• 31 minutes 29 seconds
    YouTube Just Got Harder, Spotify Still Doesn't Care

    You Down With YPP?

    Episode Description:

    I break down YouTube’s latest changes to its Partner Program, including doubled watch-hour requirements and higher Shorts monetization thresholds ahead of the February 2027 deadline. I also bring in YouTube expert Adam Ivey’s take on why the real story isn’t necessarily the new criteria, and I share my own channel’s numbers so you can set realistic expectations for your own YouTube journey.

    Then the AI kids stop by for story time as I take a look at Spotify’s decade-long history of making big podcasting promises—and quietly failing to deliver on them. From a scrapped hosting partnership to a Creator Fund that never paid a cent, there’s plenty to unpack.

    Plus, Ray Ortega drops by with the shortest—and most accurate—definition of “podcast” you’ll ever hear.

    YouTube Partner Program (YPP) changes, effective February 1, 2027

    • Watch-hour requirement doubles: 4,000 to 8,000 hours in the past year (new creators only; existing YPP members are grandfathered in)
    • Shorts monetization threshold doubles: 10 million to 20 million qualified views in 90 days to get in, then a rolling 10 million views every 90 days to maintain earnings
    • Full monetization tier: 1,000 subscribers, $100 payment threshold
    • Lower tier (500 subscribers): unlocks YouTube Shopping (affiliate) and channel memberships, requires 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views

    The real story behind the changes

    • Adam Ivy's stat: 67% of YouTube creators make less than $10,000/year
    • YouTube's stated pivot: broadening revenue beyond ads, with bonuses for YouTube Shopping, brand-deal incentives, and trend-based earning boosts
    • YouTube says it expects to pay creators more in 2027 than 2026: money is shifting, not shrinking
    • Steve Stewart (Podcast Editor Academy): "Don't just sell your audience to sponsors, sell sponsors on how great your audience is"

    Is YouTube worth it? The data

    • Sounds Profitable's Podcast Atlas (slide 23): Clips lead viewers to watch a specific episode (30% often/always, 81% at least sometimes) and to become regular listeners (33% often/always, 84% at least sometimes)
    • Dave's real channel numbers: 3,523 subscribers, ~$2.49 per 1,000 views, one video with 115 views earned 25 cents
    • Bottom line: YouTube ad revenue is icing, not cake. Don't budget groceries on it

    Spotify: a bedtime story for the AI kids

    • May 2015: Spotify launches podcasts through a small group of hosting "partners" (Libsyn, Blubrry), framed as a growth opportunity, not monetization
    • Spotify initially insists on hosting the media files itself rather than letting partners host. Partners build custom engineering to comply, then Spotify reverses course
    • 2019: Spotify buys Anchor for $150 million, turning former hosting partners into competitors overnight, with free hosting
    • Spotify quietly submits shows to Apple Podcasts under its own account, hiding stats from creators and sparking creator frustration (often aimed at consultants, not Spotify)
    • 2020: Megaphone acquired for $235 million. 2021: Whooshkaa acquired and folded into Megaphone, then shut down
    • 2021: Betty Labs acquired, becomes Greenroom (Spotify's Clubhouse competitor)
    • 2021: "New Era of Podcast Monetization": paid subscriptions, Open Access Platform, Spotify Audience Network announced
    • Mid-2021: Greenroom launches with a Creator Fund promised for live audio creators. Payment mechanics never disclosed
    • 2021: Music + Talk announced ("play music in your podcast"), restricted to the Spotify app, paying subscribers only, after listening to the full episode
    • September 2021: Q&A and Polls launch, pitched as "the future of podcasting is interactive"
    • January 2022: In-house production studio "Studio Four" shut down with layoffs
    • April 2022: Greenroom rebrands to Spotify Live; Creator Fund confirmed to have never launched, quietly shelved
    • March 2023: Anchor rebranded to Spotify for Podcasters
    • April 2023: Spotify Live shut down entirely, two years after the original Greenroom launch
    • February 2024: Music + Talk and Anchor's recording tools killed; users redirected to Riverside
    • July 2024: Q&A and Polls shut down, replaced with Comments
    • Spotify's "walled garden" habits: video and transcripts only available on Spotify, resistance to RSS since it sends listeners off-platform
    • 2026: Skip Ahead ad-skipping button testing begins, available only to Premium subscribers, while advertisers still pay for the ad
    • Audiobooks added, bundled with music, resulting in lower royalty payments to musicians

