Does agreeing too much make for boring conversations? Will your podcast fail if you don't listen to other shows? And does the definition of a podcast really matter?

We tackle these hot takes and more on this week's Podcraft. It was a fun yet thought-provoking chat, and we're really enjoying the new format. Here's the full list:

• No one cares what microphone you own
• Authenticity is just a lack of effort
• You should challenge your guests more
• You should stop worrying about trying to reach Gen Z
• You need to be a podcast listener to be a good creator
• If you don't listen back to your episodes, no one else will
• Agreeing too much is boring
• The definition of a podcast doesn't really matter

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Back in November, our Independent Podcaster Report found that only 15% of creators were actively monetising their shows. Of those that did, the majority were running ads and sponsorship.

If you missed it, ​the full report is here​.

This week on Podcraft, we got into the thornier side of that: can ads erode audience trust? Are they an annoyance? And how many is too many?

We picked apart some other claims, too:

• AI voices will become indistinguishable from real hosts
• One viral clip can change everything
• YouTube rewards podcasters more than podcast apps do
• If you don't have 5+ hours a week, don't start a podcast
• Your podcast idea isn't unique
• If you're not getting feedback, your podcast isn't memorable

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

If you build an audience on a third-party platform, it's often said that you don't "own" that audience. But does this miss the point of what an audience actually is? That's just one of the discussion points this week as we continue our 'agree or disagree?' journey through podcasting.

• Are Solo podcasts harder to grow than interview shows?
• Are interviews the laziest form of podcasting?
• Is owning your email list more important than growing your podcast?
• Will AI replace most podcast editing within 2 years?
• If you let AI write for you, will you lose the ability to write?
• Are long-form podcasts dying?
• Does consistency matter more than quality?
• If your podcast isn’t growing, is it your fault?

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

"Podcasting should never feel like hard work".

It sounds nice, but is it true? If it were that easy, wouldn't everyone have a massively successful podcast?

On the latest episode of Podcraft, we’re back with our “agree or disagree” format, running through a few statements and giving our take on each. Here's everything we discussed...

• You should plan at least 10 episodes before launching
• The narrower the niche, the better
• Audiograms still work in 2026
• It’s okay if your first 3 episodes sound bad
• You might as well host on Spotify - it’s free
• Short episodes perform better
• Weekly publishing is unrealistic for most people
• Podcasting advice creators are part of the problem

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Is your podcast growth at the mercy of "the algorithm", or do you have more control than you think?

On this episode of Podcraft, we run through a few statements about podcasting and debate on whether we agree or disagree with them.

• Podcasters need to keep in touch with industry news and trends
• Paid subscription requires extra work or content
• Podcasters control their own discoverability
• YouTube is now more important to podcasters than Apple Podcasts
• Sponsor and ad reads should always be host-read
• Guesting on other podcasts is overrated

Also mentioned:

• Colin's Creator Business Page
• Alitu: The Podcast Maker

How do you know if your podcast sponsorships are actually driving results? Here are four practical ways to track listener engagement and show sponsors what’s really working. These tips make it easier to prove value, strengthen partnerships, and grow your show’s revenue!

Mentioned

• Alitu: The Podcast Maker
• Google Campaign URL Builder

If running your podcast has started to feel like a grind, you risk losing your creative spark. This week, I want to try something that'll help rekindle your enthusiasm for podcasting.

The episode of Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Have you ever noticed that a podcast you follow hasn't put out an episode in months, only to find they're still actively publishing on YouTube?

In this episode, Colin’s away, so I’m joined by Jacob to unpack a shift we’re seeing more and more. Creators recording for YouTube and letting the audio feed fall away. Sometimes intentionally. Sometimes just because it feels easier.

We talk about why this is not really an audio versus video debate. It’s a distribution debate. When you remove open RSS and rely on a single platform, you change how people can consume your show. You also risk cutting off your most loyal listeners, the ones who want to listen while walking, driving, or working, not sit and watch.

From there, we dig into Apple’s latest move to support video more seriously inside Apple Podcasts. Instead of clunky separate feeds, Apple is rolling out HLS video streaming via hosting providers. We explore what that could mean for open podcasting, how it compares to Spotify’s walled garden approach, and whether pricing could become the real barrier for indie creators.

We also talk about pull-based content systems for curating your podcast or newsletter.

If information is infinite in 2026, curation becomes valuable. I share an idea for building a pull-based workflow that gathers relevant updates automatically, so you can filter and add your own perspective rather than spending hours manually searching. Jacob walks through practical ways to prototype this using AI projects and automation tools, without needing to code.

The episode of Podcraft is sponsored by Beamly, and is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Our indiepod legends have given us many insights, tips, and words of advice this season. They're speaking from positions of authority and experience, but they didn't get there overnight. On the final episode of Season 20, we'll dig into what they wish they'd known before they started and ask about some mistakes they see new podcasters make.

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

On last week's episode of Podcraft, we agreed that sponsorship was broadly overrated for the average indie creator.

But... that doesn't mean it isn't the right fit for you.

Maybe you podcast within a specialist hobby, professional field, or enthusiast community.

In many niches, sponsorship fits naturally because you're talking about certain tools, products, or services anyway.

Getting paid for those endorsements can help support your work without any disruption to your content. It's only a matter of reaching out and asking.

But that's the tricky part. Does the person you speak to understand the power of audio? And do they want to make a split-second decision based on comparing your download numbers to the social media metrics of your average "influencer"?

On this quick episode of Podcraft, I run through what I learned after creating a 2026-proof media kit for my own hobby podcast. If you're even considering sponsorship, I think you'll get a lot from it...

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?

In this episode, we take a deliberately opinionated look at common podcasting advice, tools, and assumptions, and decide whether each one holds up in practice.

• Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?
• Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?
• Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?
• High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?
• Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?
• Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?
• "Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?
• Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?
• Intro music - underrated or overrated?
• Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?

We also tackle a thoughtful listener question on how to relaunch a podcast with existing episodes. The answer outlines a practical two-week sprint focused on SEO, guest sharing, collaborations, email lists, and early momentum, without relying on social media.

Mentioned

• Beamly Podcast Subscriptions & Memberships Platform
• Rephonic Graph
• How to Title Your Episodes
• SCALE: Podcast Growth Framework
• How to Write a Great Podcast Description
• Hire a Podcast Producer
• Kit vs Beehiiv for Email Newsletters

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host