How To 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...

Content editing is the skill we don’t see … but we’ve all felt. If you’ve ever finished an episode and thought, “It’s fine… but it’s not hitting,” this conversation is for you. Last week, we briefly touched on the practice of content editing, and Vicky wrote in with a question that opened a much bigger door: What’s the difference between production editing and content editing? We talk through our interpretations of content editing and why it goes way beyond removing “ums” and tightening pauses. ...

Is Substack the next best place to grow your podcast, or just one more platform to juggle? Today, we talk about how to get real value from it. Co-host BC Babbles has been on Substack for a while and even hosts one of his podcasts there, so we ask what’s working, what he’s learned, and what best practices matter most. We also dig into how Substack helps you connect with listeners in a more personal way than traditional social media. Then we talk monetization, what people actually pay for, and how...

​​Starting your podcast can feel overwhelming when every choice seems expensive or technical. permanent. But don’t worry, we’ve got you! Today, we focus on the questions new podcasters are asking at the beginning. We start with real questions from co-host Sid Meadows about recording platforms like Riverside, working with editors, and choosing the right mic stand. Later, the conversation opens up into questions nearly every new podcaster wrestles with, including whether podcasting has to be expen...

What makes a podcaster rethink everything instead of walking away? Today, we sit down with co-host Sid Meadows, creator of The Trend Report, to unpack why he nearly ended his podcast and what led him to rebuild it instead. Sid opens up about the burnout that caused him to podfade, the breakthrough moment that brought him back, and the intentional steps behind his relaunch: listener interviews, new sponsorship plans, and a renewed sense of purpose. We also explore how to balance instinct with aud...

The countdown to the Empowered Podcasting Conference is on, and Jonathan Howard joins us to share a taste of his presentation on creating an Obsession Worthy Podcast. His opening challenge: stop being boring and predictable. Too many shows fade into the background because they never take risks or show personality. Jonathan reminds us that the podcasts listeners can’t put down are the ones that feel bold, real, and alive. And that’s only the first step! We go through most of them on the show, but...

One podcaster’s history show is connecting with both parents and kids. But now comes the hard part: should they launch a separate kids’ podcast or add child-friendly episodes to their existing feed? We dig into discovery, audience habits, and the challenge of serving two groups without creating double the work. We share creative ways to test ideas, and we also talk about the importance of listening to your audience and treating their feedback as a gift that can guide your next move. Since it’s F...

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 copying in podcasting a cardinal sin or a necessary step towards finding your unique voice? Today, we’re plunging into the murky waters of inspiration vs. imitation. We explore how new podcasters can learn from established shows without becoming carbon copies, and when 'borrowing' ideas crosses the line. Featuring a thought-provoking clip from Matt Bliss's 'Rethinking Podcasting,' we dissect what makes content truly original in a medium where 'there's nothing new under the sun.' We challenge...

Today is a hard day for many. On this September 11th, we pause to honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders who gave everything. And as podcasters, it raises a question: when a day of such magnitude arrives, is it right to step outside your niche and acknowledge it? Today, we wrestle with that tension between staying on brand and honoring history. We ask whether podcasters should break format to reflect, and how our platforms can serve as an aural history for ...

Taylor Swift just broke the internet again, and this time joining her fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason, on their New Heights podcast. At its peak on August 13th, over 1.3 million people tuned in live on YouTube, making it the most-watched podcast episode ever on the platform. The demand was so intense it briefly crashed at the 1:44 mark, and today the episode sits at more than 21 million views. Spotify also reported a 3000% surge in new listeners and millions of extra streams, provin...

What’s something about your current podcast that you would like to change? Would you adjust the format, switch up the frequency, or try something completely different? That’s the question that kicks off today’s episode. While Marc is away at Camp Footprint, Sid and the rest of the crew take the lead, steering a lively conversation about private podcasting and why creators are exploring it, and some creative ideas we’d love to try. We share insights on how it can add value for your audience and o...

Are you using Spotify for Creators to its full potential? If not, you’re in for a treat. While Marc is away at camp, podcast producer Chris Stone of The New Statesman joins us to share powerful, lesser-known tools hidden inside the Spotify for Creators platform. Spoiler: you don’t need to host with Spotify to unlock them. Chris reveals his favorite features for boosting engagement, including interactive polls and customizable episode previews, as well as the SEO tactics that can help your show g...

