9 reasons to love podcasts

I've made five podcast series now, four of which I produced. My first attempt was called "Scots Spill the Beans" which I made for myself, by myself. Then I made three commercially with Connect; "Edinburgh: Space Data Capital", "Scotland's Secret Space Race" and "The Arran Podcast". Last week I finished recording "Clever About Cash" a podcast from BBC Radio Scotland. I've learned so much in the past three years and I am completely smitten with the medium. Here's why:

1 They're intimate

The podcast experience is very personal, good ones make you feel like you're the only person they're speaking to. Unlike the radio, they're not broadcasts, they're secrets shared and you can't help but form a relationship with the people talking to you.

2 They're the perfect escapism

I go into different worlds when I listen to podcasts - whether it's the built environment on "99 per cent invisible" or the world of climate change with "Outrage and Optimism" or the sheer hilarious filthfest of "Sh**ged Married Annoyed". All of them inspire different emotions and feelings and open different parts of my mind.

3 They're educational

I love learning so I love niche podcasts. I think I get from them what I used to get from certain media outlets - expert opinion presented in a digestible format. I've found all sorts of subject experts - the 'HBR Ideacast' is my favourite from this point of view. When we made "Clever About Cash" into a podcast we wanted to focus each episode on one aspect of personal finance. This meant a library of 12 episodes was a real resource for people to access as and when they needed the information. It's 'evergreen content'.

4 They're entertaining

Have you ever had to pull over and just scream with laughter into your steering wheel? I can't actually listen to "Sh**ged Married Annoyed" in the car any more for this reason. The podcast medium is so informal, it's really easy for presenters to joke around, even when discussing serious topics. Murray and I decided very early on that we had to be light-hearted when presenting a podcast about space technology. The science was so high-level and the objectives were so serious (saving the rainforest, preventing poverty) that we really didn't want it to come across as impenetrable. We've had loads of lovely feedback about our chatty style - and we're proud of that!

5 They're easy to access and global in reach

Podcasts are free and most smartphones come with the podcast app already installed. You don't even have to stop what you're doing to listen to them (although you might want to). If you subscribe to your favourites, you get an alert when the latest episode is available. There are no borders - it's as easy to listen to an Australian podcast as an Icelandic one - and as such you can access global communities.

6 They're flexible

There are very few rules when it comes to podcasts. They can be ten minutes or three hours. They can run indefinitely, or come in series. They can include music or not, have one presenter or someone different each time, have ads or not, be independent or clearly sponsored. Anything goes, anything is possible - as long as you make your audience your number one priority you can be as creative as you like.

7 They're direct

Unlike radio shows which are attached to a network with its own agenda, podcasts exist in their own universe. Call it what it is and get it out there. You can set up a free account on any number of podcast hosts (I like Anchor) and then tell Apple and all the others where it is and then go about gathering listeners. Easy*

8 They're democratic

If it's good, it will be successful. If people like it, they'll listen. If enough people listen, you can get sponsorship... perhaps even join the big boys at Acast. There are very few barriers to entry, all you need is a way to record and upload. I'd always always ALWAYS say edit it before you upload it - but millions don't. The point is - anyone can make a podcast, it's just whether or not people listen.

9 They can promote mindfulness

In the same way you listen to music to chill out, I listen to podcasts to refocus. After a stressful day I absolutely love lying on my bed with my headphones in listening to a brilliant podcast. It forces me to relax and concentrate and I always feel the benefit.

What do you reckon? Have you made a podcast? What's your favourite ever show? Share your recommendations...

*It's actually not easy. Making a successful podcast is extremely hard work and requires proper production skills. A bad podcast will harm your brand!