How do you measure the success of your podcast that is NOT downloads?

You’ll hear from a wide range of podcasters in different niches—storytelling, history, prepping, finance, faith, recovery, TV rewatch shows, local podcasts, health, creativity, and more—sharing how they really gauge success. Their answers include:

• Direct listener feedback & real‑life impact (behavior change, decisions, staying sober, safer driving, adopting, spending time with Jesus, handling conversations differently)
• Engagement & community (emails, voicemails, social comments, active groups, email lists, live events, guest offers, collaborations)
• Actions taken (lead magnet signups, newsletter growth, memberships, classes, affiliate links, donations and financial support)
• Enjoyment, fun, and personal growth (being excited about the next episode, getting better on the mic, becoming more confident and creative)
• Alignment with purpose & service (sticking to your “why,” serving a niche community, “who many” vs. “how many,” “one life at a time”)
• Legacy & memory (building an audio/video archive for family, preserving loved ones’ stories, creating a personal record you can revisit)

Along the way, Dave adds commentary on why downloads alone are a poor North Star, how to re‑center on who you serve and why you podcast, and how podcasting can be a tool for service, community, and legacy—not just stats.

Participants In This Episode

Scott from What Was That Like?

Kate from Drafting in the Past

Mark from Practical Prepping

Nancy from Family Food Stories

Buck

Ralph From Content Creator's Accountant

Steve from Podcast Editor's Mastermind

Trip From Home Brewed Christianity Podcast

Spencer from The Recovery Show

Travis from Bestie Approved

Ashriel from Called and Curious Podcast

Dave Interviewed Jesus

Zo from Back Look Cinema

Jen from Women in Podcasting

Marc from Solo Talk and Podcast Branding

Chris from Cool Cars with Chris

Howard from AA Recovery Interviews

Ray from Around the Layout

York from Welcome to Earth Stories

Rob from Softball Central

Dan from Based on a True Story

Tim from Create Art and My Solo MS Journey

Kim from the Pharmacist's Voice and the Perrysburg Podcast

Dave from Fix My Podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

The School of Podcasting Now Has a Free Tier

If you’ve been thinking about starting or growing your podcast, now’s the perfect time to check out the School of Podcasting. There’s now a free tier, so you can explore the community, get helpful resources, and start improving your show without spending a dime. When you’re ready to go deeper, there are premium options—but the free plan is a great way to see what it’s all about.

School of Podcasting

Build the Website You Want with Podpage

Podpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/preview

Podpage

Question of the Month

So you find out someone is a podcaster, what book would you recommend that they read. Obviously this could be a book about podcasting, or business, or storytelling, or, or... you get the idea. You find out someone is a podcaster, what is the book you recommend (audio or video). I need your answer by July 24th. Don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address (so I can add it to the show notes). Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question

Question of the Month

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Are you getting the most out of your RSS feed?

To figure out if you are, you first have to understand how a podcast workflow works, which means you need to understand:

• what an RSS feed is
• how you make one
• where you get the best feed
• and how you make sure you're getting the most out of it

Don't Make These Mistakes

In this episode, I'm going to explain some of the mistakes I see people making with RSS feeds, especially when it comes to getting the most out of transcripts. In some cases, people aren't putting their transcripts into their media host, which means their transcripts aren't going into their feed. That is not something the best way to maximize your show.

Where Do I Get an RSS Feed?

Your RSS feed comes from your media host. For me, the best RSS feeds come from dedicated media hosts. Places like Captivate, Buzzsprout, rss.com, and Blubrry. All of these do one thing: they host your files, they provide an RSS feed, and they provide statistics.

Make Sure Your Transcripts are In Your RSS Feed

While having transcripts on your website is good, you are missing another opportunity by having them in your feed (which can be used in Podcast apps). When it comes to Podpage, having the transcript in your feed put it into a place where Podpage can grab it and put it on your site.

Don't Hire Your Dentist to Work On Your Car

Other places like Riverside are trying to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. I don't want someone who's not a master of the RSS feed. The RSS feed is like the blood in your veins; it is your veins, and you don't want your veins to be Scotch-taped together. You want an RSS feed that is fully compatible with all the features available for podcasters.

Directing People To Your Site

When I recently tested Riverisde, you could not direct people at the episode level to your site. This is a missed opportunity.

This means that, when somebody is consuming your content in an app, usually there is a link to go to the website, which takes them to, (if you're doing it correctly) your website. On the episode page, I'm offering the ability to follow the show easily on Spotify, Apple, Pocket Cast, etc. If you don't have that link, you're missing an opportunity to send the audience where you want them to go. I need to email Riverside because this just reeks of a company who doesn't really understand podcasting getting into podcasting. Consequently, I know it's nice to have everything under one login, but how hard is it to login to more than one account (especially if you have 1password).

No RSS No Podcast

People keep asking what a podcast is. I'm not sure why. It's audio, video delivered via RSS. This means YouTube is not a podcast. It's a show. Radio is not TV. Both are content. When we blur the definition it messes up all of our reports. People have asked, "Well, the audience thinks YouTube is a podcast are we supposed to tell them they are wrong?" The answer is yes.

Then we could have separate reports on YouTube vs Podcasts.

If someone hears me listening to the band Sum 41, and says, "I love blink 182," I would say, "That's not Sum 41, it's blink 182. You're helping them not look stupid in the future. You would do the same thing if they called a banana an apple.

Other Hosts I Don't Recommend

Spotify: From their lying to their original partners, to making features that only work inside of Spotify (ignoring the open podcast system), and often eliminating features shrtly after they launch (never worldwide). I could go on for hours. Yes, it's free but so is RSS, Buzzsprout, and Red Circle.

Soundcloud: Soundcloud, to the best of my knowledge hasn't implement features that were introduced in 2017. You can buy soundcloud plays (Google it) so consquentially you will never have sponsors while you use Soundcloud.

