As a professional broadcaster, the one thing that really attracted me to podcasting when I first got into the platform was the freedom with which content creators were able to use vulgarity in a show. I'd listen to countless MP3s from people all over the world, some liberal, some reserved, but many unafraid to drop in a four-letter word every now and then in their dialogue. And even if someone produces a show that's "child-safe/work-safe"...they still enjoy the freedom to use a potty mouth whenever they wanted, not having to worry about fines, suspensions, loss of license, etc.
It's part of what makes the platform so wonderful.
But just to be argumentative - is using strong language preferred with the indie nature of podcasting? Just because we can curse, in lieu of federal or international regulation, should we? Or, once the FCC sinks its teeth into the podcasting community, will only non-U.S. podcasts be able to leverage f-bombs like there's no tomorrow?
My personal opinion on the matter, as I've mentioned many times on my own podcast, is that the use of vulgarity is that its best used if done sparingly and/or tastefully. A lot of people cop the "If you're truly intelligent, then you don't need to use profanity to get your point across" attitude. I couldn't disagree more. The stand-up comedy of guys like Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, early Robin Williams and Andrew Dice Clay was largerly predicated on the use of strong language, which added to the hilarity. Bill Cosby shocked the world when he uttered the timeless "But what if you're an asshole?" in the classic performance of "Bill Cosby - Himself". And no one can dispute the latter's intellect or character.
And to be fair to my time-shifted content brethren, I've yet to hear a single podcast that just curses non-stop for the sake of cursing. The overwhelming majority of podcasters now are really smart people, so all the ones I've heard cuss to ultimately make a point. Because as everyone knows, the f-word is the most flexible, most unversal adjective in the English language. So there's a point to it.
In today's society - one I believe that's been warped primarily by reality TV and the widespread availability of multi-platform pornography - the use of profane language, regardless of message, establishes a connection to a certain younger demographic. This is an audience that's perhaps too young to realize that "bitch" was once a word completely forbidden in any mainstream medium. Now, it's so commonplace, censors don't bother bleeping it out, regardless of context. It's a deliberate attempt to allow a listener to identify with you or to stress emotion towards an ideal that encourages sustained listenership. And for the most part, it works.
As as podcasting advocate, I believe we need to keep things edgier and more punk rock at this point, sans interference from Big Brother. It gives the medium distinction, albeit making it a target for moral elitists (but with that group, what isn't a target?)
Here's a great blog post on the topic with some interesting comments: http://www.corante.com/podcasting/2005/06/12/profanity_in_podcasting_what_is_its_role.php