“More Than Just Listening”
— Designing Podcast Group Sharing for Deeper Connections
It started with a feeling. Not a problem statement or a business goal — just an itch I couldn’t quite scratch.
I was listening to a podcast episode about the future of creativity. Halfway through, I found myself pausing to jot down a quote. My first instinct was to share it with a friend. Not just drop a link but say something like: "This reminded me of that conversation we had last week. What do you think?"
But when I tried to do that, the flow fell apart. Copy a link -> Open WhatsApp -> Paste -> Add context. Hope they care. Follow up? Maybe. Probably not.
And just like that, a moment that could have sparked a connection quietly faded into the background noise of everyday digital life.
That’s when the idea clicked: What if podcast listening wasn’t just personal? What if we could turn it into a shared experience — a conversation?
That became the heartbeat of this project: A group sharing feature inside a podcast app that turns passive listening into collaborative discovery.
Chapter 1: A Podcast is better with people
Users want a frictionless way to share podcast episodes with context and receive feedback- current platforms are fragmented and passive.
There’s a strong desire to connect with others around shared interests- whether its friends, professionals or fans.
Users get frustrated when their friends or audience aren’t using the same podcast app, making interaction and sharing difficult.
They want more than just “sharing links”- they seek discussions, feedback, and active participation around episodes.
User Personas
A competitor analysis of Spotify, Audible, Pocket Casts, and Telegram channels
Key Takeaways:
Creation of Group Feature
Collaboration Functionality
Podcast Sharing Capability
My Role
Led UX research
Developed Visual Design, Wireframes, Prototypes.
Duration: 6 weeks
Project Overview
The primary objective of this project was to elevate the functionality of a podcast mobile application by incorporating an integrated feature enabling users to create groups, facilitating seamless collaboration with friends, and sharing podcast content within these designated groups.
Project Scope
Chapter 2: Listening Before Designing (UX Research)
Key User Needs
User Interviews
I conducted 5 user interviews. Some key user quotes were:
I created three user personas to understand their goals, frustrations and motivations.
User Personas
Building on the insights gathered from user interviews and research, I designed an ecosystem for the podcast app that centers around meaningful group interactions. The proposed features were directly informed by user needs—focusing on enhancing collaborative listening, encouraging lightweight discussion, and reimagining podcast sharing as a social experience rather than a one-way exchange
Chapter 3: Sketching a Shared Space (Wireframing)
With the insights gathered, I began sketching what these features could look like:
Chapter 4: Designing for Connection (Visual Design & Prototype)
Next, I moved into high-fidelity design.
🎨 Visual Choices:
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Warm tones to keep it cozy and welcoming
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Rounded UI elements to reflect informality and safety
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Compact cards for podcast episode shares with embedded play + comment + reply options
Chapter 5: Testing It in Real Hands
I ran moderated user tests with 7 participants using the clickable prototype.
📝 Scenarios Included:
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Creating a new group and naming it
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Sharing a podcast to an existing group
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Responding to a shared episode with a comment
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📊 Results:
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All participants completed the flows without guidance
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90% felt it was a feature they’d “actually use regularly”
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1 participant called it “a thoughtful feature in a cluttered app world”
Chapter 6: Reflections
“Turning everyday interactions into meaningful experiences.
Designing for humans, not just screens.”
This project taught me how even the simplest ideas — like “group sharing” — can become complex when you put users first.
It wasn’t about just adding a feature. It was about understanding behaviors, uncovering friction, and designing a space where listening felt collaborative, not lonely.
And that’s what UX is to me.
Maitri Bariya
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