Global podcaster Dan Cummins to speak in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — One of the most successful voices in modern podcasting is coming home. 

Comedian and creator Dan Cummins, an Inland Northwest native whose shows regularly rank among the most listened to globally, will headline a special fireside chat Wednesday at the Innovation Den. 

Cummins, who grew up in Riggins and attended Gonzaga University, has built a career blending stand-up comedy, longform storytelling and business savvy. His shows, Timesuck and Scared to Death, reach millions each month.

“There’s so much pressure behind the scenes now for creators,” Cummins said. “The game has changed. You can do so much more to promote yourself and monetize your work, but it all comes at the cost of time. The main thing people don’t talk about is burnout.” 

The evening will explore Cummins’ path from performing in small clubs to building a global fanbase. It will also dive into the lessons learned along the way: the danger of chasing every platform, the grind of modern content creation and the importance of protecting your creative voice. 

“What I’ve learned is you don’t actually have to do it all,” Cummins said. “The last couple years, we’ve scaled back, focused on our core content and started enjoying the process more.” 

The conversation is hosted by buildCDA, a civic innovation group based in Coeur d’Alene that supports creators, entrepreneurs and community builders. Their goal is to help residents discover local projects, learn new skills and build a stronger economy.

The event will be recorded for podcast and livestream broadcasts, but those attending will have the chance to ask questions.

The Innovation Den is at 418 E. Lakeside Ave. in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Doors open at 6 p.m. with fireside chat starting at 6:30. The event is free. RSVP: lu.ma/build_CDA.