Podcast Cafe: Insights from Podcasters for Podcasters

She almost quit her podcast after years of slow growth. Then she gave it one last year, brought in expert help, and 8×’d her downloads. Now? She’s ranked #2 in her category, has 400+ episodes under her belt—and her podcast is finally bringing in high-ticket clients. If you’ve been wondering whether your show is worth investing in… this episode will inspire you to take the leap. Laura Mixon Camacho...

In this episode I’m joined by longtime indie podcaster Bubbawheat, who has been podcasting since 2012 and is a brilliant example of what it means to stay consistent, go niche, and keep creating for the love of it. Bubbawheat shares how he got started with a superhero movie blog ( Flights, Tights, and Movie Nights ), which evolved into several podcasts, including  FilmWhys ,  It’s Time to Rewind ,...

Your podcast doesn’t have to fit in a box—and that’s a good thing. If you’ve ever held yourself back because your idea didn’t feel “niche enough,” or "no one has done this before" this one’s for you. Whether you’re multi-passionate, pivoting, or still figuring it out, this episode will shift your mindset and help you get clarity without boxing yourself in.   Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: App...

What if your podcast could build your business before you even have an offer? In this episode of  Podcast Cafe, I’m joined by Christi Johnson, business coach and host of The Dream Biz Podcast, to talk about how starting her show helped her find clarity, build authority, and ultimately launch a sustainable coaching business. What began as a passion project during the pandemic turned into the traini...

You do not have to wait until your offer is perfect or your business is fully built to launch your podcast. In fact, starting before you feel “ready” might be the smartest move you can make. In this quick Espresso Shot episode of Podcast Café, I’m breaking down why podcasting as you grow—not after—can help you build credibility, clarify your message, and attract your dream clients. If you’ve been...

Do you feel like everything needs to be  perfect  before you launch your podcast? In this episode of  Podcast Café , I’m joined by Fernanda Bertrand—life coach, speaker, and host of  The Highest Self Project —for a conversation that will encourage you to stop overthinking and just start. Fernanda shares how she launched her podcast from her car with a $20 mic, and why letting go of perfectionism h...

We’re officially halfway through 2025—and now is the perfect time to take a step back and plan the rest of your podcasting year with clarity and intention. In this quick Espresso Shot episode, I’m walking you through how to map out your podcast strategy so it actually aligns with your goals  and  your life. Whether you want to grow your audience, sell your offer, or simply stay consistent while ju...

Does showing up on stage, on camera, or behind the mic make your heart race? You're not alone—and this episode is for you. Host Hayleigh Hayhurst sits down with Linda Ugelow, the brilliant mind behind Delight in the Limelight, to explore how to overcome the fear of being seen and heard. Linda shares her powerful personal story of pushing past public speaking anxiety, unpacking childhood condit...

Most podcasters treat their show like a never-ending task on their to-do list. But what if your podcast could be the most powerful asset in your business? If you want your show to drive leads, build authority, and scale your brand—it’s time to think bigger.   Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us:  ⁠⁠https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44⁠⁠ Steal my...

Welcome back to the Podcast Café! Today, I’m joined by lifestyle blogger and podcast host and my client, Betsy —creator of The Bets Life—to chat about turning personal storytelling into a meaningful brand, growing a podcast through community, and staying consistent by doing things your way. Betsy launched her blog in 2020 and added a podcast to her brand in 2022, which Espresso Podcast Production...

Welcome back to the Podcast Café! In this Espresso Shot episode, we’re diving into one of the most common questions I get from clients and listeners alike: How long should your podcast episodes be? The short answer? It depends. But in this episode, I’m giving you a clear framework to help you decide what length works best based on your audience, content style, and goals. Whether you’re creating bi...

What if your lack of self-trust is the very thing holding you back from launching—or growing—your podcast? In this episode, Dawn Ledet, the host of The Self Trust Solution podcast, joins me to explore the connection between self-trust, personal growth, and podcasting success. Dawn shares how her own wake-up call led to a life dedicated to helping others build self-trust, and how that translates di...

