Our individual development cannot be conceived outside of our social worlds (c.f. Vygotsky Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development). Podcasts in and of themselves are “social” in that they involve us listening to the perspectives of others. For this reason, podcasts have increasingly been used as a learning tool in traditional educational contexts (e.g. K-12, college, and medical education), but we know that learning with others is a stronger mechanism for learning than learning from others. Social interaction is key to allowing us the greatest opportunity for growth. 

Beyond this, learning together creates social bonds and experiences of belonging with those with whom we learn. Collaborative learning exposes us to new concepts, tools, and skills through our connections to others at the same time that it facilitates empathy between co-learners. Further socially listening to radio, which we can extend to podcasts, “enhances cultural intimacy because its aural nature means that radio enters the body via sound waves touching eardrums, but also that radio resides in the [social] space between people, touching all simultaneously...”

We see, feel, and hear others' responses when we listen together in-person in real-time creating unique opportunities for social connection.