Head-to-head comparison
Out on the Wire (Book) 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.
Graphic-novel guide to audio storytelling craft based on interviews with top radio producers.
Best for: Storytelling craft book
Longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference, held each January in Orlando.
Best for: Indie podcaster conference
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Out on the Wire (Book)
Pros
- Unique illustrated graphic-novel format
- Real producer interviews including Ira Glass
- Deep story-structure focus
Watch-outs
- Published 2015 — pre-video-podcast era
- Narrative podcasts only
- Not a practical step-by-step how-to
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 Out on the Wire (Book) if
You’re building around storytelling craft book. Jessica Abel's illustrated book unpacks how This American Life, Radiolab, Planet Money, and others actually construct stories. The graphic-novel format makes it readable in a sitting.
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 Out on the Wire (Book) do better than Podfest Expo?
Out on the Wire (Book)'s standout is "Unique illustrated graphic-novel format". Podfest Expo doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Indie and beginner friendly" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Out on the Wire (Book); if the second does, pick Podfest Expo.
What are the trade-offs?
Out on the Wire (Book): published 2015 — pre-video-podcast era. 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 Out on the Wire (Book) and Podfest Expo together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Out on the Wire (Book) for one show or episode type and Podfest Expo for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.