Mailbag: AMP 30 Second Rule

Thanks to Mark for pushing back on my math. In the end (as of this date) AMP can't decide what their definition is (As they've already changed it). Also one of their "hidden" companies was YouTube. I'm sorry, if you're not doing anything wrong, why are you doing it in secret?

Defined in their original press release as “30 seconds of content played, audio or video, once per user per session”, the corrected text drops any definition of a session length, becoming just “30 seconds of content played, audio or video”. - source Podnews.

Mailbag: How Are Your Updating Your Question of the Month?

Rob from Softball Central asked how I was having the current question of the month appear in episodes that are years old. For the last two years I've hosted on Captivate. I love their business model (Multiple shows for the same price - and their super flexible dynamic content system). Dynamic content doesn't always have to be ads. Here are examples

• Question of the month
• Where will I be (live appearances)
• A pre-roll that mentioned that I had given out a wrong episode number.

They also allow me to tag the current promotional mp3 so later I can easily take all the "questions of the month" and update them with the new, current months question.

Click Here to watch me show this off.

Mentioned in This Episode

The 4 Cs of a Standout Podcast: Clarity, Contrast, Consistency, Character

Sponsor Magnet Book by Justin Moore

Captivate Media Hosting

Buzzsprout Media Hosting

RSS.com Media Hosting

Practical Prepping Show

Softball Central

School of Podcasting

Podpage - Build the Website your show Deserves

Mentioned in this episode:

Have You Heard About the Podpage Assistant?

Here's what it can do: Identify the best search keyphrase to target — The Assistant analyzes your episode and finds the keyphrase most likely to drive organic traffic. Generate optimized SEO titles and descriptions — Get search-friendly titles and meta descriptions written for each episode automatically. Expand your show notes — Turn brief show notes into detailed, search-friendly content that helps Google understand what your episode is about. Create SEO schema — Automatically generate structured data including FAQs and key takeaways, giving search engines even more context about your content. Generate episode transcriptions — If your podcast host doesn't provide transcripts, the Assistant can create them for you. Create companion blog posts — Each episode can get a dedicated blog post that supports your episode's SEO and gives listeners another way to find you. Automatically categorize episodes — Keep your episode library organized without lifting a finger. Start your 14 day trial at www.podpage.com/preview

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Don't Wait to Level Up Your Show

Thinking about starting a podcast—or already 300 episodes in? Skip the rookie mistakes, save money, and level up your show with the School of Podcasting with Dave Jackson, where you get hands-on feedback, one-on-one support, and practical advice that actually improves your podcast. Not sure? Just ask Krista and Mark from practicalprepping.info Then join the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join (or use the link below)

School of Podcasting

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

When I first heard about Flightcast on the Podbiz show, I thought, "I have to have Rox Codes on my show." I had Rox do a Flightcast demo for members of the School of Podcasting. Rox has worked for Mr. Beast, Microsoft, Facebook and many more.

In this episode of the School of Podcasting, I sit down with Rox Codes, co-creator of Flight Cast, the video-first hosting platform built in partnership with Steven Bartlett from Diary of a CEO.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more serious with video podcasting, YouTube growth, or centralizing your stats from multiple platforms, this one is for you.

This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. 

Share Your Thoughts

What We Talk About in This Episode

In this conversation, we cover:

• What Flight Cast actually is (and who it’s for)
• Why it’s a video-first hosting platform
• How “one upload, one dashboard” pushes your show to YouTube, Spotify, Apple, RSS, and audio platforms
• How you can keep it simple or go crazy with customization
• Simple upload, powerful customization
• Upload one episode and:
• Send video to YouTube, Spotify, Apple, RSS
• Send audio everywhere else
• Schedule different release times per platform (e.g., 6 AM audio, 8 AM YouTube)
• Use different titles, descriptions, and even different edits per platform
• Upload separate versions of the file (say “subscribe” in one, “follow” in another)

Use AI to:

• Generate titles, descriptions, and chapters in your own style
• Auto-format chapters correctly for each platform
• All your stats in one place
• How Flight Cast pulls:
• YouTube views
• Spotify streams
• RSS downloads
• And rolls them up into a single “plays” metric
• Additional analytics you get:
• Day-by-day performance
• New vs returning followers
• Cross-platform uniques
• Breakdown by platform, country, state, city
• A built-in “giant spreadsheet” you don’t have to build yourself
• Audience overlap (who listens to episode A and episode B)
• Using the built-in AI chat to answer questions like:
• “Rank all my episodes on YouTube in the last 6 months by views in the first 24 hours.”
• “What’s my 100-day average per episode?”
• Ads, programmatic, and retention data

How Flight Cast handles:

• Geo-targeting
• Programmatic ads
• Dynamic ad slots
• Why retention graphs matter more than a single download number
• How to look at:
• Drop-off moments (what caused the skip?)
• Chapter jumps (what are people skipping to?)
• Rox’s “favorite stat” and why views still matter most in his world
• Clips, test channels, and experimentation
• Lets you “always be testing” in the background
• How to ramp up clips:
• Start with 1 clip/day
• Slowly increase to 2, 3, then 4 max
• Why this kind of ongoing experimentation is like treating your show as a recipe, not a statue
• Moving from audio to video (without losing your mind)

Rox’s core idea:

Video isn’t a file format, it’s an algorithm

• On YouTube, TikTok, Reels, Shorts: publishing and discovery are the same thing
• The big mindset shift:
• Audio podcasting = small optimization games (SEO, cross-promo, ads)
• YouTube = “get good” at a few big levers:
• Thumbnails
• Titles
• Ideas
• Intros
• Why the first 30 seconds, title, and thumbnail matter so much more than most of us want to admit
• Talking-head video vs fancy production

Why talking heads are NOT bad content:

• Joe Rogan is talking heads
• Diary of a CEO is talking heads
• Why audio quality is still 80% of the experience even on video
• When 4K matters (and when it doesn’t):
• 720 → 1080 is a big jump
• 1080 → 4K is “nice to have,” not mandatory
• Flight Cast’s support for full 4K, including Apple HLS video, and why they built it to “respect” creators who go the extra mile

