David McLaughlin reveals the Kudzu Vine has lasted 18 years, defying podcasting odds.
This episode of the Kudzu Vine marks the show's 18th anniversary and features an interview with Chris Fitzsimon of the States Newsroom. Hosts David McLaughlin and Tim Shiflett, original co-founders, reflect on the podcast's longevity. Guest Chris Fitzsimon is the publisher of the States Newsroom, a network of state-level nonprofit news outlets.
Tim Shiflett cites statistics showing the average podcast lifespan is just 174 days. He notes that producing 21 episodes places a show within the top one percent of podcasts globally. The Kudzu Vine has been running for 6,580 days, equating to roughly 900 episodes. The show originally focused exclusively on Georgia politics as a 30-minute program. Its initial co-hosts were David McLaughlin, Tim Shiflett, and Scott Aikman. After Scott Aikman departed, Bernita Smith joined the hosting lineup. Approximately a year later, Bernita Smith was replaced by Katherine Smith. This established the core hosting team for a significant period.
The anniversary reflection highlights the rarity of a podcast surviving for nearly two decades. The show's genesis was a simple phone call from David McLaughlin to Tim Shiflett proposing the idea. Its sustained run contrasts sharply with industry norms for podcast duration. The interview segment will detail the operations and mission of the States Newsroom network. Chris Fitzsimon will explain the organization's work across multiple states.
The tone is celebratory and conversational, with hosts sharing nostalgic memories. The style is informal, featuring casual banter and personal anecdotes about the show's history. Listeners interested in media sustainability and local journalism would appreciate this episode. Those seeking hard news or policy debates might find the introductory anniversary segment less relevant.
