Feminist Podcasting: Why more women need to podcast
Last week, I got a comment on one of my videos on Instragram that said “Ladies, those faces and that lens and camera positioning is cursed. Maybe try audio only podcast or just don’t post anything online.”
Yes, someone with zero followers and a picture of a glass of beer as a profile pic really had the audacity to comment that on my reel.
Honestly, I didn’t take it personally. A faceless troll account does not have the power to make me feel embarrassed or bad about myself.
But, it did make me very angry. The fact that someone, in 2025, feels that it is ok to comment that sort of thing about anyone is not ok.
And that is what’s sparked this episode about why it's important for more women to use their voices, share their stories, build community, and uplift, empower and encourage more women.
The Patriarchy Problem in 2025
The patriarchy isn’t just a relic of the past. It’s a living system, shaping who gets heard, who gets believed, and whose experiences are considered “universal.” For generations, women have been told to be quiet. To make themselves small. To be the supporting act, never the main character. Until very recently, women were rarely given the mic. And when they were, they were expected to speak a certain way. Nicely. Politely. Carefully.
Even today:
Men are quoted more often than women in the media.
Male-hosted podcasts dominate the top charts.
Women are interrupted more frequently in political debates and business meetings.
The message is subtle but persistent: men’s voices carry more authority.
We’ve inherited a culture that still sees women’s self-expression as threatening. That’s why something as simple as a woman showing her face online can trigger a troll to lash out. It's not just about me, or my camera angle. It’s about power. And who’s allowed to take up space.
In her viral TED Talk, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said: “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller.”
Why Women’s Voices Are Revolutionary
Every time a woman speaks publicly, she challenges centuries of conditioning to “stay sweet” and “not cause a fuss.”
Take Pamela Anderson, for example. When she walked the red carpet makeup-free, the backlash was immediate. Headlines. Think pieces. Criticism. And why? Because she dared to show up in public without trying to appease the male gaze.
Her bare face became a radical act. It shouldn't be. But it is.
The same goes for our voices. Whether we’re telling jokes, sharing trauma, teaching strategy, or just talking to our mates, when we do it publicly, we’re disrupting centuries of silence.
We need more women saying the uncomfortable thing. Sharing the messy middle. Telling the truth in a world that profits off our self-doubt.
In podcasting, this is even more powerful. Unlike traditional media, there are no gatekeepers deciding whose story is worth telling. A woman can plug in a microphone, hit record, and share her truth with a global audience.
These women aren’t just telling their own stories. They’re creating communities that give other women permission to share theirs.
The Ripple Effect of Speaking Up
When women speak, the impact is felt far beyond the microphone:
In business: Diverse voices lead to better decision-making and innovation.
In culture: Women’s stories add depth, nuance, and empathy to public conversations.
For future generations: Girls grow up knowing their voices are worth hearing.
And here’s a fact worth remembering: women are now the majority of podcast listeners. And they’re actively seeking more female voices to listen to.
Let’s look at the numbers: In both New Zealand and Australia, podcast listenership is booming and women are at the heart of it. In Australia, there was a 52% increase in podcast listening among women over 55 just last year. In Aotearoa, over 70% of young adults listen to podcasts every month, and women are driving that growth. But even though women now make up half the global podcast audience, we’re still underrepresented behind the mic.
The more women who speak up, the more others feel safe to do the same. That’s the ripple effect. When you hit publish on your first episode, you have no idea who it might reach. Who it might help. Who it might inspire.
It might be the 15-year-old girl listening under her covers who suddenly believes she could be a journalist. Or the single mum who feels seen for the first time. Or the woman who’s just left a toxic job and finds your voice to be the lifeline she needed.
Every woman who picks up a mic gives permission to another woman to do the same. Representation matters. And podcasting gives us a way to take up space, without waiting to be invited.
Yes, It’s Still Hard. And That’s Why It Matters
Speaking up isn’t always easy. Trolls, criticism, and backlash are part of the territory. But discomfort often means you’re pushing against an old, limiting system.
The people who benefit from your silence will never hand you a microphone. You have to take it.
And when you do, you’ll find other women ready to back you up, share your work, and cheer you on.
Women are natural community-builders. We’ve been creating safe spaces for centuries around kitchen tables, in living rooms, in late-night group chats. Podcasting is just a new version of that. It’s another way to gather. Another way to pass the mic.
How to Use Your Platform for Good
If you’re a woman with something to say, whether it’s through a podcast, a blog, or a stage, you have the power to:
Share your story honestly and unapologetically.
Uplift other women by inviting them into the conversation.
Create community where women feel safe, heard, and encouraged.
The more women’s voices we hear, the more we dismantle the old systems that tried to silence them.
