Podcast Movement NYC begins to announce its speaker lineup

Podcast Movement has begun sharing the first wave of speakers for its New York City event, giving podcasters an early glimpse of what to expect when the conference comes around. Among those announced is Greg Glenday, who leads Acast as its chief executive.

The reveal marks the start of what will likely be a steady stream of announcements as the event takes shape. For those who follow the podcasting calendar, Podcast Movement's gatherings have become significant moments in the year, places where creators, technologists, advertisers and platform leaders converge to share ideas and chart where the medium is heading.

What we know so far

Details remain fairly light at this stage. The announcement confirms Glenday's participation, though specifics about what he will discuss or whether he will deliver a keynote, join a panel, or lead a workshop have not yet been shared. Acast, the company he runs, operates as a hosting and advertising platform with a global footprint, so his presence suggests programming may touch on distribution, monetisation, or the broader infrastructure that supports independent creators.

*Photo: Ivana Rodriguez · Pexels*

Podcast Movement typically draws a wide cross-section of the industry. Attendees range from solo creators recording from home studios to representatives of major networks and technology companies. The speaker list often reflects that breadth, mixing practical sessions on storytelling and production with higher-level conversations about where podcasting fits within the wider media landscape.

The fact that the conference is releasing names gradually is standard practice. It builds anticipation and allows organisers to highlight individual speakers rather than overwhelming potential attendees with too much information at once. It also gives people time to plan, especially those who need to justify travel budgets or arrange time away from their usual work.

Why speaker announcements matter

For many podcasters, especially those working independently or within small teams, conferences like Podcast Movement offer something that can be hard to find elsewhere: direct access to the people shaping the industry. Hearing from a platform CEO can provide insight into where investment is flowing, what kinds of shows are gaining traction, and what tools or features might be coming down the line.

There is also the less tangible benefit of simply being in the room. Podcasting can be an isolating medium to work in. You spend hours speaking into a microphone, often alone, and the feedback loop with your audience can feel distant. Conferences break that isolation. They remind you that there are thousands of others doing the same thing, wrestling with the same questions, celebrating the same small victories.

*Photo: Pavel Danilyuk · Pexels*

The New York setting adds another layer. While Podcast Movement also holds events in other cities, New York carries particular weight as a media hub. It is home to many of the largest podcast networks, advertising agencies, and production studios. Holding the event there increases the likelihood of drawing industry decision-makers who might not travel as readily to other locations.

What comes next

As more speakers are announced in the coming weeks, a clearer picture will emerge of the themes and priorities the conference plans to explore. Will there be a focus on new formats, on the role of video in podcasting, on how creators can build sustainable businesses? The lineup will offer clues.

For now, the announcement serves as a marker that the event is taking shape and that those interested should start making plans. Early bird tickets, if available, often sell out quickly, and accommodation in New York can book up well in advance, especially if the conference coincides with other major events in the city.

Podcasting remains a medium in flux. Listenership continues to grow, but so does competition for attention. Platforms experiment with different models. Creators adapt to shifting audience habits. In that context, gatherings like Podcast Movement serve as checkpoints, moments to pause and take stock of where things stand and where they might be going.

The inclusion of someone like Glenday, who oversees a significant player in the podcasting infrastructure, suggests that at least part of the conversation will be about the systems that support creators, not just the content itself. That balance, between the art and the business, between the story and the platform, is one that anyone working in podcasting has to navigate.

For those considering attending, the slow reveal of speakers is part of the process. Each name offers a hint, a reason to lean in or hold back, a way to gauge whether the event aligns with where you are in your own podcasting journey. Whether you are just starting out or have been in the medium for years, these gatherings can offer something, even if it is just the reminder that you are part of something larger.

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