The School of Podcasting Podcast

On today’s episode, I dig into my thought process as I consider launching a new podcast—and I walk through the essential questions I ask anyone who’s thinking about starting one. If you’ve already got a podcast, these questions might help you rethink your approach. Why am I starting this podcast? I share my background as a teacher and my desire to fight back against spammy guest pitches. I want to educate PR agencies and help fellow podcasters feel less alone in the sea of spam. Who is this podc...

Hey, it’s Dave Jackson here! In this episode, I’m diving letting you see why patience and persistence matter more than anything else in podcasting (and, honestly, in most creative pursuits). We’ve all been spoiled by the microwave mentality (wanting quick results and instant gratification) but the real success stories are built over years, not weeks. I kick things off with the story of the microwave’s invention as a metaphor for how society craves instant results, then flip the script to talk ab...

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 Hardware...

Hey, I’m Dave Jackson, host of The School of Podcasting . If you want to start a podcast or make the one you already have better, this show is for you. Every week, I share tips, insights, and proven strategies to help you podcast with more confidence and less confusion. I've made it easy to follow the show, just go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow to follow the show and never miss an episode.

What makes a podcast someone's favorite? I ask this every year, and here are the shows that were mentioned: Here is a list of the "Favorite" shows, as well as those who submitted them. Thanks so all who were involved. 1. Nudge 2. No Agenda 3. Treat Addiction Podcast 4. Daily Devotions for Busy Lives 5. Harry Shearer’s Show "Le Show" 6. School of Podcasting 7. Time Suck 8. Too Many Tabs 9. What Was That Like? 10. Daily Sports History 11. Walking is Fitness 12. Welcome to Earth Stories 13. The Pha...

Hey, it's Dave! In this episode (which uses chapters FYI), I take you through a year-end wrap-up, sharing stories, rants, insights, and predictions about the world of podcasting. Here are the main points I covered: 1. A Christmas Story with a Lesson for Podcasters I kicked things off with a humorous Christmas tale about the Cridland Boys Choir, and what happens when you keep loosening your standards just to hit a target—a not-so-subtle lesson for the podcasting world. 2. Pushing Back on Changing...

Hey, it's Dave Jackson, and I'm thrilled to bring you episode 1014 of the School of Podcasting. You’ve heard me say it before: "Podcasts lead to relationships, and those relationships lead to opportunities." Today, I brought proof! I sat down with Kim Newlove and Jan Almasey, who shared amazing stories about how starting a podcast opened doors they never anticipated. Kim Newlove’s Story: Kim hosts The Pharmacist Voice , where she shares insights on using your voice in the medical field, as well ...

Welcome to the show! In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the feedback you’ve given me over the past year. From the things you love—like honest opinions and those behind-the-scenes bloopers—to areas where you think I could improve, I’m breaking it all down. I’ll share how I process both praise and criticism, respond to some thought-provoking and even challenging listener comments, and talk openly about staying authentic on the microphone, no matter what. If you’ve ever wonde...

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...

In this episode, I look into the many ways you can measure the success of your podcast beyond just download numbers. Too often, new podcasters get fixated on stats that might not actually reflect their true goals, whether that’s growing their business, building a community, or simply having fun. I share 12 alternative metrics—including email list growth, audience engagement, speaking opportunities, and more—so you can assess your progress and celebrate wins that go way beyond downloads. I also m...

Hey, it's Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting ! In this episode, I dive into what truly delivers value to your podcast audience—drawing inspiration from an episode of the Novel Marketing podcast hosted by my buddy, Thomas Umstattd Jr.. As I was driving to PodIndy, I caught myself sharing Thomas Umstattd Jr.'s episode with friends, and it hit me: why was this episode good enough for me to recommend? Today, I'm breaking down the answer to that question and sharing snippets of what I like to...

Hey everyone, it’s Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting! In today’s episode, I sit down with Heidi Kay Begay from Red House Productions (website: redhouseproductions.net ) to discuss how you don’t need a massive audience to start monetizing your podcast. She reveals practical and inspiring strategies to pitch your value and land meaningful brand relationships, even when your show is still growing. Key Points & Takeaways You Don’t Need Huge Download Numbers: Heidi Kay Begay shares how she s...

Hey, it’s Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting, and in this episode, I look into what podcasters can learn from Ace Frehley of Kiss—even though Ace wasn't the most technically brilliant guitarist, his unique approach made him a massive inspiration for millions . I share how Ace’s story relates to how we think about our own podcasting journey. Here are some of the takeaways we can learn from Ace: Be Yourself: Just like Ace was always Ace, when you’re podcasting, lean into what makes you unique....