    What it actually takes to make money on Spotify

    • 1,000 Spotify audience members (last 30 days)
    • 2,000 Spotify hours consumed (last 30 days)
    • At least 3 published episodes
    • Free alternatives exist too: Buzzsprout (90 days free), RSS.com, Red Circle

    Also in this episode:

    • Ray Ortega's shortest definition of a podcast: "An RSS feed with audio or video content"
    • Dave will be at the Empowered Podcasting Conference. Say hello if you see him

    Links:

    Podnews (the definitive investigative piece): https://podnews.net/update/greenroom-creator-fund-mirage

    Hollywood Reporter (original confirmation): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/

    TechCrunch (Spotify's official statement): https://techcrunch.com/?p=2302547

    Tubefilter (stock price angle): https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/04/19/meta-live-audio-rooms-spotify-green-ro

    Spotify's own support doc: https://support.spotify.com/al/creators/article/understanding-skip-ahead-button/

    Podnews (the deepest industry-side reporting): https://podnews.net/article/spotify-threat-ad-skipping

    Hollywood Reporter (advertiser reaction): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-new-ad-skipping-feature-1236670480/

    Forbes (scale/downloads context): https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabrielalinzainescu/2026/08/10/spotify-tests-ad-skip-button-that-could-upend-podcast-advertising/

    Variety (original 2024 reclassification): https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/spotify-music-audiobook-bundle-lower-royalty-for-songwriters-1235974942/

    Music Tech (MLC lawsuit filed): https://musictech.com/news/industry/spotify-royalties-lawsuit-audiobook-bundling/

    Music Business Worldwide ($3.1bn NMPA projection): https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/nmpa-says-spotify-bundling-move-could-cost-music-publishers-3-1bn-through-2032/

    Music Business Worldwide (lawsuit dismissed): https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-audiobook-bundling-lawsuit-as-court-dismisses-legal-action-brought-by-the-mlc/

    Variety (ruling coverage w/ judge's quote): https://variety.com/2025/music/news/spotify-wins-lawsuit-bundling-royalties-1236289823/

    Time (FTC complaint, $150M NMPA estimate): https://time.com/6988114/spotify-songwriters-ftc-complaint-royalties-audiobooks-bundle/

    Digital Music News: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/02/09/spotify-is-shutting-down-music-talk-music

    Podbean blog, on the March 2023 rebrand: https://blog.podbean.com/anchor-vs-podbean-podcast-hosting-alternative/

    TechCrunch, shutdown of Spotify Live: https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/spotify-is-shutting-down-its-live-audio-app-spotify-live/

    Hollywood Reporter, Creator Fund never launched: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/

    Variety: https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-acquires-whooshkaa-podcast-1235135217

    EIN Presswire (official press release text): https://www.einpresswire.com/article/558559979/spotify-announces-acquisition-of-podcast-technology-platform-whooshkaa

    Spotify Newsroom, original launch: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-09-30/podcasts-get-interactive-with-new-qa-and-polls-features/

    MIDiA Research, on the Comments replacement: https://www.midiaresearch.com/blog/why-comments-on-spotify-podcasts-are-more-about-youtube-than-community

    Spotify Newsroom, "New Era of Podcast Monetization": https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-27/spotify-ushers-in-new-era-of-podcast-monetization-with-new-tools-for-all-creators/

    PhoneArena, Substack/Open Access Platform coverage: https://www.phonearena.com/news/spotify-substack-partnership_id157238

    Podnews, "Breaking: Spotify buys Gimlet... and Anchor": https://podnews.net/update/spotify-gimlet-anchor

    Nieman Lab, "Anchor too?": https://www.niemanlab.org/2019/02/anchor-too-with-a-second-big-acquisition-spotify-shows-its-serious-about-podcasts-as-both-producer-and-platform/

    Music Business Worldwide, exact deal figures ($154M Anchor): https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-has-acquired-three-podcast-companies-this-year-total-cost-404m/

    Forbes, Hot Pod/Ashley Carman quote on Spotify vs. YouTube: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johanmoreno/2022/02/18/spotify-acquired-two-major-podcast-technology-companies-youtube-should-be-concerned/

    TechRadar (skips even Spotify's own promo messaging): https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotify-quietly-added-a-button-to-skip-ads-in-podcasts-except-for-its-own-promotional-content-and-its-sparked-widespread-concern-for-the-future-of-podcasting

    Research Links


    Mentioned in this episode:

    What Does Worry Free Podcasting Look Like?

