🇮🇹🎙️Catrin Skaperdas on Europe-US Podcasting Relations🎙️🇮🇹
Eurowaves #7 Interview
Catrin Skaperdas is a Podcast Development Director specializing in podcast audience growth, with experience managing partnerships with major platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Her extensive network spans continents, having worked with one of the largest podcast networks in the U.S. (Cumulus Media), as well as podcast companies of all sizes across North America and Europe. She has collaborated with the first multilingual podcast production company and supported both emerging and established independent podcasts in multiple languages.
Skaperdas is also the host of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, a podcast about Italian culture, where she interviews Italians—born and raised in Italy—on topics such as the etymology of the word ciao, the role of athleisure in Italian fashion, maternity leave and work-life balance, mental health care in Italy, and, of course, Italian food from various regions. Listeners can binge Season 1 of ITALIAN, FOR SURE by watching on Spotify or YouTube or listening wherever they get their podcasts. For bonus clips and behind-the-scenes content, follow @italianforsure on Instagram or TikTok. Don’t miss Season 2, coming soon!
You can find Catrin on Linkedin.
You have extensive experience in the U.S. podcasting market but are currently based in Italy and working within the European market as well. How would you say European podcasting stands out from trends in the U.S.?
There are many distinct podcast markets across Europe, so multilingualism among European podcasters is a key differentiator. Many creators have the desire—and the ability—to expand beyond their national borders and tap into multiple markets. Additionally, each European country has its own cultural nuances and perspectives, leading to a more diverse podcasting landscape with greater variety in formats, content, and monetization strategies compared to the more unified U.S. market.
International collaboration in podcasting can be challenging due to differences in language, audience preferences, and funding models. What do you think actually works when podcasters and networks try to cross borders?
As you mentioned, funding models play a big role. In-podcast collaborations (such as promo or feed drop swaps) tend to be most effective when podcasts have dynamic ad insertion (DAI) enabled. However, DAI is not yet standard across all European markets. Additionally, successful cross-promotion requires a strong audience match, which typically means aligning in language. That said, this may change over time as AI-driven translation improves and becomes more seamlessly integrated into podcast platforms.
Would you say the term ‘European podcasting’ is useful, or do you think the industry is better understood by looking at individual language-based markets?
In many cases, it makes more sense to examine podcasting through the lens of specific language-based markets rather than viewing Europe as a single entity. While the U.S. is often seen as one unified market, Europe consists of many distinct podcasting ecosystems, each with its own infrastructure, audience behavior, and monetization options. For example, the UK podcast market operates very differently from the Italian market, largely due to the availability of monetization and growth tools that are not yet accessible in smaller markets. Spotify’s 2025 video monetization and growth features, for instance, have launched in certain countries but are not yet available in Italy.
What’s one aspect of European podcasting that you think deserves more recognition?
Podcasters across Europe who produce outstanding content in a language that isn’t their native tongue deserve more recognition. It takes courage to get behind a microphone or camera, and doing so in a second or third language is even more impressive. I have deep respect for the guests on ITALIAN, FOR SURE who share their expertise in English to help spread accurate information about Italian culture worldwide.
What are three podcasts you’re loving right now?
Comedy (English): We’re Here to Help
Business (Italian): Made IT
History (English): Pack One Bag