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...

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 podcasting world never stands still, and neither do the challenges creators face. The morning show cast and crew discuss AI ad blockers, video strategy & discovery, and the real cost of video production as platforms continue to evolve. From monetization and sponsorships to smarter growth strategies, the conversation looks at what today's headlines mean for podcasters trying to build a sustainable show. Whether you're launching a new show or growing an existing one, these stories reveal where...

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...

Feeling overwhelmed by podcasting advice, creator conferences, and too many decisions? This conversation shows how Empowered Podcasting Conference 3 (EPC3) is being built to help podcasters overwhelmed by information overload find more simplicity, stronger connections, and a real sense of community. In this episode, I hand the conversation over to the Podcasting Morning Show team for a behind-the-scenes look at Empowered Podcasting Conference 3. Joining me are Jason Cercone, Rich Perry, Ralph E...

Finding your podcast is still harder than it should be, and this week our cast and crew dig into why discoverability remains a challenge for indie creators. We also cover podcast movement updates, including the new community voting process for conference sessions, YouTube growth tips that many podcasters overlook, and the latest platform changes affecting creators. Ralph's Business Bite breaks down why Starbucks is paying baristas to create TikTok content and what that strategy can teach creator...

Podcasting is changing fast, and keeping up can feel overwhelming when the numbers and tools keep shifting. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss podcast discovery, metrics, and what they really mean for creators trying to grow their audience and build a sustainable show. From play counts and listener engagement to premium content, fan support, and monetization, the conversation shares practical ideas that help podcasters make better decisions without getting distracted by vani...

Growing a podcast takes more than publishing new episodes. In this conversation, the morning show cast and crew discuss how to build better podcast sponsorships by looking beyond traditional ad reads and making the most of the audience, platforms, and content you already have. From newsletters and social media to community engagement and sponsorship packages, the discussion shares practical ideas for creating partnerships that bring value to both creators and sponsors. Here's the thing, the stro...

Podcasting keeps changing, and creators are constantly deciding which tools, platforms, and formats are worth their time. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss the future of podcast creation, including Riverside and other AI-powered production tools, all-in-one workflows, video, newsletters, audience behavior, and why listeners often follow creators instead of platforms. The conversation looks at what these changes mean for independent podcasters without losing sight of what ke...

Treating your podcast like a business starts with understanding podcast tax write-offs and which expenses you can deduct. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew explain podcast tax write-offs for podcasters and content creators, covering the difference between a hobby and a business and the everyday deductions many creators overlook. From podcast equipment and editing software to conferences, home office expenses, and creative side projects, they share practical examples that make tax 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...

Finding new listeners has never been easier, yet getting discovered can still feel like one of the biggest challenges in podcasting. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss how YouTube has become a major Podcast Discovery Platform, changing the way audiences find and engage with new shows. The conversation covers listener behavior, social media's role in growth, AI-generated content, advertising trends, and why creators need to think beyond traditional podcast apps. Most podcasts...

Growing a podcast audience has never been easy, and today's creators face more competition and more choices than ever before. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew sit down with Rob Walch to talk about audience growth, discoverability, monetization, AI, video podcasting, and the lessons learned from more than two decades in the industry. One of the biggest takeaways is why most podcasts don't grow as quickly as many creators expect. Rob shares practical advice on podcast SEO, advertisi...

Building a loyal audience is one thing, but finding new ways to serve them can open up entirely different opportunities. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew talk with Sid Meadows about using private podcasting for education, onboarding, community building, and paid podcast content. Drawing from his experience launching a training program for newcomers in his industry, Sid shares how solving a specific problem led to a new revenue stream and a scalable way to deliver valuable content....

The numbers behind your podcast can reveal a lot, but only when you know how to interpret them. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss Spotify's latest platform updates, changing measurement standards, and what these shifts could mean for creators trying to better understand their audience. The conversation dives into podcast analytics, listener behavior, video consumption trends, sponsorship opportunities, and the ongoing challenge of measuring meaningful engagement. Here's the...

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...

Podcasting can change more than your audience, it can change the relationships around you. The morning show cast and crew talk about what it means to understand your podcast through the eyes of spouses, partners, children, and family members who may not always share your passion. From navigating tough conversations about time, money, and support to handling feedback from the people closest to you, the discussion is filled with honest stories and personal reflections. Here's the thing, understand...

Anyone can create a podcast, but creating interviews that listeners remember takes a different set of skills. The morning show cast and crew sit down with podcasting veteran Dave Jackson to talk about what it really takes to create podcast conversations that feel natural, engaging, and worth sharing. From researching guests and asking stronger follow-up questions to building lasting relationships and using AI without losing the human touch, the discussion is full of practical lessons from years ...

AI is making it easier than ever to create content, but it's also making it harder to sound like yourself. The morning show cast and crew discuss what happens when AI starts to become your voice, why authenticity is becoming more valuable in a sea of automated content, and how creators can stay relevant when everyone has access to the same tools. From podcast discovery and video consumption trends to the role of personal experience in building trust, the conversation keeps coming back to one que...

If you've been podcasting for a while, you know the lessons that stick often come from experience. The morning show cast and crew sit down with Daniel J. Lewis, who's been podcasting for nearly two decades, to talk about years of podcasting, from dial-up internet and RSS feeds to audience growth, video, and Podcasting 2.0. Daniel walks through the hard part: staying consistent when life gets messy, what he's learned from nearly two decades in the industry, and why listener relationships beat tre...