Are Podcasts the New Fast Food for the Mind?

Today, I’d like to share something a little different with you—and hear your thoughts as well.

Like many people these days, I listen to podcasts. Not many, and certainly not to everything trending—I try to be selective. Time is valuable, and I’m careful with how I use it.

But lately, I’ve found podcasts harder to enjoy. What once felt like an enriching way to pass the time—on walks, during commutes, while doing housework— now feels a little... cluttered. It’s not that the content itself has changed, but the experience has. For starters, the ads have multiplied – not just for products and services (which I understand—shows need funding), but increasingly for other podcasts, which are often produced by the same company. It’s a kind of content loop: podcasts advertising podcasts about podcasts.

And honestly, the quality isn’t always great. Many feel rushed, and thin, as if the idea of having a podcast is more important than what’s actually being said. There are, of course, brilliant exceptions—clever, thoughtful series that leave you thinking long after the credits. But they’re harder to find in the noise.

Still, podcasts are clearly popular. A recent study found that 61% of people in the UK listen to them monthly, spending nearly two hours a day on average. That’s a lot of listening. And perhaps that’s part of what I find unsettling.

I’ve always preferred the written word. Reading allows for reflection, re-reading, pausing, and interpretation. It asks something of you. Podcasts, on the other hand, are designed to be easy to consume, which is part of their appeal—but also part of the risk. The more effortless the experience, the easier it becomes to absorb without questioning.

To be clear, I’m not anti-podcast. Far from it. I understand their appeal and appreciate the accessibility and intimacy of the format. I’ve even experimented with audio versions of my own writing. But I’m still not sure how useful they really are.

So, here’s the question:
Do we really need these many podcasts? Are we listening because it’s worth it—or just because it’s there? And most of all, are we mistaking constant content for meaningful conversation?