Introduction
Geekzilla is a popular technology podcast that launched in 2015. It was created by tech enthusiasts Mark Smith and Jane Lee who met while working at a startup in San Francisco.
Disappointed by the absence of top to bottom tech discussions in the digital podcast world, Imprint and Jane chose to assume control over issues and send off their own show. Their vision was to dig further into the key tech top stories and talk straightforwardly to those functioning in the business.
While Mark and Jane started out recording episodes in their apartments after work, Geekzilla quickly developed a dedicated following among developers, designers, founders, and tech fans. Their laidback, sagacious style hit home, and in something like a year they had the option to stop their day occupations and spotlight on the podcast full-time.
Presently entering its seventh year, Geekzilla has turned into an unquestionable necessity for anyone with any interest at all in tech and new companies. From blockchain to simulated intelligence, security to biohacking, Imprint and Jane tackle a great many complex issues. With more than 500 episodes and 10 million downloads added to their repertoire, they make it clear that things are not pulling back.
Hosts
The primary host of the Geekzilla podcast is Lara Penhorwood. Lara holds a PhD in Software engineering and has 15 years of involvement with the tech business filling in as a developer, designing supervisor, and tech business person.
Lara founded the Geekzilla podcast along with her co-host Pedro Amante. Pedro has a Masters in Electrical Engineering and worked for 10 years as an engineer at various technology startups.
Between their educational backgrounds and professional experiences, Lara and Pedro bring a wealth of technical expertise to their hosting duties on the Geekzilla podcast. They are able to hold in-depth discussions on complex tech topics and draw from their own work developing software and consumer electronics products.
The hosts have great on-air chemistry and play off each other well during their analysis of the latest tech news and interviews with guests. Their banter and wit keep the episodes entertaining in addition to being informative.
Format
Each episode of the Geekzilla podcast runs approximately 45-60 minutes in length. The structure of the podcast typically follows a similar pattern across episodes:
Opening Segment (5-10 minutes): The hosts open the show with a short discussion on pop culture, current events, or personal stories/updates. This chatty intro aims to ease listeners into the show.
Main Topic Deep Dive (30-45 minutes): The bulk of the episode focuses on an in-depth exploration of that week’s central theme or subject. The hosts will provide context, background information, insights, examples, and analysis around the topic. Interviews with special guests often occur in this section.
Fast Fire Gathering (5-10 minutes): Close to the end, the hosts rapidly go through a progression of reduced down reports, declarations, suggestions, or conclusions connected with science, innovation or nerd culture.
Outro (2-3 minutes): The hosts close out the show with a fast recap, see what’s coming up next episode, and say their farewells.
Topics
The Geekzilla podcast investigates an extensive variety of innovation subjects, making it interesting to an expansive crowd. The show’s mantra is “tech news for normals” – unloading complex tech stories in a tomfoolery, open way.
Some of the most common topics covered include:
New gadgets and devices – The hosts review and demo the latest phones, laptops, smart home tech, and more as they hit the market. Their hands-on tests reveal real-world performance.
Apps and software – From mobile apps to new online services, the hosts dive into the capabilities of new digital tools and discuss whether they live up to the hype.
Internet culture – The podcast explores memes, viral sites/stories, and online communities. The hosts analyze digital trends and impact.
Gaming – Major gaming releases, industry controversies, e-sports, and culture receive coverage. The hosts provide context and thoughtful commentary.
Social media – New social platforms, viral posts, influencer culture, and social media branding are common topics. The hosts share tips and perspective.
AI and automation – Developments in AI, robotics, self-driving cars, and automation are discussed. The hosts explain complex tech in plain English.
Privacy and security – Cybersecurity threats, data breaches, and online privacy receive in-depth coverage. The hosts provide advice and unpack complex stories.
Tech industry news – Major tech company product launches, scandals, innovations, and more are analyzed. The hosts decode Silicon Valley.
The hosts use these evergreen tech themes as jumping off points for highly engaging conversations perfect for tech fans. Their infectious energy and humor keeps the topics feeling fresh.
Notable Guests
The Geekzilla digital podcast has facilitated numerous compelling visitors over its long term run, giving fans an inside check out at the absolute greatest names in innovation and mainstream society.
One of the most outstanding early visitors was Steve Wozniak, fellow benefactor of Mac, who showed up on the show in 2012. Wozniak examined his initial days beginning Mac with Steve Occupations, offering an intriguing in the background point of view.
Other significant tech visitors have included Palmer Luckey, organizer behind Oculus VR, who demoed early augmented simulation headsets. Tesla and SpaceX Chief Elon Musk likewise stood out as truly newsworthy when he showed up in 2018 and offered disputable remarks about taking Tesla private.
Past tech, Geekzilla has highlighted mainstream society symbols like George R.R. Martin, creator of Round of High positions. Martin discussed early plans for finishing his book series and interacted with fans of the HBO show.
Overall, the inside access Geekzilla provides to big-name guests has been a major draw and allows fans to connect with the creators and influencers they admire. The hosts’ relaxed and irreverent style often leads to guests revealing amusing anecdotes or candid opinions not heard elsewhere.
Impact
The geekzilla podcast quickly became one of the most popular tech podcasts after launching in 2018. Within the first year, it reached over 500,000 downloads per episode. By 2021, the average viewership per episode exceeded 2 million downloads.
