Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
PocketCasts 
Overcast 
Podurama 
iHeartRadio 
Goodpods 
Podcast Addict 
Amazon Music 
Castamatic 
Youtube Music 
Podverse 
Fountain
The School of Podcasting
You want to start a podcast, but you’re unsure where to start. You need advice on how to grow or monetize your show, and stop being so scared that it won’t work! I can help by showing you what mistakes NOT TO MAKE and much more. Subscribe to the show and soak in the 18+ years of podcasting experience from Podcaster Hall of Fame Inductee Dave Jackson.
Choose your favorite podcast player
Where Podcasters Learn, Grow, and Succeed
Since 2005, the School of Podcasting has been the podcasting industry’s most trusted educational resource. With over 3.1 million downloads, recognition from the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame, and podcasters in 100+ countries, we help creators launch stronger shows, grow engaged audiences, and build podcasts that last.
New to The School of Podcasting?
1034
May 4, 2026
Podcasting in Six Weeks: My $1 Class to Get Your Going
Today we are talking about your show that just won't grow. It's time for a podcast experiment. I often say "You podcast is a recipe - not a statue." Well here is the good news. You know how to build a podcast to the current level you are at. The bad news is you've been here for a bit and it's time to try something to break you out of your plateau.
You Either Win Or You Learn
When you try something new with your podcast we often feel like everyone will leave immediately, and that just doesn
You Either Win Or You Learn
When you try something new with your podcast we often feel like everyone will leave immediately, and that just doesn
1012
Dec. 1, 2025
12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Podcast
In this episode, I circle back to a classic question:
What do you wish you’d known when you started your podcast that you know now?
This is a question I’ve asked in the past (shout-out to episode 768 back in 2021!), and while I received close to 20 answers then, participation was a bit lighter this time around. But don’t worry—the quality makes up for the quantity!
Featured Guests & Their Insights
I’m joined by two long-time contributors—Kim Newlove and Steve Stewart—who share powerfully hones
What do you wish you’d known when you started your podcast that you know now?
This is a question I’ve asked in the past (shout-out to episode 768 back in 2021!), and while I received close to 20 answers then, participation was a bit lighter this time around. But don’t worry—the quality makes up for the quantity!
Featured Guests & Their Insights
I’m joined by two long-time contributors—Kim Newlove and Steve Stewart—who share powerfully hones
1017
Jan. 5, 2026
How to Start a Podcast in 2026
If you want a podcast launch checklist I have one available here. This show is intended for beginners to podcasting. If you already have one, this may be one to skip (or you will hear things you should've thought about but didn't).
Here are the steps I covered.
Pick Your Topic
Decide if you're podcasting solo or with cohost(s).
Pick how you will podcast.
Pick where will you podcast?
Choose how you will measure your success
Pick a name. Naming tools from Podpage and Buzzsprout.
Buy the Ha
Here are the steps I covered.
Pick Your Topic
Decide if you're podcasting solo or with cohost(s).
Pick how you will podcast.
Pick where will you podcast?
Choose how you will measure your success
Pick a name. Naming tools from Podpage and Buzzsprout.
Buy the Ha
Our podcast has over 3 million downloads
1051
Aug. 31, 2026
12 Business Lessons Podcasters Can Learn From Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80. While most tributes are focused on the music, this episode looks at something else entirely: Dolly Parton the businesswoman and entertainer. She sang at the Grand Ole Opry at 13 and was still building her empire seven decades later, which is rare in an industry where most acts have a five-to-ten-year run. As we like to say around here, success leaves clues, and Dolly left a lot of them. Below are 12 lessons pulled from her career, each one transla
1050
Aug. 24, 2026
How Many Podcast Downloads Do You Actually Need to Keep Going?
