This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood sits down with Kirk Martin, host of The Calm Parenting Podcast, to pull back the curtain on what it takes to build a successful show while staying true to your mission. With millions of downloads and a dedicated audience, Kirk shares how he’s grown Calm Parenting into a go-to resource for parents—and why he decided to bring advertisers into the mix.

In this episode, Heather and Kirk discuss:

• The inspiration behind The Calm Parenting Podcast and its evolution.
• Why Kirk started accepting advertisers and what makes a great brand partnership.
• How he balances authenticity with sponsorships.
• Strategies he’s used to grow his audience.
• What he wishes he had known before starting his podcast.

If you’re a podcaster looking to grow your show while staying true to your voice—or an advertiser wondering what makes a podcast partnership successful—this episode is a must-listen!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood sits down with Shira Atkins, Global SVP of Business Development & Partnerships at Acast and former Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer of Wonder Media Network. With Acast’s recent acquisition of WMN, Shira shares insights on the evolution of branded content in podcasting and where the industry is headed next.

In this episode, Heather and Shira discuss:

• The origins of Wonder Media Network and the market gap it aimed to fill.
• What Acast’s acquisition means for the future of branded podcasting.
• The biggest misconceptions brands have about branded content.
• How brands should think beyond audio to maximize impact.
• The evolution of podcast advertising and what’s next in 2025.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve in branded podcasting, this episode is packed with expert insights!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood sits down with Eric Smith, President & COO of Incremental Media, to explore the evolution of podcast advertising and what’s next for the industry. With years of experience in media and a front-row seat to podcasting’s growth, Eric shares insights on the biggest shifts shaping the space and how advertisers can navigate the opportunities ahead.

In this episode, Heather and Eric discuss:

• The journey of Incremental Media and how podcast advertising became a key focus.
• The turning point when podcast ads proved to be a major force in media.
• The most rewarding aspects of working in the podcast industry.
• The biggest industry shifts that have influenced how advertisers approach podcasting.
• Common mistakes brands make when entering the space—and how to avoid them.
• How the industry can balance ad volume with a great listener experience.
• What’s next for Incremental Media and the innovations shaping the future of podcast advertising.

If you want an inside look at the podcast ad industry from a seasoned expert, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by Robert Tuchman, Co-founder of Amaze Media Labs, to discuss the evolving landscape of podcast advertising and how technology is shaping audience growth and monetization. With a deep background in media and entrepreneurship, Robert shares his journey into podcasting and the innovative tools his team has developed to help creators and advertisers succeed.

In this episode, Heather and Robert dive into:

• What inspired Robert to launch Amaze Media Labs and how his background led him to podcasting.
• The importance of aligning product vision with the needs of podcasters and advertisers.
• How Audiencelift helps creators grow their audience and increase monetization opportunities.
• Real-world success stories showcasing Audiencelift’s impact on podcast engagement and revenue.
• The role of technology in improving podcast advertising and the tools podcasters can use to maximize their ad potential.
• What excites Robert the most about the future of podcasting and where the industry is headed.

If you’re looking for expert insights on audience growth, podcast monetization, and the latest innovations in podcast advertising, this episode is a must-listen!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by Arielle Nissenblatt, founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, podcast community builder, and passionate advocate for audio storytelling. Arielle has dedicated her career to helping listeners discover new shows and supporting creators in growing their audiences through thoughtful curation and community engagement.

In this episode, Heather and Arielle explore:

• Arielle’s journey into podcasting and what sparked her passion for curating podcasts for diverse audiences.
• How she selects the shows featured in EarBuds Podcast Collective and the key factors that make a podcast stand out.
• The evolution of the podcasting landscape—from changes in content and audience behavior to shifts in monetization strategies.
• The impact of social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok on podcast promotion and audience growth.
• Why podcast collaborations can be a game-changer for creators and what makes a partnership truly successful.
• Arielle’s insights on building strong podcast communities and fostering deeper listener engagement.

If you're interested in podcast discovery, audience growth strategies, and the power of community in audio, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by James Cridland, Editor of Podnews and a renowned radio futurologist, for a deep dive into the evolution of podcasting and what’s next for the industry. With years of experience analyzing trends, technology, and audience behavior, James brings valuable insights into how podcasting has transformed—and where it’s headed.

In this episode, Heather and James explore:

• The origins of Podnews and what inspired James to create a go-to resource for podcast industry news.
• The biggest shifts in podcasting over the past five years and how they’ve impacted creators, advertisers, and listeners.
• Key trends shaping the future of podcasting and what to expect in the next 3-5 years.
• The ongoing debate around podcast analytics—what’s working, what’s missing, and where measurement is headed.
• The differences between downloads, streams, and plays—why they matter and what they really tell us about audience engagement.
• Why podcast players hold back data on listening behavior and what that means for advertisers and creators.

