As podcasting gets more popular, more reasons to podcast are becoming evident. There’s no reason you should be stuck with an idea for a podcast. Here are 5 creative ways to use podcasts:

1. News. WikiMedia started using a podcast to broadcast its news bits. You can also release a weekly podcast with news bits. It does not have to be everything in the general media, it can be niche news. For instance, news just about community events, or about rock music, etc. Newspapers and traditional media are full of countless articles which take time to read. Starting a news podcast will allow the listeners to save time by only listening to the most important news, and just the most important facts!
2. Art. Not neccessarily a podcast, but as a vodcast. You can take videos of art exhibits and post them in a vodcast. Art is not limited at just visual art though, it is also music, drama and dance. You can have a vodcast of drama bits, like a different short each week, or clips of music. You decide!
3. Your Own Show. Whether it’s a radio show, variety show or a soap opera, you can podcast your shows! Imagine producing your own TV show once a week, and putting it up for a podcast download. How cool would that be? What about a podcast with just the top 5 music videos of the week? There’s TONS of show ideas.
4. Commentary. Battlerstar Gallactica has podcasts of commentary, why shouldn’t you? You can use clips of TV shows, movies, etc. and provide commentary or reviews. You can review these clips if you’re a critic, and your audience will grow if they trust your opinion!
5. Read For People. Many people are lazy, and would rather listen to a book than read it, or listen to the newspaper than read it. Do it for them! Read the newspaper for your local audience, or read the latest book (public domain book, obviously) and provide it for them! Then people can catch up on the news on their daily commute to work, allowing them to have conversation material for the water cooler!

The possiblities for podcasts are endless, it is all a matter of how well you make them and how unique it is!