For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved building products that make people’s lives a little easier. Over the past two decades I’ve had the opportunity to work on products used by millions of people, but every so often an idea comes along that becomes much more personal.
For me, that idea was Podisodic.
It Started With a Simple Question
Like many people, podcasts have become part of my daily routine.
They’ve kept me company on long drives, taught me new skills, introduced me to incredible people, and challenged the way I think. Some of my favorite books have come from podcast recommendations. Some of my biggest career lessons came from listening to founders and experts share their stories.
Yet every time I finished a great episode, I found myself wishing podcast listening felt a little more connected.
Why was discovering great content still so difficult?
Why did finding episodes on specific topics require jumping between different apps?
Why was there no simple way to support a creator whose work genuinely made a difference?
Those questions eventually became Podisodic.
More Than Another Podcast Player
I never wanted to build a “Spotify competitor.”
There are already great podcast players.
Instead, I wanted to build the podcast experience I wished existed.
One that helps people:
- Discover podcasts based on topics they care about—not just show names.
- Enjoy thousands of free audiobooks alongside their podcasts.
- Easily organize everything they love in one place.
- Continue listening seamlessly across devices, including CarPlay.
- And, perhaps most importantly, give listeners a simple way to support the creators they appreciate.
The goal has always been to make podcast listening feel a little more intentional and a little more rewarding.
Supporting the People Behind the Microphone
One realization kept coming back to me while working on Podisodic.
Podcasting is one of the most generous forms of media.
Creators spend countless hours researching, recording, editing, and publishing episodes that often remain completely free.
Millions of people benefit from that work every day.
Yet for many independent creators, earning meaningful income is still incredibly difficult.
I didn’t want to change podcasting with subscriptions or paywalls.
I wanted to preserve what makes podcasting special while making it easier for listeners to simply say:
“Thank you.”
That’s why we’re building Listener Tips—a simple, optional way for listeners to leave $1 or $2 tips for the creators whose work they’ve enjoyed.
Building in Public
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been working directly with creators and listeners.
Many of Podisodic’s features have been shaped by feedback from podcasters who care deeply about their audiences. Every conversation has helped make the product better.
We’re still early, and there’s a lot left to build, but that’s part of what makes this journey exciting.
What’s Next
This is just the beginning.
Over the coming months we’ll continue improving discovery, expanding our creator tools, enhancing the listening experience, and introducing new ways for listeners and creators to connect.
My hope is simple:
That Podisodic becomes a place where discovering great conversations is easier, supporting creators is natural, and podcasting continues to thrive as one of the most open and accessible forms of media on the internet.
If you’d like to follow along—or if you’re a podcast creator interested in trying Podisodic—I’d love to hear from you.
The best products are built together.
Thanks for reading.
— Steve Mandzik