Who Flight Cast is for and pricing

• Target user: serious video podcasters / “intermediate plus”
• Why Rox calls it a “jackhammer”—powerful, but you don’t always need that much power
• Pricing (at the time of this conversation):
• Starts around $50/month for everything except clips
• Higher tiers ($100–$250/month) if you want more clips and higher download limits
• Basic plan includes:
• Up to 50,000 downloads/month
• Full 4K video, Apple HLS, no bandwidth charges
• Around 3 TB of storage (which almost nobody hits)

Learning YouTube: resources Rox recommends

• April Lynn Alter (YouTube channel)
• Patty Galloway (YouTube channel)
• Creator Hooks by Jake Thomas (newsletter)

A dose of reality about YouTube and video

• We talk frankly about:
• People who spend days or even weeks perfecting a thumbnail
• The sheer amount of time it can take to get good at YouTube

My big point:

• It’s okay if you don’t have that time
• Just understand what you’re up against so you don’t get discouraged

My biggest fear:

• People add video to an already full plate
• Burn out on video
• Then quit podcasting entirely
• I want you to set realistic expectations

Bonus: For audio-only podcasters who still want better stats

• PodAnalyst.com – in beta with their pro plan free for now
• Tracks:
• Listening completion at 25%, 50%, 75%, etc.
• How long people are actually listening
• To me, that’s the real “is my show any good?” metric:
• If people are only listening to 25% of an episode, that’s a signal
• You can track up to 10 keywords, share stats with team members, and export data while they’re in beta.

My Takeaways

Here’s what I want you to remember from this episode:

• If you go into video, YouTube is an algorithm game, not just a file format.
• You don’t need cinematic production; you do need:
• Strong audio
• A compelling title
• A curiosity-driven thumbnail
• A sharp first 30 seconds
• Tools like FlightCast can:
• Save you time by distributing everywhere from one upload
• Help you understand your audience by putting all your stats in one place
• You don’t have to “go full YouTuber” to benefit from thinking like one.

And again, if you’re already overwhelmed with audio, please don’t feel like you “have to” add video. I’d rather you keep podcasting than burn out chasing an unrealistic video workload.

Links Mentioned

I’ll have links to everything we mentioned in this episode in the show notes at:

Research Links

• Buy Dave a Coffee and Support the Work He's Done.
• Get the Creator Hooks Newsletter by Jake Thomas
• Paddy Galloway YouTube Channel
• Aprilynne Alter YouTube Channel
• Your Podcast Deserves a Better Website | Podpage
• School of Podcasting: Launch, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcas
• Flightcast | Podcast hosting platform made for video
• Pikzels - Viral Thumbnails & Titles in Seconds
• 1 of 10: Best YouTube AI Tool for More Views: Research Viral Ideas
• VidIQ - Grow Your YouTube Channel Faster with AI
• What Podcasting Can Learn From YouTube Growth with Rox Codes - PodBiz | Acast
• Expert Talk: Rox Codes From Flightcast - The First Ever Video First Media Host - YouTube - Demo of Flightcast from Co-founder Rox Codes

Thanks so much for listening. If you found this helpful, please share it with a friend who’s thinking about video or YouTube for their podcast.

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Some Feedback On Your Show

“Want honest, helpful feedback on your podcast? At the School of Podcasting, we host ‘Listening Parties’ where members share short clips and get constructive, encouraging critiques from fellow podcasters and myself. It’s a safe, supportive way to hear what’s working, fix what’s not, and make your show stronger fast.”

School of Podcasting

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

In this episode of the School of Podcasting, Dave Jackson shows you how to stop being “just another podcast” and start becoming someone’s favorite show (I love that line from Jay Acunzo).

You’ll learn how to:

• Clarify what your podcast is actually about in one sentence
• Choose (or tweak) your name and description so they signal your unique angle
• Deliver on the promise of your premise so listeners trust you
• Use your own stories, quirks, and background as an unfair advantage no AI can copy

Whether you’re launching a new show or trying to revive an existing one, this episode will help you stand out in a crowded market.

The Four C's of Building a Favorite Show

1. You Need a Clear “What Is It?” Line (Clarity)

• If you can’t describe your show in one sentence, your listeners definitely can’t.
• Think of it like a movie logline:
• “A shark terrorizes a beach town.” → Jaws
• “A lawyer can’t lie for 24 hours.” → Liar Liar
• If your answer sounds like “me and my buddy talking about stuff and stuff,” you have a clarity problem.

2. Your Name & Description Should Create Contrast

• If your show is called something generic like “Thinking Outside the Box,” you’re competing with dozens of identical names.
• Simple test: say your show’s name to someone and ask, “What do you think it’s about?”
• If their answer doesn’t match your actual content, your name isn’t doing its job.
• Your description should:
• Say who the show is for
• Say how it’s different
• Promise what they get every episode - and then give it to them
• Use your listeners’ own words from reviews/emails to sharpen your description.

3. Deliver on the Promise of Your Premise (Consistency)

• Your title, artwork, and description are a promise. Your content has to deliver.
• Click‑baity titles and vague descriptions might get a first click, but if the episode doesn’t do what it says, you won’t get a second one.

Examples:

• Joe Rogan: long-form, open-ended conversations where people actually talk through ideas.
• Podnews and Podnews Weekly Review: global podcast news with strong host chemistry and a predictable format.

4. Your Stories and Style Are Your Uncopyable Advantage (Character)

• AI can write scripts and headlines—but it doesn’t have your bike ride, your great nephew, or your specific regrets and realizations.
• You have stories, you just need to write them down.

5. Use “Homework for Life” to Capture Stories

• From Matthew Dicks’ Storyworthy: at the end of each day, ask:
• “What happened today that might be a story?”
• Write down one sentence—just enough to remind you later.
• Use any note tool (NoteJoy, Apple Notes, Google Keep, voice-to-text, etc.).
• Over time you build a story library you can draw from to explain concepts and stand out from AI‑generated, story‑less shows.

