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Ask the Podcast Coach

Ask the Podcast Coach

Dave Jackson

Dave Jackson has been helping people launch podcasts since 2005 and every Saturday he is joined by Jim Collison to is runs the Average Guy Network. Together they have 20 years of podcasting experience and coaching.

  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Why All In One Podcast Platforms Usually Disappoint

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    All-in-one podcast platforms are everywhere again, and they’re selling the same dream: one login, one bill, one magical dashboard that handles hosting, editing, video, email, websites, and growth. We slow down and ask the uncomfortable question: if a tool does everything, what corners did it cut and what will that cost you in time, quality, or control? We also unpack the bigger industry trend behind it all: consolidation, rising prices, and why “free” tools (especially AI) rarely stay free forever.

    Video Version

    Mentioned In This Episode

    Captivate

    Buzzsprout

    Bourbon Barrel Podcasting

    Riverside

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Podcast Branding.co
    Mark Des Cotes makes professional podcast artwork, websites and more

    Based on a True Story Podcast
    Have you ever wondered how much of those "based on a true story" movies are true?

    School of Podcasting
    Get access to courses, community, and unlimited one-on-one consulting

    Podcast Hot Seat: Podcast Feedback
    Get your show going in the right direction. Your audience will thank you.

    Featured: Max Trescot
    Aviation News Talk is THE place for pilots and fans of aviation

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    2 May 2026, 7:00 pm
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    Hobbies are Not Free and That Includes Podcasting

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    The fastest way to burn out in podcasting is believing you can build a professional show on “free” forever. We get honest about the real cost of remote interviews, why Zoom at $20 a month is not the villain, and how the market always moves from free to paid once tools have to support real users at scale.

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?
    Video Version (unedited)
    Mentioned In This Episode
    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join
    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com
    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv
    Podcast Hot Seats

    Clubhouse

    Streamyard

    Ecamm


    We also draw a hard line between a podcast and a YouTube-only show. If you want your work to live beyond one platform’s rules, you need an RSS feed and reliable podcast hosting. That point gets painfully real when we react to a creator who says they lost four years of work after platform enforcement and vague policy flags. From backups to hosting choices to owning your distribution, we talk about what actually keeps your catalog safe.

    Then we tackle the clip dilemma: spending more time making TikTok, Reels, and Shorts than producing the main show. We break down why many clips fail out of context, how “views” can be misleading, and how to use AI tools responsibly without letting them erase your voice. Jim also answers questions about local AI with LM Studio and what it means for privacy, workflow automation, and the very real hardware costs behind the AI boom.

    If you want smarter podcast strategy, better production habits, and fewer wasted hours, hit play and come hang with us. Subscribe, share this with a podcaster friend, and leave a review so more creators can find the show.

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
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    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    25 April 2026, 7:00 pm
  • 1 hour 29 minutes
    Are You Building A Podcast Or Just Adding Work

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    Today we talk about artwork for Dave's new show, and look at why people aren't using clubhouse like they use to?

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?
    Video Version (unedited)
    Mentioned In This Episode
    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join
    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com
    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv
    Podcast Hot Seats

    Clubhouse

    Streamyard

    Ecamm

    Streamlabs Talk Studio

    Every week Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting and Jim Collison from the Average Guy Network answer your podcast questions.
    This episode 573 is part of the Power of Podcasting Network

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    19 April 2026, 3:00 am
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    Apple Video Podcasts Reality Check

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    We dig into Apple’s upcoming video podcast changes and why pulling audio straight from a video file can wreck a careful audio-first edit. Then we shift to what actually helps creators right now: show notes that serve listeners and search, plus AI workflows that save time without handing your laptop the keys. 

