Podcast Cafe: Insights from Podcasters for Podcasters

This is a live recording from Podcasters NW, the largest networking group for podcasters in Seattle. About this episode: A journalist who never sends questions in advance. A memoirist who reads your entire book before she'll talk to you. And me, who shows up with curiosity and basically no prep because I'm also producing 25 other shows. I put these three approaches in a room together on pu...

This week I'm bringing you part one of a two-part conversation, recorded live in Boise at Kit's Craft + Commerce conference. I sat down with my business bestie Jillian Minter, a business and money coach, to break down our biggest takeaways from the weekend. Listen to part 2 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quantum-wealth-money-mindset-manifestation-business/id1871569964?i=100077...

Most podcasters treat their online presence like an afterthought—a Linktree here, a Spotify link there. But if you're serious about growing your podcast, you need more than a wall of links. You need a website that actually tells your story, showcases your episodes, and opens doors to monetization. In this episode, I sit down with Jamie, the founder of Julip, to talk about why podcasters need a...

Want to start a podcast but worried your niche is too crowded? In this episode of the Podcast Café, I interview Brandee Hommerding, host of the Healthy Buzz Podcast, about how to stand out in the competitive wellness podcasting space. If you're wondering how to launch a podcast when there are already shows in your industry, this conversation will change your perspective. Brandee shares her jou...

This episode is different from every other Podcast Cafe episode because it's the live recording from the very first Podcasters NW event held on May 18th in Seattle. After six years of podcasting in the Pacific Northwest, I realized I didn't know many podcasters here, so I created the only dedicated space for podcasters to connect in person. I call it Podcasters NW. In this special recording, you'l...

Don't neglect your podcast branding! In this episode of the Podcast Café, I sit down with Morgan Specht, host of the Six Figure Brand podcast and agency owner, to discuss what it really takes to create a strategically branded podcast. We talk about what it looks like to build a 6 figure brand, why she trademarked her podcast, the difference between branding and brand strategy, why you shouldn&...

The real growth from podcasting isn’t what you see on the surface. Katherine Phillips is almost one year into her podcasting journey—and what started as a simple idea has grown into something much bigger. In this episode, she shares the real behind-the-scenes of launching Faithful Flourish, a podcast created for Orthodox Christian women navigating modern life. From figuring out her voice to buildi...

What happens when you approach podcasting like a business asset instead of just a creative project? Angel rebuilt from a $7 month to creating award-winning podcast brands—and eventually selling one. In this episode of the Podcast Café, Anjel shares her unique journey of starting, growing, and selling her first podcast, Men on Purpose. Whether monetization is your goal or not, her strategic approac...

Ever wonder what podcasting looks like through fresh, unfiltered eyes? In this episode, I'm sharing my experience teaching fifth graders about podcasting during career day—and the surprisingly valuable lessons they taught me in return. Last week, I had the honor of introducing podcasting to four classes of fourth and fifth graders at a local elementary school. Armed with my Canva presentation...

If you've ever wondered what it takes to run a local news podcast, or any podcast that carries real responsibility, this conversation is for you. This week, I'm sitting down with Brian Callanan, host of Seattle News Views and Brews, a podcast that's been delivering weekly updates on Seattle's civic and political landscape for seven years. Brian brings over 30 years of journalism ex...

Before you invest in the mic, book the guests, or design the logo... pause. There are five questions worth asking that will save you time, energy, and help you create something you can actually sustain. In this solo episode, I'm walking you through the questions I wish someone had asked me before I launched my first podcast. These aren't meant to scare you away—they're meant to set you...

What happens when two podcast producers sit down to talk shop? You get an honest conversation about what it really takes to run a podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by Chris Creary, host of The Faith Fight Podcast and I Made a Podcast, and founder of Podcast Production Lab. We dive into the realities of podcast editing, using AI tools like ChatGPT for show notes, creating clips with Headliner an...

Before podcasting became my career, it was something I experimented with in college. In this episode, I’m sitting down with one of the professors who helped shape that journey and who now teaches podcasting at UNLV. Podcasting has changed a lot over the past decade, and now universities are starting to teach it. In this episode of Podcast Café, I’m sitting down with Dave Nourse, a professor at the...