Action Steps From This Episode

By the end of this episode, challenge yourself to:

1. Write your one-sentence “What is it?” line.

• If you can’t say it clearly in one breath, cut it down.

1. Ask 2–3 non-podcaster friends:

• Show them your title, cover art, and description.
• Ask, “What do you think this show is about?”
• If their answer doesn’t match your intention, revise your name/description.

1. Search your show’s name in Google and major podcast apps.

• Is the name crowded? Already used?
• Is there a dormant show with the name you want? Consider reaching out and asking to take over/buy the feed.

1. List 5 story moments from the last 30 days.

• Use “homework for life” style notes.
• Circle 1–2 you can use in upcoming episodes to explain a lesson.

1. Rewrite your podcast description to:

• Say who the show is for
• Say how it’s different
• Promise what they’ll consistently get each time they listen

Resources Mentioned

• Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks – Book on storytelling and “homework for life.”
• Notejoy captiring tool

• Research Links

  • Podcasting Morning Show
  • Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
  • Hot Ones' Guests Impressed by Sean Evans' Questions | Vol. 6 - YouTube
  • Pacino Arrests Everybody (Samuel L. Jackson Cameo) | Sea of Love - YouTube
  • Homework for Life | Matthew Dicks
  • How Stories Happen: Creators and Entrepreneurs Dissect Their Signature Stories — Jay Acunzo - Jay always says, "Don't just be a podcast, be someone's FAVORITE podcast."
  • Podcast Network Insights - A show About Podcasting networks.
  • Podcast Momentum | Build Podcast Momentum – Geared towards businesses
  • Pedal Stomper Podcast. Podcasting Lessons from a Hall of Famer: 20 Years of Wisdom with Dave Jackson - YouTube
  
  

Work With Dave

If you want help:

• Sharpening your “what is it?” line
• Choosing or refining a podcast name
• Rewriting your description so it stands out
• And building a show that becomes someone’s favorite

…then join the School of Podcasting and get step‑by‑step guidance, resources, and a community of podcasters just like you. You can also sign up for a single podcast strategy session.

Mentioned in this episode:

Have You Heard About the Podpage Assistant?

Here's what it can do: Identify the best search keyphrase to target — The Assistant analyzes your episode and finds the keyphrase most likely to drive organic traffic. Generate optimized SEO titles and descriptions — Get search-friendly titles and meta descriptions written for each episode automatically. Expand your show notes — Turn brief show notes into detailed, search-friendly content that helps Google understand what your episode is about. Create SEO schema — Automatically generate structured data including FAQs and key takeaways, giving search engines even more context about your content. Generate episode transcriptions — If your podcast host doesn't provide transcripts, the Assistant can create them for you. Create companion blog posts — Each episode can get a dedicated blog post that supports your episode's SEO and gives listeners another way to find you. Automatically categorize episodes — Keep your episode library organized without lifting a finger. Start your 14 day trial at www.podpage.com/preview

Podpage

Join the School of Podcasting

Mark from Practical Prepping had been podcasting for a while, but after joining the School of Podcasting, his podcast grew at a faster rate. His Facebook group has over 30,000 members! Join the School of Podcasting and get access to: Step-by-step tutorials An amazing podcast community Unlimited One-On-One Coaching Join today worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

School of Podcasting

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Check Out Dave's Newsletter With Behind the Scenes Content

In each issue of Podcasting Observations, I share my thoughts on what is happening in the podcasting space, my latest content, and things that have caught my eye. I also may ask for your opinion. Join the free community

Podcasting Observations

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Why Joe Rogan Beat Late Night TV

When I was a kid, hearing Johnny Carson’s theme music meant it was time for bed. Today, nobody has to stay up for anything. And that one shift explains a huge part of why late night is fading and why your podcast has to work harder to earn attention.

Conversation vs Promotional Appearances

In the early years of Johnny Carson, the show was 90 minutes and they actually had conversations as apposed to the "tell me about your family vacation, and let's roll the clip" interviews we see on late night shows

Appointment Viewing is Dead

The days of "must see tv" on Thursday night died with the VCR and DVR. I haven't watched live TV in years. So now the audience that is staying up to watch live is much older (somewhere between age 60-70), and is about HALF of the audience comparing it to the days wheh David Letterman get almost 7 million a night.

The Celebrity Mystique is Gone

I once stayed up to watch B.B. King on the tonight show. Why? Because I couldn't hear him on the radio. I was too young to go to a concert. If I did that today and wanted to see Joe Bonamassa I wouldn't need to wait to see him on TV. I could see him on his YouTube channel, or multiple interviews on podcasts.

#1 in Late Night is a Big Fish in a Much Smaller Pond

Keep in mind that Steven Colbert being #1 in late night in 2026 is way different than being #1 in late night in 1993. Late-night TV revenue has reportedly fallen from about $400 million a year to $200 million a year—a 50% decline—while some shows that once drew 7–8 million nightly viewers now struggle to reach 3 million.

YouTube Doesn't Pay the Same

According to one report, YouTube pays one tenth of what a network ad spot would go for. When you audience is cut in half, you have less advertisers. When the advertisers you have are paying you 90% less and your expenses stay the same that is a problem.

Keep Control of Your Content

Remember big companies with big payouts WANT CONTROL. Conan focused on owning his content and that resulted in a 150 million dollar payout.

Only Amazing Content Will Stand Out

If you want podcast growth, you need to make sure you are doing as many of the following as possible.

Make them:

• laugh
• cry
• think
• groan

Make Sure The Content

• Educates
• Entertains
• Saves the audience time
• Saves them money
• Makes them FEEL something

If it's information you can get any place else, even better. A great podcast can be boiled down to content and delivery. So this episode is focused on content.

