I just figured out a way to make listener participation far more inclusive and I did it by realizing how exclusive it had been.

Voicemail lines for listener feedback has been a staple of podcasts since the beginning and call-in lines for radio have been with us for decades. It’s time for an inclusive upgrade.

The Problem: Who are we NOT hearing from?

My anecdotal data is far from scientific, but it is illustrative of clearly-recognized, wider trends.

Fewer Calls Overall:

I’ve been producing my podcast since 2006 and I’ve had a listener voicemail line since 2009. Back then, it was normal to receive a dozen or more calls each week…