PODSUMMIT YYC 2025

Panel Session

Title: The Algorithm vs. The Audience: Who Are We Really Creating For?

🗓 Saturday September 20th, 2025

🕐 11:00am - 12:00pm

📍 The Flanagan Theatre

Speakers:

Jay Downton, The Nation Network

Yael Strasberg, Creator Network Director, Acast

Alex Paterson, Civics & Podcast Lead, Canada, YouTube

Emma Krebs (Moderator), Podcast Producer


Description:

In a podcasting world where discoverability can make or break a show, creators face an evolving dilemma: do we serve the audience we want, or the algorithm we need? This high-impact panel will dig into the hidden mechanics shaping podcast growth — from algorithmic influence on listening habits to how data is informing content decisions. We’ll explore what happens when platforms, publishers, and indie creators all chase engagement, and what gets lost (or found) in the process.