Be Ready to Promote

When someone says, "Oh, you do a podcast?" be ready to explain what it is, what its about, and how people benefit from consuming your content (and say your website). We hear how Macaulay Culkin dropped the ball so bad on the Ellen show.

Housekeeping: How to Pitch a Podcast

I am still preparing to launch this show and I'm accepting stories. I had some things pop up that are taking my attention as they are time sensitive. It's coming...

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Join the School of Podcasting Today

Ralph Estep Jr has over 100K Subscribers on YouTube and has FOUR shows at askralph.com. Ralph credits his success to the skills and network he has has built at the School of Podcasting. Join worry free with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee. Use the coupon code "listener" on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

School of Podcasting

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Have You Heard About the Podpage Assistant?

Here's what it can do: Identify the best search keyphrase to target — The Assistant analyzes your episode and finds the keyphrase most likely to drive organic traffic. Generate optimized SEO titles and descriptions — Get search-friendly titles and meta descriptions written for each episode automatically. Expand your show notes — Turn brief show notes into detailed, search-friendly content that helps Google understand what your episode is about. Create SEO schema — Automatically generate structured data including FAQs and key takeaways, giving search engines even more context about your content. Generate episode transcriptions — If your podcast host doesn't provide transcripts, the Assistant can create them for you. Create companion blog posts — Each episode can get a dedicated blog post that supports your episode's SEO and gives listeners another way to find you. Automatically categorize episodes — Keep your episode library organized without lifting a finger. Start your 14 day trial at www.podpage.com/preview

Podpage

So many people need remote recording for co-hosts and guests. Yet in the 20+ years of podcasting once we get a solid solution, they upgrade the software and we're back to always having a backup "Just in case." So I reached out to my audience to see what they used and they chimed in.

The History

Blog Talk Radio (now gone) was an EASY choice but sounded like the phone. There was Skype (also gone), but everyone needed an account, and for the technically challenged, it was intimidating. Squadcast came on with a winning strategy with a firm understanding of what podcasters needed. Make it simple. Make it reliable.

Then Video Entered the Picture

Then tools like Squadcast added video, and while I never had an issue I know people who spoke of "Drift" where the audio didn't line up with the video (making it look like a bad Godzilla movie). There are tools like Evmux (browser based), Ecamm (Mac Only), Descript (browser based), and Streamyard (brwoser based).

Text Based Editing

When Descript entered the picture with text based editing (you edit the transcript, and it edits the audio) it became impressive after a few years. They purchased Squadcast, but haven't implemented all the tech from Squadcast (like being able to schedule a future episode in their "Rooms.").

All in One Solutions

This is one of the symptoms of a "All in one" solution. They do most things about 75%, but the details in that last 25 is what makes the difference. Riverisde started as remote recording, added text based editing, clip generation, and recently podcast hosting (the podcast hosting is very basic see video as of May 2026).

It May Not Be All Riverside's Fault

I wrote a blog post about all the things podcasters could do to be ready to make great recordings with Riverside.

If you want Riverside to work, don’t overcomplicate it:

• Solid internet
• Updated browser
• Decent computer
• Enough disk space
• Don’t rush the upload

That’s it.

Do those things, and suddenly Riverside becomes “magically reliable.”

What I Use For Live Streaming and Recording

Before moving to a Mac computer, I use Streamyard, and loved it. When I got a Mac Mini, I switched to Ecamm. It's amazing and much you have more control over how things look. If you have a Streamdeck, you can do some pretty magical things. Worth that said, I'm considering going back to Streamyard even though it's $5 more a month (I used Ecamm for making recording for the School of Podcasting, but I now do those in Tella).

What is The Most Reliable?

For me, after talking with the School of Podcasting members and now hearing from the audience I would say Ecamm (mac only) and Streamyard (browser based).

That doesn't mean Riverside, Evmux, Squadcast are not reliable, but I feel Ecamm and Streamyard are more reliable. They also are primarily focused on one thing RECORDING (although streamyard just added clip generation).

So What If I Don't Want an All In One?

Then you record with something like Ecamm or Streamyard, if you need clips, there is Opus Clip. There is free video software like Davinci Resolve, and free audio editing like Audacity.

Thanks to The Contributors

Frank Bravo From Your Tech Makeover

Todd the Gator from Gaurdian Downcast

Chris From Cool Cars with Chris

Ed from the Days Dumpster Fire

Tim from My Solo MS Journey

Mentioned In This Episode

Streamyard

Ecamm

Riverside

Descript

EvMux

Cleanfeed

Zencastr

OBS Project

VDO Ninja

Podtrack P4Next

Zoom H6

Samson Q2U Microphone

Opus Clip

Boomer Bunker

War Room Online Journal

Takeaways:

• Remote recording can be a total pain if you don't have solid internet; trust me, I know.
• Zoom works great for audio-only shows but struggles with video quality when the internet hiccups.
• Streamyard's simplicity makes remote recording a breeze; just send a link and boom, done!
• Clean Feed is solid for high-quality audio, especially for those who want to keep it simple.
• For video, Riverside sounds fancy but can be hit or miss; make sure it meets your needs first.
• Discord is free and surprisingly powerful for remote recordings, even if you're not a gamer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcast Hot Seat

Attention podcasters! Are you ready to take your show to the next level? Introducing Podcast Hot Seat, the ultimate resource for podcasters who want to elevate their game. Just like a friend who tells you you've got spinach in your teeth, we're here to give you the honest feedback you need to shine. At podcasthotseat.com, we specialize in helping good podcasts become great. Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson will identify your strengths and show you how to leverage them to keep your audience hooked. Don't let small oversights hold you back from podcasting stardom. Visit podcasthotseat.com today and put your show in the hot seat. Your listeners will thank you! Order now and get a free month at the School of Podcasting included in your purchase.