    It means not having to worry about buying the wrong equipment. It means not worrying about wasting your money - you can cancel anytime during your first 30 days and get your money back. It means getting one-on-one coaching with a TEACHER who wants you to learn and grow and not upsell you on 20 more products. You can do this. I help podcasters. It's what I do, and I can't wait to see what we do together.

    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?

    Podpage Email Alerts

    Podpage just launched a feature called Episode Alerts. It automatically emails your subscribers the moment a new episode goes live — no third-party email tool needed. When you publish, Podpage sends the email, links listeners straight to the episode, routes replies to your own inbox, and handles unsubscribes automatically. They also run every email address through validation and monitor bounces/spam complaints to protect your sender reputation. It's not meant to replace a full newsletter platform — no drip campaigns or segmentation — just a simple "hey, new episode's up" notification. It's available for Pro and Elite users, with monthly sending caps of 500 emails on Pro and 5,000 on Elite. For more information see https://www.podpage.com/updates/introducing-episode-alerts/

    Podpage

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    17 August 2026, 4:00 am
  • 44 minutes 23 seconds
    Inside “Horses in the Morning”: Daily Content, Loyal Fans, and 4000+ Episodes

    How Do You Hit 4000 Episodes Without Losing Your Mind?

    Today I'm talking with Glenn Hebert and Jamie Jennings from Horses in the Morning, the flagship show of the Horse Radio Network. They just crossed 4000 episodes, and since they're doing this daily, I had a ton of questions for them. Mainly: how do you keep your sanity?

    Glenn has been on this show more times than any other guest, and I'll drop links to a few of those past conversations below. We also talk about how "Glenn the Geek" became a verb around here. I cut in a few times throughout the episode to riff on some of what we discussed, so stick around for that too.

    Key Takeaways

    • Segments (not just guests) are what let a daily or frequent show survive without constantly reinventing the wheel.
    • A real community needs a place to talk to each other, not just a place to listen to you.
    • Feedback from your most invested listeners (not just anyone) should shape what you keep and what you cut.
    • You're making the show for the 80% who like it, not the 20% who don't.
    • If you're trying to make money at this, budget 10-12 hours of work for every hour that airs.

    How Glenn and Jamie Keep Finding Something to Talk About

    Jamie's husband asked her, before episode one, what she was even going to talk about after two weeks of a horse podcast. Sixteen years and 4000 episodes later, that question still makes her laugh. Glenn books guests only a week or two out, and most of the show's four or five segments per episode get planned the morning of. Being daily is actually their advantage: they can be timely in a way most podcasts can't.

    Glenn admitted he basically is the show-prep service. Google Alerts and AI help him find stories faster than they used to, but the instinct for what's worth talking about still comes down to two to three hours of prep every single morning.

    Segments Give You Somewhere to Put Your Energy

    Jamie is the storyteller. Glenn plays the guy reacting to it. He described their pre-show routine: Jamie says she's got a two-to-five-minute story, and he already knows it's going to stretch to twenty minutes and he'll happily let it. That contrast, he said, is what makes the show work.

    I've got segments on this show too (if you've got a favorite segment idea, feel free to send it in). One of mine is built entirely out of "this happened because I have a podcast." I used to do a "last five in five" segment where I'd share the last five things I listened to in under five minutes. Segments are useful because they don't all have to show up in every episode. When I don't have a big topic, I create a "podcast stew," a handful of small segments squeezed together. Takes the pressure off having to fill a big block of time. An episode just needs to be as long as it needs to be, and not a minute more.

    Building a Community That Actually Talks to Each Other

    Glenn says their community basically built itself once Patreon entered the picture around nine or ten years ago. One of their own listeners asked if she could start a private Facebook group for supporters, and it's grown into 30+ subgroups on everything from dogs to mental health, plus in-person meetups they run themselves.

    Glenn's take, and I completely agree: the biggest mistake podcasters make when they say they want "community" is giving people no actual place to talk to each other. A community needs a room. You don't have a true community until they can talk to each other.

