In 2024, 67% of Americans aged 12 and older reported having listened to a podcast, with 47% tuning in monthly and 34% weekly.
Globally, podcast listeners surpassed 504.9 million—a growth of 40 million in just one year.
With some audiences dedicating over 10 hours per week to this medium, podcasts now account for 11% of daily audio consumption. This growing platform is transforming how storytelling and marketing intersect.
The higher education sector has embraced this trend, with a wide array of podcasts offering actionable insights tailored to professionals in web, marketing, and admissions.
Below is a curated list of 10 must-listen podcasts* for 2025 that will inspire, educate, and keep you ahead of the curve:
*This list is not ranked by popularity or preference but is designed to highlight valuable insights for the higher-ed community.
AI for U, hosted by Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy and Assessment at the University of Rochester, is a biweekly podcast exploring the transformative role of artificial intelligence in higher education. Focused on practical applications, the show offers insights for professionals in marketing, administration, admissions, and other non-academic roles.
With a mix of expert interviews and deep dives into real-world use cases, the podcast addresses topics such as AI tools, workflow optimization, prompt engineering, and AI-driven content creation.
Recent episodes highlight AI marketing strategies for small colleges, institutional innovation at Arizona State University.
For professionals aiming to stay ahead of the curve, AI for U serves as an essential guide to leveraging AI to enhance institutional processes and deliver better outcomes for students and staff alike.
The Education Marketer, hosted by Kyle Campbell, is a bi-weekly podcast designed to keep higher education marketing professionals informed and inspired. With conversations featuring global higher-ed marketers, the show delves into essential topics like media marketing, digital content strategies, creator news, and their implications for higher education.
Kyle complements the podcast with a popular newsletter and regular insights shared on LinkedIn, creating a comprehensive resource for staying ahead of trends in the field.
His episode explore current challenges and opportunities in higher-ed marketing, offering actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives, such as a recent episode with Guus Goorts on creating websites that wins students’ hearts.
The Education Marketer provides a valuable platform for growth and innovation in the world of higher education marketing.
The Higher Ed Marketer podcast continues to be a go-to resource for higher education marketing professionals seeking actionable advice and forward-thinking strategies. Co-hosted by Bart Caylor and Troy Singer, this weekly show dives into the rapidly changing world of higher-ed marketing.
Each episode spotlights conversations with some of the most innovative and experienced marketing minds in higher education. Together, Bart and Troy explore the future of higher-ed marketing, emerging technologies, and strategies for success in the industry.
Bart and Troy interviewed our CEO, Kat Liendgens about attracting mission-fit students with CMS deliverables. During the episode, Kat highlights the importance of diversifying CMS strategy to include influential personas like parents. Tune in for expert insights on expanding your higher education marketing reach.
For higher-ed marketers looking to gain actionable insights and stay informed, The Higher Ed Marketer delivers insights, expertise, and inspiration.
Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, hosted by Jaime Hunt, is a candid and insightful podcast designed for higher education marketing professionals. With over 20 years of experience, Jaime brings authenticity and expertise to conversations with marketing leaders across the industry.
Now president of Solve Higher Ed Marketing, Jaime continues to offer actionable advice and innovative ideas through this podcast, which has been described as "like a conference in a podcast."
Part of the Enrollify Podcast Network, the show explores challenges and strategies in areas like enrollment, branding, marketing budgets, and AI-driven creativity.
Recent episodes dive into marketing’s role in pricing strategy, online graduate program promotion, and leveraging faculty expertise for brand building.
From navigating institutional branding to rethinking your marketing budget, Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO delivers professional expertise, practical insights, and inspiration for higher-ed marketers aiming to make a greater impact.
Higher Ed Storytelling University, hosted by video producer and storytelling coach John Azoni, is a bi-weekly podcast designed to help higher education marketers harness the power of storytelling to connect with students and boost enrollment.
The podcast is filled with practical tips and expert insights that can be immediately applied to real-world marketing efforts.
John explores storytelling techniques tailored for higher education, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse student needs and experiences.