Podcast Hotseat

Podpage is Now Included with Blubrry Hosting

Blubrry Podcasting — one of the longest-running podcast hosting platforms in the industry — has chosen Podpage to replace their built-in website tool entirely. That means every Blubrry hosting customer gets a professional, automatically updated podcast website powered by Podpage, included with their hosting plan. For Podpage, this is more than a partnership announcement. It’s validation that podcast websites deserve dedicated website tools built specifically for podcasters.

Podpage

So many people think the only way you can have a successful podcast is to be famous. Today we have a quick Interview with Jordan Blair from the Dreamful podcast and the Buzzsprout podcast Buzzcast. Jordan share all the straggles she is using to monetize her show.

Jordan's Been Podcasting For Seven Years

This didn't happen overnight, but you will hear where Jordan recommends starting monetization efforts from day one. This way your family and friends who want to support the show can actually chip in, and the audience gets used to hearing you ask for support.

If you feel weird asking for value in return for the value you have given to the audience, keep in mind PBS has been doing this for decades.

Where Do You Start?

Jordan recommends starting off with enabling donations (technically a tip not a donation, unless you're a non-profit). Buzzsprout has this built in or you could use buy me a coffee, and many others. If you start with subscriptions, as you're just starting the show, it may be a little overwhelming and you end up making extra content for an audience that doesn't exist (yet). Just realize if you want people to chip in, you have to ask.

You can see Jordan's support page here.

Affiliate Links Are a Great Test

We talked about tools for using affiliate links in a previous episode. Affiliate links enable you to make a commission on a sale from someone using your special link. This is a great test and practice to get used to doing calls to action, promoting a product, and seeing what products your audience is interested

The Pros and Cons of Merch

Jordan shares how she created some swag for her audience, setup a store and received absolutely zero sales. This is when she realized she should ask her audience what they want first before making swag. For more on merch sales check out my interview with Jayna Marie.

First Person Endorsements Deliver Tons of Value

Jordan's show is for kids who are trying to go to sleep. She found some puzzles and bought them and tried them. She knew this would resonate with her audience, and talked about her own experience with the puzzles and the affiliate links came flowing in.

You Might Have to Take Partners to School

Jordan explains that her first sponsor knocked on her door, and provided an offer. Jordan had to explain to them how partnerships work in podcasting (this isn't radio, and we have a much stronger connection with our audiences). She renogiated and came up with a dela that worked for everyone.

She Didn't Plan on Making Money

Jordan started the Dreamful stories podcast as a resource for her own children. She launched it, and focused on delivering value and connecting with her audience. She found out what they wanted and delivered the show they wanted. This lead to her show's downloads escalating while she was on a break!

Check out Jordan's Shows

Dreamful Stories

Buzzcast

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. 

Share Your Thoughts

Other Items Mentioned

Podnews Weekly Review

How to Turn Your Podcast Into Passive Income (With Tools I Actually Use)

Big Lash Energy: One Million Downloads Fueled by Coffee and Compliments

Profit From Your Podcast Book (by Dave)

This Old Marketing Show

Sponsor Magnet Book by Justin Moore

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Build the Website You Want with Podpage

Podpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/preview

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcast Hot Seat

Attention podcasters! Are you ready to take your show to the next level? Introducing Podcast Hot Seat, the ultimate resource for podcasters who want to elevate their game. Just like a friend who tells you you've got spinach in your teeth, we're here to give you the honest feedback you need to shine. At podcasthotseat.com, we specialize in helping good podcasts become great. Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson will identify your strengths and show you how to leverage them to keep your audience hooked. Don't let small oversights hold you back from podcasting stardom. Visit podcasthotseat.com today and put your show in the hot seat. Your listeners will thank you! Order now and get a free month at the School of Podcasting included in your purchase.

Podcast Hotseat

A Dialogue with Justin Jackson and Alban Brooke

Just in Jackson from Transistor.fm is so enthusiastic about Apple's new way to add video to their platform (called HLS). I have felt "Meh" about it since it was announced (I'm worried about using API's instead of using the RSS feed). So I wanted to see if I was missing something that might lead me to feel more like Justin.

Later that same week Alban Brook from Buzzsprout reached out and so I combined the interviews to show multiple points of view about Apple's HLS implementation not that more hosts are being approved to connect to Apple via their API.

Justin's View is Based On Younger People

While I have no children Justin has a few and he explained how watching them he sees them move from watching video to switching to audio. So the HLS video in Apple supports this (and it's already available on YouTube music, and Spotify. This explains why Justin would have a viewpoint different than mine.

Dialogues are amazing, and you just might learn something. Try one today. They are free!

Alban's View on The "Give People What They Want" focus of Apple Podcasts

When you go to YouTube, they drown you in options as they try to get you to click on anything. With Apple's new video options, when you log into Apple, you primarily see the shows that you've told Apple you want to see. Consequently, it may be a better experience. Kevin Finn on the Buzzcast show compared YouTube and the horrible experience to going to the movies, where everything is overpriced and the floor is sticky. The experience isn't as good.

Don't Take on Too Much

If you're a video creator already, adding your show to YouTube seems like a no brainer, and Alaban and Just both mentioned that when people signed up to be beta testers, many of the people chomping at the bit were already video creators.

Justin mentions that much like coloring, you start with three colors and learn how to keep people engaged. Then start adding more colors. With podcasting it may make more sense to start with audio, and then add video.

We are in a Wait and See Period

We don't actually know if this is going to take off. While we don't expect Apple to topple YouTube, we are interested to see just how many people jump on board. Both companies mentioned the benefits of being an early adopter.

Pricing for HLS Hosting

Transistor offers HLS video on any package of of $49 and higher.

Buzzsprout offers 6 hours a month for $30 ($25 if you purchase yearly).

Captivate is $19/month with an additional $12 for video.

Keep in mind Transistor and Captivate operate on a "As many shows and episodes as you want (but you bill goes up depending on downloads/traffic). Buzzsprout's model is a "per show" fee, but you can have as many downloads as you want.

For more information on other hosts as they are added see this article on Podnews.

