Podcasting African Women: Lived Experiences and Empowerment

This chapter critically reflects on the Her Media Diary podcast, which centres on the lived experiences of African women working in media industries. It examines podcasting as an academic platform for exploring gender and women's studies and how it can serve as a tool for decolonising Western intellectual frameworks and diversifying publication spaces traditionally dominated by Western perspectives. It also address the limitations of recommender algorithms, which rely heavily on listening behaviours and demographic data (like gender), need to evolve to better support gender equality. It, therefore, argues for more socially conscious recommender algorithms that are smarter at facilitating the reach of academic podcasts, helping to spread critical academic debates to a wider audience. This is crucial in influencing practice, policy, and activism by ensuring that those who need to engage with these conversations—such as decision-makers, influencers, and those in leadership positions—are exposed to diverse and transformative perspectives.