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve in podcast advertising and industry trends, you won’t want to miss this conversation with one of the most knowledgeable voices in the space!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by Gina Garrubbo, President & CEO of National Public Media, and Bryan Moffett, COO of NPM and SVP of Network Growth at NPR, for an insightful conversation about NPM's approach to podcasting and advertising. The three dive into:

• NPM’s unique position in the podcasting space, leveraging its 50-year legacy in audio journalism to connect with a younger, more diverse audience.
• How NPM collaborates with brands to create authentic sponsorships and branded content that resonate with loyal listeners.
• The balance between ad load and listener retention, and how NPM’s creative and technology help advertisers reach the right audience at the right time.
• The power of branded podcasts and soundscapes in driving brand awareness, with successful examples from clients like Organic Valley and Capital One.
• Key insights from NPM’s Transfer of Trust study, highlighting how its audio-first approach results in more memorable and effective brand messaging.

And much more! Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how NPM is shaping the future of podcast advertising, delivering high-quality content, and fostering long-lasting relationships with both listeners and brands.

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by Andrew Giancola, the host of The Personal Finance Podcast and member of True Native Media's roster, for an insightful conversation about podcasting in the personal finance space and how to successfully monetize a podcast. In this episode, the two dive into:

• The origins of The Personal Finance Podcast and Andrew’s journey to creating a show that resonates with listeners.
• How Andrew turned his podcast into a business, navigating the challenges of monetization and building a sustainable platform.
• Strategies for making complex personal finance topics engaging and accessible for a broad audience.
• Notable podcast ad campaigns that stood out to Andrew, and what makes effective podcast advertising.
• Advice for advertisers: What do podcasters wish advertisers knew about podcast advertising to create more successful partnerships?
• Andrew’s most rewarding moments in his podcasting career, including episodes and topics that have had a lasting impact on both him and his listeners.
• The future of podcasting in the personal finance space and how Andrew plans to evolve with it.

And much more! Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how podcasters can navigate the world of podcast advertising, the challenges of creating engaging content, and the opportunities that lie ahead in the personal finance podcasting space.

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood is joined by Bob Hunt, Senior Director of Audio at Hearts & Science, to discuss the evolving landscape of podcast advertising and how brands can effectively leverage the medium to engage their audiences. In this episode, the two dive into:

• An introduction to Hearts & Science and how the agency helps brands create impactful audio strategies.
• Expert advice for brands just starting to explore podcast advertising and how to make the most of this growing channel.
• The future of podcasting as a medium, including how it’s evolving to build deeper, more authentic connections with listeners.
• How Hearts & Science integrates podcasting into larger brand campaigns, and the role it plays within a modern media mix.
• Emerging trends that will shape the podcast advertising industry in the next few years, and how brands can stay ahead of the curve.

And much more! Tune in for an insightful conversation on how brands can navigate the world of podcast advertising and position themselves for success in the years to come.

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, host Heather Osgood sits down with Lex Friedman, Founder of Lex Friedman Consulting, to explore his journey and insights in the podcasting space. In this episode, the two dive into:

• Lex's background and how his experience led him to build a consulting business focused on podcasting.
• Shifting trends in podcast advertising and how advertiser approaches have evolved over the years.
• The balance between content creation and technological innovation in the future of podcasting, drawing from Lex's experience at ART19 and Wondery.
• Promising technologies and trends in podcast advertising that could shape the industry by 2025.
• Key challenges in audience targeting and measurement, and what solutions could emerge in the next 3-5 years.
• The evolving role of podcast hosting platforms in delivering better targeting, measurement, and analytics for advertisers.

And much more!

This week on The Podcast Advertising Playbook, we dive into the evolving landscape of brand safety in podcasting and explore how it differs from other media like digital ads and social media with Valerie Reimer, VP Ad Tech & Product Partnerships at Acast. From the growing importance of audience trust to the unique challenges brands face when advertising in kids' content, we cover the key factors shaping brand safety today. Plus, we discuss the legal and ethical considerations brands must navigate and what’s on the horizon for the future of podcast advertising.

Listeners will dive into:

• How brand safety in podcasts require more control over tone and trust compared to digital ads or social media.
• The ways in which brand safety goes beyond avoiding controversy and the necessary focus on relevance, tone, and building trust.
• Advertising in kids' podcast and key points for strict legal and ethical guidelines for age-appropriate content.