Think you need a sales page, a funnel, and a polished offer to launch something new? Not quite. In this quick Espresso Shot episode, I share why your podcast is actually the  best  place to test new concepts—before investing time or money into building them out. Whether you’re considering a new offer, a shift in your niche, or a fresh content framework, your podcast can give you real-time data, au...

What if the secret to building confidence, connection, and community was just hitting “record”? This week on Podcast Café, I’m joined by business mentor, serial entrepreneur, and podcast host Katy of  #ActuallyICan.  Katy's journey into podcasting didn’t start as a marketing strategy — it started as a way to share truth, connection, and the real stories that often get left off the highlight re...

What if the thing holding you back from launching your podcast is the exact reason you need to start it now? In this episode of Espresso Shot, I’m busting the myth that you need a perfectly clear niche, flawless branding, or the “right” plan before you hit publish. The truth? Clarity comes from action — and messy beginnings often lead to the most meaningful transformations. Whether you're stil...

What if the key to building real influence and business connections wasn’t coffee meetings, but a microphone? That’s exactly what happened for today’s guest, Angela Duncan. On this episode of Podcast Café, I’m sitting down with Angela, host of Empower Her Money Podcast, to talk about how she used podcasting as a powerful tool to network, grow her brand, and empower women around money and business....

If you knew that podcasting could change your business before you ever hit record… would you still be waiting to start? In this Espresso Shot episode, I’m breaking down the real ways podcasting builds trust, boosts visibility, and gets you in rooms you never thought you’d be in. From landing dream clients to creating relationships with industry leaders — podcasting isn’t just a content platform… i...

Is your podcast helping your business scale—or is it just another item on your to-do list? In this episode , I sit down with Emma Tessler, founder of Ninty Five Media and host of Stop Scrolling, Start Scaling, to talk about how she uses social media strategy and short-form content to grow her podcast, business, and client base. We’re getting real about episode formats, content marketing, and the m...

If you're putting out consistent podcast episodes and still not seeing sales… it's not your content that's the problem—it's your funnel. Let’s fix that. In this Espresso Shot episode, I’m breaking down the real reason your podcast isn’t converting. After 7 years in the podcast industry, I’ve seen this mistake made again and again—even by experienced business owners. Your podcast isn’t failing… you...

Are your podcast episodes getting lost in the feed? If you're not using SEO to promote your podcast, you might be missing out on major visibility—and potential clients. In this episode of  Podcast Café , I’m joined by Samantha Hawrylack of SJ Digital Solutions to talk all about how SEO can take your podcast from buried to binge-worthy.   Whether you're naming your episodes, writing show notes, or...

Welcome to the Espresso Shot series — your weekly dose of actionable podcasting strategy in 15 minutes or less! In this debut mini-episode of Podcast Café, we are talking about the three podcast metrics you should be tracking if you want real growth (not just vanity downloads). Whether you’re just starting your podcast or trying to scale it as a business owner, these are the numbers that actually...

Does your podcast branding actually match your business? In this episode, I sit down with brand strategist and designer Bethany McCamish to talk all things podcast branding—why it matters more than you think, and how you can create an unforgettable visual identity that supports your growth. From choosing the right color palette to designing scroll-stopping cover art, Bethany shares insider tips fo...

What if the most powerful business growth tool wasn’t flashy ads or viral reels—but raw, unfiltered conversations behind a mic? Jess Martin shares how her podcast  Abundant + Aligned  became the backbone of her brand, helping her build community, sell with ease, and scale a freedom-filled business—starting from her iPhone. We talk about her evolution from lawyer to mindset coach, and how her podca...

You’ve probably heard that a podcast can build your brand, grow your audience, and convert leads into clients—but how do you actually make that happen? In this episode, I speak with my business coach, Kate Perkovic. She breaks down how she launched the Ambitious Podcast, which not only builds deep trust with her audience but also brings in high-ticket sales—we are talking about $150k in just 6 epi...

Your podcast should be growing your business—but is it actually working for you? If you’re putting in the work to create a podcast, you want results. And if you’re not auditing your podcast every quarter, you could be leaving growth on the table. In this episode, I’m breaking down the four key elements you need to audit every quarter to make sure your podcast is aligned with your business goals an...