5 days ago
Is podcast authenticity overrated—or essential?
The word "authenticity" gets tossed around with fervor as a way to connect with audiences and grow your show – "Be yourself!" or "Find your voice!" But what does authenticity actually mean? And does it really matter?
For many podcasters and producers, authenticity is seen as a key ingredient in connecting with listeners. The authoritative, slightly formal, calm and measured style of classic news presenters like Walter Cronkite in the US or [insert name of famous TV or radio news reader of decades past here] are over – no longer to contemporary audiences' taste. When people hear a story that's unfiltered and sincere, the thinking goes, they're more likely to invest their time and stay loyal to the show.
According to a 2023 article from Podium titled "Authenticity in Podcasting: Building Genuine Connections with Listeners," audiences are more likely to develop trust in a host who appears flawed, relatable and emotionally available – provided it feels sincere. The article noted that hosts who share not just content but context (why this story matters to them) tend to build stronger listener relationships.
"Sharing behind-the-scenes content, discussing the podcasting journey, challenges faced, or personal anecdotes can humanize the podcast," the article read. "It reminds listeners that there's a real person with genuine emotions and experiences behind the microphone, fostering deeper empathy and connection."
"Indeed, a sense of authenticity can be the secret sauce in making a podcast feel human," said Amanda McLoughlin, co-founder of Multitude Productions, a Brooklyn-based podcast collective. "But it's also one of the hardest things to fake – listeners can sniff it out a mile away."
Listeners these days want to feel connected to hosts, and authenticity helps that happen Image: Zoonar II/IMAGO
Faking it
What insiders warn against is turning vulnerability to a marketing gimmick, the cringey phenomenon of "fake authenticity." This ranges from overproduced vulnerability, overly casual banter or confessional monologues that feel performative, not personal.
And, consider if that kind of vibe is what your podcast even needs? If your show is about stock trends, baring your soul every week might not make sense.
Podcast coach and strategist Eric Nuzum, co-founder of Magnificent Noise, former VP for programming at NPR, and author of The Audio Insurgent newsletter, put it this way: 'Authenticity isn't about telling your deepest secrets. It's about being consistent, showing up in your audience's feed with a voice that they recognize and trust."
The line between authenticity and artificiality is a fine one. One person who did it well is child actor turned book author turned podcaster Jennette McCurdy. Her podcast Hard Feelings, which produced new episodes until Feb. 2024, intentionally leaned into emotional complexity. In an interview with Teen Vogue, McCurdy described the goal as "creating space where messiness isn't just tolerated but expected. It's about allowing for complexity, not just performance."
So does that mean you don't need planning or any kind of script, just a microphone and raw emotion? Australian audio producer Chris Marsh has worked behind the scenes of the radio and podcasts of the comedy duo of Hamish & Andy for more than 15 years. He told the PodCircle that authenticity wasn't about chaos or lack of prep. "We do a lot of work behind the scenes – reading thousands of listener emails, planning meetings, testing ideas," he said. "The trick is creating space for spontaneity," he said.
Being authentic doesn't mean improvisation. Marsh likes to plan spontaneity into shows Image: Blend Images/Strauss/Curtis/picture alliance
One of the things that has kept Hamish & Andy popular since transitioning from radio to podcasting is their consistent commitment to their audience. Early in their career, they dubbed their show "The People's Show," a philosophy that Marsh says still drives their choices: "We make our listeners the stars of the show. We involve them, we meet them, we read their emails. That kind of connection keeps the show grounded."
This echoes what many successful podcasters have discovered: authenticity isn't just about what happens behind the mic—it's about the entire listener relationship. So that means in addition to Nuzum's advice to hosts to "talk to one listener," hosts also need to make sure those listeners feel part of a community they've built.
A fine line
So how do podcasters find this elusive balance between "real" and "faked" authenticity? For McLoughlin, it depends on what works for the person behind the mic. "Some people need a script, others need an outline, and some need to riff. The question is, what gets you into that zone where you sound most like yourself?"
Marsh offers this advice: "Don't try to bend yourself to fit a show. Make the show you actually want to make."
Ultimately, authenticity in podcasting is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's a mix of tone, consistency, vulnerability and trust. It's about putting in the work to sound effortless, about being generous with your listeners, and about allowing your show to evolve while remaining true to its mission.
So is authenticity overrated? Not if it's real or if it's earned. And it can make the difference in whether someone decides to listen again.
