From Archives to Airwaves: The Role of Podcasts in Heritage Storytelling

The way we engage with heritage is evolving. No longer confined to physical spaces like museums or archives, heritage now extends into the digital realm, embracing platforms that offer new modes of storytelling. Podcasts stand out among these as a dynamic and transformative medium. At MAE Heritage, we are inspired by how podcasts democratise heritage narratives, providing a space where diverse voices and stories can reach audiences far beyond traditional cultural spaces.

The Rise of Podcasts

Over the past decade, podcasts have become an increasingly popular form of modern media. With over 420 million global listeners in 2022, according to Buzzsprout, this growth shows no sign of slowing and is predicted to grow year over year. Their popularity stems from their unique accessibility and flexibility: listeners can tune in whenever and wherever they like—during commutes, while completing household chores, or as part of moments of relaxation. This ease of use enables podcasts to foster in-depth storytelling, often difficult in other formats.

For heritage professionals, podcasts open doors to narratives that are personal, engaging, and expansive. While exhibits can at times feel static and social media demands brevity, podcasts offer space to explore history, culture, and memory in nuanced ways. They invite audiences into conversations, creating a sense of intimacy. Importantly, this accessibility breaks down barriers, reaching individuals who might not otherwise engage with traditional heritage platforms, such as museums or academic texts -as long as listeners are hearing-abled and have an internet connection, they can engage with podcasts.

Milou Derksen of MAE Heritage recording in studio

Educationally, podcasts have proven to be a powerful tool. Younger generations, who may not visit museums as frequently as older ones, connect with heritage in a format that feels relevant and contemporary. Many schools and universities are now incorporating podcasts into their curricula to teach history and culture in ways that are both engaging and relatable.

The Power of Storytelling and Amplifying Un(der)heard Voices

Heritage is, at its core, about storytelling—capturing the traditions, memories, and identities that define us. Podcasts excel in this arena, combining narrative with emotion. Through their use of sound and voice, podcasts create an immersive experience where tone, atmosphere, and personal connection are conveyed directly to the listener.

Unlike visual or written media, which rely on imagery or interpretation, the human voice in a podcast can evoke emotion in an immediate way. This emotional resonance is especially impactful in heritage storytelling. A listener hearing a firsthand account of a historical event or a discussion about cultural traditions experiences the story on a personal level, fostering empathy and understanding.

Podcasts also have the power to transport audiences across time and space. Through skillfully crafted storytelling, listeners can explore historical moments, encounter cultural practices, or meet figures from the past. This ability to weave together different voices and perspectives makes podcasts a compelling medium for heritage storytelling, presenting narratives that are rich, multi-layered, and deeply engaging.

One of podcasting’s greatest contributions to heritage is its ability to amplify voices often excluded from traditional narratives. For much of history, heritage has been shaped by dominant groups with the resources to control archives and institutions. This has frequently led to the silencing of marginalized communities and their stories.

Podcasts challenge this imbalance, offering a platform for diverse voices to share their experiences. At MAE Heritage, we are dedicated to centring un(der)represented voices in our projects. For example, the Writing Women Into History podcast workshops, created in partnership with the University of Amsterdam, enabled students to craft episodes that highlighted overlooked women’s stories. These episodes tackled diverse topics, from the legacy of motherhood to the life of Belgian stuntwoman Hélène Dutrieu.

Similarly, Indigenous communities worldwide are using podcasts to preserve their languages, oral histories, and traditional knowledge. These efforts ensure that heritage is not only protected but also accessible to future generations. Once recorded and published, a podcast episode becomes a digital archive—a snapshot of voices, ideas, and emotions from a specific moment in time. This archival potential is invaluable for heritage professionals and communities, offering a durable and widely accessible way to capture and share cultural narratives.

Unlike traditional archives, which are limited by physical space and the fragility of materials, podcasts are flexible and adaptable. They can be accompanied by transcripts, images, and supplementary materials. For oral history projects, this format is particularly powerful, allowing personal memories and testimonies to reach both researchers and the general public.

Challenges and Opportunities for Heritage Podcasts

Despite their strengths, podcasts come with challenges. Producing high-quality content requires technical skills, time, and resources. Additionally, standing out in an increasingly crowded media landscape can be difficult. However, these challenges also spark creativity and collaboration.

We’ve embraced these opportunities by partnering with educational institutions, cultural organisations, and community groups to create podcast projects that reflect the communities they represent. One such initiative is PodWalk Cool Zuid, financed by Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie, developed to showcase the stories of four churches in Cool Zuid, a neighborhood significantly impacted by urban development. This project combines audio storytelling with physical exploration, guiding listeners through the neighbourhood’s architectural and social history while connecting it to the lives of past and present residents.

Emma Egberts from MAE Heritage leads a neighbourhood tour in Cool Zuid and shares an audio clip of voices from local church and community members.

By blending narrative with a physical journey, the podwalk transforms a walk into an immersive experience, allowing participants to see, hear, and feel the history around them. This integration of audio and physical elements deepens the connection between listeners and the heritage being explored, turning passive learning into active engagement.

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, podcasts and podwalks will continue to shape how we engage with heritage. Their ability to make heritage more inclusive, accessible, and dynamic ensures their relevance in a rapidly changing world. By using podcasts to tell stories that matter—stories that preserve the past, reflect the present, and inspire the future—we can help to redefine what it means to connect with heritage in the digital age.