Podcasting has emerged as a powerful digital communication tool that caters to an escalating global user base. Nurtured by the rapid digital transformation, podcasts are ushering in a new era of knowledge sharing, storytelling, and media consumption (The Podcast Host, 2020). This chapter aims to offer a brief definition of podcasting: its essence, functionality, and implications for both consumers and creators.

Podcasting, at its core, is a mode of digital media distribution, a platform for sharing and consuming audio files via the Internet. Originating from the blend of words 'iPod' and 'broadcasting', podcasting allows users to subscribe, download, and listen to audio content, offering an on-demand audio experience (Berry, 2006). Contrary to traditional broadcast media like radio, podcasts enable users to consume content at their pace, where and when they choose. This unprecedented control and mobility feature provides podcasts with a prominent position in the digital content landscape.

Podcasts' growth has been facilitated by multiple factors; the vast array of topics on offer, their accessibility, the intimacy of the medium, and its versatility. Podcasts cover an array of subjects such as news, education, lifestyle, adventure, science, technology, culture, crime, and more (Dewey, 2016). Additionally, podcasts can be accessed for free on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud, proving accessible on various digital devices like computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.