Welcome to This Week in Podcasting, where we recap some of the latest updates and news from the world of podcasting. From Steven Bartlett shaking things up with a new AI-hosted podcast, to Italy hosting its next must-visit podcast event – let’s get into it!
1. Steven Bartlett launches AI‑hosted CEO podcast
Steven Bartlett’s studio FlightStory has debuted 100 CEOs with Steven Bartlett, an AI‑animated podcast featuring a virtual Bartlett narrating stories of high-profile CEOs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson. The production uses voice‑cloning and animation tools, prompting mixed reactions about authenticity – read more about it here.
2. Edison Research introduces Top Podcast badges
This week Edison Research – the leading podcast research company in the world – released official Top Podcast badges for shows ranked in the Top 10, Top 25, or Top 50 in the U.S. and UK. Programs that receive recognition via Edison Podcast Metrics can now use these badges to highlight weekly listener impact – keep an eye out for one of the badges next time you listen to your fave podcast!
3. Audacy brings The C‑Word to all podcast platforms
Award-winning storytellers Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett’s critically acclaimed series The C‑Word is now freely available on all major platforms, after previously being exclusive to Luminary. Read more about the shift to Audacy here.
4. Italian Podcasting Festival returns for its 10th edition
Running from September 20 to October 4, 2025, Festival del Podcasting will once again bring Italy’s podcast community together across events in Milan, Rome, and online. The week culminates with a Podcast Summit in Milan featuring an Emerging Podcasts showcase, innovation awards, and sessions supported by industry-leading partners like Spotify, Acast, Audible, and ASSIPOD. Read more about it here!
And that’s it for this week in podcasting! While you’re here, don’t forget to join our mailing list.
