Friendly Podcast Guide: Teaching Women How to Grow a Podcast (Without Burning Out)

I didn’t reach my download numbers goal…and I thought I was embarrassed about it, but I’m actually not. I didn’t take my own advice about goals around download numbers and it shows. In this episode I talk about: How many download numbers I got last month How much money I made as a podcaster  How close I am to my podcast coaching call goal You’ll also hear about the experiments that I tried out las...

Almost HALF of podcast listeners find new shows through YouTube, according to research done by Sounds Profitable. I wanted to take advantage of all of those eyeballs that are using YouTube to find new shows so I’ve been putting my podcast on YouTube for the past two months and I’ve learned a bunch about how to do it. I’ll answer common questions like: Why podcasters should put their podcast on You...

There is so much we can learn from this history podcast with a unique twist. Rachel is one of the creators of the history podcast Don’t Drink the Milk, a podcast that traces the unexpected backstory of everyday things. We talk about the pros and cons of choosing a unique name, bringing variety and fun to tough topics and Rachel gives amazing advice to podcasters at every stage of our podcasting jo...

Creating a community around your podcast can be tricky, but this week’s host has figured it out and shared the secrets to her success. Tehya is the host of the For the Love of History podcast. She has a thriving community of loyal listeners after being in the podcasting game for the past 4 years. In this episode she talks how she helps her listeners feel like friends, her journey to finding a netw...

Are you frustrated because you haven’t made money with your podcast yet? This week I interviewed Monique, the host of Time Traveling Tonya, a kid history podcast. We talked about having a mission for your podcast, writing a kid podcast, the unique ways that your podcast can help you make money, along with other podcasting tips and tricks Topics discussed in this episode include: How to make money...

Learn about the podcast experiments that worked (and didn’t work) for me in September! I’ve been podcasting for 4 years and I am still constantly experimenting and figuring out what works best for me and for my people. I talked about my download numbers for last month, how much money I’ve made this year so far and how many podcast coaching calls I’ve done.  You’ll also hear about the experiments I...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with Meagan, the host of The Search for the Silver Lining, a kid podcast about Isla who wants to become a girl knight for King Arther. During this conversation I tell Meagan that her podcast is one of our favorites at least 3 different times…I wasn’t trying to fan girl, but it just happened. Here's what I learned from my chat with Meagan: - Lean on others, don’t do...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with one of my kids’ all time favorite kid podcast creators. His name is Mr. Jim and he and his team are helping kid podcasts become as popular as YouTube Kids. I didn’t just talk to Mr. Jim, I also got to talk to Steven who is the creative director of Mr. Jim’s company Storybutton, he’s the creative genius behind many of the Storybutton original shows that my kids...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with Alexa Lewis, who is a veteran in the creative space. She and her family have a very successful kid YouTube channel and I can’t wait for you to hear about how the YouTube audience translated to podcast listeners. Table of Contents (0:00) Introducing Alexa and Lively Lewis Stories (0:35) Introducing Alexa (3:48) Using Trello to stay organized (5:48) Having fun w...

Get a peak behind the curtain to see how the Friendly Podcast Guide is doing. You will learn how many downloads I got last month, how much money I've made so far this year and the experiments I'm trying out to improve my show. GIVEAWAY INFO This week I am doing a Giveaway to celebrate Season 2 of the Friendly Podcast Guide! The grand prize winner will get a month's worth of podcast coaching sessio...

Friendly Podcast Guide: Season 2 launches September 3rd! Hi! I’m Andi Smiley, the Friendly Podcast Guide, and I’ve been in the podcasting world for 4 years. I’ve learned so much during that time, but I still don’t know everything. That’s why on my show I talk to podcast hosts I admire about their skills and insights so that you and I can improve our shows in a way that leaves us feeling empowered...

Have you ever tried to get a five year old to sit still and talk into a microphone without touching it?  Let's just say it was an adventure getting my daughter, Clara, to do this interview with me. She desperately wanted to be like her brother and have her own episode where she got to talk about her favorite podcasts. Enjoy these excellent podcast recommendations from my five year old! Links from...

