Episodes

How do you prepare before you hit record? Do you plan every detail, keep a loose outline, or just hit the red button and go? Today, we’re sharing how we approach preparation and how those choices shape creativity, confidence, and the listener experience. We give tips on making a script sound natural, and why there’s no single right way to plan a show. You’ll also gain insights into time management and maintaining fresh ideas. Ultimately, it’s about showing up ready to create. Episode Highlights...

What makes a podcaster rethink everything instead of walking away? Today, we sit down with co-host Sid Meadows, creator of The Trend Report, to unpack why he nearly ended his podcast and what led him to rebuild it instead. Sid opens up about the burnout that caused him to podfade, the breakthrough moment that brought him back, and the intentional steps behind his relaunch: listener interviews, new sponsorship plans, and a renewed sense of purpose. We also explore how to balance instinct with aud...

The research is clear: 80% of listeners tune in mainly for the host, not the format, not the gear, but the person behind the mic. Today, we continue our podcasting news conversation with fresh headlines and honest discussion about what really keeps audiences listening. We discuss Adobe’s AI-powered speech tool, making TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 list, sparking debate about how creators understand and utilize AI. The crew also weighs in on Auphonic, sharing their own experiences, frustrations,...

Imagine opening Netflix and seeing your favorite podcasts right next to your favorite TV shows. That’s the future Spotify and Netflix are building together, and it’s one of several hot headlines we’re jumping into today. We also look at new research from Edison showing when listeners actually hit play, Patreon's jaw-dropping $10 billion milestone that proves creators are cashing in, and how the hit kids’ podcast Brains On took back control from corporate hands. Add in a few fresh updates from ar...

Every podcaster’s got their go-to gear, but which tools actually make a difference? Today, we put our favorites on the table, one powered by AI and one that’s not considered AI or perhaps falls in a gray area. We discuss tools ranging from ChatGPT to Audacity and a few surprises in between, and the crew debates what’s worth keeping in your toolkit. We also talk about community platforms like Kajabi and Go High Level, and ask the big question: are any tools non-AI anymore? The week wraps with win...

You finally land the perfect guest for your show… only to be met with silence. No reply. No booking. Nothing. Today’s episode digs into why your outreach might be falling flat and what you can do differently to actually get a “yes.” The crew reacts to a viral clip from Dare to Self-Care about guesting and ghosting and whether small podcasters really do ask too much from potential guests. We discuss the balance of power between hosts and guests, how to set fair expectations, and why curating a gr...

Steven Bartlett is shaking up the podcast world again, and this time with FlightCast, a new platform built to simplify podcast production, analytics, and growth. This is just one of the big headlines we’re exploring today. We’re also talking about his latest experiment: bringing Diary of a CEO to the big screen. Would you pay to watch a podcast in theaters? Stick around as we dig into what this could mean for creators and cover the rest of this week’s podcast news. Episode Highlights: [02:15] H...

Today’s the day we get to know our co-hosts a little more. This episode is all about the people who make the show what it is. We open up about how we started, what keeps us creating, and what we’ve learned from podcasting. We share insights on first-time jitters, lessons on perfection, editing, and connection. We get transparent on growth, creative passion, and the joy of finding your voice. Join us for an easygoing, genuine conversation that celebrates the heart behind the mic and the community...

What would you do if you were suddenly banned from Facebook? Would you fight to get your account back or start fresh? Today’s topic was inspired by cohost Rich Perry, whose 16-year account vanished overnight, and by Dopey Podcast, which was just kicked off Facebook again after recently regaining access. We dig into what creators can do when platforms pull the plug, how to recover, rebuild, and protect your work before it happens. At the end of the show, we open the mailbag to answer a listener's...

Gary Vee makes a bold claim about the future of podcasting. On Jamie Kern Lima’s show, he predicted that creators will soon build AI co-hosts that could become bigger and more influential than the hosts themselves. We explore what that vision could mean for podcasters, starting with the opportunities it presents, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding trust and control. We touch on creativity, responsibility, and the role of real human connection. And since it’s Friday, we wrap up by sharin...

How many times have the gurus advised you to niche down and narrow the focus of your show? But do you feel this is the right advice, or are you being put in a box? After hearing indie podcaster Jacqueline Monroe push back on the “niche rule,” we dove headfirst into the debate. Some of us see niching as a growth strategy and a path to monetization. Others argued that building your brand and finding your voice matter more than fitting into a neat category. Along the way, we asked hard questions: C...

How much AI is too much AI in podcasting? With OpenAI’s surprise release of Sora 2, creators can now build digital clones of themselves in seconds. Riverside is also jumping into the mix, rolling out chat-based editing that promises to cut hours of work with a single command. But are these tools helpful breakthroughs or just shiny distractions? Beyond the tech, the industry has plenty more to buzz about: Mel Robbins topping the “how-to” charts despite ad-heavy episodes, the Black Podcasting Awar...

