What do you think are the pros and cons of a podcast being an audio-only medium?

When I'm joining a podcast, I sometimes forget I'm not visible and am gesturing while explaining things. What do you think are the pros and cons of a podcast being an audio-only medium?

• No pressure to appear on camera for hosts and guests. It can feel quite overwhelming to appear on camera. What do I do with my hands, arms, facial expressions? Where do I look? 🫠
• Easier for the listener to move about whilst as they listen to the podcast episode. While still possible with video on, the listener might feel obliged to watch as well as listen.
• As a host there's no visual distraction. It helps you pay attention to what your guests have to share. 
• Easier to note take as you can be permanently looking elsewhere to take notes, instead of feeling like you must pay attention to looking at the screen.
• While gesturing isn't seen, it kind of felt in some sense as it supports whatever someone is saying.
• Occasionally it's fun to describe to the audience that you are gesturing so they can paint their own picture of what you're up to on the podcast. Using our imagination as a listener is fun.

• As a host, sometimes it's hard to find the right time to take over the conversation from a guest i.e. knowing when to listen and when to speak. With cameras on, you not only get a sense with spoken word, you can spot body language and gestures, and pick a good moment to speak. Video better supports knowing when to pause, interrupt, spot a break, switch topic etc.
• As a host with cameras on, seeing a guest's mouth move helps you understand what they are saying. Hand gestures add to this too. Seeing becomes an extra layer of listening.
• Video podcasts provide happy faces screenshot opportunities. And that's always a nice way to promote a podcast with a photo of the people chatting away.

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