Episodes

Curious about the best tools for creating a podcast? Today, we’re breaking down the tech stacks our community uses. We talk about everything from recording software and editing tools to hosting platforms. We share what works, what doesn’t, and how our setups have evolved over time. If you’re new to podcasting, don’t worry! This episode is an inside look at how podcasters choose their tools and why it’s best to start with what works for you, especially the ones that make the creative process enjo...

What was the moment you knew you were a podcaster? Was it your first episode? Your first listener? Or the moment someone asked for your advice? Today, we’re reflecting on the milestones that made us feel like real podcasters. Then, inspired by a question from a Facebook group, we shift to an in-depth conversation about podcast growth what’s realistic, and how to stay motivated when downloads feel slow. Plus, we analyze key success metrics beyond downloads and why they matter. Episode Highlights...

If you had to follow ONE golden rule for podcasters, what would it be? Today, we share our ideas for the one rule we believe every podcaster should follow. We cover several opinions provided by, long-time podcasters. Plus, to wrap up the week, we share wins and celebrate each other’s progress. Episode Highlights: [4:46] Debating the Golden Rule of Podcasting [5:27] Active Listening in Interviews [17:18] Preparation and Authenticity [31:15] Niching Down and Knowing Your Boundaries [42:16] Ce...

Are you showing up entirely as yourself on your podcast or are you holding back? Today, we tackle a question from listener Izzy, who’s ready to shed the ‘professional filter’ and embrace her unapologetic self behind the mic. But how do you break through hesitation and show up in a more genuine way without alienating your audience? Today we explore why podcasters hold back, how authenticity impacts audience connection, and steps to gradually bring more of your true self into your show. Episode H...

YouTube defines podcasting as “listenable content that’s video-optional,” but what does that really mean for creators? It’s news day, and today we’re bringing you many headlines, including YouTube’s changing role concerning podcasting, new research from Edison revealing where most listeners tune in, and an AI tool that can separate overlapping voices in audio recordings. We also discuss whether podcasters should rethink how they share links, the rise of audiobooks as an alternative for busy list...

Have you been trying to monetize your podcast? You’ve put in the work, and you’ve gained a small, respectable following, but now you feel like it is time to start turning your efforts into compensation. But how do you start connecting with brands that align with your podcast’s mission statement? After a couple of questions from the community, the Empowered Podcasting team digs in and shares strategies for pitching, pricing, and how you can turn brand sponsorships into lasting relationships when ...

One of the best things about the Empowered Podcasting Community is when our members get the chance to meet face-to-face. That’s exactly what happened this past weekend when several of our community members gathered in Detroit, Michigan. The meetup was filled with laughter, long hugs, and the realization that the people we connect with online are often just as genuine in real life. Not all of us were able to attend, so today we’re welcoming those who were part of the impromptu meetup to share the...

Podcasting isn’t solely about hitting the record button. It’s full of unexpected life lessons as well. After a day of frustrating tech setbacks, I was reminded of the importance of patience and reaching out for support. This reminder sparked today’s topic which led to an insightful discussion centered around the lessons we have learned from our podcasting journeys. To wrap up the week, we reflect on our wins and celebrate each other’s progress. Episode Highlights: [3:11] Mac Mini Setup and Init...

Have you ever considered charging guests to be on your podcast? It’s a bold monetization strategy that’s gaining attention! Today, we’re excited to welcome Victoria Meyer, host of The Chemical Show, to share her journey of shifting from traditional sponsorships to treating her podcast as a media company with a business mindset. In our conversation, Victoria will discuss the advantages of this approach, the challenges she faced, effective guest communication strategies, and how to leverage media ...

Since you’ve been on your podcast journey, have you ever found yourself in the situation where you are on the home stretch, the recording has been done, and the final edits have been made, but you just can’t bring yourself to publish the episode? What emotion is behind that resistance? This is a place even podcast professionals find themselves in, and today, our community steps up to the plate to help with overcoming the fear of launching a podcast by sharing personal anecdotes dealing with perf...

Is video podcasting really the key to discoverability, or is it just another myth? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest, ongoing debates in podcasting: Do you need to be on YouTube and Spotify (video) to succeed? I’m joined once again by PMC co-host and podcast producer Matthew Bliss to unpack the realities of video podcasting, workflow sustainability, and the role mindset plays in your success. Plus, we tackle whether you really need to edit out every "um" and "ah" in your podc...

Have you ever had an intriguing interview, only to wonder during editing if the episode might be too long for your listeners? Will your audience stay engaged, or will they tune out? If you release the episode in multiple parts, will they come back to hear the continuation? This topic was inspired by a question from the mailbag, and we’re weighing the pros and cons of splitting long episodes into multiple parts versus keeping them whole. We analyze listener habits, discuss how to prepare your aud...

