Your Podcast’s Music is Talking Before You Do
Choosing the right music for your podcast matters more than most people think. Music is the first emotional signal your listener gets before you say a single word.
Music sets expectations and attracts the audience you want. This is why companies pay so much money to license specific songs and recordings.
If your show is thoughtful and serious but opens with loud, aggressive music, you create friction. If your show is high-energy and fun but starts with slow, sleepy music, you lose momentum.
Good music tells the listener, “You’re in the right place,” and helps them settle into the experience.
Below is an example of how music can change perception. These individuals went into their march trying to project a strong, powerful, and serious image, but the “carnival music” played by counterprotesters immediately undermined that.
Your podcast topic should guide your music choice. A true crime or investigative show benefits from music that feels tense, restrained, and purposeful. A business or leadership podcast often works best with clean, modern, confident sounds. Comedy, pop culture, or lifestyle shows usually do better with music that feels playful or upbeat.
The goal of music on your podcast is not to impress with your taste, but to support the story you’re telling and the audience you’re speaking to.
Just as important, your music should match your energy as a host. If you’re calm and conversational, your music should ease the listener in, not shout over you. If you’re bold, fast-paced, and opinionated, your music can reflect that drive.
When the music fits both the topic and your personality, it feels natural instead of forced. That alignment builds trust, keeps listeners comfortable, and makes your podcast feel intentional from the very first second.
