Podium Audio Setup: Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve been searching for a specific audiobook and landed on Podium Audio‘s catalog, you might be wondering what this publisher actually is—and whether their titles are worth your monthly credit. Podium Audio has quietly become one of the biggest names in genre fiction audiobooks, especially if you’re into LitRPG, sci-fi, or fantasy. But setting up your listening experience with their titles isn’t always as straightforward as hitting play.
Here’s what you need to know about getting started with Podium Audio, where to find their books, and how to make sure you’re getting the best listening experience possible.
What Podium Audio Actually Is
Podium Audio is an audiobook publisher that specializes in genre fiction—think LitRPG, progression fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. They’ve built their reputation by snapping up popular web serials and indie hits and turning them into polished, professionally narrated audiobooks.
If you’ve heard of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman—the series that’s taken the LitRPG world by storm—that’s Podium. Same goes for He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon and The Wandering Inn by pirateaba. These are massive, binge-worthy series with dedicated fanbases, and Podium is the reason they exist in audio form.
The key thing to understand: Podium Audio is a publisher, not a platform. You won’t visit PodiumAudio.com to stream their books. Instead, you’ll find their titles on Audible, Libro.fm, and other major audiobook retailers. That means “setting up” Podium Audio really means setting up your preferred audiobook app and finding their catalog within it.
Where to Find Podium Audio Titles
Because Podium is a publisher, their books live wherever audiobooks are sold. The most common places listeners find them:
- Audible — The vast majority of Podium’s catalog is available here, and many titles are Audible exclusives, at least for a window of time.
- Libro.fm — A solid alternative if you want to support local bookstores. Their selection overlaps with Audible, but not every Podium title makes it here.
- Libby / Hoopla — If your library subscribes, you can borrow Podium titles for free. Availability varies wildly by library, so it’s worth checking.
For most listeners, Audible is the default choice because that’s where Podium’s biggest hits live. If you’re new to Audible, you can grab a free trial and use your first credit on a Podium title like Dungeon Crawler Carl—it’s a common entry point for a reason.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
Getting the Best Listening Experience
Once you’ve picked a Podium title, a few setup choices will make or break your experience. Here’s what matters most.
Check the Narrator Before You Commit
Podium’s casting is usually strong, but “usually” isn’t “always.” Before spending a credit, listen to the audio sample. For example, Jeff Hays narrates Dungeon Crawler Carl and is widely considered one of the best in the business—his range and comedic timing are a huge part of why that series works so well. But not every Podium narrator hits that mark.
If you’re new to a series, listen to 30–60 seconds of the sample. If the voice grates on you, it won’t get better over 20 hours.
Mind the Series Order
Podium’s biggest titles are long series, and the order can get confusing fast. He Who Fights with Monsters has multiple books, plus side stories. The Wandering Inn is a sprawling epic with spin-offs.
The safest approach: listen in publication order. Prequels and spin-offs assume you know the main series. If you’re unsure, check the Audible page—Podium usually lists the series order clearly. When in doubt, start with Book 1. These series are serialized; jumping in mid-stream means spoilers and confusion.
Adjust Playback Speed for Long Books
Podium titles are long. The Wandering Inn books routinely push past 40 hours. At 1x speed, that’s a serious commitment. Most listeners settle into 1.25x or 1.5x without losing comprehension.
If you’re new to speed listening, start at 1.2x and work up. Your brain adjusts faster than you’d think, and you’ll thank yourself when you’re 30 hours into a series and still making progress.
What Makes Podium Different from Other Audiobook Publishers
Podium’s model is worth understanding because it affects what you get. Unlike traditional publishers that acquire already-finished books, Podium often works with authors who built their audiences on platforms like Royal Road or Patreon. That means:
- Books are released in chunks. A web serial that’s 2,000 pages long gets split into multiple audiobooks. You’re not getting one giant file; you’re getting a series.
- Production quality is consistently high. Podium invests in professional narrators, sound design, and editing. Their LitRPG titles often include game-like sound effects and system notifications, which can be a blast or a distraction depending on your taste.
- Exclusivity windows exist. Some titles are Audible-exclusive for a period before going wide. If you’re committed to Libro.fm, you might have to wait.
One concrete example: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 is 10 hours and 53 minutes. It’s narrated by Jeff Hays, and the production includes character voices, sound effects, and a full cast feel—even though it’s a single narrator. That’s Podium’s signature approach: making audiobooks feel like events, not just readings.
Common Setup Problems and How to Fix Them
“I Can’t Find the Book I Want”
If a Podium title isn’t showing up in your search, check whether it’s an Audible exclusive. Many of their biggest releases are. If you’re searching Libro.fm or your library app and coming up empty, that’s why. Your options: wait for the exclusivity window to end, or use Audible.
“The Series Order Is Confusing”
Podium’s catalog pages on Audible usually list series order, but not always clearly. A quick Google search for “[series name] reading order” will sort you out. Reddit communities—like r/litrpg or r/ProgressionFantasy—are genuinely helpful here. Fans keep detailed order lists, including which books are optional side stories.
“The Book Won’t Sync Between Devices”
If you’re using Audible, make sure Whispersync is enabled in your account settings. This syncs your listening position across your phone, tablet, and Echo devices. If you’re using Libby, check that Library Sync is on in the app settings. Both features are straightforward once you know where to look.
“I Want to Listen on a Non-Amazon App”
Some Podium titles are DRM-free on certain platforms, but many are locked to Audible’s ecosystem. If you buy an Audible-exclusive title, you can’t play it in another app—period. If that’s a dealbreaker, check Libro.fm or your library first. You’ll have fewer options, but you’ll own the files outright.
Is Podium Audio Right for You?
If you’re into LitRPG, progression fantasy, or sci-fi with a sense of humor, Podium’s catalog is basically a treasure trove. Dungeon Crawler Carl alone is worth the price of admission—it’s the rare series that’s better in audio than in print, thanks to Jeff Hays’ performance.
If you prefer literary fiction or non-fiction, Podium probably isn’t your publisher. They know their lane, and they stay in it.
The setup is simple: pick a platform, grab a title, and press play. The hardest part is deciding which series to start first.
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