International Podcast Day: The Story Behind Podcasts, Their History & Malayalam Podcast Culture
Every September 30, podcast creators and listeners around the world celebrate International Podcast Day — a day dedicated to the growing world of podcasts, independent creators, audio storytelling and conversations.
But podcasting didn't begin with Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Its story goes back to the early days of blogging, RSS feeds, downloadable audio and the iPod.
And somewhere along that journey, a simple word was created: podcast.
What Is International Podcast Day?
International Podcast Day is celebrated every year on September 30. It is described by the International Podcast Day organization as an international celebration of the power of podcasts and an opportunity for podcasters, listeners and people working in the podcasting industry to connect.
The celebration began as National Podcast Day in 2014 in the United States. It was later rebranded as International Podcast Day in 2015 as the organizers recognized the international nature of podcasting.
September 30
First celebrated as National Podcast Day: 2014
Rebranded as International Podcast Day: 2015
How Did Podcasting Begin?
Podcasting grew out of several technologies that already existed separately: blogging, RSS syndication, digital audio files and portable MP3 players.
Before podcasts became mainstream, people were already publishing audio files on websites. The important development was finding a practical way to automatically distribute new audio episodes to subscribers.
RSS technology played a major role in making that possible. Instead of visiting a website every day to check whether a new audio file had appeared, software could check a feed and retrieve new content.
Technology pioneers Adam Curry and Dave Winer are widely associated with the early development of podcasting. The exact division of credit has been debated, but both played important roles in getting the technology moving in 2004.
Adam Curry and Dave Winer are credited with important early work that helped establish podcasting through RSS-based distribution of audio.
Journalist and technology writer Ben Hammersley used the word "podcasting" in a Guardian article discussing the emerging world of downloadable internet audio.
Podcast hosting and distribution services began appearing, making it easier for creators to publish and distribute their shows.
Podcasting began attracting much wider public attention as more creators, media companies and listeners entered the space.
Podcasts are no longer limited to audio. Video podcasts, interview shows, documentaries, comedy, education, news, storytelling and niche communities have become part of the podcast ecosystem.
Why Is It Called a "Podcast"?
This is probably the most interesting part of podcast history.
The word podcast is generally described as a combination of "iPod" and "broadcast."
Ben Hammersley introduced the term in a February 2004 Guardian article while writing about the emerging trend of downloadable internet audio.
"Pod" referred to Apple's iPod, which was one of the most recognizable portable MP3 players of the era, while "broadcast" described the distribution of audio content.
Interestingly, the name became much bigger than the device that inspired part of it. Today, you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Smartphones, computers, smart speakers, cars and streaming platforms have turned podcasting into a mainstream form of media.
Podcast vs Radio: What's the Difference?
Podcasts are sometimes described as "radio on demand," but there is an important difference.
Traditional radio usually follows a broadcaster's schedule. Podcasting allows the listener to choose what to hear, when to hear it and where to hear it.
This flexibility helped podcasting develop into a huge collection of niche communities. Instead of creating one program for everyone, creators can make shows specifically for movie lovers, entrepreneurs, gamers, students, parents, history enthusiasts, sports fans or almost any other interest.
How Podcasts Changed the Way We Consume Stories
One of podcasting's biggest contributions has been giving individuals the ability to become publishers and broadcasters without needing a traditional media organization.
A person with a microphone, recording software and an internet connection can create a show, publish it and build an audience.
That has made podcasting particularly interesting for regional languages and communities. Malayalam is a good example.
Malayalam Podcasting: A Growing Space
Malayalam podcasting covers a wide range of subjects — cinema, technology, personal growth, history, culture, comedy, education, lifestyle and conversations.
There is no single universally accepted ranking of the "best" Malayalam podcasts, so the following are better understood as notable Malayalam podcast examples rather than an official ranking.
1. The Malayali Podcast
The Malayali Podcast is a Malayalam conversation-driven podcast hosted by Krishnalal KJ.
The show explores subjects including relationships, lifestyle, technology, entrepreneurship, personal growth, culture, cinema and inspiring life stories.
The podcast began in 2020 and has grown into a Malayalam content platform focused on conversations, stories and perspectives from Malayalis.
