Head-to-head comparison
NPR Training vs Podfest Expo
Two of the resources tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Free audio storytelling and journalism resources from NPR's newsroom training team.
Best for: Audio journalism craft
Longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference, held each January in Orlando.
Best for: Indie podcaster conference
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
NPR Training
Pros
- Completely free, no signup required
- Working-newsroom perspective
- Practical not theoretical
Watch-outs
- Strong journalism orientation
- Light on monetization topics
- Updates irregularly
Podfest Expo
Pros
- Indie and beginner friendly
- Lower pass cost than competitors
- 12 years of continuous programming
Watch-outs
- Less industry deal-making than Podcast Movement
- Orlando travel not ideal for everyone
- Brand sponsorship leans podcasting-vendor
Which one should you pick?
Pick NPR Training if
You’re building around audio journalism craft. Publishes practical, opinionated craft articles for audio reporters — structure, editing, mixing, interviewing. All free.
Pick Podfest Expo if
You’re building around indie podcaster conference. Friendlier and more accessible than Podcast Movement, with a strong indie creator base and lower price point. The 2026 edition ran January 15-18 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld — its 12th annual event and the longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference in the world.
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Frequently asked
What does NPR Training do better than Podfest Expo?
NPR Training's standout is "Completely free, no signup required". Podfest Expo doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Indie and beginner friendly" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick NPR Training; if the second does, pick Podfest Expo.
What are the trade-offs?
NPR Training: strong journalism orientation. Podfest Expo: less industry deal-making than podcast movement. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use NPR Training and Podfest Expo together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using NPR Training for one show or episode type and Podfest Expo for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.