When The Podcast Academy was announced last week, the reactions were split. One side was excited to see a solid and amazing professional awards ceremony that could bring the big dogs out to a red carpet event that could elevate podcasting. The other side was worried about the representation of indie podcasters. Would they be left in the cold? 

It’s to that second group I want to speak today. If you are worried about the indie voice and wonder why I'm not, it's likely because you and I have a different definition of what “indie podcasting” means. 

All amateurs or hobbyists are likely independents, but not all indie podcasters are amateurs or hobbyists. Plenty of indie podcasters produce amazing content that sounds great, is well-researched, and is well-produced.

Many amateur or hobbyist podcasters will look at the list of 13 peer groups identified by The Podcast Academy and be puzzled. Director, host, and producers as separate roles? Aren’t performers hosts? And why are all those not-podcasting roles on the list?

But independent podcasters who make great content won’t be puzzled at all. Because they know the value of all of those roles -- even if they have to assume many/most of those roles on their own. That’s the kind of indie podcaster I’m talking about: Those who recognize there's more to making a podcast than just grabbing a mic and saying whatever's on your mind. 

Not that there's anything wrong with the record-and-release style of podcasting. Nor does this new organization seek to eliminate that type of podcasting. All they want is to elevate the people who are making amazing podcasting content. 

There’s a lot of room between being having fun with a hobby and being a commercially viable success. But the good news is that commercially viable success doesn’t negate the efforts of those who have yet to achieve that status.

So no, I'm not worried about the truly independent voices who are making amazing content. Nor am I worried about the hobbyist or amateur podcaster. This doesn't stop anyone from doing what anyone wants to do with their own podcast. However, this could provide a roadmap to making better content that stands a better chance of being recognized by this particular group.

Before you go, would you go to