The future of podcasting is global 🗺️ + last issue of 2025
Eurowaves #28
Hey podcasters,
Welcome to the last issue of 2025. Are you ready for the holidays? Of course you are. So here’s a quick note to wrap up this year on and give you some inspiration for 2026 planning.
What else do you want to see Eurowaves next year?
Tomorrow, 19/12 is the deadline to enter the Webbys!
The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. Established in 1996 during the Web’s infancy, The Webbys is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS)—a 3,000+ member judging body.
I am so honored to announce that I am a judge this year.
Happy holidays and a Happy New Year!
Andreea
🇪🇺 Podcasting & Community News 🇪🇺
🌎EarBuds is a listener-curated list, every week, sent to your inbox. Curate a list and spotlight your podcast!
🇬🇧Mercury Podcasts announced that this December, PastMaster, the time-travelling, history-bending role-playing podcast powered by AI, will unveil its biggest festive line-up yet.
🇬🇧Podcasting and audio have secured a seat on the Creative Industries Council following a successful lobbying campaign led by AudioUK.
🇫🇷Join a French Whatsapp group of podcast creators and lovers.
🇪🇸iVoox published iVoox Rewind 2025, the most popular podcasts of the year across the Spanish-language podcast platform. (via Podnews)
Eurowaves Update ☘️
Since the last issue, we have…
…+11 new subscribers.
Share this issue with your podcaster friends to keep the community growing.
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What LatAm Podcasting Can Teach European Creators 🌎 with Julio (JP) Ponce Marín
Julio (JP) Ponce Marín is a bilingual podcast professional based in Puerto Rico with a decade of experience in production, strategy, and community building across the Spanish-speaking podcast industry. He’s worked with companies like Blue Wire Podcasts, Podchaser, and Evergreen Podcasts, and currently runs Tropical Podcasting and Qué Está Pasando en el Podcasting, a weekly newsletter and podcast covering news and trends for LatAm podcasters. He’s passionate about helping creators professionalize their work and building bridges across the Spanish-speaking podcast ecosystem.
You can connect with Julio on LinkedIn here.
What’s your podcasting journey?
My journey began in late 2005 when I discovered podcasts. I had just joined the US Navy and was miles away from home, looking for a way to feel connected. When I bought my first iPod, I found I could download episodes of my favorite morning radio show directly to it. I rediscovered them in 2009 with my first iPhone and consumed them constantly.
After working in radio, I knew I wanted to start my own podcast. In 2016, I launched Click Deportes Podcast, talking to Spanish-speaking marketing and social media pros in sports. In 2018 I launched Wapa Podcasts, the first podcast network affiliated to a TV channel in Puerto Rico with 5 shows. This was a passion project that came to life and I was involved in everything, from hiring hosts, production, and distribution.
This strengthened my conviction to work in podcasting professionally. When decision-makers at the channel didn’t see the appeal of podcasts, I started to pivot in 2020. This led to roles at Blue Wire Podcasts, Podchaser and Evergreen Podcasts, as well as freelance work.
In 2024, I launched Tropical Podcasting, a weekly newsletter covering news, trends and strategies for Spanish-speaking podcasters with a focus in Latin America, Spain and the US. I also launched the companion podcast Qué Está Pasando en el Podcasting, where my co-host Mayra Ortiz, co-founder of Podcasteras Media, and I discuss the topics in the newsletter and chat with others in podcasting.
Reaching an engaged audience and connecting with industry experts has been incredibly rewarding. Same with the conversations and the projects we’ve been able to share from creators. They are two projects I’m very proud of.
You position yourself as a ‘Bilingual Generalist’ based in Puerto Rico. For European podcasters who feel limited by their local language, what is your biggest lesson on producing content that travels language barriers? Do you focus more on translation or cultural adaptation?
Although I think both translation and cultural adaptation should be carefully balanced, one should not suffer because of the other. If everything is translated perfectly but the cultural references or humor or context is missed by the audience, you’ve lost them. Cultural adaptation should be part of the production process. Regionalization of content should also be something to consider. It is more work upfront to tailor versions of your content for other markets, but this could be a powerful tool as well.
Universal emotions and experience should be the way for podcasters to begin reaching audiences outside their languages. These emotions can then be wrapped around in specific cultural context. We should identify what makes our content unique and why it works in our language and then keep that because that authenticity is what travels across language barriers.
How collaborative is the LatAm audio industry? What’s in place (like networks, festivals, digital communities) to connect LatAm podcasters? And what’s missing?
