Engagement And Growth Strategies Episodes

A great conversation can lose listeners before it ever gets started, which is why it's worth learning how to Improve Your Podcast Intro while also sharpening your interview skills and pacing. The morning show cast and crew break down what makes an intro grab attention, how to ask stronger questions that lead to better conversations, and why slowing down at the right moments keeps listeners engaged. By the end, you'll have simple ideas you can apply to create a stronger first impression and a mor...

Building a successful podcast through authenticity starts with showing up as your true self. In this episode of Empowered Podcasting LIVE, Jessica Schiller shares why energy, mindset, and genuine connection create a stronger impact than following trends or chasing algorithms. Discover how embracing your authentic voice can help you build deeper audience relationships, create more meaningful content, and grow a podcast that truly resonates. You'll also learn why authentic storytelling creates las...

Great podcast marketing goes beyond publishing new episodes. The morning show cast and crew explore smarter podcast marketing, sharing practical strategies for using AI, creating content between episodes, and improving podcast discovery without sounding robotic. From social media workflows to sustainable growth tactics, the conversation is packed with actionable ideas to help you market your podcast more effectively. Learn how better prompts, smarter workflows, and authentic content can help you...

The hardest podcasting decisions rarely have a perfect answer, and that's exactly what makes them so valuable. The morning show cast and crew tackle common creator dilemmas, from audience growth and guest selection to monetization, consistency, and creative freedom, without hiding behind "it depends." Every choice comes with a trade-off, and this conversation helps you think through what matters most for your show. By the end, you'll have a clearer way to approach the podcasting decisions that s...

Some podcasting habits have been around for years, but are they still helping your show today? In this episode, the morning show cast and crew debate which podcasting best practices still work, putting common habits like podcast intros, guest bios, ratings and reviews, and calls to action on trial. Instead of assuming the old rules still apply, the conversation looks at what actually connects with listeners and what may be worth rethinking. By the end, you may find yourself questioning a few of ...

A $100M podcast deal is something most creators can only imagine, but the real value isn't just the number. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew break down what Jay Shetty’s $100M deal means for the future of podcasting and ask the bigger question: what can independent creators actually learn from it? We talk about platform exclusivity, ownership, discoverability, sponsorship trust, and why building a loyal audience gives you options long before a massive deal comes along. Whether you...

Finding podcast sponsorships can feel impossible when everyone tells you to chase bigger download numbers first. The morning show cast and crew sit down with sponsorship strategist Losh Moodaley to discuss why audience trust, engagement, and genuine relationships matter more than raw reach when building brand partnerships. The conversation covers how to identify the right sponsors, use AI to research potential companies, build meaningful connections before making a pitch, and create opportunitie...

Getting discovered isn't just about publishing more episodes. On today’s special, Empowered Podcasting LIVE!, myself, Jason Cercone and Rich Perry are joined by Julia Levine, the Podcast Teacher and break down 'podcast SEO', which helps the right listeners find your show instead of chasing them across social media... Episode Highlights: [00:00] Why Podcast SEO Matters [04:07] Julia's Podcasting Journey [06:47] Podcast SEO vs. Google SEO [11:58] Interview Shows and Keyword Strategy [14:57] S...

Your podcast has only a few seconds to make a first impression, and that moment often starts before anyone hears a single word. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss what makes your podcast cover art stand out, how artwork influences listener decisions, and why branding, readability, and simplicity matter more than adding extra design elements. The conversation also covers episode thumbnails, AI-generated artwork, and practical ways to test what actually gets people to press pl...

Growing a podcast is harder than most people expect, and there are real reasons why most podcasts never grow. Podcast Hall of Famer Arielle Nissenblatt joins the morning show cast and crew to break down what actually works, from audience development and podcast discovery to newsletter marketing and building genuine connections with listeners. If your download numbers have felt stuck, her perspective might shift how you're thinking about it. Growth rarely comes from one big break or a single clev...

A lot of podcasters stay busy because busy feels productive, but there’s a difference between constantly posting content and building something listeners actually return to. The morning show cast and crew talk about why so many creators feel stuck even while publishing nonstop, and how growth often comes down to knowing your audience instead of chasing every trend. There’s also a bigger conversation about patience, strategy, and whether the work filling your schedule is truly helping your show m...

In this episode, we talk about the viral moment so many creators secretly hope for, that one clip, one guest, or one algorithm push that suddenly changes everything. But the PMC cast and crew get honest about what actually happens when attention spikes, why it does not always bring the right audience, and how chasing views can pull you away from serving the people your show is really for. We also get into the quieter kind of growth, the slow drip of better episodes, clearer messaging, stronger s...

