438. What Podfest 2026 Taught Us About Community

What happens when you go from feeling like an outsider to being named Community Hero? We’re reflecting on last week’s Podfest 2026 in Orlando, Florida. After five years of walking through those doors, unsure of where I fit, receiving an unexpected award caught me completely off guard. But this isn’t just my story. It’s about what happens when podcasters show up for each other. Many of us from the Empowered Podcasting community were there, sharing the moments that mattered most and why Podfest continues to feel like a family reunion even for first-timers. Whether you attended or followed along from afar, this conversation brings you right into the room with us. Maybe it’s time you showed up and let the community meet you where you are.

Episode Highlights: 

[02:08] PodFest recap begins

[03:42] Memorable moments and awards

[08:01] Networking and community building

[10:31] Full-circle moments and collaborations

[13:22] Challenges and overcoming obstacles

[17:35] Surprising moments and early reflections

[28:16] Navigating PodFest with practical tips and experiences

[31:26] Reflections from a podcasting veteran

[38:58] Advice for first-time conference attendees

[43:31] Areas for improvement and constructive feedback

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings: 

https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/

Empowered Podcasting Conference 3: Use discount code ‘Podfest26’ to get your ticket for under $200: 

https://empoweredpodcasting.com

Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header

Podfest: 

https://podfestexpo.com

Anika Jackson: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson

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