The Pod Network (TPN), together with Spotify, brought together more than 70 members of Cebu’s growing podcast and creator community for Podcast Maxxing: Cebu Creator Meetup at Warehaus Cebu.

Over 70 Cebu creators gathered for an afternoon of conversations, insights, and community-building at “Podcast Maxxing”

The four-hour gathering was designed as an open conversation between The Pod Network, Spotify, and Cebu-based creators, both established podcasters and those just beginning to find their voice.

At the heart of Podcast Maxxing is a simple goal: to connect creators and keep the momentum of Cebu’s podcasting community growing.

Throughout the afternoon, TPN, Spotify, and participating creators exchanged perspectives on the local and global podcasting landscape, shared network and platform insights, heard first-hand experiences from working podcasters, and explored how creators, networks, and platforms can collaborate to build sustainable audiences and shows.

The meetup builds on TPN’s creator-first efforts in Cebu, bringing together workshop graduates and independent creators in the same room. Rather than separating newcomers from established voices, the event encouraged conversations, new connections, and knowledge-sharing across different stages of the podcasting journey.

Nicole Hyala, radio personality and co-host of TPN’s Kumikinang na Tambalan, shared her experiences in making the shift from broadcasting to podcasting.

Creators Learning From Creators

Joining the conversation were two featured podcasters from The Pod Network: Nicole Hyala, co-host of Kumikinang na Tambalan, and Leland Lim, host of Walang Edit Edit.

Hyala brings decades of experience in Philippine broadcasting to podcasting, translating the wit, hugot, and unmistakably Pinoy banter that made her one of the country’s most recognizable radio personalities into digital audio. Lim, meanwhile, brings the perspective of a comedian and digital-first creator, turning everyday Filipino experiences into the candid, unfiltered storytelling of Walang Edit Edit.

Leland Lim, stand-up comedian and host of TPN’s Walang Edit Edit, brought the perspective of a comedian and digital-first creator in making a podcast.

Their experiences grounded the day’s conversations in what it actually takes to build a show—from finding a distinct voice and developing an audience to staying consistent and evolving with the medium.

Building the Podcast Community Beyond Manila

Podcast Maxxing reflects TPN and Spotify’s shared commitment to supporting Filipino creators and strengthening podcast communities beyond Metro Manila.

For TPN, which now manages more than 40 original Filipino podcasts across comedy, relationships, business, wellness, culture, and other genres, the Cebu gathering is part of a broader effort to create opportunities for creators to connect, learn, collaborate, and grow.

More than a one-day event, Podcast Maxxing hopes to create connections that continue long after the meetup—whether through new collaborations, stronger shows, deeper relationships within the community, or simply the motivation to hit record and publish the next episode.