Comedian, broadcaster and podcaster Katherine Ryan joined Lucie Cave at sold-out audio event, Tuning In 2026 for a conversation exploring the changing media landscape, the growing influence of podcasts and the value of authentic relationships between talent, audiences and brands.

The event, held at London’s Kings Place, attracted 400 media and advertising professionals, with other sessions including the launch of new research, an exploration of Bauer Media’s KISS rebrand and a keynote from marketing guru Les Binet.

Katherine Ryan’s session brought both laughter and insight to Tuning In, as she discussed the unique relationship podcasts can create between presenters and audiences, describing the medium as particularly powerful because of its intimacy – something she believes also creates significant opportunities for brands. Katherine said; “It’s very intimate. People who like podcasts are super invested in the host, in the subject matter, and in any brand that the host advocates.”

Ryan also highlighted the importance of authenticity when it comes to commercial partnerships, explaining that she is comfortable working with brands where she has a genuine connection to the product or campaign.

The conversation also explored how podcasts are increasingly extending beyond audio. With What’s My Age Again, Katherine Ryan’s hit podcast, she has embraced a highly visual format and stressed the importance of creating social content that can stand alone, explaining; “You can’t assume that people are seeing the clips and listening to the full podcast. The clip is the message.”

The third series of the show launched this week, with guests including Louis Theroux finding out their biological age.  Katherine revealed the shock at finding out her own biological age was 77.

As audiences move between platforms, Ryan’s experience highlights the continued value of distinctive voices and trusted personalities. For media owners and advertisers, the message is clear: authentic talent, engaging content and meaningful audience relationships remain central to building connection in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Find out more about Tuning In here