Have you ever thought about what you want to leave behind when you leave this planet? How do you want people to remember you? How would you describe the legacy you want to leave behind? Today, we are reflecting on our legacies and the impact we make every day. Earlier this week, the Podfest community suffered the tragic loss of fellow creator Neil Gallarte. He was so much more than a creator, he was a husband, a father, and a friend to many and the mark he made is undeniable. We take the opportu...

What would you do if someone repurposed your content without permission? Would you be flattered or offended? This recently happened to me when a video editor on LinkedIn repurposed a recent clip of mine, tagged me and the guest, and didn’t bother to ask my permission. This led me to wonder how the community would react in this situation, which leads to a rich conversation with many perspectives. We also address the question, “Do podcasts have an expiration date?” Many podcasters go through burno...

ListenNotes just purged nearly 2,000 AI-generated podcasts! Will other platforms follow suit? Today, we unpack this move, and we also share Apple’s long-awaited update to podcast submissions and the latest trends in the podcasting charts. We also look at must-attend podcasting events and some hot podcast-related job listings! This episode is dedicated to the memory of Niel Guilarte, a dedicated podcast professional and long-time active member of the PodFest Community and the Empowered Podcasting...

Are the “rules” of podcasting helping you or holding you back? Today, we challenge some of the biggest myths in podcasting and break down whether they’re worth following—or just fear-based tactics. I'm joined today by PMC co-host and podcast producer Matthew Bliss to dive into topics like AI tools, SEO myths, audience engagement, and why questioning the status quo could be the key to podcasting success. Episode Highlights: [4:19] The “rules” of podcasting—do they really matter? [9:16] The trut...

Have you questioned the validity of your podcast rankings? Today, we address a Facebook Group question about the platform ‘Listen Notes’ and question the accuracy of our scores, and how much these scores may or may not matter. Later we spin the wheel of topics and discuss our attitudes regarding negative reviews and tackle a question many podcasters face: should you continue despite losing passion, even with a loyal following? Join us for strategies for handling the negativity, and knowing when ...

What’s one piece of content you either nailed or completely bombed with recently? If you’ve been putting all the pressure on yourself, then you’re not alone. Constantly creating can feel like a ton of bricks on your shoulders, and as content creators, we’re often our own harshest critics, overanalyzing every post, episode, or video. But what if there was a way to find some inner peace? Today, we’re sharing mindset shifts that can help you recognize when you're overloading yourself, the value of ...

Want to amplify your LinkedIn presence? You’re in for a treat! Today, we’re delighted to welcome our special guest, Coach Rich Perry, who teaches people the intricacies of LinkedIn through a program at John Hopkins University. During our discussion, Coach Rich gives accessible advice on optimizing your LinkedIn profile and effectively utilizing its features, and strategies for crafting effective newsletters and gaining consistent engagement. Episode Highlights: [2:49] Overcoming Personal Challe...

With video podcasting taking center stage, is it time to call the medium something new? Perhaps 'vodcasting'? Today is news day and this is one of the stories that leads to an engaged conversation along with more of the latest podcasting headlines, including SiriusXM’s expansion to Spotify and YouTube Music, upcoming conferences, and how we perceive effective storytelling whether it be through audio or video formats. Episode Highlights: [2:38] Amanda's TikTok Journey and Monetization [7:50] Ch...

What would you do if you were invited to be a guest on a podcast but you show up to the interview and the host is nowhere to be found? In other words, you've been ghosted. Would you give them another chance or would you not allow for a second opportunity? Today we’re discussing a vent post from our facebook group with our takes on how we would handle the situation. Would you call out the host on social media? Or would you let it go? In the second half of the show, we shift gears and share our pe...

If your podcast were on a dating app, what would its bio say? We’re having some fun this Valentine’s Day by spinning the Wheel of Topics and answering questions that reveal our passions for podcasting, what keeps us going, the challenges we face, and how podcasting can often mirror relationships. Listen to the end because in the show's second half, we share some podcasting and personal wins, and celebrate our community achievements. Episode Highlights: [2:29] Categorizing Podcast Episodes with O...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that AI technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. As content creators, we understand how tools like ChatGPT streamline our content creation process, especially when generating images for social media, writing podcast show notes, and crafting email newsletters. But what about more practical everyday applications? Today, we’re excited to explore real-world uses of AI, showcasing creative ways to leverage tools like Notebook LM, Perp...

YouTube’s CEO says big changes are coming for podcasters but will it be a real win or just more talk? Spotify made big promises last year but didn’t deliver as expected. Now, YouTube is stepping in with plans to improve podcast discovery and monetization. But can they be trusted to follow through? Today is news day and this is just one of the stories we cover. Keep listening to find out which country podcast listening is hitting new records. We also test out Meta’s new AI tool for creating audio...