    They get supporters directly involved too, birthdays shouted out on air, segment material submitted by listeners themselves. If your audience made the content, you already know they're going to like it.

    Sponsors Who Become Part of the Family

    Jamie and Glenn have given away more than $80,000 in prizes over 16 years, largely funded by sponsors who get a bit of airtime in exchange for product. Those relationships often graduate into full paid sponsorships once the brand sees it works.

    That reminded me of Mark from Beyond Bourbon Street, a past guest of mine (episode 829) who had Two Chicks Walking Tours as a sponsor, then had listeners telling him in his own community that they'd taken the tour and loved it. That's the kind of proof that makes a sponsorship renewal conversation easy. And speaking of sponsors sticking around, I was listening to The New Media Show recently and they mentioned Todd Cochran had GoDaddy as a sponsor for around 21 years.

    The Focus Group Most Podcasts Never Bother With

    This one floored me. On top of their broader Patreon community, Glenn and Jamie run a rotating focus group of 12 listeners every six months whose entire job is to comment on every single episode. Every episode gets six to twelve honest responses.

    That feedback has actually killed segments. They ran an "animal psychics" bit for a while that they personally enjoyed, but the negative response outweighed the positive, so it's gone. If you're going to ask your paying supporters for their opinion, you have to actually be willing to act on it.

    Handling the People Who Don't Like You

    Glenn's rule, learned from ten years running an improv theater company: about 80% of any audience likes what you do, and 20% doesn't. That ratio doesn't change. You're not making the show for the 20%. You're making it for the 80%, and Glenn pointed out the harder truth: a chunk of that 20% keeps listening anyway, seemingly just to be annoyed. Let it go.

    Jamie added that after the true fans and the negative Nellies, there's a middle group whose feedback is the most useful because it's the most honest.

    The Most Popular Segment Isn't the Guests

    Right before hitting 4000 episodes, they surveyed listeners on favorite segments. The winner, by a wide margin: pure host banter, just Glenn and Jamie talking about nothing. Their biggest listener complaint over the years has actually been "too many guests." As Glenn put it, people come for the content and stay for the hosts.

    What It Takes to Actually Make Money Doing This

    Glenn's advice for a new podcaster wondering when the money shows up: niches make it easier. Horse people, in his words, are some of the most dedicated hobbyists out there, and that's true of plenty of other niches too (cycling, golf, you name it). Small and mid-sized brands without their own ad agencies are the sweet spot, and Glenn's found 80% of his sponsors by showing up in person at trade shows and introducing himself at every booth. He's been to 38 of them.

    Their own listener survey backs this up: 80% of listeners said they'd bought a product because Glenn and Jamie talked about it on air in the last year. Only 25% said the same about a banner ad. Trust is the entire business model.

    Doing the Show Sick, and Other Real-Talk Moments

    When you're sick, you address it up front. Ignoring it doesn't work, because that's all the listener will focus on anyway. Same goes for a loud remote recording location. Be real about it and people roll with it, sometimes they even prefer it.

    One detail that stuck with me: Jamie trains off-the-track thoroughbreds and has personally placed horses with listeners in 18 different states just by mentioning them on the show. That's community turned into real-world impact.

    My Takeaways After the Interview

    A few things I wanted to add once the mic was off:

    Contact info matters more than you think. Always tell people how to reach you. For me that's schoolofpodcasting.com/contact. Someone recently told me they'd left a comment on my Substack and had no idea if I'd seen it, because I hadn't told them how I check for those.

    Where to find ideas, beyond hanging out with your audience the way Glenn does: Google Alerts will tell you anytime a topic (or your name) gets mentioned online. Answer the Public shows you what people are actually typing into search around a topic. Or just Google your topic and scroll down to "People Also Ask."

    On Podcast Movement: I wasn't selected to speak this year, which is the first time that's happened after speaking at every single one. Disappointing, sure, but I'll still be there to say hi, and I'll have more free time than usual. I am speaking at the Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte, NC, and at PodIndy in November.

    Lesson learned: if a voting campaign like this comes around again, I'm rallying the troops early instead of assuming people will remember on their own.

    On working with AI: I'm deep into learning Claude and all the "co-worky" automation stuff right now, and I'll be the first to admit I don't know what I don't know. I've been leaning on School of Podcasting members who are further along with it, including Craig from AI Goes to College and John Jamingo from Boomer Bunker.

