With America now starkly divided, many are struggling to comprehend the views they missed in the run-up to the 2016 election. Podcast S-Town, which has gained over 1.8 million subscribers, is the timely tale of a New York-based journalist seeking to understand an eccentric from Shit Town, Alabama.

Podcasts have never been more popular in the US – 44% of people nationwide have tuned into one – with some shows like Desus & Mero now making the transition from audio to audio/visual. But are listeners ready to become viewers? And why are brands eager to engage with podcast fans?

Luminary is aiming to turn its subscription-based platform into the Netflix of the podcast world. With a whopping $100 million in venture funding, it’s hedging its bets on exclusive, ad-free content and the promise of greater creative freedom for podcasters.

British brides-to-be are turning to podcasts to support them through the stressful feat of planning their big day. Podcasts offer a rich and empathetic form of storytelling that allow people to gain validation and comfort from the shared stories and experiences of other brides.