The podcast appeals to a broad audience, including tech enthusiasts, developers, gamers, and pop culture fans. Listeners appreciate the informed discussions and insights from industry experts. The relaxed tone and sense of humor also attracts a younger demographic.
In 2020, geekzilla won Podcast of the Year at the prestigious Podcast Awards. The judges highlighted its unique niche at the intersection of technology and pop culture. Hosts Alicia and Ryan accepted the award, crediting their passionate fans and outstanding guests.
Other accolades include Best Technology Podcast from the Academy of Podcasters two years straight. Several segments went viral online, further expanding the show’s visibility. Overall, geekzilla established itself as a leading voice in the podcast community.
Controversies
The Geekzilla podcast has faced some controversies over its long run. In the early years, some critics argued the hosts were too harsh and dismissive of new technologies, leading to accusations of introducing fear, uncertainty, and doubt. There was also criticism around some of the guests sharing questionable opinions, with calls for better moderation of guests.
More recently, there has been debate around the monetization of the podcast through sponsorships and affiliate marketing. Some fans have argued this commercial focus compromises editorial integrity. However others believe sponsorships are necessary, and the show still provides honest commentary.
Overall the controversies reflect the podcast’s strong audience engagement and willingness to tackle complex topics. While no show can please everyone, Geekzilla appears to have retained a loyal following throughout by focusing on insightful tech conversations. The hosts acknowledge missteps at times, but ultimately stand by their core mission of delivering authentic analysis of the industry.
Evolution
The Geekzilla podcast launched in 2009 as a niche tech show hosted by old college friends Alex and James. In the early years, episodes focused narrowly on geeky topics like video games, software, and internet culture. While the hosts did great in-depth interviews with niche guests, the show’s appeal was limited.
Around 2014, Alex and James made efforts to expand the show’s scope while still celebrating tech and geek culture. They brought on a wider range of guests like authors, scientists, and business leaders. Topics expanded to things like space exploration, biotech, and the business side of tech. This drew in a larger audience, though some early fans complained the show was losing its identity.
In 2019, the hosts took another gamble by bringing on a third permanent co-host, Emma, who added a fresh perspective. Her focus on the human side of tech helped soften the show’s hard-edged geekiness. Surveys showed the audience diversifying further in terms of age, gender, and interests.
Today, Geekzilla has settled into an entertaining mix of tech, science, business and pop culture while keeping its geeky core. The hosts’ chemistry keeps the conversational tone lively even as production values have increased. With over 2 million listeners, Geekzilla has grown from niche podcast to popular staple, showing how flexibility and evolution are key to longevity.
Future Plans
The Geekzilla podcast has an exciting roadmap for the future. The hosts have hinted at several new developments coming down the pipeline:
Video podcast – The Geekzilla podcast plans to expand into video in the coming year. This will allow fans to not only hear the hosts banter and interview guests, but also see their reactions and on-screen antics. The video version will be available in addition to the audio format.
Live shows – The Geekzilla team intends to take the podcast on the road and do live recordings in various cities. This will give the passionate fanbase a chance to see a taping in-person and potentially even participate. Details on locations and dates of the live shows are still to be announced.
Spin-off shows – Capitalizing on the popularity of Geekzilla, the creators envision launching niche spin-off podcasts on specific topics that complement the main show. This could include gaming, comics, sci-fi, and more, hosted by individual Geekzilla cast members with expertise in those areas.
App and community – An official Geekzilla app is in development which will make it easier for fans to access new episodes and also connect with each other. The app aims to build an even stronger sense of community around the podcast.
Charity work – As their platform grows, the hosts plan to use it for good. They hope to partner with charitable organizations that align with the podcast’s values and culture. This initiative allows Geekzilla to give back.
The Geekzilla podcast continues to evolve and expand its reach. These upcoming additions will provide more ways for existing fans to engage while also introducing the show to new audiences. If the past is any indication, the future looks bright for one of the internet’s most beloved podcasts.
Conclusion
The Geekzilla podcast has come a long way since its humble beginnings over a decade ago. What started as two friends chatting casually about pop culture and technology has evolved into a full production covering a wide range of topics.
While the show has seen many changes over the years, the hosts’ genuine passion for geek culture remains at its core. Their entertaining banter and perspectives have fostered an active, engaged community of listeners. Even with their growing fame, they remain accessible and down-to-earth.
The show continues to be a fun, informative listen for anyone interested in the latest geeky news, gadgets, movies, games, and more. The hosts strike the perfect balance between informal discussion and insightful commentary. It’s clear they do their homework to provide listeners with added context and analysis.
If you haven’t listened before, I highly recommend giving Geekzilla a try, especially if you enjoy technology, science fiction, gaming, and other elements of geek culture. Start with some of their most popular episodes to get a feel for the show’s vibe and scope. With over 500 episodes and counting, there’s plenty of content to explore.
Where Geekzilla goes from here will be exciting to watch. Given the show’s continued growth, I expect the production values and guest lineup to become even more impressive over time. However, the hosts would do well not to lose sight of the show’s roots as an irreverent, from-the-heart celebration of all things geeky. That personal touch is what drew fans in initially and what keeps them coming back.