    If you're not doing audience surveys, that's its own version of not knowing what you don't know, and if you're not sure whether your audience is engaged, their silence on a survey is usually the answer.

    Glenn's Past Appearances on the Show


    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Starting August 19th, we're running two live classes. Podcasting in Six Weeks is back, and it's free this time, for anyone who hasn't launched a show yet: schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks. And for members, we're running a live Growing Your Audience course together, tracking your download numbers before and after: schoolofpodcasting.com/growcourse. Use the coupon code listener when you sign up for a monthly, quarterly, or yearly School of Podcasting membership.

    Question of the Month

    What's the smallest audience size you'd still do your show for? Would you quit if it dropped below that, or dig in to find out why? Send your answer to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th, and include your show name and website so I can link to you in the notes.

    I'm Dave Jackson. I help podcasters. It's what I do.

    Until next week, take care, God bless.

    Class is dismissed.

    Research Links


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    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?

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    Podpage Email Alerts

    Podpage just launched a feature called Episode Alerts. It automatically emails your subscribers the moment a new episode goes live — no third-party email tool needed. When you publish, Podpage sends the email, links listeners straight to the episode, routes replies to your own inbox, and handles unsubscribes automatically. They also run every email address through validation and monitor bounces/spam complaints to protect your sender reputation. It's not meant to replace a full newsletter platform — no drip campaigns or segmentation — just a simple "hey, new episode's up" notification. It's available for Pro and Elite users, with monthly sending caps of 500 emails on Pro and 5,000 on Elite. For more information see https://www.podpage.com/updates/introducing-episode-alerts/

    Podpage

    10 August 2026, 4:00 am
  • 35 minutes 15 seconds
    From Facts to Feelings: The Secret Sauce of Engaging Podcasts

    If you look at movies that you love, and you think about them, and you remember how they made you feel. Today we talk about three things you can have in your tool belt to use in your show to not just have something to listen to, but to have content that moves your audience. We also answer the question what do Sportcasters, Movie Reviewers, and Christians all have in common?

    Pull Some Emotion Into Your Show

    Most podcasters focus on information—tips, tactics, and how‑tos. But your audience doesn’t connect to information first; they connect to emotion first.

    Three Tools To Boost Connection

    • Nostalgia
    • Storytelling
    • Vulnerability

    As the old saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility," so how do we use these ingredients in our show without sounding like we starting the sympathy engine just to grab attention?

    What Do Christians, Movie Reviewer, and Sportscasters all have in common?

    They are all working with the same source material. The same bible (more or less), the same movies, the same games. In this episode we talk about how to make your show stand out?

    The Best Book on StoryTelling

    I've read MANY books on storytelling, but Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks is the best - period. The audiobook is so good you will want to listen with a pad and pencil to take notes (or if you're loving in 2026, take notes on your phone).

    Ready To Start Your Podcast?

    Podcasting in Six Weeks

    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: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    School of Podcasting

    3 August 2026, 4:00 am
  • 40 minutes 36 seconds
    20 Books for Content Creators Recommended by My Audience

    What if one book could change the way you tell stories, connect with your audience, or even see your own podcast? In this episode of the School of Podcasting, I asked a simple question: “If you found out someone was a content creator, what book would you recommend?” — and the responses were pure gold.

    You’ll hear from working podcasters, educators, business owners, and storytellers sharing the books that sharpened their craft, grew their communities, and kept them going when numbers and algorithms tried to wear them down. Along the way, I share my own must‑reads and pay tribute to a podcasting legend whose work shaped an entire generation of creators. If you’re ready to level up your show — not with more gear, but with better thinking, storytelling, and heart — this is the episode you’ll want to queue up next.

    Participants

    Kim Newlove

    The Pharmacist Voice Podcast

    The Perrysburg Podcast

    Ralph Estep Jr.

