Podcasting was born open—a mic, a message, and a feed was all it took to reach the world.

But today, as the lines blur between open RSS and platform-based distribution, the very idea of what a “podcast” is—and who gets to define it—is at risk of being lost.

Creators are confused. Advertisers hesitate. Platforms pull the medium in opposite directions.

If we don’t define what podcasting is—together—we risk losing everything that made it special in the first place.

That’s why we’re calling on YouTube, Spotify, and other leading platforms to join us at the table—not to be regulated, but to collaborate.

Together, we have the opportunity to define the Podcasting Medium, and co-create an Open Podcast Measurement Protocol and a shared taxonomy that works across RSS, YouTube, Spotify, and other emerging formats.

Their participation would be the single most consequential step we could take toward building a medium rooted in clarity, inclusivity, and long-term growth—for creators, advertisers, and audiences alike.

We’re also calling on the broader podcast ecosystem—creators, advertisers, publishers, and platforms—to:

 • Unite around a clear, inclusive, and cross-platform definition of “podcast”

 • Support the development of an open, cross-platform measurement protocol

 • Preserve the spirit of openness and accessibility that made podcasting a movement—not just a medium

This effort is informed by a new white paper from Oxford Road and Edison Research, based on a national survey of over 4,000 Americans age 12 and older.

It’s also accompanied by a new limited podcast series, where over 30 leaders from across the industry share their vision for the future of podcasting.

Whether you’re a creator, a listener, a brand, or a platform—your voice matters.

The time for alignment is now.

Let’s come together to protect what made podcasting powerful—

And build what’s needed to help it thrive.

Let’s define it.

Let’s scale it.

Let’s keep it open.

Let’s move forward—together.

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