The School of Podcasting Podcast

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. ...

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 wa...

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. Alw...

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 differenc...

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 doin...

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...

I've known Dave Hooper (host of Build a Big Podcast and Author of Big Podcast) since he put on the radio for the first time on Music Business Radio. When I heard that Dave had scored a job at Sirius I wanted the inside scoop on what it's like to work there, and what the heck is a "Producer." Dave explains that he got the job while being in "a funk" and he used that situation to introduce more "real" topics to channel 146 at 7 AM and Road Dog Trucking. I also share one sentence that jumped ...

Justin Moore is here to tell us how to snag sponsors like a pro. We chat about his book, Sponsor Magnet. Seriously, if you’re trying to get sponsors for your podcast, this is the book you need—like, yesterday. He dives into the absurdities of podcast monetization and how it’s not just about your download numbers but about your influence. Justin shares some gold nuggets on pitching strategies and why sending out a basic media kit is basically waving a white flag in the sponsorship battle. So, ...

Filler words. We all know them, we all use them, and let’s be real, they’re annoying. You might think it’s just you fumbling through a sentence with a bunch of ‘uhs’ and ‘ums’, but guess what? We’re all in the same boat, paddling away from clarity and straight into the sea of confusion. In this episode, I dig into the strategies to kick those pesky crutch words to the curb. We chat about how you can sound smarter (yes, you heard that right) by practicing your communication skills and being more...

Ozzy Osbourne's recent passing has got me feeling all sorts of ways. I mean, who didn’t grow up jamming to ‘Crazy Train’ or wishing we could be half as cool as him? This isn’t just about mourning a rock legend; it’s about learning from the antics of a guy who built an empire on being unapologetically himself. So today, I’m diving deep into 15 lessons that podcasters can snag from Ozzy’s playbook. From being true to yourself (and not giving a hoot about the haters) to surrounding yourself with go...

Traci DeForge is here to her knowledge about podcasting for your business without feeling like a total salesy weirdo. She’s busting the myth that you need 10,000 downloads to make a buck—seriously, you can start monetizing with just 1,500 listeners. We talk about how to weave your podcast into your business strategy without sounding like a used car salesman. If you’ve ever felt awkward about asking for sales, Traci’s got the lowdown on how to do it without the cringe. So, grab your earbuds and g...

Are Spotify and YouTube poisoning podcasting? I keep hearing how "What used to work in the past - doesn't work anymore? Well I disagree. Making great content that resonates with your audience has been around since the early days of radio, and if it make them FEEL something, you've got something that is golden. Giant companies always put profit over people, and with the latest AI band called the Velvet Sundown which has six figure streams. Why are AI Bands better than real musicians? They don'...

Juggling podcasting and personal life can feel like trying to balance on a three-legged stool while juggling flaming torches. In this episode, I look into the not-so-secret ingredients for maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a podcaster. We kick things off with a hard-hitting question: what happens when your love for podcasting starts to mess with your health and relationships? It's a real thing, folks, and I’ve seen it happen. I share my personal stories, including the ups and downs of ...

In this month's "Question of the Month," I wanted to explore the discrepancy between Spotify's perceived dominance and the actual listening habits of podcasters. Despite frequent headlines touting Spotify as the number one streaming platform, my personal statistics and community feedback tell a different story. By surveying my audience about their platform preferences, I uncovered that Apple remains the top choice for most listeners, challenging the narrative often presented in media reports abo...

So, today I'm diving into the mess that can be podcast burnout. You know, that moment when your favorite hobby morphs into a job you dread? Yeah, we’ve all been there. We're chatting about big names like Marc Maron and others who decided to call it quits and how that’s not just okay, but totally legit. Spoiler alert: sometimes stepping back is the best move you can make. I’ll sprinkle in some sarcasm and laughs as we explore the absurdity of it all—because let’s face it, if we can’t laugh at ou...

Ever wonder why some podcasts spread like wildfire while others wither on the vine? Well, it turns out that a whopping 60 to 80% of podcasts are discovered through good old-fashioned word of mouth. Yeah, that means if your podcast isn’t getting shared, there’s a reason. So, what’s the secret sauce that makes people hit that share button? In this episode, I research the world of shareable content — you know, the kind that makes your friends feel like they need to hear it. Spoiler alert: it’s al...

Today we start with the news of Marc Maron retiring his podcast, and a possible shake up at the New Media Show (two shows with 16+ years). So who will fill their space you? Bri Leever is a community building strategist at Ember Consulting and host of the show "Dear Bri." I saw her present at a webinar put on by Hearbeat (my favorite community tool) and immediately joined her community (which lead to me asking her on the show). Full show notes at schoolodposcasting.com/987 Mentioned in the ...

Adding YouTube to your podcasting game? Well, grab a seat because Thomas Umstadt Jr. is here to share what works and what doesn't. We’re talking about the nitty-gritty of taking your audio-only podcast and slapping it onto the video platform that everyone and their grandma seems to be on. Thomas recounts his journey from simple audiograms to full-blown video episodes, sharing the highs and lows of his transition. Spoiler alert: it turns out that just tossing your podcast audio onto YouTube won’...

Today, we are talking about keeping your audience listening after they press play. This starts with an opening hook. To have hooks that grab your audience and make them want to hear your episode, there are some common characteristics: Relevance: A good hook connects directly to the theme or topic of your episode. It should hint at what’s to come without giving everything away. Emotional Impact: Evoking curiosity, excitement, or even controversy can create an emotional connection with your audi...

What if I told you that most interviews are mind-numbingly boring, and you're probably doing them wrong? Today I interview Tracy Johnson, and after decades in radio and working with countless shows, he's written a book, Mic Drop Moments, that shares the secrets to transforming mediocre conversations into absolute "Didya Hear That?!" moments. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on selecting guests that will electrify your audience, ask questions that make people lean in, and tell stories t...

Money, money, money! Yeah, I know, we’re all rolling our eyes thinking, "Ugh, not another boring finance chat!" But hold onto your wallets, because this isn’t your grandpa’s finance talk. Our buddy Ray Edwards, a top-notch copywriter, shares a jaw-dropping story about how he made a cool million but ended up in bankruptcy—wait, what? How does that happen? I spill the beans on my own bankruptcy saga, sharing how emotional decisions can lead us down a slippery slope. And hey, we’re not just h...