The number of downloads a podcast needs to make money depends on several factors, such as the type of podcast, the advertising model, and the size of the audience. For instance, if you monetize your podcast with ads, you can earn money by charging a flat fee or using the cost per mille (CPM) model, which pays per 1,000 ad impressions. Generally, podcasts need thousands of downloads per episode to attract advertisers, but smaller audiences may also be viable if your content is niche or targeted to a particular audience. The key is to focus on creating engaging content, building a loyal following, and exploring different monetization strategies to make money from your podcast.