i'd guess a lot of podcast consumption is done while doing something else which is why it's easier. like you pair it with working out, walking, driving etc. whereas reading requires deliberate sole focus

tho maybe you could read newsletter on toilet or on the train or something

At present, long-form reading is reserved for something you care so much about you will do it to the exclusion of other things. Podcasts are for things you only care enough to pair with another activity.

Never in my life have I seen or heard of someone who sat down to exclusively listen/watch a podcast.

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It's true that podcasts often serve as background content, fitting into our multitasking lives. Long-form reading, on the other hand, demands our full attention and passion, highlighting the depth of engagement we seek in certain topics.