What should you look for when renting a podcast studio? With more studios popping up in big cities, it’s an exciting step, but how do you know what’s worth the money? Today, we break down what to ask before you book, red flags to watch for, and how to tell if a studio offers real value or just fancy lights. We also discuss pricing, gear, camera setups, and what studios often don’t tell you upfront. So if you’re considering recording outside your home, this conversation will help you show up prep...

If you’re new to podcasting, you might be thinking…How do I get people to actually engage with my show? Today, we answer a listener’s question about audience interaction and explore creative ways to bring your listeners into the conversation. We cover free tools like SpeakPipe, which lets listeners leave voice messages you can feature in future episodes, and introduce RodeCaster’s new “Call Me” feature that opens the door to real-time connection regardless if you go live or not. You’ll also hear...

You're at the start of recording a podcast episode. You ask your guest a question, and they go on a 10-minute tangent; you can't get a word in! What do you do? Today's question is inspired by our virtual mailbag, and we’re giving our takes on how to manage conversations with guests and also know when to make edits to clean up the message for our audience. We cover how to redirect a rambling guest and what we've done in our personal experience when this happens. We also touch on the crutch words ...

When it comes to promoting your podcast, do you post and pray? In other words, after you’ve edited, uploaded, and published your episode, do you just drop a link on social media and hope for the best? This morning’s conversation was sparked by a Reddit post from a podcaster stuck in that exact situation, and we’re sharing wiser, more realistic ways to grow your show without burning out. We also cover a real use case where AI voice cloning helped a podcaster update her intro after life got in the...

Every podcaster has a task that zaps their energy. It can be editing, writing show notes, wrangling guests, or managing social media. Today, we share the parts of podcasting that wear us down and how to handle them before burnout hits us like a ton of bricks. We cover outsourcing, beneficial tools, and what to do when your go-to tools fail. If something in your workflow has you grinding your teeth, you’re not alone…There are ways to make it enjoyable again. Episode Highlights: [03:06] Podcast A...

To script or not to script…that is the question. Today, we answer a mailbag question about whether podcasters should write scripts, especially when moving from audio to video. Should you? It depends. We share ways to structure your content using the bullet point approach to writing full scripts. We include tips to help you feel more confident on camera. We also recommend tools that can make the process easier for you. Remember, appearing natural on video takes practice, but with time, you will d...

What makes for an outstanding intro? How do you kick off your podcast? Today, we’re answering a listener’s question from the virtual mailbag and sharing our visions of what an ideal podcast intro should sound like. We provide tips on the duration of your intro, whether to include background music or not, and how much background information can be shared about a guest without losing your audience in the first few minutes. If you’ve been thinking of ways to keep your audience hooked from the get-g...

Your thumbs are hovering over the skip button. You hear the ad start. Do you skip or do you listen through? When it comes to your podcast…what makes you skip an ad and what makes you stay? Today, we’re exploring how podcast ads actually land with listeners. Did you know that 46% of weekly listeners make purchases after hearing a podcast ad, and 88% take action! We also talk about how storytelling in ad reads builds trust with your audience, and why podcasters should consider promoting their own ...

Big congratulations to our very own community member, Dominic Lawson, whose podcast Mental Health Rewritten is now featured on Apple Podcasts! Dominic shares the strategy that made this come together, including the duration of the process, why timing is crucial, and what it was like working with Apple’s editorial team. After celebrating that huge win, we cover this week’s top podcasting headlines: Apple’s new listening features, YouTube’s push for more ads in their music app, Walmart’s surprisin...

Do you rely on listener content for your podcast, and how did you get your listeners to contribute? Today, we give our thoughts on this mailbag question, share smart ways to connect with your audience, and cover a few news stories. Remember, your next big idea might come from your biggest fan! Plus, we cover more podcasting news including new features from Spotify for Creators and Acast to an expected outage you may want to prepare for... Episode Highlights: [04:09] Strategies for Listener Enga...

What are your summer plans? Maybe you’re packing up the car for a family road trip, or whisking your partner away on a romantic getaway to an exotic destination. It all sounds amazing…but what about your podcast? Summer is a season when routines are often put on hold, but should your podcast take a break too? Today, we open up the mailbag to answer a listener’s question about summer podcasting: Should you pause, switch things up, or find new ways to stay connected with your audience? Pull up a ...