Evolutions Comes to SXSW, Plus a First Look at Talent

Welcome back!

We hope your 2026 is off to a strong start. This year marks a big evolution for Podcast Movement, one that begins this March in Austin.

For the first time in Podcast Movement history, Evolutions 2026, produced with Sounds Profitable, will be officially embedded within SXSW programming. From March 13–15, we’ll take over Sky Box on 6th Street in downtown Austin, bringing creators, platforms, advertisers, and media leaders together to explore podcasting’s expanding role across culture, business, and entertainment.

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What does this look like for attendees?

Evolutions 2026 is about showing up, plugging in, and being part of the conversation. Attendees can drop into panel sessions with industry leaders unpacking where podcasting is headed and how it’s intersecting with the broader media ecosystem in real time. Expect big ideas, practical takeaways, and conversations that don’t happen anywhere else.

You can also book time in our podcast recording studio, capturing both audio and video right from the heart of downtown Austin. Between sessions, we’ll host receptions and happy hours designed for easy networking, casual meetups, and the kind of spontaneous conversations that tend to become the highlight of SXSW.

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First wave of SXSW talent announced

We’re excited to share the first look at Evolutions programming at SXSW:

• Acclaimed storyteller MrBallen kicks off Evolutions stage programming on Friday

• A new Discovery Track featuring 10-minute spotlight talks from voices shaping podcasting now

• A morning keynote presentation from YouTube, spotlighting the future of the medium

Live programming throughout the weekend will also include a reading of The G.Y.M., a script by AFF and Webby Award–winning writer and director Dani Hanks, performed by Allison Dunbar, Emmy-nominated Kensington Tallman, and Shaan Sharma. Additional live performances include Scalable, hosted by creator-economy experts Kaya Yurieff and Jasmine Enberg, with more announcements coming soon.

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Introducing the Discovery Track

For the first time, Evolutions will debut a Discovery Track, which is a series of short, 10-minute talks that open each programming block. These talks are designed to surface fresh ideas and perspectives across business, creativity, and culture, with each day following a distinct arc:

Day 1 – The Power of the Medium (March 13)
Ami Thakkar (The Podcast Academy)
Bridget Todd (Unbossed Creative)
Greg Glenday (Acast)
Kate Navin (Audible)

Day 2 – The Creative Engine (March 14)
Cassie Jozefov (Violet Hour Media)
Blythe Terrell (Science Vs, Spotify)
Leital Molad (WaitWhat)
Jasmine Fluker (The Pivotal Paradigm Project)

Day 3 – The Future of Attention (March 15)
Rae Votta (Creative Content Expert)
Krystle Waters (Pilot Podcasts)
Ernest Owens (Ernest Media Empire)
Mary Williams (Sasquatch Media Grounds)

“The business of podcasting has matured dramatically, but its role in the broader media ecosystem is still evolving,” said Bryan Barletta, President of Podcast Movement and Partner at Sounds Profitable. “Embedding Evolutions within SXSW creates space for real conversations about growth, measurement, creativity, and where podcasting fits next.”

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Who you’ll see there

Evolutions 2026 is supported by leading brands across media, technology, and advertising, including YouTube (Keynote Presenter), Acast, Amazon Music, Airwave Media, ART19, Audacy, ESPN, Magellan AI, NPR, Oxford Road, Supporting Cast, and many more.

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A few important notes

Evolutions is free and open to the public as an official SXSW activation. The venue operates under capacity limits and may reach capacity during peak hours. SXSW badge holders receive priority entry; non-badge holders may experience wait times. Advanced registration does not guarantee admission.

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We’re excited to bring Evolutions into this next chapter and can’t wait to experience it alongside you in Austin. More programming and speaker announcements are coming soon. For now, mark your calendar for March 13–15 and get ready to join us in downtown Austin at SXSW.

– The Podcast Movement Team