[synchronise]

If you're so concerned about a 'podcast ecosystem being built on open, decentralized standards limits' then why are you even talking about a proprietary app in the first place? You're trying to set up a strawman here that you yourself say that you don't agree with.

Just tell people to use a FOSS podcast app like Antennapod and to avoid closed silo listings and move on.

[mintplant]

I'm not sure what you're getting at. It's the underlying protocols that are open and decentralized here (RSS/Atom). An app doesn't have to be FOSS to participate in that ecosystem, and the nature of the protocols as they stand ensure Antennapod, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or what have you are all on equal footing with regard to accessing content. Compare to the DRM-encumbered, monolithic-platform-dominated state of other media like movies/TV.