We're diving into the oh-so-fun world of podcast listening habits today, folks. Some people think most listeners are "Full." So how many podcasts are we actually cramming into our ears each week? And let me tell you, the answers are as varied as the podcasts themselves. From folks who binge a couple of episodes while commuting to some who claim they listen to 30-plus shows, it’s a wild ride. So grab your headphones and settle in as we break down the absurdity of our listening obsessions and pee...

I'm diving deep into the pros and cons of doing a live podcast, inspired by a question from Ralph over at askralph.com . If you’ve ever considered going live with your show—whether with video or audio—you’ll want to hear my honest take after years of experience. I break down what it’s really like to start live streaming, especially if you’re new to podcasting or just thinking about expanding into video. From gear recommendations, background setups, and green screens to my latest waste-of-money p...

Welcome back! In this episode, I tackle this month’s big question: "How long did it take you to bring your podcast from an idea in your head to execution—and how long to find your audience?" I share stories from guest contributors and reflect on my own process after launching nearly 40 different shows over the years. Todd the Gator kicks things off describing how his gaming show “Guardian Downcast” was born, with community members pulling him into hosting after another podcast called it quits. H...

In today's episode, we're going to pull back that curtain on podcasting best practices. And some of these conventions are grounded in logic and proven results, and others might just be myths that we're just blindly following. I explain why I think these are legit, and explain why some of these are not accurate. As always your audience may be different than mine, but based on 20 years in podcasting, these are the just some of the best practices I teach at the School of Podcasting . Why is Recordi...

Podcasting is a wild ride, and who better to ride along with us than Cassian Bellino? She's got this killer attitude that turns failures into stepping stones. Seriously, if you think you need a perfect setup to start podcasting, think again! Cassian talks about how she built her Instagram following to over 113,000 by just being herself and sharing her journey. It's not about how many people listen or follow; it’s about the fact that you’re doing what you love. We dive into the nitty-gritty of so...

The past year we've lost some great people in the podcasting family. Neil Guilarte and Todd Cochrane both died suddenly with no warning. If you're not prepared, you leave your family in a lurch adding to the stress of your passing. I bring on The Podcast Lawyer Gordon Firemark to explain some of the ins and outs (Gordon doesn't do wills and such, but can explain the process). As law change based on location you may want to hire someone locally, or use an online tool that adjusts to your location...

Growing a podcast isn’t just about hitting record and hoping for the best. If you’ve been tuning in, you know we’re all about making remarkable content that actually resonates with listeners. Last week, we dug deep into what successful shows are doing differently, and trust me, it’s not rocket science. It’s about conversation, not just broadcasting. Today, I’m sharing free tools and insights to help connect with your audience better and some juicy news from Spotify that might just change the way...

I am still in shock about the loss of Todd Cochrane. I just saw him a few weeks ago 30 lbs lighter and looking great. I've known Todd for 20+ years. The man who wrote the very first book on podcasting. In looking for pictures, I only have this one in a group. Why? Because you always think a person will be there to do it next time. Todd was a character. Unique. There will never be another one. At every event I would end up at a table with Todd, "The Robs" (Greenlee and Walch) and other OGs. Alway...

Over the 20 years there are certain questions that get asked over and over, and today I share my thoughts on How Do I Grow My Podcast Audience? The part that will get me in hot water, is I'm pointing my finger at your content (and delivery). Get the Remarkable Episode Checklist Who and Why When it comes to growing your podcast, there are two things that drive the content and the first one is who is your audience. It can’t be “everybody” and it can’t be “men 25 to 50” as there is a big difference...

Outsourcing for your podcast is a bit like dating—you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince (or princess). This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of hiring help for your podcast, featuring stories from our listeners who’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt (or the horror story). Kim Newlove shares her success with hiring a coach and how that investment paid off in spades. On the flip side, York's experience is a cautionary tale about the perils of hiring without doing...

Coming back from Podcast Movement, I've got a story that really drives home the point that nothing beats face-to-face networking. I mean, sure, we can all hop on Zoom and pretend we're connecting, but when you're actually sharing a meal with someone or just hanging out, that's where the magic happens. It's like the difference between texting your buddy and grabbing a beer – one is okay, but the other is where real connections are made. And let's be honest, who doesn't want to make meaningful con...