Podcasting as a whole is incredibly collaborative and the LatAm industry is no different. Digital communities in places like Whatsapp and Facebook have kept us close, learning from one another and sharing resources and experiences. As podcast consumption grows in LatAm, so does collaboration. Big networks in Europe like PRISA Radio or Acast also have a presence in Latin America. But local networks like Revolver Podcasts, Posta, or Genuina Media help creators turn podcasting into sustainable careers.
LatAm also hosts plenty of listening parties for podcasts. Radio Ambulante’s Clubes de Escucha ( Listening Clubs) is a great example of a way of growing their audience but creating community. Events are also gaining momentum in the area. There are locally produced shows like Festival Estéreo in Argentina, Festival Sonora in Uruguay, and Premios Gabo. But big companies like Spotify have also celebrated their Spotify Podcast Awards and even the US-based event Podfest have had presence in the region.
One of the things the region is missing and I’m eager to see change is better data and research in consumption and listening habits. Most of the industry data is US-centric, and although this can give us data US-based latino consumption, it would be very interesting to see how Latin American countries are listening to podcasts.
LatAm shares a language (mostly), but the cultural differences are still there. When you are producing or consulting, how do you handle these differences?
When working with projects, it’s important to always begin by remembering that “Spanish-speaking” doesn’t mean that a joke that lands in Puerto Rico will also land in Argentina. Sometimes shows may need to lean into specificity. In our podcast, Mayra and I are generally neutral in our language since we know we are speaking to a broader audience of people in podcasting. But that approach won’t work for every show. Sometimes they may have to be unapologetically Mexican or Colombian and that authenticity can draw an audience too.
The key is knowing your audience but also being aware how your content may be received beyond your own circle. For bigger productions this is why diversity is also very important.
If you could pick one specific mindset or strategy from the LatAm podcasting scene and bring it to European creators to help them connect, what would it be?
One mindset from this region I’d share with European creators is think globally but act local. LatAm creators love to keep their roots and show off their culture. They know that they are creating content for their neighbors in their countries, but also for the huge community that’s all over the world. That diaspora will always want to connect with their roots also, so they may find value in that podcast of friends talking about everyday life in their country, TV, or music. Find your authenticity and share it!
Share 1-2 podcast recommendations with us!
For recommendations, I’d start with La Brega by WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios. With episodes in English and Spanish it captures Puertorican experience and essence in a brilliant way. Season 2 is called “The Puertorican Experience in Eight Songs” and it’s an incredible look at our culture. But my favorite episode is S1E5 “Basketball Warriors”, telling the story of when the Puertorican Basketball National Team played, and beat, Team USA in Athens 2004.
If you’re into music, NPR’s ALT.Latino is also a great show. It showcases new music and discusses the culture and history of the countries behind it.
Thank you, Julio!
🎙️🌍 Podcasts recmmended by you 🌍🎙️
A few weeks ago, I posted on LinkedIn asking you to share your podcasts. In the next couple of issues, I’ll feature some of these, and if you haven’t added yours yet, leave a comment and you might see it shouted out in the future. No language is off limits!
Welcome to the podcast where Finn, Shane, and Toni question everything and dive deep into the corners of their minds with you! Nothing is off-limits here. Whether it’s friendship, dating, mental health, or the latest hot takes, they talk about everything that moves them (and sometimes what makes them laugh). So buckle up and join us on a journey full of honest conversations, personal stories, and, of course, the occasional lightbulb moment!
What do a fast-changing metropolis, a popular university, and a traditional country inn have in common? They serve as the backdrop for the first of six episodes of the new podcast Foodsteps: Sustainability Stories from the Federal Center for Nutrition. Podcaster Sebastian H. Schroeder travels across Germany in search of people actively committed to a sustainable future for food. In each episode, he meets pioneers who—with idealism, perseverance, and passion—bring good, delicious, and sustainable food to our plates. From farming and craftsmanship to gastronomy, local neighborhoods, and home kitchens.
How do we truly engage with art? Exhibitionistas invites you to explore contemporary art with passion and a sharp critical mind. Discover a variety of episodes from immersive art travelogues, exhibition discussions with spectators, candid Q&As with insiders, to playful explorations of current and classic themes. Whether you’re an experienced art lover, an art professional or just recently attuned to the curious world of contemporary visual and material creations, Exhibitionistas entertains, informs and empowers you to be in possession of your own art experience.
What podcasts have you been listening to lately?
