The Podcast Podcast from TruStory FM

You're an advertiser. You have a product—let’s say it’s a meal kit delivery service. You want people to buy it. But how do you reach them? Do you shotgun-blast your ad across an entire podcast network, hoping someone, somewhere, might be hungry enough to care? Or do you surgically insert it into one specific podcast, where the audience is already primed to purchase things at 2 AM? According to the...

Imagine a social media landscape where you own your content, not some tech overlord. A place where links aren't suppressed, and algorithms don't dictate what you see. Sounds like a utopian dream... or is it Bluesky? Pete Wright and Andy Nelson fly into the wide world of Blue Sky, the decentralized social media platform that's got some creators buzzing. Is it just another flash in the pan, or does...

In 2025, where do podcasts live? In your ears? On your screens? In the untamed wilderness of AI-assisted creativity? Pete Wright and Andy Nelson do their best to untangle the web of modern podcasting—a world where AI tools can both dazzle and baffle, where success is measured in engagement rather than downloads, and where communities spring to life in unexpected places. The future of podcasting is...

Pete and Andy explore the peculiar intimacy of podcasting, a medium where listeners forge surprisingly strong bonds with hosts. They dissect the "podfluencer" phenomenon, examining the authenticity and responsibility that comes with this unusual form of influence.  From unexpected conference encounters to the strategic use of online communities and listener engagement, they delve into the mechanic...

Hey ho, podcasters! We’re back, talking about Apple's big push for binge-worthy narrative podcast series. Are you into it? And in the grand ol’ spirit of podcast follow-up, we dive back into analytics with John Spurlock, the creator of OP3 (Open Podcast Prefix Project). John explains why he created OP3, how it works, and why open podcast data is so important. He addresses the privacy concerns some...

Ever feel like the digital ground beneath your feet is suddenly shifting? Pete and Andy delve into the murky world of podcast analytics, specifically grappling with the impending demise of Chartable, a once-reliable tracking service swallowed by the Spotify behemoth. They dissect the implications for podcasters, from the practicalities of migrating data to the philosophical questions of open vs. c...

First up this week, Pete and Andy take on ultra-podcasting—long, LONG-form episodes—and the people who love them. Then, they shift gears to discuss Google's intriguing, yet uncanny, AI experiment, NotebookLM, which uses artificial intelligence to transform research notes into simulated podcast discussions. Finally, Apple's surprising decision to launch a web-based version of Apple Podcasts, making...

The data is coming in, and it looks like general enthusiasm is up about the podcasting business after a few years of grey skies. And Apple's decided to turn the screws on Patreon. We have thoughts. Podcasts Start to Grow Again After a Period of Financial and Legal Struggles - Bloomberg More people than ever are listening to podcasts | Nieman Journalism Lab Where Will Apple’s Next Round of Services...

In this episode of "The Podcast Podcast," Andy Nelson and Pete Wright take listeners on a journey through the world of summertime podcasting. They explore the impact of the Paris Olympics on podcast downloads, wondering if listeners are sneaking in episodes between events or saving their favorite shows for a post-Olympic binge. The duo also dives into the latest Libsyn report on CPM rates , discus...

This week we take a deep dive into the world of podcast advertising! First, a trip down memory lane. We’ve been doing this a long time and though it might help by recounting just a bit of history for context, from early affiliate partnerships to CPM advertising and dynamically inserted ads. We discuss the pros and cons of these different approaches and how they've shaped our strategy over time. Ne...

We hear all about the TikTok generation. But, you know, there are others out there and they are consuming content just like those in the spotlight. We just have to know where to find them.  In this episode of Podcast Podcast, hosts Pete Wright and Andy Nelson dive into the often-overlooked world of older podcast listeners. Inspired by a surprising comparison between Tom Cruise and Wilford Brimley,...

In this bite-sized episode of The Podcast Podcast, Pete and Andy dive into the world of podcast subscriptions and memberships. They discuss the differences between Apple's subscription model and running your own membership program using a third-party service like Memberful. Pete explains that Apple's subscription service is easy to use but comes with limitations, such as being exclusive to the App...

In this episode of the Podcast Podcast, hosts Pete Wright and Andy Nelson challenge the conventional wisdom that bigger is always better when it comes to podcast audiences. They argue that focusing too much on massive download numbers can cause you to overlook the immense value and potential of smaller, more engaged listener communities. As you'll hear, having a niche topic and a highly committed...

Picking the right mic is one thing. But how do you keep your scripts and research and back-end episode history in proper order? Andy and Pete share a little about the TruStory process. Links & Notes Coda.io Transistor FM Obsidian Synology Backblaze for Business

Podcasting is evolving, and industry leaders gathered at the recent Hot Pod Summit to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Ira Glass of This American Life shared his experience with the iOS 17 update—because even Ira Glass noticed the iOS 17 update—which caused a significant drop in downloads most of us. The impact has been felt by podcasters across the board, forcing them to r...

In this episode of The Podcast Podcast, Pete Wright and Andy Nelson catch up on using AI for automatic transcription of episodes, YouTube becoming a bigger player in the podcasting world, updates from Apple's recent podcasting event, and finding one's unique podcasting voice. The big follow-up is that Transistor—the host of all the podcasts of TruStory FM—has released AI transcription into the pla...

This week, we’re checking in on how artificial intelligence is transforming our podcast production workflow. We know concerns about AI abound. But we aim to thoughtfully explore how — when used judiciously — AI tools can help us work more efficiently without compromising quality or our own creative voices. Transcribing remains an area where AI still falls short in our view, though it's rapidly imp...

The podcast world is abuzz with change. This week, we’re talking directories and show shuffles as we head into a consolidating future. Directory Shuffle It's true, some of our beloved podcast apps are saying goodbye. But don't despair! Big platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple are stepping up to fill the void. So, while you may have to adjust your listening habits a bit, your favorite shows w...