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    Openclaw.ai

    Curse Cutter

    HLS Discussion on Podnews Weekly Review

    Topics Included
    • debating whether curse word removal tools solve a real podcasting problem 
    • unpacking Apple’s video podcast plan and what “switching” implies for audio quality 
    • estimating the real costs of video podcast hosting, HLS chunking, and insertions 
    • questioning the need to “compete with YouTube” instead of serving listener habits 
    • arguing for editing for value over editing for algorithms 
    • explaining why better measurement may shock creators and reshape ad expectations 
    • breaking down what show notes do for listeners, SEO, and AI discovery 
    • sharing automation wins for publishing workflows while warning about agent security 
    • defining APIs as safer access than browser control and stressing revocable keys 
    Go over to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome and be an awesome supporter today. 
    If you go over to schoolofpodcasting.com/question. 
    When you go over to schoolofpodcasting.com/start  


    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    11 April 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    OpenClaw Isn’t Magic

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    Let an AI agent loose on your computer and you may learn a lesson the hard way: “automation” isn’t the same thing as “safe.” We dig into OpenClaw and the sudden shift from AI that only chats to AI that can act, locally, with access to your files, your scripts, and whatever permissions you hand over. If that sounds like Zapier with a rocket booster, you’re not wrong and that’s exactly why we talk guardrails, sandboxing, approvals, and why you should never treat a beta tool like it’s magic.

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    Openclaw.ai

    Michael Girdley "The Rise and Fall" Guy




    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    4 April 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Sync Is Not Backup: Saving Your Podcast Files (and Your Sanity)

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    In this episode of Ask the Podcast Coach, Dave and Jim dive deep into one of the least sexy—but most critical—parts of podcasting: how you store, sync, and back up your files without losing your mind (or your episodes). They talk through practical strategies for using local drives and cloud services like Dropbox, iCloud, iDrive, Backblaze, and more; the crucial difference between sync and backup; and how to design a file workflow that actually fits how you podcast. Along the way, they veer into tech nostalgia (AOL, Windows Vista, DVDs), debate whether podcasting is “at the beginning of the end,” and tackle tricky topics like bad interviews, ad-heavy networks, and why not every conversation—or phone call—needs to be a podcast.

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    iDrive

    Dropbox

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    28 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    From Podcaster to Seller: The School of Podcasting Acquisition Story

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    In this episode of "Ask the Podcast Coach," Dave Jackson and Jim Collison kick off a jam-packed Saturday morning with some major news—the School of Podcasting has been acquired by Podpage! They dive into what this means for members, reminisce about the journey with Brendan Mulligan, and share insights on podcast branding, community engagement, handling feedback, and the ups and downs of podcast monetization. It's a lively mix of industry updates, podcasting tips, and a dash of nostalgia, all served with their signature humor and authenticity.

    00:00 Introduction

    00:41 School of Podcasting Acquired by Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com

    01:06 Sponsor: Podcast Branding.Co https://www.podcastbranding.co

    02:24 Sponsor: Based On A true Story Podcast https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com

    05:43 Why the Acquisition Happened https://community.schoolofpodcasting.com

    07:00 Listening to Customer Feedback

    09:44 Customizable Guest Intake Forms

    11:03 The Free Tier Dilemma

    13:42 Managing a Busy Work Schedule

    16:50 Don't Self-Select Out of Opportunities

    19:54 Direct Interaction with Customers

    21:47 The Podcaster as a Customer Support Agent

    23:40 The Importance of Consistency

    26:37 Ensuring Human Connection in Support

    31:14 Dealing with Negative Feedback and Trolls

    34:07 Dave Praises Spotify Support????

    36:45 Ask the Podcast Coach's Independence

    43:31 The Importance of Clear Podcast Titles

    59:03 Using Music and Sound Effects in Podcasts

    01:12:06 Awesome Supporters https://www.askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome

    01:12:44 Join the School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com

    01:12:58 Podcast Hot Seat: Podcast Auditing Service https://www.podcasthotseat.com

    01:13:30 Try Podpage https://www.podpage.com/preview

    01:13:42 Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgetgeeks.com

    01:13:54 Supporter of the Week https://www.soniccupcake.com

    01:15:02 Get a Shout Out! Support the Show https://podcastcoach.supercast.com

    01:15:54 The Monetization Mindset for N

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    21 March 2026, 7:00 pm
  • 1 hour 25 minutes
    The Real Time Cost of Podcasting: Editing, Publishing, and Promotion Breakdown

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    In today’s jam-packed episode, we break down what really goes into producing a podcast—spoiler alert, it’s way more than just hitting record for an hour! I share and reflect on a listener’s detailed time-tracking for their weekly show, and Jim Collison and I offer strategies for streamlining both editing and promotion (without sacrificing quality or your sanity).

