In 2025, more podcasts will move from audio and video to the stage — and not just the big ones with big budgets. This already-growing trend will be adapted and invigorated by mid-tier and smaller shows whose audiences have been steadily increasing for years, whose listeners yearn for live interactions with hosts and shows that have become integral to their lives.

More importantly, these committed listeners will happily pay for these events, whether at a small local theater, an artsy venue, the neighborhood bar with open mics, or a college auditorium used for lectures during the day.

Podcasting is great at building community. But there are severe limits to the depth of engagement and connection that can be achieved between a compelling show and its loyal audience when everything happens via RSS feed. That’s where live events come in, with engaging conversations, musical guests, games and trivia, and sponsors who want to put their products in the hands of the most loyal media consumer around.

Here are three reasons audiences will embrace mid-level and smaller live podcast events (and how you can plan accordingly):

1. Podcast super listeners have curated playlists that reflect who they are, and are ready to take things to the next relationship level with their favorite shows. To appeal to these loyal and discerning audiences, don’t deviate too much from your format — just put the show in an interesting/unexpected place that will create intrigue and curiosity.
2. Single listeners want cool date ideas and memorable group activities. Movie tickets are expensive. Drinks at happy hour are still not really that affordable. And sitting across a restaurant table is so last century. So if you have a show with a quirky premise, comedic themes, and highly engaging hosts who can work a room, find a funky space in your city to test out the idea for a live show. Make sure there are refreshments and some door prizes.
3. Listeners who strongly identify with affinity groups want to mix it up with their kind of people. So if your show has a strong gamer/anime/manga following, pitch all the regional comic-con events about including a live episode on the main stage or a side one. Whatever your niche audience might be, there are ways to design a live event that builds on the connection between your show and their desire to connect to like-minded people. As a podcaster who focuses on these audiences, I highly recommend Edison’s Latino Podcast Listener Report and Black Podcast Listener Report.

The key to launching a live podcast event is to test the idea and scale it up. Start with a group of friends and family, get their honest feedback, stay on budget, and go from there. Just like your show grew incrementally, so will your live events. But you have to start.