Podcast Hosts conceptualise, record, edit, distribute, and monetise audio (and increasingly video) shows. In India the space exploded post-2018: Hindi shows dominate listenership (Maed in India, On Purpose with Raj Shetty, Sandeep Maheshwari, The Ranveer Show, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani), but English, regional-language, and mixed shows all have audiences. Distribution runs through JioSaavn, Spotify India, Apple Podcasts, Audible India, Pratilipi FM, and Hubhopper. Monetisation is power-law: most Indian podcasters earn nothing or token amounts — the show is a funnel to a coaching business, a brand, consulting, speaking fees, or a book, not a direct revenue source. The ~5% at 50k+ listeners unlock host-read sponsorships (CPM ₹150–400 in India), affiliate arrangements, premium communities, and live events. True media-business scale (TRS-tier) means treating the podcast as one asset in a larger creator economy stack alongside YouTube, Instagram Reels, merchandise, and brand deals.