Welcome to The epDate, where we bring you the latest in podcasting for podcast people! World Podcast News   “Subscribe” might be a bad word for podcasters   Using the word “subscribe” may not be the best way to gain new listeners, due to confusion around what the word means, according to Amplifi Media’s CEO Steven Goldstein. According to a recent study, 38% of non-podcast listeners associate the word “subscribe” with having to pay, when in fact a majority of podcasts out there are free. The subscribe feature on podcasts is a convenient way to receive new episodes of your favourite podcasts as soon as they are released. Goldstein suggests that when marketing your podcast, you strongly consider amending your language and instead use the phrase: “subscribe for free”.            Castbox releases ‘Community’ - a social media aspect to podcasting   Popular podcasting app Castbox has launched a new feature that combines social media complexities into the podcast realm. The feature called “Community” - which introduces a dedicated social feed that allows podcasters to post their favourite shows and episodes, join trending conversations, and discover popular content - is available now on both the iOS and Android versions of the Castbox app. This comes as social media-podcast crossover Breaker, a hit on iOS, is expected to be making its way to Android in the near future.      The Horrors of Delores Roach to become TV series   ‘The Horrors of Delores Roach’, an eight-part audio-fiction podcast released in 2018 by Gimlet Media, will be making its way to television after the rights were acquired by Blumhouse Productions - the producers behind such movies like The Purge, Insidious, Ouija, and Paranormal Activity. Podcast writer and director Aaron Mark will continue as the writer for the screen adaptation, while also being an executive producer. Catch up where it all began, on the podcast version of ‘The Horrors of Delores Roach’ on any of your favourite podcast apps.   LeBron James and Maverick Carter releasing new podcast   NBA superstar LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter have added a new podcast to their growing lineup on their digital media network UNINTERRUPTED. Launching in 2015, the company’s aim was to better tell athlete’s stories, with their current podcast line-up boasting shows such as Road Trippin with NBA veterans Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, as well as The Tomahawk Show hosted by ex-NFL players Andrew Hawkins and Joe Thomas. Their new podcast mini-series titled Branching Out is a show highlighting athlete’s stories of post-sports career success, whilst also aiming to destigmatize talking about money. That’s the podcast news from around the world this week. Now we’ll take a look at 5 podcasts you should be checking out this week.   New Releases:   ‘STRATEGIKON’   STRATEGIKON is a podcast by Sage International Australia - an independent, not-for-profit think tank, that is dedicated to learning and teaching people about international security and politics. Doctor John Bruni, David Olney, and Tim Whiffen discuss geopolitical issues from around the world, give historical context, and discuss possible solutions. On the latest episode special guest, Peter Warren talks about cybersecurity and technological warfare. This podcast is perhaps the best way to stay informed about global happenings. Available on the Auscast Network.   ‘Cocktails & Cancer’     Cocktails & Cancer is a weekly podcast hosted by best friends, Michelle James (MJ) and Danielle Brown (Dani), who reflect on the trials and tribulations faced when diagnosed with cancer, all while sipping on their favourite cocktails. MJ, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2015, has now been cancer free for 3 years and wants to share her story in an