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    Podcasting & Audio Tools:

    • podcastbranding.co – Mark’s podcast artwork & branding services
    • Based on a True Story – Dan Lefebvre’s podcast
    • Auphonic – Audio leveling and processing 
    • Hindenburg – Podcast audio editing software 
    • Audacity – Free editing software ()
    • Accentize De-Room – Reverb reduction plugin 
    • resound.fm – Um/long pause audio editor 
    • RODECaster Duo & Pro II – Podcasting hardware 
    • Hollyland Lark M2 – Wireless lav
    • Zoom Podtrak P4Next - Protable Recorder and Interface

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    14 March 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    Why Your Podcast Chair Matters More Than Your Microphone

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    This episode spent a good chunk of time exploring the importance of having a supportive, comfortable chair for podcasters, with both Dave Jackson and Jim Collison sharing their experiences with back pain, various chair types, and why investing in quality seating pays off for anyone spending hours behind the mic. We also devoted significant attention to troubleshooting podcast recording setups—comparing platforms like Zoom, StreamYard, Boomcaster, and Riverside, along with the pros and cons of “all-in-one” podcast solutions versus a tailored workflow of specialized tools. Throughout, we highlighted the value of careful tech choices and ergonomic comfort for long-term podcasting success


    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    WorkPro® Quantum 9000 Series Ergonomic Mid-Back Mesh/Mesh Chair

    LiberNovo Dynamic Ergonomic Desk Chair

    Embody Ergonomic Office Chair

    Amazon Basics Breathable Mesh Mid-Back Office Desk Chair with Armrests, Lumbar Support

    Jodi Krangle Voice Over


    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    7 March 2026, 7:00 pm
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    From Airwaves to RSS: Is Podcasting the New Radio?

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    Hey there, Dave Jackson here! In this episode, Jim Collison and I dove deep into some hot topics in podcasting and audio media. We kicked things off with a look at the latest Edison Research findings showing that, for the first time, more time is spent listening to podcasts than to AM/FM radio for spoken word audio. We reminisced about the evolution of radio, the challenges of finding a working radio today, the shift of talk and sports content to podcasts, and how technology keeps changing the game.

    We also had fun nostalgia moments: remembering AM static, Headbanger's Ball, MTV catchphrases, and what really happened to music videos.
    Advertising in podcasting got a thorough critique—how much is too much, what makes ads skip-worthy or valuable, and what lessons we can take from radio and even the Super Bowl.

    Another lively discussion came up around video podcasting. We debated YouTube versus distributing video everywhere, addressed anti-YouTube sentiments, and reminded listeners that audio is still king for a lot of people.
    I also shared some behind-the-scenes tech workflows, like how I use Tella, Hindenburg, and Podchapters, how to move sites to Podpage, and why no tool does it all (yet).

    Big philosophical questions popped up too: What would actually "kill" podcasting? Is it too many bad ads, a decline in content quality, or moving away from RSS? Or, is podcasting simply evolving, and are our definitions (or nostalgia) holding us back?
    Randy Black called in with a great riff on what "remarkable content" really means—it can be good or bad. We wrapped up by agreeing that, at the end of the day, success in podcasting comes from making meaningful shows for your audience and being authentic.

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    28 February 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    The Truth About Podcast Ads: Creativity, CPMs, and Audience Impact

    Send us feedback/questions via Text

    Hey friends, welcome to another episode of Ask the Podcast Coach! I’m Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting, joined by my buddy Jim Collison from Home Gadget Geeks. This week’s show was packed with tons of insights from my trip to Nashville for the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) conference, navigating the quirks of networking, and battling a post-conference cold.

    Sponsors:
    PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
    Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

    Video Version (unedited)

    Mentioned In This Episode

    School of Podcasting
    https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    Podpage
    http://www.trypodpage.com

    Home Gadget Geeks
    http://www.theaverageguy.tv

    Podcast Hot Seat

    Supercast

    Patreon

    Buy Me a Coffee

    Supporter of The Week: John Muntz
    Check out John Muntz where curiosity meets exploration! 

    Leave Your Question
    Go to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.

    PodMatch
    PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews
    Featured: Johnmuntz.com
    John is the Founder and CEO of Rot House Studios.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    BE AWESOME!
    Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

    21 February 2026, 7:00 pm
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