For marketers seeking to elevate their storytelling game, Higher Ed Storytelling University is an essential listen.
Check out episode 71, featuring Suzan Brinker, about how to differentiate your college or university in a sea of sameness.
EdUp MarComm, hosted by Philip Smith, is a weekly podcast exploring higher education marketing and student recruitment. A spin-off of The EdUp Experience, the show features expert conversations with leaders from colleges and universities on topics like branding, enrollment growth, data-driven strategies, and the enrollment cliff.
Recent episodes include insights from Southern Illinois University and Maricopa Community Colleges on faculty branding, transparency with students, and accessible education. With its concise, actionable content, EdUp MarComm is a top resource for higher-ed marketing professionals.
Talking Tactics, hosted by Dayana Kibilds, is a practical podcast designed for higher education marketing and enrollment professionals. The show focuses on single, resource-efficient tactics that drive enrollment metrics like inquiries, applications, and registrations.
The show highlights creative strategies, such as Miami University's Instagram reel with 100,000 impressions, RIT's use of GIFs to boost website traffic, and Trinity Valley Community College’s approach to connecting with students.
Talking Tactics offers actionable insights that can be immediately implemented, making it a valuable resource for marketing teams of all sizes.
Volt's podcasts, Higher Voltage and Trusted Voices, offer distinct yet complementary insights into higher education marketing and leadership, making them invaluable resources for professionals in the field.
Higher Voltage, hosted by Kevin Tyler, delves into the dynamics of higher-ed marketing—what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to evolve. Episodes feature expert conversations on topics like AI in content creation, social media strategies, and the future of marketing in higher education. Guests include industry leaders such as Brian Piper, author of Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education, who provides insights on storytelling and content strategy.
Trusted Voices, hosted by Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy, examines leadership and communication in higher education. Discussions focus on strategic planning, ethical decision-making, and crisis communication, with an emphasis on emotional intelligence in leadership.
Together, these podcasts provide actionable strategies and thoughtful reflections for higher education professionals navigating the complexity of higher education.
The Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast, hosted by Shiro Hatori, is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping higher education professionals master the art of creating and capturing demand. Through interviews with industry leaders, the show provides actionable insights into strategies for admissions, accessibility, alumni engagement, retention, and digital marketing.
With over 100 episodes as of November 2024, the podcast covers a wide range of topics. Notable episodes include discussions on launching a central marketing podcast (Episode 105) with Nate Jorgensen.
For higher-ed marketers seeking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape, the Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast offers practical advice and innovative ideas to enhance engagement and achieve marketing goals.
For Your Institution, hosted by Gil Rogers, is a must-listen podcast for higher education marketing and enrollment professionals navigating the sector's unique challenges. Produced by Mongoose Research, the show delivers actionable insights and innovative strategies on topics such as tackling the enrollment cliff, engaging non-traditional students, and breaking down institutional silos.
With interviews featuring industry experts, episodes cover practical advice and solutions for creating impactful marketing campaigns, improving institutional communication, and addressing key trends in higher ed.
Highlights include balancing authentic video content with production quality, marketing strategies for community colleges, and fostering innovative approaches to communication.
Though the show sunsetted in November 2024, its content remains evergreen, offering relevant insights for anyone in higher education seeking to elevate their marketing and enrollment strategies.
Podcasts create a powerful connection with your community. By telling compelling stories that reflect the diverse experiences of students, faculty, alumni, and staff, podcasts foster loyalty and engagement like few other mediums can.
As shifting demographics and evolving communication preferences reshape higher education, podcasting provides a dynamic way to reach and resonate with diverse audiences.
If you’re ready to start your own podcast or take an existing one to new heights, don’t miss our webinar on Proven Podcasting Strategies for Higher-Ed Marketing.
Featuring insights from Kate Young of This is Purdue and John Boccacino of 'Cuse Conversations, this session offers actionable strategies for creating impactful content, building campus partnerships, and driving engagement.
Check out the full webinar recap here to get started!
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2024 11:00 AM