According to its Apple Podcasts listing, the show has been active from 2020–2026 and has published more than 100 episodes.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Visit TheMalayali.inThe story behind The Malayali Podcast
The idea behind The Malayali Podcast started from curiosity about podcasting itself. What began as a small experiment eventually developed into a platform for Malayalam conversations and storytelling.
The show's identity is built around a simple idea: good conversations can create connections.
From cinema conversations to life stories and personal experiences, the podcast explores subjects that are familiar to Malayalis while also reaching listeners outside Kerala.
2. Pahayan Talks
Pahayan Talks, created by Vinod Narayan, is a Malayalam podcast that covers life, career, society, culture, films, books and observations about everyday life. Its Apple Podcasts listing shows hundreds of episodes and activity spanning 2017–2026.
Listen on Apple Podcasts3. Truecopy THINK
Truecopy THINK is a Malayalam podcast platform associated with in-depth journalism, interviews, analysis, culture, science and literature. It represents another side of Malayalam podcasting where podcast episodes are used for long-form journalism and ideas.
Listen on Apple Podcasts4. Project Malayalam
Project Malayalam focuses on subjects including history, mysteries, science, cosmos and interesting stories, showing how Malayalam podcasting can also work as an educational and knowledge-driven medium.
Listen on Apple Podcasts5. Story Time with Asha Teacher
Story Time with Asha Teacher is a Malayalam storytelling podcast designed for listeners of different ages. It focuses on narrated stories and continues to publish new episodes.
Listen on Apple Podcasts6. Made In Kerala with Sanish Bhaskaran
Made In Kerala from Radio City features conversations with Malayali celebrities, achievers and change-makers. The show uses an interview format to explore the lives and experiences of its guests.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWhy Malayalam Podcasts Matter
Malayalam is spoken by millions of people around the world, including a large Malayali diaspora. Podcasts make it possible for creators to build communities around the language even when listeners are thousands of kilometres away from Kerala.
Unlike traditional broadcast media, podcasts can focus on extremely specific interests. A Malayalam podcast can spend an entire episode discussing a movie, a personal experience, a technology trend, a historical story or an unusual life journey.
That freedom is one of the reasons podcasting has become an interesting space for regional language creators.
From iPod to Smartphone: The Podcast Revolution
What started as downloadable audio distributed through RSS has evolved into a global entertainment and information ecosystem.
Today, podcasts can be listened to while driving, exercising, travelling, working or simply relaxing at home. The technology has changed dramatically, but the fundamental idea remains remarkably simple:
How to Celebrate International Podcast Day
International Podcast Day isn't only for professional podcasters. Listeners can participate too.
- Listen to an episode from a podcast you enjoy.
- Discover a new podcast in your language.
- Share your favourite episode with a friend.
- Leave a review for a creator you regularly listen to.
- Start your own podcast conversation.
- Use #InternationalPodcastDay on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is International Podcast Day?
International Podcast Day is celebrated every year on September 30.
When did International Podcast Day start?
The first event was celebrated as National Podcast Day in 2014. It was renamed International Podcast Day in 2015.
Who coined the word podcast?
The word "podcasting" is generally credited to journalist Ben Hammersley, who used the term in a February 2004 Guardian article.
Why is it called a podcast?
The commonly cited explanation is that "pod" refers to Apple's iPod and "cast" comes from "broadcast."
Do I need an iPod to listen to a podcast?
No. Modern podcasts can be accessed through smartphones, computers, smart speakers, cars and podcast platforms.
What are some Malayalam podcasts to explore?
Examples include The Malayali Podcast, Pahayan Talks, Truecopy THINK, Project Malayalam, Story Time with Asha Teacher and Made In Kerala with Sanish Bhaskaran. These shows cover different areas including conversations, culture, education, stories, journalism and entertainment.
The Future of Podcasting
Podcasting has already moved far beyond its original association with MP3 players and RSS feeds. Video podcasts, short-form clips, live conversations and social media discovery are changing how audiences find and consume shows.
But the core strength of the medium remains unchanged: conversation.
For Malayalam creators, that creates an opportunity to tell stories that might not always fit into traditional media formats.
From Kerala to the Malayali diaspora around the world, the microphone has become a way to connect people through language, stories and shared experiences.
Listen. Talk. Share a story. Start a conversation.