    The Content Creators Accountant

    https://ralphestepjr.com

    Chris Nessi

    House of EdTech

    Mark Lawley

    Practical Prepping Podcast

    Nancy May (with co‑host Sylvia France)

    Family Tree Food Stories Podcast

    Dave Cohen

    The Shakespeare Mindset

    Tom Haley

    Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

    Books Mentioned

    Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas - Tamsen Webster

    The Audience Is Listening: A Little Guide to Building a Big Podcast – Tom Webster

    How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

    Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers – Robert J. Kriegel, David Brandt

    12 and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success – Gary Vaynerchuk

    Acres of Diamonds – Jentezen Franklin

    Hello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick – Alexandra Watkins

    Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story – John Yorke

    Build a Strong Podcast: From Creation to Captivated Audience – Jennifer Longworth

    Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling – Eric Nuzum

    Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling – Matthew Dicks

    Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World – A Step-by-Step Guide for Anyone with Something to Say or Sell – Michael Hyatt

    Big Podcast: Grow Your Podcast Audience, Build Listener Loyalty, and Get Everybody Talking About Your Show – David Hooper

    So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen – Kristen Meinzer

    Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio – Jessica Abel

    Beyond Powerful Radio: A Communicator’s Guide to the Internet Age – Valerie Geller

    Secrets of Dynamic Communication: Prepare with Focus, Deliver with Clarity, Speak with Power – Ken Davis

    Sponsor Magnet – Justin Moore

    Profit from Your Podcast: Turn Your Listeners into a Livelihood – Dave Jackson

    Looking for more books on podcasting? Check here

    In Honor of John C. Dvorak

    The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses (20th Anniversary Expanded Edition) – John W. James, Russell Friedman

    John was an amazing broadcaster. More thoughts on John's Impact.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    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

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    School of Podcasting

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    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?

    27 July 2026, 4:00 am
  • 29 minutes 38 seconds
    Stop Chasing CPMs: How Community, Feedback, and Newsletters Future‑Proof Your Podcast

    When your CPMs start shrinking and programmatic ads feel like a losing game, it’s easy to wonder if podcasting is still worth it. In this episode, I want to show you a different path—one that doesn’t depend on ad tech behaving itself. I’m going to walk you through why community beats downloads, how smart feedback (like what Jack Rhysider does) can radically improve your show before it ever launches, and how simple tools like newsletters and Podpage can help you build a deeper relationship with your audience so your podcast is future‑proof, no matter what happens to ad rates.

    Don't Take My Word For It

    I heard it from on the Podbiz Show. Hall of Famer Leo Laporte shares a bit of history with ads, and Podfather Adam Curry explains how to future-proof your podcast. Brian Barletta explains how we need to move on from trying to get stats that are not possible, and focus on growing the industry.

    Get Your Head Straight

    I also talk about how I was inspired by writer Talyor Sheridan cold care less about the critics. He write the way he wants to write, about what he wants to write about and now his audience has found him and he is making a killing.

    Get Your Content Straight

    Geddy Lee has been performing in the band Rush for 50+ years and yet he still takes time to evaluate his playing. When we try to market "Meh" content we are wasting our time.

    The Podcast Atlas Report

    Sounds Profitable has released the Podcast Atlas Report which approaches the industry from the creators point of view. Some great insights into clips, newsletters, and more.

    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!

    Takeaways:

    • If you're feeling stuck with your podcast due to falling ad revenues, listen up!
    • Forget chasing ad dollars; focus on building a loyal community that supports your podcasting journey.
    • The real gold in podcasting isn’t just downloads; it’s about creating genuine connections with your listeners.
    • Ads might be declining, but trust me, building a community will make your podcast thrive in the long run.
    • The future of podcasting is all about community and trust, not just numbers on a screen.
    • If you want to grow your podcast, start by picking one simple thing to engage with your audience.

    Also Mentioned:

    Sponsor Magnet Book

    Podpage - Podcast Website Builder

    Ray Arnott Interview - Around the Layout

    Community Resources

    Heartbeat (We use this for the School of Podcasting)

    Circle

    Skool (affordable, simple community)

    Newsletter Tools

    Kit (formerly Convertkit)

    Mailerlite

    Beehiiv

    (and many more)

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    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?

    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

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    School of Podcasting

    20 July 2026, 4:00 am
  • 40 minutes 45 seconds
    How To Deal With Online Trolls

    If you’ve ever thought, ‘I want feedback, but I’m terrified of the internet,’ stay tuned—I’ll show you how to get useful criticism without letting trolls live rent-free in your head.

    Two Types of Feedback

    I’m sharing how I handle trolls, reviews, and feedback—and how you can turn all of that into fuel to grow your show instead of reasons to quit. I’ll walk you through when to ignore, when to engage, and how to build a trusted focus group that helps you make your podcast better without letting anonymous strangers live rent‑free in your head.