🇵🇱 Podcasts from Poland 🇵🇱
Gosia Hućko is a content creator and communication specialist working at the intersection of journalism and storytelling. She collaborates with NGOs, designs communication strategies, and is actively involved in producing multimedia stories.
Raport o stanie świata: Fenomen na polskim rynku medialnym. Początek pandemii, z publicznego radia zostaje zwolniony doświadczony dziennikarz opowiadający w swoich audycjach o wydarzeniach ze świata – czyli o czymś, co Polaków, według wielu redakcji, ma nie interesować. Tymczasem on dzięki wsparciu słuchaczy buduje niezależne, podcastowe uniwersum, w którym opowiada o bieżących wydarzeniach i trendach ze świata. Profesjonalizm, świetnie dobrani goście, doświadczenie i orientacja w tym, co wokół nas – cotygodniowa pozycja obowiązkowa!
A true phenomenon on the Polish media scene. At the start of the pandemic, an experienced journalist was dismissed from public radio – a reporter who talked about global affairs, a topic many editors still claim “doesn’t interest Poles.” What followed proved them wrong: backed by his listeners, Rosiak built an independent podcast universe, offering sharp, thoughtful analysis of global events and trends. High journalistic standards, carefully chosen guests, deep expertise and global awareness make this a must-listen weekly podcast.
Podcastex: Kto przeżył w Polsce lata 90., tego nie złamie już nic. To czas nie tylko systemowych zmian, walk politycznych, budowy nowej gospodarki, ale też rozkwitu popkultury zerwanej ze smyczy cenzury. Każdy odcinek to wiwisekcja jednego zjawiska: trendu, artysty, piosenki, wydarzenia, filmu – które budowały polską rzeczywistość przełomu wieków. To nie tylko nostalgiczna podróż w przeszłość, ale też podręcznik dla każdego, kto chce zrozumieć dzisiejszą RP.
If you survived the 1990s in Poland, nothing can break you. This was a decade of political battles, economic reinvention, and a pop-culture explosion finally freed from censorship. Each episode dissects a single phenomenon – a trend, an artist, a song, a movie, or an event – that shaped Poland at the turn of the millennium. More than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Podcastex is an essential guide for anyone trying to understand today’s Poland.
Podcast Śledczy: Dziennikarstwo śledcze to nie tylko tropienie śladów i szukanie poszlak – to także umiejętność opowiedzenia o tym w sposób, który wciągnie i zatrzyma odbiorcę lepiej niż najlepsza powieść detektywistyczna. Dziennikarze kolektywu Frontstory nadają dźwiękową formę swoim dochodzeniom, wciągając słuchaczy w historie o rosyjskich sabotażystach, biznesach prowadzonych w Rosji mimo sankcji, scamach, na których jedni tracili, a inni zarabiali miliony. Z dreszczykiem i na faktach!
Investigative journalism isn’t only about chasing leads and uncovering evidence – it’s also about telling a story so compelling it pulls listeners in better than the best crime novel. The journalists behind Frontstory turn their investigations into gripping audio narratives, drawing audiences into stories about Russian sabotage, businesses operating in Russia despite sanctions, and scams where some lost everything while others made millions. Fact-based, tense, and utterly absorbing.
Thank you for sharing, Gosia!
You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
🚀Events and Opportunities🚀
The CIVIS Media Prize honours outstanding productions on television, radio, internet and cinema that promote the peaceful coexistence of people of different geographical and cultural origins. There is a CIVIS AUDIO AWARD for short contributions, up to 6 min., long contributions 6 min and more and Podcasts.
When? December 31st.
Longueur d’Ondes (France)
Longueur d’ondes is a radio and listening festival in Brest, a professional training offer specializing in radio and podcasting professions and also, throughout the year, practical workshops and education in radio media for various audiences.
I will be speaking on European podcasting! Let me know if you’ll be joining.
When? January 28 - February 1st, 2026.
The Podcast Show (The UK)
The biggest international podcasting business event is back! First Release Passes are now ON SALE! Be sure to book now and secure the best prices, saving up to £100 on Gold and Platinum passes. Get ready to celebrate the 5th edition of the show—bigger, better, and bolder than ever!
When? May 20-21, 2026.
Thanks so much for featuring Exhibitionistas! What nice 2025 wrap up! My 2025 good practice resolution is to give shout outs whenever possible, so I’ll leave a recommendation: the Portuguese podcast @opinionistas. It’s such a nerdy and hilarious show. They dedicate each episode to a columnist, short bio, chronicle excerpts and we slowly realize how bonkers they all are.