This month has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. Introducing you to so many amazing people in the ALS community as part of ALS Awareness Month has been so much fun, but I've also been fiercely missing my brother Ryan, who died from ALS last June.  To cap off a month full of inspiring people, I'm excited to introduce you to Lorri, the host of the podcast, I'm Dying to Tell You. She h...

Erin is a fellow podcast lover who I found on Instagram.  She has a special place in my heart because she has ALS and she is in her twenties. This is just like my brother, Ryan, who Also diagnosed with ALS in his twenties. I knew that I had to have her on my show to talk about some of her favorite podcasts.  This month all of my episodes are centered around the ALS community. It has been so much f...

May is ALS Awareness Month. If you aren't sure what ALS is, it's a disease that attacks cells in the body that control movement. It's a neurodegenerative disease, meaning cells of the nervous system die over time during someone's ALS journey. It's an absolutely devastating disease with no cure. My brother, Ryan passed away from ALS a year ago next month, and I'm determined to help bring more aware...

For the month of May, which is ALS Awareness Month, I'm dedicating all of the Friendly Podcast Guide episodes to helping raise awareness of ALS and the amazing people in this community such as the I AM ALS organization.  Almost a year ago, my brother passed away from complications with ALS.  Before Ryan was diagnosed, I had a vague knowledge of what ALS is, but that was it. I didn't know that ther...

 I have a very special guest on the podcast today. My son Danny is going to talk about his current favorite podcasts and give kid podcast recommendations. He was a natural with a microphone and it was so much fun hearing about podcasts he enjoys in a longer conversation than we usually have about them. I hope that you can find one of these kid podcasts is one that your kids will enjoy too! Links f...

 Do your kids listen to other people's advice way better than they listen to your advice? Mine too. This week's episode is all about a kid podcast that shines a light on awesome kids who are doing inspiring things. It can help your kids learn how they can do awesome things too. It's called The Lil' Leaders Podcast and my kids really enjoy it because they love hearing other kids' voices on their po...

As the weather gets warmer, the itch to travel gets stronger. Sometimes we don't have the capacity, funds, or time off to scratch that itch. Here's some travel podcasts that can help you dream, plan, and save up for your next amazing adventure. Links from this Episode: Podcast Guide View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website  

Between Scott, my partner, and I, Scott is definitely more of a foodie. When I found Gastropod, I realized that while my palate isn't as refined as Scott's, I do love to learn about the history and science behind food. Gastropod feels like the podcast equivalent of eating comfort food. I hope you enjoy learning food science in a fun way as much as I do!  Links from this episode: Kid Podcast Guide...

We are in the middle of spring break season, and I know many of you are most likely traveling in some form or fashion. I wanted to give you some kid podcasts you can use to entertain your kids on a road trip to help it go a bit smoother. I hope you find a new favorite kids podcast from this episode! Links from this Episode: Guide to Kid Podcasts View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podc...

How many times a day do you get asked the question, why or how? Let's just say at my house, if I got a nickel for every time my kiddos asked me a question, I had to Google, I would have a lot of nickels. This week's kid podcast is for all those curious kids out there. It's called DRAC. It's about a vampire who doesn't thirst for blood, but for knowledge and this storytelling podcast is one your ki...

It's no secret that I love kid podcasts, they have seriously changed my life as a mom! When I found out that there are apps dedicated to kid podcasts, I knew I needed to find out more. That is how I found Rachel Lacey, who is one of the co-founders of the kid podcast app, KidsPod.  She is one of my favorite kid podcast experts, which is why I wanted to get some kid podcast recommendations from her...

Not many people know this about me, but I am a family history enthusiast. The only party I throw every year, besides my kids birthday parties, is a Dia de los Muertos party, where we all get together and talk about our ancestors. We also eat really good food that is all of our ancestors' favorites. When I found a podcast all about family history and learning about people's stories, I knew that I h...

As we dive headfirst into March, you can enjoy listening to these Irish podcasts while you celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year. I absolutely love listening to Irish people's accents and I know that you will too! Links from this Episode: Podcast Checklist View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website