Heritage Radio Network: Shifting The Way We Think About Food

Podcasting has matured into a battle between the independents and the few large networks that seek control over the industry. If there were an alliance between the two groups, we as listeners would see successful independent podcasts merging with these large networks to the consumer's benefit.

We’re not. Other than Liam Heffernan’s new Mercury podcast network, which began with independent podcasts, the large networks rely on celebrity culture and copycat content to dominate the independents.

There are heroes in the podcasting industry, and I recently discovered one last month. It’s called The Heritage Radio Network (HRN).

Heritage Radio Network is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit covering the world of food, drink and agriculture. The member-supported radio station has more than one million monthly listeners in over 200 countries.

Since its inception in 2009, Heritage Radio Network has broadcasted more than 4,000 shows and produced more than 30 regular weekly programs about topics such as food technology, beer, cheese, food history and politics, and cocktails. Shows feature guests ranging from chefs, food policy analysts, farmers, restaurateurs, musicians, and artists. Previous guests have included Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, Joan Dye Gussow, Danny Meyer, Jamie…