    Trolls, Critics and Focus Groups

    I break down the difference between true trolls, genuine critics, and helpful focus groups—and how each one fits (or doesn’t) into your growth as a podcaster. I share real stories about nitpicky typo trolls, cyberbullying from years ago, people who send you two and a half pages of “do a different show,” and how other podcasters are using their audience—and even Snapchat—to get honest, constructive criticism.

    By the end, you’ll see why I say feedback is the “breakfast of champions,” and why your fear of judgment shouldn’t keep your show stuck on your hard drive.

    What You’ll Learn

    Trolls vs. Focus Groups

    • How I define a troll: unsolicited, emotionally charged feedback that’s mostly about getting a reaction.
    • How I define a focus group: people who actually want to help shape and improve your show.
    • Why some “trolls” are really just frustrated fans who want attention.

    Classic Troll Bait Topics

    • The three topics that almost guarantee you’ll attract trolls:
    • Politics
    • News / current events
    • Religion
    • Why I’m okay with pushback when I brush up against these—and why you should expect it if your show leans into them.

    My Rules for Dealing with Trolls

    • Rule #1: Don’t feed the trolls.
    • I talk about why I always try to wait before responding.
    • How I “kill them with kindness” when I choose to reply.
    • Why I often simply say, “Thanks for the feedback,” and move on.
    • How I remind myself that sometimes people are just having a bad day, and I happened to be standing in front of them.

    Turning Feedback into a Tool for Growth

    • The key question I always ask: “Do they have a point?”
    • An example: being told, “You interrupt your guests too much,” and how I go back, listen, and honestly assess if they’re right.
    • How I respond when someone clearly just wants me to do a completely different show than the one I want to make.

    How I Engage Without Losing My Cool

    • Why I sometimes ask, “How could I have done this better?” to separate useful advice from empty criticism.
    • How I ask for evidence or sources in a non-defensive way:
    • “I’m interested in digging into this—can you share a link?”
    • When I’ll share my sources and politely stand my ground.
    • When I decide it’s time to block, report, and move on, especially on platforms like YouTube.

    Knowing My Audience (and My Why)

    • How knowing who my show is for makes it easier to ignore the wrong people.
    • Why I consider the nastiest haters as “not my target audience.”
    • The math I look at: out of hundreds of reviews, only a tiny percentage are negative—but they love to hog my attention if I let them.

    Stories and Examples I Share

    Mark Maron on Trolls as “Frustrated Love”

    • A clip from Mark Maron talking about trolls who keep coming back.
    • How he describes repeat trolls as people who are weirdly in love with you and just want you to get mad so they feel seen.

    The Typo Troll

    • The listener who went absolutely ballistic over typos and sent me 5–6 paragraph rants.
    • How I handled it when the comments got personal.
    • How I eventually “trolled the troll” with humor and kindness and watched him disappear (and reappear…and disappear again).

    Madame Strangeways & Fear of Feedback

    • A conversation with Madame Strangeways who was reluctant to ask for feedback because of a cyberbullying incident 20 years ago.
    • How I encourage her (and you) to start with trusted fans and patrons as a safe focus group.
    • My “too much salt in the bread” analogy: people who love what you’re making will still tell you if something’s off, because they have to consume it.

    Jr. Sparrow & Building a Focus Group

    • How Jr. Sparrow used Snapchat’s Snap Map to find brutally honest listeners.
    • How he turned “this show is crap” comments into a small group that now:
    • Helps him curate which episodes to release.
    • Shapes themes and content months in advance.
    • Why he says you need “skin like Shrek” (thick skin, many layers) if you want to attach dollar signs to your show.

    Using Feedback Before You Publish

    • How experienced podcasters (including me) use feedback on topics, guests, and angles before episodes ever hit the feed.
    • Why I’d rather kill an episode early than spend years promoting something that doesn’t resonate with my audience.

    SnapChat's Snap Map Feature

    Snapchat’s Snap Maps

    https://youtu.be/l4R-wu42gZk?si=BVhAiDeB_Tq6anoO

    Getting Data From Snap Map

    https://youtu.be/qGxblSXvEbU?si=KoeDP8aI32uKvKjS

    My Key Takeaways for You

    • You are already being judged—at Home Depot, in the grocery line, everywhere—so a few online comments shouldn’t paralyze you.
    • A tiny slice of reviews will be negative; they don’t outweigh the huge percentage of people who get value from your show.
    • Feedback is how you get better. You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.
    • Learn to separate:
    • Trolls – don’t feed them, or reply calmly and briefly.
    • Constructive critics – look for the truth in what they’re saying.
    • True fans / focus groups – invite them in and let them help you refine the show.
    • If someone hates your show and clearly isn’t who you’re trying to reach, there’s a simple name for them: not your audience.

