Absorbing books, consuming news, and learning new information has seen a significant shift with the popularity of podcasts. And whether you prefer Apple, Spotify, Audible, or any platform in between, listeners across the globe can access information otherwise not available, be entertained, and gain tools to maximize their trajectories. With great efficiency from the comfort of their smartphone, podcast listeners have a huge library of choices from genres such as comedy, society and culture, and entrepreneurship. The next time you are chilling, running errands, or engaging in the never-ending cycle of adulting, check out these podcasts that are putting in overtime to inspire and help you tap into the next level of your future.

Back in May, Spotify announced a monumental initiative designed to invest in and amplify the work of Black creators in music and beyond. Today, the streaming giant has teamed up with Black woman-operated creative agency FourTwo Creative to rollout a new campaign continuing the momentum of the new budding creator hub. Frequency Podcast Campaign — which features a two-part video series highlighting select Black creators who have chosen podcasting as their creative avenue — was created by both parties in an effort to spotlight a space where Black voices are moving the needle and becoming a dominant force in audio. “Podcasting is yet another medium that allows Black creatives to have a space where they can say what they feel and tap into audiences who can relate,” FourTwo Creative tells AfroTech. “It’s a medium that’s also a level playing field of creating one’s own platform—there are so many resources available that allow creatives to start with what they have and produce quality...

Creator of “Black-ish” Kenya Barris is expanding his Hollywood profile to the music business with a new entertainment company. According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the famed writer and producer has announced the launch of Khalabo Music — a joint venture with Interscope Records that already has a stacked roster of fresh, talented artists. As an extension of his production company, Khalabo Ink Society, Barris is looking at new ways he can work his signed artists into other areas of his entertainment hub. “Kenya touches people in so many different ways and he wants music to be part of that experience, so the conversation is not just about, ‘Let me find this one artist and make the best record,'” Interscope Geffen A&M Records vice chairman Steve Berman told THR. “He wants to find the artists and be able to plug music into his universe in many different ways. It’s the complete picture with him.” Per Berman’s interview with the outlet — as part of Barris’ latest cover story — the...

Looking to become a successful YouTuber? Maybe you’ve considered the idea of starting your own channel, but never seriously pursued it. Beyond the obvious like finding a niche and investing in the right equipment, we’re here to give you tips on how to actually succeed on the platform. HOW TO START A YOUTUBE CHANNEL IN 2020: 3 VALUABLE TIPS JUST START You might think that starting is the most obvious part of having a YouTube channel. However, many people overlook the simplicity of starting right now. It’s easy to get caught up in planning and preparing to start your channel. This can lead to hesitation and procrastination because you’re thinking about every single aspect. Ready or not, just do it. Start your channel now. You don’t have to upload every video you record. So what if you look back at your first video and see how terrible it was? You have to start somewhere. And at least you’ll gain experience being in front of the camera and learn if you even enjoy making videos. DEVELOP...

The world of podcasts is getting a huge push in 2020, and now mega-media companies are getting in on the fun too. This week, mass entertainment companies ViacomCBS and iHeartMedia announced a three-year joint deal that includes a slate of over a dozen original podcasts based under both brands, Variety reports . According to a news release , the three-year pact calls on iHeartMedia — the biggest global commercial podcast publisher — to produce both new podcasts and shows associated with ViacomCBS’s portfolio of channels that span across different genres, including music, comedy, pop culture, and history. “We are excited to partner with iHeartMedia, the leading global commercial podcast publisher to expand our hit shows and IP into hit franchises,” said Keyes Hill-Edgar, chief operating officer of ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Group, in a statement . “iHeart’s wide distribution and availability across a number of leading platforms align well with our global reach and audiences.”...

While video content is dominating the online world, podcasts aren’t too far behind. According to Edison Research 2019 , over half of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast. And the Podcast Trends Report 2019 shows that 82.4% of people listen to podcasts more than 7 hours each week. So there is no doubt that podcasts are rapidly gaining in popularity. If you’re interested in diving into the podcast world, here’s a quick guide to starting your own. 1. PLAN THE DETAILS The first thing you should do is choose the topic of your podcast. To help you make a decision, think of the what, who, and why. This will help you narrow down your purpose. What will your podcast be about? Who will you be targeting? Why does your messaging matter to this audience? Once you answer these questions, you can start picking a name for your podcast, planning your episodes, coming up with episode titles, and choosing a format – whether you want to interview people, have a co-host, or go solo. Think about...

Podcasting has become the new wave for global storytelling and keeping up with all things in current events. To stay up-to-date with the trend, media company theGrio is venturing deeper into the culture with the launch of their new podcast, “ Dear Culture .” View this post on Instagram A post shared by theGrio (@thegrio) The podcast dedicated to everything in Black news and stories hosted by a staff of theGrio’s award-winning journalists and media personalities such as Natasha S. Alford, Blue Telusma, Gerren Keith Gaynor, Shana Pinnock, Todd Johnson, and Cortney Wills. Topics for the podcast align with theGrio’s core values demonstrating enlightened views of news, politics, pop culture, and more through the lens of Black tastemakers. There appears to be a shift towards more creators that help engage Black audiences in meaningful conversations as more and more Black-run podcasts enter the cultural space. Edison Research reported that 12 percent of podcast listeners were Black back in...