Final Word
Your voice matters. Your story matters. And the world needs to hear it from you.
So start the podcast. Write the book. Speak up in the meeting.
Because every time a woman speaks, she chips away at the patriarchy and makes space for something new to grow.
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Last week, I got a comment on one of my videos on Instragram that said “Ladies, those faces and that lens and camera positioning is cursed. Maybe try audio only podcast or just don’t post anything online.”
Yes, someone with zero followers and a picture of a glass of beer as a profile pic really had the audacity to comment that on my reel.
Honestly, I didn’t take it personally. A faceless troll account does not have the power to make me feel embarrassed or bad about myself.
But, it did make me very angry. The fact that someone, in 2025, feels that it is ok to comment that sort of thing about anyone is not ok.
And that is what’s actually sparked this episode. Today, I’m talking about why it's important for more women to use their voices, share their stories, build community, and uplift, empower and encourage more women.
For generations, women have been told to be quiet. To make themselves small. To be the supporting act, never the main character. In literature, in media, in boardrooms, in politics, and yes—in audio. Until very recently, women were rarely given the mic. And when they were, they were expected to speak a certain way. Nicely. Politely. Carefully.
We’ve inherited a culture that still sees women’s self-expression as threatening. That’s why something as simple as a woman showing her face online can trigger a troll to lash out. It's not just about me, or my camera angle. It’s about power. And who’s allowed to take up space.
In her viral TED Talk, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said: “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller.” - https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_we_should_all_be_feminists/transcript (12:21)
That shrinking is not just physical. It’s vocal. It's emotional. It's creative.
That’s why podcasting is so important. Podcasting, to me, is a rejection of that. It’s expansive. It’s bold. And it’s ours to claim.
Let’s look at the numbers for a second. In both New Zealand and Australia, podcast listenership is booming—and women are at the heart of it. In Australia, there was a 52% increase in podcast listening among women over 55 just last year. In Aotearoa, over 70% of young adults listen to podcasts every month, and women are driving that growth.
We are listening. Intently. Regularly. And to everything from true crime and wellness to comedy, relationships, and business.
But even though women now make up half the global podcast audience, we’re still underrepresented behind the mic.
Most of the top-ranking shows are still hosted by men. And when women do host, they’re often pigeonholed into narrow genres—beauty, wellness, parenting. Not that there’s anything wrong with those genres—they’re powerful. But women contain multitudes.
We need more women podcasting about politics, technology, money, history, and leadership. We need more women disrupting the narrative, not just reacting to it.
Every time a woman picks up a mic, she challenges the idea that her voice isn’t valuable. She becomes part of a long tradition of women using storytelling to survive, connect, and lead.
Take Pamela Anderson, for example. When she walked the red carpet makeup-free, the backlash was immediate. Headlines. Think pieces. Criticism. And why? Because she dared to show up in public without trying to appease the male gaze.
Her bare face became a radical act. It shouldn't be. But it is.
The same goes for our voices. Whether we’re telling jokes, sharing trauma, teaching strategy, or just talking to our mates—when we do it publicly, we’re disrupting centuries of silence.
We need more women saying the uncomfortable thing. Sharing the messy middle. Telling the truth in a world that profits off our self-doubt.
When Glennon Doyle launched We Can Do Hard Things, she created a space where vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. Her conversations about addiction, parenting, and queerness have helped millions of women feel less alone. That’s what happens when we stop performing and start sharing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb7vWykrhNg
The microphone is a powerful thing. When we speak, we claim authority. When we record it, distribute it, and own the platform—we change the power dynamics.
Audio is intimate. People let you into their ears, their homes, and their daily routines. A podcast isn’t just content. It’s connection.
That’s why it’s such a powerful tool for change. Women-led podcasts can be political. They can be personal. They can be funny, flirty, feisty. Or they can be gentle and wise and healing. But whatever tone they take, they allow us to create spaces that centre women’s experiences.
And here’s the best part: podcasting doesn’t require permission. You don’t need a media degree, a huge budget, or perfect gear to start. What you need is something to say—and the courage to say it.
Podcasting isn’t just about broadcasting. It’s about belonging.
Look at My Favorite Murder. What started as a quirky true-crime show hosted by two women turned into a massive international community known as the Murderinos. Fans gather in Facebook groups, at live shows, and even fundraise for women’s shelters.
Or Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy. She started by talking about sex and relationships from a raw, unapologetic female perspective. That podcast became a cultural juggernaut—and the "Daddy Gang" is now a loyal global community.
These communities aren’t passive listeners. They engage. They create. They support one another. They reflect the real magic of podcasting: intimacy.