    Mentioned in This Episode

    • School of Podcasting – Where I help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast, including listener parties to get safe, constructive feedback.
    • Ask the Podcast Coach – My live call-in/chat show for free podcast consulting.
    • Podpage – Website platform for podcasters (I’m the Head of Podcasting there).
    • Madame Strangeways – True strange stories at madamestrangeways.com.
    • Jr. Sparrow – WVU Uncommon Place – Society and culture in West Virginia.

    Call to Action

    • Tell me what you think:
    • Let me know one thing you love and one thing you’d change about this show at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact or schoolofpodcasting.com/voicemail.
    • Need help with your podcast?
    • If you want a safe place to get honest feedback and improve your show, join me at SchoolOfPodcasting.com and use the coupon code LISTENER for a discount. It comes with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee.

    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

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    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?

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    13 July 2026, 4:00 am
  • 31 minutes 26 seconds
    How Long Should Your Podcast Be? (and where to find the answer)

    Nobody shares a video they didn't watch. Nobody shares a podcast they didn't listen to, so how do we get people to listen? This week we follow up form last week's episode about measuring success without downloads and today I talk about completion percentage in Apple, Spotify, as well as Google Analytics. Josh Liston explains how he and his co-host from the SAKÉ THIS show.

    How Long Should My Podcast Be?

    The stand ard answer is "as long as it needs to be an not a minute longer." However, another way of looking at this is to ask, "How long can you hold someone's attention?"

    You Can See How Far People Listen to Your Show

    The Apple Dashboard: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com

    The Spotify Dashboard: https://creators.spotify.com

    Question of the Month Audio Tools

    Last week I had a ton of replies to the Question of the Month. The issue is some of you have a ton of bass. Some of you are so clear it's almost shrill. Other have lots of background noise. This use to take me FOREVER to deal with until I started using tools from Accentize. I use a tool called DXRevive Pro cleans up the audio. Their Dialogue Enhance helps adjust the tone and remove noise. Then they have a free plugin called DXLevel that adjusts the volume levels (and it's free).

    Takeaways:

    • How Dave thinks about episode length (and why “as long as it needs to be” actually works in practice)
    • How to use Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify for Podcasters to measure completion percentage and attention, not just downloads
    • Why video and YouTube completion rates look so much worse than audio—and how not to let that crush your ego
    • How to use Google Analytics or Fathom to see which episodes and pages really resonate
    • A behind-the-scenes look at the audio tools Dave uses (Accentize DX Revive, Dialog Enhance, and the free DX Level plugin) to make listener submissions sound more consistent
    • An update on the “free version” experiment of the School of Podcasting and why future focus is shifting to live cohort-style classes

    Dave also shares a listener contribution from Josh Liston of the SAKÉ THIS podcast, with two non-download ways he measures success for his Japan-focused comedy show.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    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

    Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting

    Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!) We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks Growing Your Podcast Live Course For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount. These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact

    School of Podcasting

    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

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    6 July 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    How do you measure the success of your podcast that is NOT downloads

    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:

    You Have A Message That Needs to Be Heard

    You have a message that needs to be shared. Discover the art of podcasting at the School of Podcasting. We teach you to shine a light on your stories, inspiring others one episode at a time. Let your voice be your legacy. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

    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: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    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?

    29 June 2026, 4:00 am
  • 35 minutes 41 seconds
    Are You Getting the Most Out of RSS?

    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: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    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?

    22 June 2026, 4:00 am
  • 38 minutes 19 seconds
    Inside Flight Cast: The Video-First Hosting Platform Behind Diary of a CEO

    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


    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


    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: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    15 June 2026, 4:00 am
  • 47 minutes 47 seconds
    The 4 Cs of a Standout Podcast: Clarity, Contrast, Consistency, Character

    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


    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

    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

    Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads

    We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)

    School of Podcasting

    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?

    8 June 2026, 4:00 am
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