean, and RSS.com are already racing to support video RSS feeds, and I expect most major hosts will follow suit by the end of the year.
For podcasters and businesses thinking about starting a show: the era of “should we do video?” is over. The question now is how you integrate video into your workflow without burning yourself out. That’s something we help our clients think through every day, and it’s exactly why we built our studio the way we did.
Podcast Listening Just Hit an All-Time High
The 2026 Infinite Dial report from Edison Research just dropped, and the numbers are the best the industry has ever seen. 58% of Americans now listen to a podcast monthly, which is roughly 167 million people. Weekly listening is at 45%, or about 130 million. And 80% of Americans have listened to or watched a podcast at some point.
But here’s the number that stood out to me the most: 57% of Americans say they’ve both listened to AND watched a podcast. Video isn’t replacing audio, either. In fact, it’s expanding the total audience. People consume podcasts differently depending on context, and the data backs that up.
What does this mean for businesses? The audience is there. It’s bigger and more engaged than ever. The question isn’t whether podcasting is worth the investment; it’s whether you’re showing up in a way that actually moves the needle for your business. Downloads alone were never the point. Business outcomes are.