If your episode isn’t getting clicks, there’s a good chance it starts with the title, and in today’s episode, we meet you right in that moment where you’re putting in the work but still wondering why people scroll past, and the PMC cast and crew walk through what actually makes someone stop, from how we all scan titles like headlines to the quiet habits shaping what gets played and what gets ignored , you know the one where you scroll your own feed and skip half the episodes without thinking, an...

What if the real reason The Daily pulls you in has nothing to do with the topic and everything to do with how the story is told? In this Obsession Worthy episode, we sit with that question together, because you’ve probably been there, hitting play while your mind is half somewhere else, and then suddenly you’re locked in. The PMC cast and crew walk through how a simple, specific opening gives you something to grab onto right away, how the story keeps widening just enough to keep you curious, and...

Most podcasters don't fail. They stop, often right when something's starting to click. We talk about that moment in this episode, you know the one, where growth feels slow, nobody's commenting, and doubt wins. But here's the thing: progress is already happening. You just can't see it yet. The PMC cast and crew broke down what kills momentum before it even registers. Unclear expectations. Chasing downloads when you should be watching who keeps coming back. Getting buried in the workload. There's ...

What if the reason a podcast sticks with you has less to do with what’s said and more to do with what you feel while listening? In this Obsession Worthy Podcasts episode, the PMC cast and crew unpack Twenty Thousand Hertz’s Hamilton feature to explore how intentional sound design shapes emotion, attention, and the overall listener experience. Led by Jonathan Howard and Ralph Estep Jr., the conversation begins with a breakdown of iconic moments like “My Shot” and the duel scene, then opens into a...

Podcast growth isn’t just about content, it’s about clarity. In this episode, we unpack the podcast growth mistake most people miss: messy messaging that makes your show hard to understand, remember, and share. We introduce the simple 5-word test to help you refine your podcast identity, improve word-of-mouth marketing, and make your show instantly clearer to listeners. Through live examples and discussion, we break down how clarity drives podcast growth, why your message needs to be repeatable,...

What can indie podcasters learn from one of the most talked-about podcasts of the year? Quite a lot, actually. Today, Jonathan Howard walks us through why New Heights, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, keeps fans coming back…and what we can apply to our own shows, even if we don’t talk about football (or engaged to Taylor Swift). From authentic emotional moments to naming your community, building recurring segments, and leveraging vulnerability, we explore what makes a podcast not just popular—...

We kick off this Halloween edition of Podcasting Morning Chat, swapping stories about our favorite costumes through the years. Then, we spin the Wheel of Topics and dig into the habits that help podcasters stay consistent, organized, and creative. We open up about what’s working, what needs work, and the myths we’d love to bust about podcasting. To wrap things up, we share our weekly wins and celebrate the small victories that keep creators moving forward. Happy Halloween! Episode Highlights: [...

Meet Magdalena, an indie podcaster who created the podcast, Unbreakable Spirit, using only her iPhone. Today, we’re evaluating her episode “Act of Letting Go” and exploring what every podcaster can learn from her approach to storytelling, sound, and structure. We discuss her intro, cover art, and delivery style, discussing how a soft, mindful tone can serve a specific audience. You’ll hear practical tips on improving audio with free tools, refining your brand promise, and creating cover art that...

Today is News Day, and we’re covering some of the hottest headlines in the podcasting industry. YouTube wants podcasters to think like creators, and its new Podcast Playbook is full of tips to boost visibility and engagement. The crew discusses what this means for hosts, from thumbnail strategy and video setup to utilizing chapters that keep listeners engaged. We also cover Spotify’s first FAST TV channel, the Black Podcasting Awards, and Apple’s reminder to plan for the holiday publishing rush....

The research is clear: 80% of listeners tune in mainly for the host, not the format, not the gear, but the person behind the mic. Today, we continue our podcasting news conversation with fresh headlines and honest discussion about what really keeps audiences listening. We discuss Adobe’s AI-powered speech tool, making TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 list, sparking debate about how creators understand and utilize AI. The crew also weighs in on Auphonic, sharing their own experiences, frustrations,...

Steve Burns’ new podcast Alive grabbed attention with a teaser clip, and it got us thinking: what makes some stories stick instantly? We break down why his moment connected, whether audio flaws matter as much as we believe, and why relatability often outweighs production polish. We also highlight a case study from community member Sid, who is testing a website redesign to see if it shifts listener engagement. The conversation ends with a more significant question: when your show changes, is it r...

Is your podcast too boring? It’s a question that makes even seasoned hosts squirm, but for beginner and intermediate podcasters, it’s the elephant in the recording studio. Today, we dive headfirst into the uncomfortable truth: most podcasts lose listeners not because of bad audio or lack of guests, but because they’re just plain dull. We break down the subtle signs your show might be putting people to sleep, as well as the reasons why even passionate creators fall into the “boring” trap. Midway ...