Episodes

Ever get something “free” for your podcast or creator work and think, awesome, no cost, no problem, then find out later why the IRS sent you a bill? Maybe it’s a “gifted” product, a free month of a tool, a comped hotel for an event, or a brand sending you gear in exchange for a mention. Today, we dig deeper into one of yesterday’s questions, inspired by a news story shared by our co-host Ralph Estep Jr., and we get real about what counts as income for creators, even when no cash hits your bank a...

Apple’s video announcement is stirring the pot again, and it’s funny because the gurus will remind you Apple always had video; that is true, but it just wasn’t widely used, or easy to roll out at scale. What’s changed now is the path feels more built out for creators, and the playback experience is more familiar for listeners. We’ve got some spicy hot takes about what Apple gets right, and why the hype can be louder than the reality. We also share a smart money reminder for creators: freebies, b...

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...

How do you turn an abstract idea into a gripping audio experience? In this installment of our Obsession Worthy series, we study “Colors” by Radiolab and pull out what makes its production so effective. While Marc is out, Jonathan Howard and Ralph Estep Jr. lead the conversation and show us why this episode works so well. We talk about how the opening hooks you fast, and how multiple voices weave together to keep you locked in. If you want your podcast to feel more immersive, this breakdown will ...

If someone handed you $5,000 to invest in your podcast tomorrow, where would it go? Better gear, paid ads, media training, or maybe something else entirely? While Marc is out, Ralph Estep Jr. takes the lead and guides this week’s listener mailbag as we wrestle with that exact question. We explore how to think about investing wisely, not just spending fast. From there, we briefly tackle how to prep for interviews without sounding scripted, and whether a pro setup really makes a difference when yo...

What actually makes podcasting worth it? Downloads, money, recognition, or something else entirely? While our fearless leader, Marc, is out, Ralph Estep Jr. takes the lead as we answer your questions from the mailbag and explore what progress and value really look like in podcasting. From there, we tackle a tough business question: when does it make sense to charge guests to be on your show? We weigh the pros and cons without taking sides. We also dig into cold PR emails and guest pitches, how t...

What happens when a tech giant is accused of copying your voice? Podcast host David Greene is suing Google, claiming his voice was used to create an AI clone inside NotebookLM without his permission and raising serious questions about how far AI tools can go when training on public content. That is just one headline in this week’s news roundup. We also look at Apple finally leaning into native video on its platform and ask the obvious question: Why now? Is this a response to YouTube and Spotify ...

What makes a story so striking that it changes how you see the person telling it? In this installment of our Obsession Worthy series, we study the narrative craft behind the podcast Ear Hustle and what makes its storytelling so effective. Co-host Jonathan walks us through how layered sound design, emotional contrast, and thoughtful narration can shift perception and deepen listener connection. We explore how devices like curiosity loops and identity shifts reveal that structure is not accidental...

It’s Friday the 13th, so we’re talking about the scary stuff… the habits that quietly drain the life out of a podcast. Not the obvious mistakes. The subtle ones. Today, we’re reflecting on what can slowly stall your growth. We explore the lack of clarity, poor consistency, and the small choices that add up over time. We share about the practical shifts we’ve made that make a real difference, and remind you that growth rarely comes from perfection. It comes from intention. We also talk about ways...

Can a podcast be strong and still have room to grow? We’re breaking down a recent episode of indie podcast, Movies in a Nutshell , and exploring what happens when a show gets most things right. Believe us, this episode leaves plenty to study. We unpack what worked, including their approach to segment structure and intentional ways to speak to both new and returning listeners. We also look at areas where a little polish could elevate the experience even more. Because the gap between good and grea...

YouTube says it’s cracking down on AI slop in 2026. At the same time, it’s rolling out more AI tools for creators. So which is it? Today, we share more of YouTube's upcoming shakeups, including tighter standards around low-quality AI content and monetization shifts that could reshape how podcasters get discovered and paid. Is this a clean-up… or a quiet pivot? Since it’s news day, we’re also bringing you the latest headlines across the podcasting space. Rumble is pushing short-form video, and Bi...

Many podcasters hit a moment where they start asking themselves, Should I be publishing more often? Today’s episode kicks off with a mailbag question from co-host Jonathan Howard that opens up an honest conversation about episode release frequency and the pressure to do more. From there, we dig into why more episodes do not automatically lead to more growth and how increasing your cadence without intention can quietly lead to burnout. The panel shares guiding principles around consistency, liste...