Most podcasts rely on ads, sponsorships, or selling something on the backend. But what if the podcast itself was the product? In this episode of Podcast Café, I sit down with Ellen Yin, host of the Cubicle to CEO podcast, to talk about a monetization strategy most podcasters haven’t seriously considered yet: a premium podcast subscription. After nearly 7 years of publishing free content and over 4...

How do you share your story in a way that actually helps people instead of just trauma dumping? In this episode of Podcast Café, I’m sitting down with Joe Smarro, a TEDx speaker, author, former police officer, Marine combat veteran, and podcast host — to talk about storytelling, mental health, public speaking, and how podcasting can become a powerful platform for connection and impact. Joe shares...

What if your podcast prep included crystal grids, meditation, and planetary alignment? That's not woo-woo—that's intentional podcasting. In this episode, I sit down with Julia, host of The Sacred Travel Podcast, to explore how she brings presence, ritual, and deep intention into every episode she creates. Julia's show redefines travel as a spiritual practice, guiding listeners through...

If you're only publishing your podcast episodes without repurposing them, you're missing out on the best parts of podcasting. In this Espresso Shot episode, I am breaking down exactly why repurposing matters and shares simple, actionable strategies to get more ears on your show—without overwhelming yourself. Publishing your episode is just the beginning. What happens  after  you hit publish is whe...

What does it take to launch a podcast and reach the top 5% within just 12 days? Tracy Beaver, host of  Create Online Business Success , shares her exact pre-launch strategy, why she waited years to start (and what finally pushed her to launch), and how organic marketing beats paid ads every single time. Whether you're thinking about starting a podcast, growing your online business, or wonderin...

“Is podcasting dead?” It’s a question I’ve been getting a lot lately, especially after Jenna Kutcher announced she’s stepping away from her podcast. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening in podcasting in 2026 using real industry patterns, listener behavior, and what I see every day working behind the scenes with podcasts that convert (and ones that quietly disappear). T...

Is your podcast collecting digital dust? In this episode of I’m joined by  Dana Bahr , host of  The Unapologetic Pinner Podcast , to talk about how Pinterest can extend the life of your podcast episodes and help your content stay discoverable for months (and even years).Dana shares why she chose a short-form podcast format, how she uses Pinterest as a long-term visibility strategy instead of a vir...

Your podcast doesn’t need more downloads, it needs direction. PS - I got a new mic.. very exciting I hope you enjoy! Okay, back to the show notes.. you could have 10 listeners or 1 million, but if you’re not telling people where to go next, your podcast won’t convert listeners into clients. In this Espresso Shot episode of Podcast Café, we’re breaking down exactly how to turn your podcast into a c...

If you’ve ever thought “Who cares what I have to say?”—this episode will change how you think about your voice, your message, and why your podcast matters. In this episode I’m sitting down with Holly Eckelberge, a sexual educator, curriculum designer, and reproductive justice advocate (with 15+ years of experience) and the host of Meet Me at the Spot—a podcast making sex education and reproductive...

January is when everyone feels inspired to finally launch a podcast, revive an old one, or commit to being “the next big podcaster.” And honestly? I love that energy. After seven years as a podcast producer, this is one of my favorite times of year. But here’s the truth I see every single year: that motivation fades. People launch and stop after a few episodes. Others talk about starting and never...

Podcast SEO sometimes seems like a mysterious thing.. and today, were talking all about it. Kara from The Kara Report breaks down how podcasting fits into an SEO-first marketing strategy, without turning your business into a constant content machine. She shares how she went from destination wedding planning to building an agency offering done-for-you blogging and PR services, and why she launched...

Consistency gets easier when your podcast plan supports your real life, not an imaginary one. I am sitting down with Abigail, host of Beyoutiful Legacy to talk about building a mission-driven podcast through community, honest storytelling, and sustainable systems. Abigail shares how she started her show quickly after friends encouraged her, and how it evolved into a guest-forward format with a lon...