The need for more podcasts Podcasts use an audio file to share information through computers or portable music devices like MP3 players. With the popularity of podcasts rapidly rising globally, in the past few years there have been a relative number of Namibian entertainment and lifestyle podcasts that have given music enthusiasts an entire world of discussion and expression. The significance of podcasts in Namibia adds to the advancement of Namibian modern music culture and it is this significance that keeps young people hooked to their mobile devices for hours to feed their curiosity and vibe. While the number of Namibian podcasts isn't as impressive as it should be, there is no denying that this is one spectrum of the music culture that is set on having an impact and building self-efficiency. Podcasts have integrated seamlessly into the entertainment scene. For many people with a demanding schedule, finding time to watch something on YouTube for instance is difficult and radio has, to a certain extent, fallen short of its entertainment value. Podcasts are a great offer for these people but in Namibia these people are not catered for adequately, and that is why there is a need for more entertainment-driven podcasts. In terms of purpose, podcasts in entertainment are there to contextualise everything happening in a particular space, in an exciting and thought provoking manner. I believe podcasts offer a platform for those in the entertainment industry to give their opinions and review current events unfolding in the industry. Focusing on latest events occurring in the entertainment scene is important not just in a sense of dialogue but as a major cornerstone in helping introduce upcoming artists through playing their music and opening doors that would have probably been overlooked by the mainstream industry. Most newspapers in Namibia have entertainment supplements that only come out on a weekly basis; this means that there is more than enough room for podcasts to thrive in our industry. I hope more Namibians exploit this market and create more Namibian content. Even though our entertainment industry is fairly small, we cannot deny that it is not growing. In the last few years, the industry has gradually developed and it is a good thing to witness. When we talk of the entertainment scene in Namibia, we do not only refer to the music aspect. The industry has broadened and the fashion scene in particular, keeps demonstrating that it is not stagnant and there is a lot to talk about in this regard on platforms like podcasts. I believe, the lack of Namibian podcasts that share Namibian content is one of the reasons why a lot of music fans in Namibia consume more international news compared to how they consume Namibian news. Namibians are hungry for local content. So in case you have been wanting to start a podcast, just know that it is easy to start one. All you really need is a microphone and a recording device which can be your phone or computer. Podcasts act as storytelling, therefore, engaging the audience on a more personal level is good. Sometimes I find myself chiming in as if I'm talking the podcaster face-to-face. Since podcasts often draw inspiration from their personal lives, it is easy to feel like part of the discussion. On that note, I would like to say big ups to all Namibian podcasters for the content they have been giving us and I invite more people to join this exciting phenomenon of sharing content. michael@namibiansun.com