Serial shows that women are leading the podcast revolution

Men receive 63 per cent of the byline credits in journalism - podcasting is one place where women are shaking things up

My obsession with podcasts has reached unhealthy heights at times, like the moment I pushed my ex-boyfriend so far over the edge with my persistent requests that he listen to Serial that he yelled at me: "Don’t tell me what to do with my life." I am sure that all those who were enthralled to the first series will stand in my defence.

The podcast Serial explores one story over a number of episodes, akin to a serialised TV documentary - minus the ridiculous and repetitive visual re-enactments.

In 2014 it was the fastest growing podcast with over five million downloads and received the Peabody Journalism Award for 'bringing new avenues and approaches to storytelling'. The second series, only two episodes in so far, is topping both the UK and USA’s iTunes podcast charts.

The value of these accolades being presented to Serial lie in the fact that the show is co-created and produced by two women: Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder, with the former also hosting the episodes.

Last year, the Women's Media Centre reported gender inequality in journalism across all media outlets, with men receiving 63 per cent of the byline credits in print, Internet and wire news. By winning awards and topping charts, Serial is proving that women are leading the way in broadcast journalism and we should listen up.

The female revolution in podcasting is also present in Serial’s parent show, the critically and publicly acclaimed, This American Life. The podcast has thirteen female and only seven male members of staff, and that’s including host Ira Glass. As an example of the original journalism being produced by the show, have a listen to Starlee Kine asking Phil Collins if he would forgo the success he garnered with 'Take a Look at Me Now' to have his ex-wife back. It is one of the most hilarious and heart breaking interviews you will ever listen to.

It is not just human interest stories that female podcasters are producing. Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel weave scientific research and storytelling in Ivisibilia and on our side of the pond, Kirsty Styles hosts, the New Economics Foundation podcast; few others could make an interview about quantitative easing so accessible.

I owe Sarah Koenig, Starlee Kine and the rest of the podcast girl gang (hand held recorders and dynamic microphones are compulsory uniform) a great due. In many ways they were responsible for my deciding to take up a career in journalism; thanks ladies.

There has of course - as with female advancement in any field - been a backlash. Women have been criticised for ‘vocal fry’ and OphiraEisenberg, the host of Ask me Another, was once told by a vocal coach: ““In that high register, all people hear is their mother or their wife yelling at them, and they’re immediately turned away.”

For now, I will content myself with the success of Serial and if last year was anything to go by, please don’t try to engage in any other conversational topic that isn't why Bowe Bergdahl left his base camp, and please don’t yell at me if I recommend that you give it a listen.