Great podcasts don’t just share information. They guide listeners through an experience. In this installment of our Obsession Worthy Podcasts, co-host Jonathan Howard guides us on a close look at Hyperfixed to understand why some narrative shows are so easy to fall into and so hard to forget. Using this show as a case study, we explore how strong storytelling choices shape attention and keep listeners engaged from start to finish. We unpack what makes Hyperfixed obsession-worthy and how its desi...

What do you do when hateful comments land harder than you expect? Today, we’re cracking into the mailbag and starting with a candid conversation about dealing with trolls and the inner critic that can flare up when your work is put out in public. That’s just one of the listener questions we tackle. We also continue the ongoing audio vs. video discussion, exploring why this question keeps coming up and what podcasters should consider before changing their format or adding more to their workflow. ...

Do you really need massive download numbers to earn an income in podcasting? Today, we’re digging into the mailbag to answer listener questions that get to the heart of how podcasts actually grow and earn. We start with a smart question about marketing your back catalog and why older episodes can still work for your show long after they’re published. That conversation opens the door to discussion on podcast sponsorships. Co-host Sid breaks down how independent podcasters can think about pricing ...

Joe Rogan made headlines this week by refusing to pay the $500 entry fee required to be considered for a Golden Globe. Was it a publicity move, or simply someone who doesn’t need another trophy to prove a point? On today’s news day, that moment became the spark for a much larger conversation about power, recognition, and how podcasting is colliding with mainstream media. From there, we widen the lens to look at the shifts shaping the industry right now. We unpack new platform moves, evolving rul...

Today, we’re asking you to rethink how you judge progress in podcasting. Is it really about choosing quantity or quality, or does the answer depend on where you are and what you’re building? In this installment of our Obsession Worthy Podcasts series, led by co-host Jonathan Howard, we break down How I Built This, focusing on the Taylor Guitars episode. We look closely at how a strong cold open widens the audience, builds curiosity, and signals that a show is worth sticking with. From there, the...

The most compelling interviews don’t start when you hit record. They start before your guest ever shows up. Today, we’re talking about why pre-interviews are not extra work. They are more like insurance. We walk through how a short pre-interview can prevent awkward moments, poor energy, and the dreaded moment when your guest drifts off topic. This conversation is especially helpful for newer podcasters booking guests and for experienced hosts who want smoother, more focused interviews. To wrap u...

There’s a familiar kind of stress that comes from caring about your podcast and not knowing if you’re doing it “right.” Today, we’re opening up the mailbag and addressing the kinds of questions that quietly weigh on podcasters. We explore how timing, platforms, and audience habits really intersect. We also discuss writer’s block and how better systems can help you move forward without waiting for inspiration to strike. Finally, we dig into a question from a camping podcast about gaining listener...

TikTok just updated its terms, and it’s one of those changes that’s easy to scroll past but hard to ignore once you slow down and read it. Recent platform updates raise important questions about ownership, precise location data, and what creators are actually agreeing to when they publish their work. Today, we take a look at what changed and why it matters if you’re building anything that lasts. We also zoom out to see where podcasting fits into the bigger picture. Recent studies show podcast ad...

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 expl...

Podcasting can feel lonely when you’re stuck making decisions no one prepared you for. The technical choices, the workflow questions, the moments where you can’t help but wonder if you’re overthinking everything or missing something obvious. We get it. We’ve been there. Today, we open the mailbag and respond to real questions submitted by podcasters navigating both the technical and non-technical sides of the craft. From platform frustrations to workflow doubts, the team slows the conversation d...

Small performance and production choices can subtly affect how a podcast is experienced. Today, we’re taking a close look at Life Fulfilled, a solo podcast hosted by Bernie Borges. We want to be clear that we aren’t aiming to tear podcasters down. We are listening carefully and noticing how structure, pacing, delivery, and production decisions shape trust with an audience, and we hope to pass along these insights to benefit you. We walk through the episode calling out what’s working, where deliv...

What happens when the tools we trust for clear answers start coming with ads attached? Today’s news and commentary conversation opens with growing chatter about ads potentially entering ChatGPT, then widens to a bigger pattern showing up across subscription platforms like Netflix and beyond. We unpack what these shifts could mean as ads become more common in spaces that once felt clean and uninterrupted. We share our thoughts on trust, platform control, and how easily “helpful” can start to feel...