Happy New Year!
Welcome to the first HPN newsletter of 2026 – the year of the podcast. OK, it’s not officially the year of the podcast but I don’t see any reason why we can’t make it that.
Every new year comes with its ready‑made labels – “the year of AI,” “the year of productivity”, “the year of whatever‑trend‑is‑currently-hot.” But here’s a thought: what if we decide what 2026 becomes?
Audio has never been more accessible. Production tools are cheaper, easier, and smarter (some may debate the last one). Audiences are larger, more diverse, and more hungry for authentic storytelling than ever. And creators – teachers, journalists, students, organisations, communities – are starting to realise something powerful: podcasting isn’t just a broadcast medium anymore. It’s a teaching tool. A storytelling tool. A community‑building tool. A way of thinking and connecting. There is a real momentum behind podcasting right now and HPN can be at the heart of this.
So no, 2026 hasn’t been officially declared “The Year of the Podcast.”
But that’s fine. We don’t need someone else to declare it.
We can make it one.
This year, we can experiment more.
We can collaborate more.
We can teach through audio, learn through audio, and create space for voices that aren’t always heard.
We can use podcasting not just to publish, but to explore, challenge, and innovate.
Every episode recorded, every idea tested, every student encouraged to pick up a mic – it all moves us one step closer to a world where podcasting is seen not as a niche medium, but as a normal part of how we learn, share, and communicate.
So let’s make 2026 the turning point.
Let’s make it the year podcasting becomes not just something we do, but something that helps shape our culture, our classrooms, our creativity, our conversations.
2026 will be the Year of the Podcast – if we choose to make it one. And HPN will be there with you at every step of the journey.
Podcaster Happy Hour:
The next podcaster happy hour will take place this coming Friday, January 23 at 5pm EST! Join us on Zoom at https://yale.zoom.us/j/99288977612.
HPN Values:
Reminder that we warmly welcome feedback on the HPN Statement of Values through until Monday, February 9!
The statement affirms the collective values of members of the Humanities Podcast Network (HPN). These values guide both HPN’s broad mission and the day-to-day work on our various projects (events, publications, working groups).
Email us at humanitiespodnetwork@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, and other comments.
LISTEN: Academic podcasters have shared their predictions for Higher Ed Podcasting in 2026 in the latest episode of the Continuing Studies Podcast.
Interested in seeing your podcast featured in an HPN Newsletter? Email humanitiespodnetwork@gmail.com with a link and quick description!