What an unforgettable weekend in Charlotte! I’m sincerely on cloud 9! Today, we’re sharing the stories, strategies, and breakthroughs we brought home and the conversations that turned strangers into family. I want to thank everyone who made this gathering possible: our speakers who gave with open hearts, our volunteers who kept things moving, and every single attendee who showed up ready to learn, connect, and lift one another up. You are the reason this community is so special. One moment that ...

The Empowered Podcasting Conference is officially here! We’re live from the Hyatt Centric in Charlotte with community friends, including Dave Jackson of School of Podcasting. To kick off the festivities, we dive into what it takes to get the most out of a conference. We share networking tips that are great for keeping your energy up when excitement and nerves collide. Dave reflects on 20 years of podcasting wisdom, sharing insights on how to avoid common mistakes, why community matters, and the ...

Did podcasting only succeed because it was a break from video? Today, we dissect podcaster Rachel Corbett's claim and consider whether audio was truly an 'antidote' to visual media. Our conversation ranges from debating the evolution of podcasting, the guilt of binge-watching YouTube, and the accountability of podcasters for past statements. We also discuss how powerful listeners have become in shaping podcast content. Don't miss this conversation as we gear up for the Empowered Podcasting Confe...

What do Michelle Obama, John Stewart, and the Kelce brothers have in common with our own community? They’re all finalists in this year’s Signal Awards, and so are long-time community members Dominic and Kenda Lawson, who together scored six nominations across three shows. Beyond the awards spotlight, we cover AudioBoom’s $325M creator payout, Apple Podcasts’ quiet rollout of new availability controls, and the surging growth of podcast audiences in Brazil and Canada. We also flag a dangerous new ...

The countdown to the Empowered Podcasting Conference is on, and Jonathan Howard joins us to share a taste of his presentation on creating an Obsession Worthy Podcast. His opening challenge: stop being boring and predictable. Too many shows fade into the background because they never take risks or show personality. Jonathan reminds us that the podcasts listeners can’t put down are the ones that feel bold, real, and alive. And that’s only the first step! We go through most of them on the show, but...

One podcaster’s history show is connecting with both parents and kids. But now comes the hard part: should they launch a separate kids’ podcast or add child-friendly episodes to their existing feed? We dig into discovery, audience habits, and the challenge of serving two groups without creating double the work. We share creative ways to test ideas, and we also talk about the importance of listening to your audience and treating their feedback as a gift that can guide your next move. Since it’s F...

Steve Burns’ new podcast Alive grabbed attention with a teaser clip, and it got us thinking: what makes some stories stick instantly? We break down why his moment connected, whether audio flaws matter as much as we believe, and why relatability often outweighs production polish. We also highlight a case study from community member Sid, who is testing a website redesign to see if it shifts listener engagement. The conversation ends with a more significant question: when your show changes, is it r...

YouTube is stepping up with its most powerful features yet, offering podcasters collaboration tools, flexible ads, auto dubbing, and smarter testing options. In this episode, we also look at Apple’s new podcast features, Vimeo’s acquisition by Bending Spoons, and the impact of Amazon teaming up with SiriusXM. Riverside’s latest marketing guide sparks debate on strategy versus burnout, while the role of SEO comes into question yet again. With TikTok facing big changes in the U.S., creators are re...

Is copying in podcasting a cardinal sin or a necessary step towards finding your unique voice? Today, we’re plunging into the murky waters of inspiration vs. imitation. We explore how new podcasters can learn from established shows without becoming carbon copies, and when 'borrowing' ideas crosses the line. Featuring a thought-provoking clip from Matt Bliss's 'Rethinking Podcasting,' we dissect what makes content truly original in a medium where 'there's nothing new under the sun.' We challenge...

Why did you start your podcast? Was it for money, passion, or both? Today, we play a TikTok clip from the Okay Sister Pod that lays out three honest tips for launching a show. Their takes sparked a lively debate. Some agreed that podcasting shouldn’t begin with money as the goal, while others argued that it is possible to earn if you approach it with a clear plan and treat it like a business. We also discuss the reality of low early downloads, why consistency matters more than a weekly schedule,...

Today is a hard day for many. On this September 11th, we pause to honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders who gave everything. And as podcasters, it raises a question: when a day of such magnitude arrives, is it right to step outside your niche and acknowledge it? Today, we wrestle with that tension between staying on brand and honoring history. We ask whether podcasters should break format to reflect, and how our platforms can serve as an aural history for ...

YouTube creators are sounding alarms as views mysteriously plummet, with some losing up to 25% overnight. Could it be an algorithm glitch, a crackdown on AI content, or something bigger? We break down what’s happening and what it could mean for podcasters using the platform. In today’s news roundup, we also cover Spotify’s fastest-growing category, Patreon’s new design tools, Daniel J. Lewis’ PodChapters release, and fresh upgrades to Google Gemini that could reshape your podcast workflow. We a...