The 5 S’s: What People Really Want from Their Favorite Podcast
- Jamie Kennedy
- Oct 24
- 2 min read
When people press play on your podcast, they’re not just tuning in for information. They’re searching for something that feels familiar, trustworthy, and human, a voice that meets them where they are.
Hi, I’m Jamie Brooke, the executive producer of Brave Moon Podcasts, a podcast production company helping health, fitness, and wellness creators build meaningful shows that connect on a deeper level. Over the years, I’ve noticed that the most impactful podcasts all share one thing in common: they make their listeners feel something.
We call this the 5 S’s, the five things what people really want from their favorite podcast: Security, Safety, Soothing, Success, and Significance. Let’s break them down.
1. Security
Listeners want to know you’ll be there for them.
Consistency creates trust. When your audience can rely on you to show up regularly, you become part of their rhythm, their morning walk, their drive to work, their end-of-day wind down.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. That reliability builds a relationship that lasts.
2. Safety
People want to feel safe in your space.
They want to know they’re in the right place, listening to someone who understands them. The way you speak, the stories you share, and even your tone help create that sense of belonging.
When your listeners feel safe, they open up. They trust you, and that trust keeps them coming back.
3. Soothing
In a fast-paced world, your podcast can be a place to slow down.
Listeners crave shows that leave them feeling lighter, calmer, or inspired. Whether it’s your storytelling, your tone, or your message, your podcast should give them something they can feel good about.
A soothing experience doesn’t have to be quiet. It just has to be grounding.
4. Successful
Your listeners want to feel like they’re getting something valuable from your show.
It could be a new insight, a motivating story, or a fresh perspective they can bring into daily life. When people feel like your podcast helps them grow, personally or professionally, they’re proud to share it.
That sense of success turns listening into a habit.
5. Significant
Finally, people want to feel seen and heard.
They want to hear their own experiences reflected in your stories. They want to feel like they belong in your audience, that they’re smart, capable, and worthy of being part of your world.
When your words make people feel significant, you transform listeners into loyal supporters.
Want to give people what they really want from their favorite podcasts?
When you build your podcast around the 5 S’s, Security, Safety, Soothing, Success, and Significance, you’re not just creating content. You’re building connection.
At Brave Moon Podcasts, that’s what we help creators do every day, combining storytelling, strategy, and sound into experiences that move people.
Because when listeners feel something, they stay.
Happy podcasting.