The Bridge Podcast on YouTube

Justin shared the story of The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge a former Candaian broadcaster who has now moved to YouTube who is having great success without amazing Thumbnails and fancy studios.

Acquired Charges Millions for Sponsorship

There are always shows that break the mold, and Acquired is one of them. They do limited shows that engage a certain audience (CEOs), and consequently are charging millions for sponsor a season (and are already sold out). They describe their show as, "We (Ben and David) personally invest 100+ hours each to research and produce a ~4 hour "conversational audiobook,” telling a company's complete history and strategy.

Spotify's Video Options are Blurry

I am always cautious about Spotify. We all know they are not fans of RSS, and they like to make features that only work in Spotify. In a recent article at Podnews, Jame Cridlan explains how uploading a video from your media host into Spotify may lock you into using the media host (where an RSS enables you to redirect the feed). There is talk that Spotify may manually be able to switch your show back to RSS (with consequences). My point is we currently don't know so if you plan on posting video to Spotify, you might setup a free hosting account and uplaod the video there. ( I do that for my "Ask the Podcast Coach" show).

Mentioned In the Show

School of Podcasting

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Transistor Media Hosting

Buzzsprout Media Hosting

Captivate Media Hosting

The Video Podcast Show

Podcast Marketing Trends Explained

The Panel Podcast

Buzzcast Podcast

Research Links

• Video podcast host pricing - comparisons from Podnews
• Beware Spotify's video lock-in from Podnews

Mentioned in this episode:

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcast Hot Seat

Attention podcasters! Are you ready to take your show to the next level? Introducing Podcast Hot Seat, the ultimate resource for podcasters who want to elevate their game. Just like a friend who tells you you've got spinach in your teeth, we're here to give you the honest feedback you need to shine. At podcasthotseat.com, we specialize in helping good podcasts become great. Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson will identify your strengths and show you how to leverage them to keep your audience hooked. Don't let small oversights hold you back from podcasting stardom. Visit podcasthotseat.com today and put your show in the hot seat. Your listeners will thank you! Order now and get a free month at the School of Podcasting included in your purchase.

Podcast Hotseat

Podpage is Now Included with Blubrry Hosting

Blubrry Podcasting — one of the longest-running podcast hosting platforms in the industry — has chosen Podpage to replace their built-in website tool entirely. That means every Blubrry hosting customer gets a professional, automatically updated podcast website powered by Podpage, included with their hosting plan. For Podpage, this is more than a partnership announcement. It’s validation that podcast websites deserve dedicated website tools built specifically for podcasters.

Podpage

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Today we are talking about your show that just won't grow. It's time for a podcast experiment. I often say "You podcast is a recipe - not a statue." Well here is the good news. You know how to build a podcast to the current level you are at. The bad news is you've been here for a bit and it's time to try something to break you out of your plateau.

You Either Win Or You Learn

When you try something new with your podcast we often feel like everyone will leave immediately, and that just doesn't happen. Have you ever gone to a concert of a band you grew up listening to? They say "Here is one from our new album!" and half the theater goes for a beer, but most of them stay because they like the band.

What If My Numbers Goes Down?

So if you previously had 200 downloads an episode, and now you have 180 you learned something not to do. You've know how to grow a show to 200, so do that and try again.

Start With a Survey

Speaking of mistakes, I once did a survey that I talked about bear the end of my show. One of the questions was, "Do you think the show is too long?" Well, if you think about it (being near the end of the show) anyone who thought it was too long had already left.

Announce the survey, and really push it and explain how the audience will benefit. It could be as simple as:

• Did you listen to the end of the episode?
• If not where did you stop and why?
• How likely are you to share it with a friend on a scale form 1-10?

You can use the built in survey with Podpage, or something like Tally forms.

Smart Experiments: One Step at a Time

When you test new parts of your show, change ONE thing only. If you change three things and one of them works, you won't know which one.

I would start with your episode titles, your opening two minutes (have a good hook), and get to the content ASAP.

My Current Experiment: Podcasting in Six Weeks

I tried this class about six months ago, and only told my email list. That was a dumb idea, but I learned to use ALL of my outlets when promoting a product or service.

The course starting June 3rd will be once a week covering the following topics:

Week 1: Concept & Planning Define your unique angle and target audience Choose your format and episode structure Create your content calendar for the first 10 episodes Develop your show name and description

Week 2: Equipment & Setup Essential equipment recommendations for every budget. Recording space optimization (even in noisy environments). Software setup and configuration Audio quality testing and troubleshooting

Week 3: Recording Techniques Professional recording techniques. Interview skills and guest management. Solo episode strategies. Overcoming "mic fright" and speaking naturally.

Week 4: Editing & Post-Production Editing basics that save time and sound professional. Intro/outro creation and music selection File management and organization systems Quality control checklists

Week 5: Hosting & Distribution Choosing and setting up your podcast host Submitting to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms RSS feeds and technical requirements Show artwork and metadata optimization

Week 6: Marketing & Growth Launch strategies that actually get listeners. Social media promotion and repurposing content Building relationships with other podcasters Long-term growth strategies and monetization

EXCLUSIVE BONUSES:

BONUS #1: "Podcast Equipment Starter Kit Guide" (Value: $97) No more confusion about what to buy. Get our curated equipment list with specific product recommendations for three different budgets – beginner, intermediate, and professional.

BONUS #2: "First 10 Episodes Content Planner" (Value: $67) Never stare at a blank screen wondering what to talk about. This detailed planner gives you proven episode templates and topic ideas to keep your content engaging from day one.

BONUS #3: "Podcast Launch Checklist" (Value: $47) A step-by-step checklist ensuring you don't miss any crucial steps during your launch. From technical setup to promotional tasks – it's all cover

Six hours of consulting with me would be $1200, but as we try this experiment it's only $1.

Why not free? Because we wanted people who would at least believe in themselves enough to spend $1 to help improve themselves.

In full transparency we hope you join the School of Podcasting when the class is over, but it is a free standing class. The sessions will be recorded.

