The School of Podcasting Podcast

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 out a...

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't g...

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 all ...

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 Show...

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’t...

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 audien...

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 here to...

Normally, I try to stay positive and encouraging. Maybe I still am, as I encourage you not to fall for these Podcast Tools (often based on AI) that promise great success and wealth without doing any work. Here are some of the things this company (who will remain nameless) promised: A chart-topping podcast in minutes You don't even need a microphone (think about that) Just let AI clone your voice, make an AI video version of you, and make six figures. Podcasting is expensive (it's not -you can ge...

Ever find yourself staring at a blank screen, just waiting for the podcast gods to drop some divine inspiration in your lap? Yeah, me too. But don’t worry, we’re exploring the world of podcast ideas today! I asked you, the wonderful listeners, how you come up with your brilliant episode topics, and trust me, some of the answers are pure gold. From scavenging through old notes to eavesdropping on pharmacy conferences, we’ve got tips and tricks to keep those creative juices flowing. So, whether yo...

Data is like your podcasting superpower, folks! If you want to grow your show, you gotta get your hands on the right stats. Seriously, knowing what’s working and what’s not can save you from wasting your time. We dive into the nitty-gritty of how to collect and use data from places like Apple and Spotify to figure out your audience and their habits. Don’t worry, we’ll also have a laugh or two about how confusing all this can be, because who doesn’t love a good irony sandwich? So, buckle up, and ...

So, let’s dive into the wild world of podcasts on YouTube, shall we? This episode is all about the big question: should your podcast even be on YouTube? Spoiler alert: I don’t have a definitive answer, but I’m armed with some juicy facts to help you figure it out. I tackle the age-old debate between audio and video, and you'll learn that while YouTube has a gigantic audience, audio podcasts have a much better chance of getting discovered. I mean, who wouldn’t want 564 listeners to hunt down thei...

Are you using AI? Or better yet, which AI tool are you using? That's the big question we’re tackling today! We listen to fellow podcasters to find out about their favorite tools and whether they save time or make things messier. Spoiler alert: Sometimes, it feels like we’re just swapping one headache for another! Plus, I just got back from Podcast Movement Evolutions, so get ready for some juicy insights. Participants: Craig from aigostocollege.com and livewellandflourish.com Ethan from dailyspo...

You can totally monetize a podcast even if your audience is smaller and niche. It's like having a tiny but super passionate fan club instead of a massive crowd that’s half-asleep. Today, we’re chatting with Ray Arnett from aroundthelayout.com , who lives, eats, and breathes the world of model railroads. He’s got some wild ideas about partnerships that don’t rely on the usual sponsor route, and trust me, it’s more interesting than it sounds. Monetizing a Smaller Audience Think making money off a ...

Today, we’re exploring the world of partnerships versus sponsorships with the fabulous Stephanie Thompson. The key takeaway? Partnerships are better at growing your show. Forget just pocketing cash for a shout-out; we’re talking about meaningful connections that can actually grow your audience. Stephanie explains how she snagged partners before she even had a following— zero downloads, folks! So, if you’ve been thinking about how to take your podcast game to the next level, this chat is for you....

Molly Ruland stops by to explain how she started a branded podcast that brought in so many clients from season one that she had to pause it. For Molly, it is all about starting and building relationships with her guests. By conducting targeted outreach, she added 500 marketing people to her LinkedIn network, improving the relevance of her feed. When it comes to SEO, AI is interesting, but she advises against using "podcast lingo" and emojis in podcast show notes and metadata. Instead, she recomm...

After a lot of feedback on the first episode about podcast newsletters, I wanted to answer more questions, and this time I brought Paul Gowder to help. We’ll discuss what tools to use and what content to include. If you really want to skip this whole newsletter thing, we've got some backup plans for you, too. Paul not only has wisdom about newsletters, but we also talk about building his community. Spoiler alert: You might even want to ditch social media for this! Buckle up, because we’re about ...