Women build trust through storytelling. We gather around podcasts like we used to gather around kitchen tables.
84% of women who listen to podcasts have recommended one to others. In fact, 21% do so frequently— word-of-mouth is a top way podcasts spread among women.
You don’t need millions of downloads to build community. You need clarity, courage, and consistency. Whether you’re running a podcast for mums or spotlighting migrant entrepreneurs, your show can become a lifeline for someone.
The more women who speak up, the more others feel safe to do the same. That’s the ripple effect. When you hit publish on your first episode, you have no idea who it might reach. Who it might help. Who it might inspire.
It might be the 15-year-old girl listening under her covers who suddenly believes she could be a journalist. Or the single mum who feels seen for the first time. Or the woman who’s just left a toxic job and finds your voice to be the lifeline she needed.
Every woman who picks up a mic gives permission to another woman to do the same. Representation matters. And podcasting gives us a way to take up space—without waiting to be invited.
So when someone tells us to “just don’t post anything online,” what they’re really saying is “you make me uncomfortable.” And you know what? Good. Because women speaking up should make people uncomfortable—especially the ones who’ve benefited from us staying silent.
The more we speak, the more we challenge the systems that have kept us quiet.
The more we amplify other women, the more we dismantle the idea that there’s only room for one of us.
The more we show up as ourselves—messy, bold, awkward, brilliant—the more we give others permission to do the same.
And, if you need another reason for why we need more women podcasting: advertisers are finally catching up to what we already know. Women make the majority of household purchasing decisions. We influence travel, tech, education, beauty, wellness, finance—you name it.
And podcast advertising? It’s one of the most trusted mediums. Especially when the host is someone the audience knows and connects with. That’s why we’re seeing a rise in brand partnerships with women-led shows.
48%, that’s early half, of female podcast listeners report feeling more favorable toward a brand knowing it advertises on a podcast hosted or produced by women.
But it’s not just about the money. It’s about recognising our economic influence. When women control the conversation, we also control the capital. We get to choose which brands we uplift, which causes we support, and how we monetise our stories.
You don’t have to wait for someone to validate your value. If your voice resonates, if your content connects, then you’re already valuable.
And if you’ve already built something, think about how you can use your platform to lift others. Who could you invite on your show? Whose story could you help tell? What kind of community could you build around your podcast?
Women are natural community-builders. We’ve been creating safe spaces for centuries—around kitchen tables, in living rooms, in late-night group chats. Podcasting is just a new version of that. It’s another way to gather. Another way to pass the mic.
Here’s the thing—women have been told for centuries, in a million different ways, to be quiet. To “keep sweet,” to “not make a fuss,” to “smile more.” And while we might not be getting burned at the stake for speaking out anymore, the modern version of the patriarchy is still here, whispering in our ears—sometimes subtly, sometimes bluntly—that our opinions aren’t as valid, our expertise isn’t as credible, and our stories aren’t as universal as men’s.
The data backs this up. Even though women now make up the majority of podcast listeners, men still dominate the top podcast charts. Why? It’s not because they have more to say. It’s because for generations, men have been given the mics, the platforms, and the confidence to use them—while women have been told to wait their turn.
Podcasting is one of the few media spaces where the gatekeepers aren’t quite as powerful. You don’t need a commissioning editor to give you permission. You don’t need a broadcasting network to approve your voice. You can plug in a mic, hit record, and share your truth.
And that’s exactly why it’s such a threat to the patriarchy. Every time a woman steps up and tells her story—unfiltered, unapologetic, and in her own words—she chips away at a system that relies on her silence.
So if you’ve been second-guessing yourself, wondering if your story matters, or feeling like you don’t have the “right” credentials to start a podcast—remember: that hesitation isn’t your voice. That’s the patriarchy talking. And the best way to shut it up? Speak louder.
So yes, some faceless troll thought he could make me feel small. And instead, he reminded me why I do this.
Why I teach podcasting. Why I advocate for women telling their stories. Why I believe so fiercely in our collective power.
Because the more of us who speak up, the harder we are to silence.
And if you’re listening to this and wondering if your voice matters, let me make it really simple: It does.
If you’re doubting whether your voice is “good enough,” or your idea “important enough”—this is your sign. The world doesn’t need more polished, perfect content. It needs more real voices. Your voice.
So use it. Share your story. Build your community. Uplift the next woman coming up behind you.
And never let anyone—not a troll, not a system, not your inner critic—tell you to be quiet.
If this resonated with you, share it with a woman you love. And if you're ready to launch your podcast or want support growing your voice and platform, come hang out with me at maxenelondoncreative.co.nz. Let’s make your voice impossible to ignore.
You’ve got this.