Episode 58: The “Trust Recession” and Podcast Growth: Why Community Is the New Marketing Strategy with Cait Howard & Amanda Bennett

Feb 10

The Future of Podcasting for Women and Moms in 2026 with Cait Howard and Amanda Benavides

Listen on Apple Podcast | Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTube

If you’re a female podcaster—or a mom building a show between school pickups, nap schedules, and everything in between—this episode is a breath of fresh air.

In this conversation, I’m joined by two women who are quietly but powerfully shaping the future of podcasting for women and moms: Cait Howard and Amanda Benavides. Together, they’ve built community-first spaces for mom podcasters through Podcasting Moms Club, in-person conferences in Nashville, and their newest venture, Mom Friends Media Collective.

We talk about where podcasting is headed in 2026, why community matters more than ever, how women can build sustainable shows without burning out, and why collaboration—not competition—is becoming the defining growth strategy for podcasters who want longevity.

If your podcast sometimes feels isolating…
If you’re craving deeper relationships, better partnerships, and more aligned growth…
If you want your podcast to support your life—not drain it—
you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why women and mom podcasters need spaces designed specifically for their lived experience
How community-led podcast growth is replacing transactional marketing strategies
What podcasting trends are actually worth paying attention to in 2026
The shift away from generic sponsorships toward aligned brand partnerships
Why in-person podcasting events are making a major comeback
How to monetize your podcast in ways that feel sustainable and values-driven
The importance of clarity, patience, and long-term thinking for podcast growth

Timestamps:

5:15 - The future of podcasting in 2026
10:45 - Amanda’s journey into podcasting
15:30 - Cait talks about the importance of community
20:00 - Insights on building sustainable podcasting partnerships
25:50 - The role of women in shaping the podcasting industry
30:10 - Challenges faced by mom podcasters
35:25 - Upcoming Podcasting Mom Conference details
40:00 - Tips for growing a podcast audience
43:00 - Closing thoughts and future hopes for 2026

Why Community Is the Future of Podcast Growth

Amanda shares how Podcasting Moms Club started as a simple Zoom call—one meant to connect moms who were podcasting in isolation—and quickly turned into something much bigger. What began as a free community evolved into conferences, collaborations, and a deeply supportive ecosystem for women building podcasts alongside motherhood.

Cait adds an important layer to this conversation: community isn’t just helpful—it fundamentally changes how podcasters grow.

Instead of chasing one-off guest swaps or transactional networking, women in aligned communities naturally collaborate, cross-promote, support launches, and grow together. Trust builds faster. Relationships go deeper. Growth feels more organic—and far less exhausting.

This episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need more cold outreach. You need the right rooms.

Podcasting Trends for 2026 That Actually Matter

We spend time unpacking what’s really changing in podcasting—and what’s just noise.

Here’s what Cait and Amanda are seeing:

1. Smaller, More Intimate In-Person Events

Big podcast conferences aren’t going away—but women are craving smaller, more intentional spaces where real conversations can happen. Many attendees report that the most valuable moments happen in hallway conversations, bathroom lines, and coffee breaks—not on massive stages.

That’s exactly why Podcasting Moms Club Conferences are designed as single-day, high-impact events that prioritize connection, conversation, and actionable takeaways.

2. Aligned Brand Collaborations Over Traditional Ads

Instead of random sponsors that don’t fit your audience, podcasters are shifting toward long-term brand partnerships rooted in shared values. Cait shares examples of creators partnering with brands they already love—and building collaborative campaigns that serve both the audience and the brand.

This is especially powerful for podcasters with engaged email lists and tight-knit communities, even if their download numbers aren’t massive.

3. Community as a Monetization Strategy

Community isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s becoming a core monetization engine. From memberships and collectives to live events and partnerships, podcasters who nurture real relationships are seeing stronger, more sustainable revenue streams.

Why Mom Podcasters Need a Different Model

Motherhood changes everything—including how we build businesses.

Amanda and Cait speak candidly about why traditional podcasting advice often falls flat for moms. Time constraints, emotional labor, caregiving responsibilities, and mental load all shape how women show up behind the mic.

Instead of hustling harder, they advocate for:

Clear boundaries
Slower, more intentional growth
Systems that support real life
Metrics that go beyond downloads

This episode validates something many mom podcasters feel but rarely hear said out loud: you’re not doing it wrong—you just need a model that fits your life.

Inside the Podcasting Moms Club Conference

We also dive into what attendees can expect from the upcoming Podcasting Moms Club Conference in Nashville on April 20th.

The event is built around three core pillars:

Marketing
Monetization
Operations

Instead of information overload, the focus is on clarity, connection, and tangible next steps. Attendees walk away with real plans, meaningful relationships, and renewed confidence—not just notes they’ll never revisit.

If you’ve ever wanted to step out from behind the screen and sit in a room with women who get it, this conference is for you.

Final Words for Podcasters Heading Into 2026

To close the episode, I ask Cait and Amanda what they hope podcasters carry with them into 2026.

Cait encourages podcasters to get crystal clear on their “why” and to build shows that support their life—not the other way around.

Amanda reminds listeners not to be afraid to try something new—whether that’s joining a community, shifting their content strategy, or stepping into a room that feels slightly uncomfortable.

Growth doesn’t come from staying hidden.
It comes from connection, courage, and community.

Your Next Steps

If you’re ready to stop winging it and start treating your podcast like a product, grab my free Podcast Project Management Guide. It walks you through exactly how I organize podcast production, promotion, and growth—so nothing falls through the cracks.

If you want weekly insights on podcast growth, marketing strategy, and turning listeners into subscribers, join the newsletter at:

→ www.podcastmarketinghub.com/subscribe