Are Podcasts the New Business Card for Founders?

Podcasts are the new business card for founders. But is that really true?

Open Spotify or scroll through LinkedIn — your feed is flooded with shows on every imaginable topic. From burnout confessions to behind-the-scenes pitches, founders are turning their stories into content.

Open Spotify or scroll through LinkedIn — they are flooded with podcasts for every theme you can ever imagine. From burnout confessions to behind-the-scenes pitches, founders are turning their stories into content. 

So why are entrepreneurs suddenly obsessed with podcasting? It’s not about ego or hype. Podcasting might be the most underrated and cost-effective PR tool in the startup toolkit right now.

We all know how necessary — and how hard — it is to get media coverage for startups: you end up pitching journalists and crossing your fingers for a spot in Forbes or TechCrunch — and even if you manage to get this spot, your whole story might get cut down to fit the format.

Podcasts flipped the script. Now you jump on a podcast and share your story in a personal way — unedited, unscripted, and unfiltered. It’s giving space to talk about what matters to you, and not what journalists want to hear. That makes listeners feel like they actually know you — which is the holy grail in the PR world.

In Trust We Trust

In today’s world, trust is the new currency. People scroll past ads, skip videos, and mute branded content from sheer overload. But podcast listeners stay — over 60% of listeners finish entire episodes, according to Edison Research.

Think about it — listening to someone’s voice for 40 minutes builds a bond. And for early-stage founders, that trust is gold. Remember Andrew Huberman or Alex Hormozi? They built entire ecosystems off podcasting — and turned long-form voice into loyal community. 

If you show up on a respected podcast — even a niche one — you instantly become more real to potential investors and more visible to future customers.

You Don’t Need Everyone — Just the Right Few

Another reason founders love podcasts? Precision. Unlike mass media, where your story might get blasted to millions who don’t care, podcasts speak to exactly the people you want to reach. There’s a show for every niche: B2B, crypto, edtech, sex-wellness, fashion, you name it.

If you’re building something meaningful, probably are there’s already a podcast with your dream audience — users, partners, potential hires, even future investors. And here’s the secret sauce: these listeners chose to be here. Whether they’re walking the dog or driving to work, they’re giving you real attention. That kind of attention? Rare and valuable.

You don’t even need the big-name podcasts — smaller ones often convert better. A show with 5,000 loyal listeners, if they’re VCs, engineers, or founders, can do more for your startup than a flashy media mention that disappears in the feed.

Podcasts Stick Around

Social media posts disappear in 24 hours. News articles get buried within days. But podcast episodes? They live forever. Your story stays online for anyone to find — whether it’s tomorrow or five years from now. You can drop a podcast link into a pitch deck, a follow-up email, or just casually share it with a new connection. It keeps working for you while you sleep (or build your product).

So no — podcasting isn’t just a trend. It’s one of the smartest, lowest-cost ways to build trust, shape your narrative, and reach the people who matter. No budget blown on ads. No chasing journalists who ghost you.

In a world where everyone is scrolling and skimming, podcasts offer something rare: full attention and a human connection. Maybe it’s time to pick up the mic — or pitch your story to someone who already has. Your next investor might just be listening.