Why So Surprised that a Grandma is Listening to Your Podcast?

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Triforce, a while ago when I heard them discussing their extreme surprise that someone's grandmother was listening to their podcast.  While it's true that the talent are all in their mid to late 30s and the content can be over the top at times, I was dismayed that they had such an antiquated view of grandmothers.  They implied that grandparents are doddering, old women.  This certainly hit a nerve with me!

I am a 66 year old grandmother, but I am very active.  Our kids say that their parents have a much more active social life than they do because we are always going somewhere, doing things with friends of all ages, and interested in a variety of things.  I do remember when I was young and thought that people in their 60s were really old.  We definitely are older, but I think that aging has changed in our current society.  More of us are active, vital, contributing adults later in life!  Using technology is certainly one of the things that has changed our lives for the better, and many of us embrace its use and what it offers us.

As I started musing about Podcasts and demographics, I had to do a little research to see what the stats were about Podcasts.  According to Podcastinsights.com, there are over 750,000 podcasts!  That's a lot of content being created.  Edison Research tells us that "51% of Americans 12+ have ever listened to a podcast, with 32% having listened in the past month, and 22% in the past week...Although all key demographics grew, much of the increase in podcasting has come from Americans age 12-24."  

Credit: Infinite Dial 2018

As the graph shows, listening to podcasts occurs during many parts of the day.  Most listen at home like I do, but a large percentage listen in their cars or at work.  My husband listens while exercising.  Podcasts can fit into lives in many different ways so people of all ages should be able to find a way to enjoy them.

Podcast listeners subscribe to an average of 6 shows and 19% of us speed them up (Podcastinsights.com).  I subscribe to 27 different podcasts.  I listen to all of them with Smart Speed which shortens silences.  Some of them I listen to at 1 1/2 speed.  My son listens to a lot of podcasts at double speed but I haven't been able to get used to that!

I think that podcast creators need to recognize that seniors are an untapped demographic.  I am hoping that more and more will discover how much fun listening to podcasts can be.  I think they're definitely missing out by not exploring this form of media and content.  So, Content Creators, grandmas like me won't be pidgeonholed into antiquated stereotypes of gray haired grannies knitting in our rocking chairs.  We're out here ready to learn new things, stay current, and be entertained!

Have you found your tech joy today?

#Blaugust2019