Jan. 27, 2026

442. Why Song Exploder’s Fleetwood Mac Episode Is Gold for Indie Podcasters

Show Notes

What makes a podcast worth coming back to again and again? What turns a single episode into something listeners want to sit with, revisit, and recommend? Today, we continue with another installment of Jonathan Howard’s Obsession-Worthy Podcast series, using Song Exploder as a case study to explore what makes a podcast truly re-listenable. We take a closer look at an episode, breaking down Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way, focusing less on the song itself and more on how the story is told. We explore how clear structure, intentional editing, and listener-first decisions build trust. We talk about why strong questions don’t need to be heard to be felt, and how letting listeners experience uncertainty, decision-making, and emotional stakes keeps them engaged. If you interview guests or tell stories on your show, this episode offers a lasting reminder: obsession-worthy podcasts are designed with the listener in mind. Where could you let your listeners hear the moment something clicked?

This episode includes brief music excerpts used for educational and commentary purposes. We do not own the rights to the music featured.

Episode Highlights:

[07:41] What makes this episode obsession-worthy?

[11:31] Breaking down Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”

[22:12] An emotional opening and the songwriting process

[28:00] Applying creative processes beyond music

[30:09] Exploring song lyrics and personal storytelling

[35:16] Storytelling elements in podcasting

[41:01] Asking better questions and interview techniques

[43:04] Podcast evaluations and community building

[46:02] What’s coming next

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