Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In March 2006, I had the privilege of interviewing Todd Cochrane, one of the true pioneers of podcasting, for my PodLeaders podcast.
Todd was already running Geek News Central, co-founding the Tech Podcast Network, and laying the groundwork for what would become Blubrry Podcasting. In this wide-ranging conversation, recorded less than two years after podcasting began, he shared his vision for the medium, his entrepreneurial journey, and his passion for helping independent creators thrive.
Todd passed away suddenly in September 2025, and the podcasting world has lost one of its most generous builders and advocates. This interview is both a time capsule of the early days of podcasting and a tribute to Todd’s remarkable foresight and contribution.
Highlights from this interview include:
• Todd’s early start in podcasting (October 2004) and why he launched Geek News Central
• How the Tech Podcast Network was founded to help small podcasters monetise
• His views on podcast sponsorship, aggregation, and sustainable business models
• The origins of RawVoice (which became Blubrry)
• Reflections on community, branding, equipment, and content strategy
• A personal glimpse into his life in Honolulu, family, and even “ghost stories” near Pearl Harbor
Todd Cochrane was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, and his legacy continues to shape the industry today.
If you’re a podcaster or a podcast listener, I invite you to watch, reflect, and share your memories of Todd in the comments.
👉 For more conversations with leaders at the intersection of technology and sustainability, visit https://tomraftery.com.
In March 2006, I had the privilege of interviewing Todd Cochrane, one of the true pioneers of podcasting, for my PodLeaders podcast.
Todd was already running Geek News Central, co-founding the Tech Podcast Network, and laying the groundwork for what would become Blubrry Podcasting. In this wide-ranging conversation, recorded less than two years after podcasting began, he shared his vision for the medium, his entrepreneurial journey, and his passion for helping independent creators thrive.
Todd passed away suddenly in September 2025, and the podcasting world has lost one of its most generous builders and advocates. This interview is both a time capsule of the early days of podcasting and a tribute to Todd’s remarkable foresight and contribution.
Highlights from this interview include:
• Todd’s early start in podcasting (October 2004) and why he launched Geek News Central
• How the Tech Podcast Network was founded to help small podcasters monetise
• His views on podcast sponsorship, aggregation, and sustainable business models
• The origins of RawVoice (which became Blubrry)
• Reflections on community, branding, equipment, and content strategy
• A personal glimpse into his life in Honolulu, family, and even “ghost stories” near Pearl Harbor
Todd Cochrane was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, and his legacy continues to shape the industry today.
If you’re a podcaster or a podcast listener, I invite you to watch, reflect, and share your memories of Todd in the comments.
👉 For more conversations with leaders at the intersection of technology and sustainability, visit https://tomraftery.com.