Sign Up For the Class TODAY!

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. 

Share Your Thoughts

Resources Mentioned in Episode 1034

School of Podcasting

Pod SEO use sop10 to save 10%

Ausha SEO

Pod Analyist

Research Links

• Dave Jackson #661 - New Media Show
• Insight on Business - Dave Jackson Interview
• Switchy Link Shortener
• Stuck at 800 downloads per ep for almost a year. what actually moves the needle : r/podcasting
• PodAnalyst - Podcast Measurement and Analytics For Growth
• My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes - Author Media
• Podcasting Truth & Myths Learned Over 500 Episodes
• What are examples that were accidents that turned out to be great?

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

Have You Heard About the Podpage Assistant?

Here's what it can do: Identify the best search keyphrase to target — The Assistant analyzes your episode and finds the keyphrase most likely to drive organic traffic. Generate optimized SEO titles and descriptions — Get search-friendly titles and meta descriptions written for each episode automatically. Expand your show notes — Turn brief show notes into detailed, search-friendly content that helps Google understand what your episode is about. Create SEO schema — Automatically generate structured data including FAQs and key takeaways, giving search engines even more context about your content. Generate episode transcriptions — If your podcast host doesn't provide transcripts, the Assistant can create them for you. Create companion blog posts — Each episode can get a dedicated blog post that supports your episode's SEO and gives listeners another way to find you. Automatically categorize episodes — Keep your episode library organized without lifting a finger. Start your 14 day trial at www.podpage.com/preview

Podpage

In this episode, we answer a question I know has been on the minds of so many podcasters: Where is podcasting headed?

What We Covered

• Spotify, YouTube, and AI Slop: I kicked things off sharing my concerns about immoral creators, content exclusivity, and how blurry the definition of a “podcast” is getting.
• Optimism vs. Pessimism: We heard from multiple voices on whether the future looks bright or grim, and what keeps each of us going.
• Video, Discoverability, and Content Overload: How YouTube’s dominance and the rise of video (and AI-generated "slop") is shifting the landscape, sometimes making things more confusing than ever.
• Monetization Woes and the Hopes for Crowdfunding: Many noted frustration with ads and the current monetization system, with hope for easier, more integrated crowdfunding in the future.
• Government Regulation and Freedom of Speech: A Canadian listener shared real concerns about government overreach and its chilling effect on creators.
• Defining Your “Why” and Staying True to Your Mission: Several contributors reminded us to focus on passion, purpose, and connecting with our audience.
• Staying Resilient: Through all the changes—algorithm shakeups, new platforms, and shifting formats—what matters most is keeping your audience at the heart of what you do.

Participants

• Steve Stewart (Podcast Editors Mastermind, Podcast Editor's Academy, Steve's Site)
• Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast, Perrysburg Podcast )
• Todd the Gator ( Guardian Down Roundtable, 50 Years Experience Required, Lessons in the Rearview
• Leslie Marting (Greatland Media)
• Ralph Estep Jr. ( AskRalph.com )
• Podcasting Morning Show
• York Welcome to Earth Stories
• Cool Cars with Chris

Mentioned In This Episode

JJJAck Film's Video on youTube Demonetization

New Media Show Rob Greenlee and Brendan Monaghan

Podcasting 2.0 on the Slop Factory at Spreaker

Podnews on More AI than Human Shows

Profit From Your Podcast Book

Thanks for Sharing

This episode became a great sharing of opinions, experiences, and predictions. Some worry about gatekeepers and algorithmic noise, while others find hope in podcasting’s unique intimacy and power to connect. No matter where things go, staying true to your purpose, your “why,” and serving your audience will always be the foundation.

Keep your ears open, your content honest, and your passion high. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and as always: if you loved this conversation, hit that share button and keep the School of Podcasting growing!

Mentioned in this episode:

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a good old fashioned microphone shootout—this time, it’s all about wireless lavalier mics! I (quickly) run through a lineup of wireless lavalier microphones including the DJI Mic Mini, Hollyland Lark M2, Rode Wireless Micro, Rode Wireless Go, and Shure Move Mic. Not only do I compare how they sound right out of the box, but I also show how a little post production can level the playing field between even budget and premium options. If you’ve ever wondered whether it matters which one you pick, you’ll definitely want to listen.

This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!

The Weight Of Adding Video - The First Look at Apple HLS

The second big theme of today’s show is the pressure, and potential pitfalls, of adding video to your podcasting workflow. I break down what’s happening with Apple HLS video, what hosts like Captivate are charging, and why you need to seriously consider the “weight” video adds before taking the plunge.

Getting Your Edited Audio To People In Apple - You Can't (If you add video)

Can you maintain your audio quality? Should you be editing audio and video together, or keeping them separate? I also share some spot-on advice from Elsie Escobar about only adding video if it makes sense for your goals—not because you feel FOMO or outside pressure.

Whether you’re mic shopping, contemplating a shift to video, or just want a sanity check on your podcasting process, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

Gear Mentioned In This Episode

DJI Mic Mini

Shure Movemic

Hollyland Lark M2

Rode Wireless Go 3

Rode Wireless Micro

DJI Mic 2

Captivate Media Hosting

Other Items

Ecamm Video Software

Streamdeck

Accentize Plugins (DeRoom, Revive)

USB-C extenders

Blue Ocean Strategy Book

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing (specifically, the "Law of Category" chapter)

The Audacity to Podcast

1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelley

Captivate Webinar on Apple HLS Implementation

New Media Show Rob Greenlee with Sharon Taylor

Media Roundtable with Dan Granger, Tim Ferriss (Entrepreneur & Host, The Tim Ferriss Show) and Dr. Laurie Santos

WordPress Plugins Compromised

Monica Rivera on Episode 613

Zoom Handyrecorder App

David Draiman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Transistor Media Hosting

Buzzsprout Media Hosting

Justin Jackson Apple Podcasts Demo

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt

Where Will I Be?

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

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Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

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