Virtual Roundtable: Is the Podcasting Boom Sparking Diversity?

(Editor's note:  This is the first of a two-part series in which top female audio executives discuss relevant issues facing the business of podcasting. The second part will be published next week.)  When old rules no longer apply, new media formats can facilitate both a diverse audience and diverse creators.  As one of the hottest genres, podcasting is enjoying explosive growth, attracting curious listeners and a growing roster of brand sponsors.  Some 44% of Americans have now sampled podcasting, 26% listen monthly and regular listeners average as many as seven podcasts per week, per the latest report from Edison Research.  The medium is also proving to be a welcoming space for female innovators and executives. We conducted a "virtual roundtable" with seven women making an impact in the space to learn about their experiences in getting ahead in a new(ish) medium and their prognostications for podcasting itself.