My podcast discovery process feels kinda stuck lately. I keep hearing about the same popular shows through algorithm recommendations, but I'm really craving those podcast hidden treasures that don't get enough attention.
I'm wondering how everyone else does their podcast discovery. Do you rely on podcast social sharing from friends? Specific websites? Random browsing?
I'd love to hear about your methods for finding those podcast gems that haven't gone viral yet. There's something special about being one of the early listeners to an amazing show before it gets huge.
My podcast discovery process has evolved a lot. I used to just rely on algorithm recommendations, but now I actively seek out podcast hidden treasures through specific methods.
First, I follow podcast critics on Twitter who have similar taste. Second, I check the listeners also subscribed to" section on podcast apps for shows I already love. Third, I participate in podcast recommendations communities on Reddit and Discord.
The best podcast gems I've found recently came from podcast word of mouth in niche communities rather than mainstream promotion. There's this amazing history podcast called "Echoes of Empire" that I only found because someone mentioned it in a small forum thread.
I've found some incredible new podcast finds through podcast social sharing on Instagram of all places. There are accounts that do mini reviews with audio clips, and hearing actual snippets is way more convincing than written descriptions.
Also, I've started paying attention to podcast viral recommendations on TikTok. The algorithm there surfaces really niche shows that are blowing up in specific communities. Found this amazing poetry podcast called Verses & Voices" that way.
What's interesting is that my most reliable source for podcast discovery is still friends with good taste. Nothing beats personal podcast friend suggestions from someone who knows what you like.
I run a small podcast recommendations community on Discord, and we have a channel specifically for sharing podcast hidden treasures. The rule is they have to have less than 10k downloads per episode to qualify.
Some amazing discoveries from that community include The Memory Palace" (beautiful historical vignettes), "The Constant" (history of ideas and inventions), and "Articles of Interest" (fashion history).
What I've learned about podcast discovery is that you have to be proactive. The algorithms will only show you what's already popular, but the real podcast gems are often hiding just beneath the surface.
My favorite method for finding podcast hidden treasures is looking at what independent podcast networks are producing. Places like Radiotopia, Gimlet (before the Spotify acquisition), and Dust have amazing curation.
Also, I pay attention to podcast awards that focus on independent productions rather than mainstream ones. The Third Coast International Audio Festival winners always introduce me to incredible shows I wouldn't find otherwise.
The challenge with podcast discovery today is there's so much content that truly great shows can get lost. That's why building a personal podcast recommendations community is so valuable you create your own filter for quality.