Podfest 2026: What a GP podcaster learnt.
This year, Dr Louise Kuegler — GP, medical educator, and host of The Specialist GP podcast — joined creators from around the world at Podfest 2026 in Orlando. Surrounded by thousands of podcasters at every stage of their journey, one thing became very clear:Podcasting is about people, not just production.
While there were plenty of sessions on gear, growth hacks, and monetisation, the biggest takeaways weren’t technical, they were human. Connections Matter More Than Downloads.
Podcasting can feel like a solo sport, but it’s actually a community game. The conversations in hallways, over coffee, and between sessions were just as valuable as the talks themselves. Relationships open doors to collaborations, guest opportunities, and new audiences.
Have a Clear Vision- Successful podcasters know why they are creating. Who is the show for? What change are you trying to make? Being clear about your mission helps guide content, guests, and growth decisions. For The Specialist GP, that means practical, evidence-based education that genuinely supports clinicians in practice.
Promote Your Expertise and Your Episodes. Great content doesn’t promote itself. One of the strongest messages at Podfest was to stop being shy about sharing your work. If you have knowledge that helps people, it deserves to be heard. Talk about your episodes. Share key takeaways. Make it easy for others to pass your work on.
Your Guests Have Audiences Too. Every guest brings their own community. When you feature someone, encourage them to share the episode. That cross-pollination helps both audiences grow and strengthens professional networks.
Be Open to Feedback. Growth comes from listening. Constructive feedback from listeners, peers, and mentors helps refine both message and delivery. The best podcasters are always learning.
Community Creates Momentum. Podfest reinforced that communities accelerate growth. When podcasters support each other, share knowledge, and collaborate, everyone benefits.
The message from Orlando? Be visible. Be generous. Be clear about your purpose. And always include a call to action, because if you don’t invite people to listen, share, or subscribe, they may never think to do it. Podcasting isn’t just about hitting record. It’s about building something together.
