Toni & Ryan: How Australia’s Biggest Podcast Builds Community and Connection

Can Toni and Ryan be called the biggest Australian podcast worldwide? According to their numbers and reach, the answer is yes. With five episodes a week and over a million downloads every month, their stories, humour, and social presence have outgrown Australia, making them a perfect fit for the Radiodays Europe stage.

In a lively conversation with fellow Aussie Wade Kingsley, hosts Ryan Jon Dunn and Toni Lodge shared how their show works, why it works, and what radio can learn from podcasting, and what podcasting can steal back. They offered a peek behind the scenes and plenty of actionable takeaways.

Toni and Ryan first found each other while working at the same station. Toni had always wanted to make comedy but did not know where to start. Ryan had the know how and the drive, and together they tested their idea. Posting a TikTok video led to dozens of comments asking where the podcast was. That audience demand confirmed they needed to launch, and the rest is history.

Community Is Everything

One of the keys to their success is audience connection. Fans have branded themselves the TARPers, creating a tight community that elevates the podcast beyond just entertainment. The hosts know that if the audience is not having fun, the show cannot be fun either.

This connection is more than words. A young fan once asked Toni and Ryan if they could create merchandise for her. Instead of sending a generic item, the hosts designed a tote bag specifically for her. They then involved the community in delivering it, turning a single request into a shared experience. Moments like this show how personal gestures and creative responses to fans can strengthen loyalty and make listeners feel part of the show.

Social media amplifies this engagement. Toni and Ryan interact directly with fans on platforms like TikTok and Patreon. Toni spends hours every day responding to messages, sharing behind the scenes content, and celebrating listener contributions. By showing authenticity and care, they transform fans into active participants who help shape the podcast’s story.

Their approach proves that podcasts thrive when creators care about their audience, leverage social platforms effectively, and build real communities. For radio and podcast creators, Toni and Ryan offer a blueprint: know your audience, engage directly, create moments that matter, and let the community become part of your story.