Apple’s new HLS-based video podcast initiative is the focus of this episode of Podcast Superfriends with guest Justin Jackson of Transistor.fm. Justin explains what HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is, why it was originally created by Apple, and how chunked, adaptive streaming makes video more practical than traditional large downloads. He outlines Apple’s decision to deliver video via API partners rather than RSS, the ad-tech angle (Apple taking a fee per ad delivery), and why only certain ad-network-backed hosts are in the first wave.

The group digs into technical hurdles (re-encoding, multiple resolutions, manifests, separate audio tracks), costs versus free hosting on YouTube/Spotify, and the new paradigm where one video file powers both video and audio experiences. They debate editing compromises, listener expectations, and how younger audiences increasingly define “podcasts” as YouTube-style video. Justin frames it all as “playing the game on the field” while still being bullish on RSS and the open ecosystem.

Also, in case you missed Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW, there's a pretty big update on Apple Podcasts' upcoming HLS video feature: It will soon be supported by Transistor, Audiomeans, PodBean, Captivate, RSS.com and Podigee, alongside previously-announced supporters Acast, Omny, ART19 and Simplecast.

Work With the Superfriends below:

Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Podcast Superfriends welcome podcast editor and community leader Steve Stewart to discuss the craft and business of podcast editing. Steve shares how he went from financial blogger and podcaster in the FinCon community to a full‑time editor after well-known bloggers asked him to “just handle everything after we hit record.” He explains how early tools like Audacity and basic mics evolved into today’s ecosystem of AI-assisted workflows, transcription tools, and plugins, and why efficiency and smart processes are key to profitability.

The group explores what “podcast editor” really means today—often extending into producer, manager, and strategist roles including show notes, media host management, dynamic ad insertion, and client coaching. Steve stresses niching down (his is personal finance), delivering excellent customer service, and getting clients through referrals, in‑person events, and industry conferences. He also describes his work building the Podcast Editors Club and Podcast Editor Academy to train and support editors worldwide.

Sign Up For Steve's Newsletter here

Join the Facebook Group here

And finally - Steve mentioned a nice price for registering for his Podcast Editor's Academy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this first 2026 episode of Podcast Super Friends, the friends discuss the rapidly changing podcast landscape and predict what lies ahead, including the ongoing tension between walled gardens and open platforms, with debate over whether platforms like Spotify and YouTube will be more creator-friendly. The friends explores emerging monetization models, such as subscriptions and Patreon, highlighting the need for niche content and subscriber engagement. Panelists stress the rising importance of optimizing podcasts for YouTube, professionalizing video and audio production, and leveraging AI for creative assets—while remaining cautious about AI-generated voices. The discussion underscores host-read ads’ increasing value and the shift from simple download metrics to deeper audience analytics. The team also predicts more focused, regional industry events, anticipates a blend of audio and video content (“liquid content”), and foresees podcasting’s pop culture crossover.

⁠Check out Steve Goldstein's blog post on Liquid Content here.⁠ And follow his work if you want to stay in the game.

Ultimately, authentic voices and creative, audience-driven strategies are seen as vital for success in the evolving industry.

Work With the Superfriends below:

Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.