What is Your Rock Bottom Podcast Downloads Number? Every podcaster wants more downloads. But I wanted to ask my audience the opposite question this month: what's the smallest number of podcast downloads that would still make it worth showing up to record? I put that question to the School of Podcasting audience — and the answers reveal something more useful than any download benchmark could: what actually keeps a podcaster going once the growth curve flattens out. What's a Good Number o
1049
Aug. 17, 2026
YouTube Just Got Harder, Spotify Still Doesn't Care
You Down With YPP? Episode Description: I break down YouTube’s latest changes to its Partner Program, including doubled watch-hour requirements and higher Shorts monetization thresholds ahead of the February 2027 deadline. I also bring in YouTube expert Adam Ivey’s take on why the real story isn’t necessarily the new criteria, and I share my own channel’s numbers so you can set realistic expectations for your own YouTube journey. Then the AI kids stop by for story time as I take a look at Spot
1048
Aug. 10, 2026
Inside “Horses in the Morning”: Daily Content, Loyal Fans, and 4000+ Episodes
How Do You Hit 4000 Episodes Without Losing Your Mind? Today I'm talking with Glenn Hebert and Jamie Jennings from Horses in the Morning, the flagship show of the Horse Radio Network. They just crossed 4000 episodes, and since they're doing this daily, I had a ton of questions for them. Mainly: how do you keep your sanity? Glenn has been on this show more times than any other guest, and I'll drop links to a few of those past conversations below. We also talk about how "Glenn the Geek" became
1047
Aug. 3, 2026
From Facts to Feelings: The Secret Sauce of Engaging Podcasts
If you look at movies that you love, and you think about them, and you remember how they made you feel. Today we talk about three things you can have in your tool belt to use in your show to not just have something to listen to, but to have content that moves your audience. We also answer the question what do Sportcasters, Movie Reviewers, and Christians all have in common? Pull Some Emotion Into Your Show Most podcasters focus on information—tips, tactics, and how‑tos. But your audience d
1046
July 27, 2026
20 Books for Content Creators Recommended by My Audience
What if one book could change the way you tell stories, connect with your audience, or even see your own podcast? In this episode of the School of Podcasting, I asked a simple question: “If you found out someone was a content creator, what book would you recommend?” — and the responses were pure gold. We've got 20 books for content creators. You’ll hear from working podcasters, educators, business owners, and storytellers sharing the books that sharpened their craft, grew their communities, a
Recent Blog Posts
Aug. 28, 2026
How to Run a Podcast Focus Group to Improve Show Quality and Kill Bad Segments
Running a podcast focus group is a game-changing strategy for creators who want honest, actionable feedback instead of vague vanity metrics. By assembling a small, rotating panel of engaged listeners to review every single episode, podcasters can id…
Aug. 26, 2026
Podcast Download Floor: What is the Minimum Number of Listeners to Keep Going?
Determining your podcast download floor helps you identify the absolute minimum number of listeners required to keep your show alive. By evaluating whether low numbers signal a need for strategic changes, audience engagement tactics, or a complete p…
Aug. 25, 2026
Why Spotify Is a Terrible Podcast Hosting Choice for Independent Creators
When independent podcasters look for a place to launch and host their shows, tech giants often pitch convenience and free distribution. However, treating music streaming behemoths like Spotify as your primary media host introduces severe risks to yo…
Sponsors
Meet Dave!
I've been podcasting since April of 2005. My podcast about podcasting has been downloaded over 3.1 million times (as of 2022). I've helped hundreds of people launch podcasts. Before podcasting, I used my degree in education (specializing in technical education) to harness the power of hardware and software (going back to fax machines and this new thing called e-mail and the Internet).
To hear what my client say, please visit my testimonial page.
How Dave is Different
Unlike many other “geeks” who know how to podcast, I've been a technical trainer for over 20 years. This means not only do I understand the technology but I can explain it in a plain English “geek-speak free” environment. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Akron (Specializing in technical education). While there are other podcast consultants, I believe my experience sets me apart in regards to helping you make sense of the entire podcasting process. I not only help with the “how,” but I also help explain the why, and make sure you avoid the common podcasting pitfalls. I have won awards at fortune 500 companies for my customer service. In a nutshell, I care.
I am one of the top podcast consultants, and I have spoken at many marketing and media conventions including New Media Expo, Blog World, Erma Bombeck Writing Workshops, Podcamp Columbus, Podcamp Cleveland, Podcamp Cincinnati, and the Business of Writing Summit. I am the author of the book Profit From Your Podcast.
In 2014 I was named the Director of Podcasting for the New Media Expo the top event in the industry.
In 2018 I was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame.
In 2020 I authored, Profit from Your Podcast (via skyhorse publishing).