Podcasting Morning Chat | Real Podcasters, Real Podcasting Advice

Did you know only half of the top 250 podcasts post full episodes on YouTube? Its news day and we’re talking about the latest platform trends, chart rankings, and tools changing how we podcast. This includes Google's new AI features and the Rabbit Intern assistant. Plus, we touch on use cases for the Rabbit R1,  thumbnail tips, and wrap with the heartwarming story of 90-year-olds starting a podcas...

It’s April Fool's Day, but this is no joke. I’m in the hot seat today! We kick off with a behind-the-scenes look at my recent “Top 50 Over 50” award, including how I found out and how it felt to give my acceptance speech. Then we unpack a listener mailbag question about how we go about recording our podcast intros. We share our various thoughts on teasers vs intros, best practices, and how critica...

When the cat’s away, the mice will play, and that’s just what happens today! With Marc out, longtime contributors Sid and Billy lead a fun-filled takeover episode. We kick things off by celebrating Marc’s “Top 50 Over 50” podcast win and share our ways to mark a big achievement. From there, we offer “wrong answers only” advice for new podcasters, then wrap it up with a round of overrated or underr...

I was recently nominated for the 50 Over 50 Podcast Awards, and to get in the spirit, I'm bringing out the Wheel of Topics and invite our community to play along with some fun hypothetical questions about winning podcast awards. What skill would you win an award for even if it’s totally made up? Who plays the best supporting role in your podcasting journey? And what episode would you choose to rep...

OpenAI’s new image generator is here, and it’s made major improvements! We talk about how GPT-4o now creates cleaner images, realistic hands, and even gets text right most of the time. We also dig into a new poll trying to name the top 100 podcasts of all time and share our picks. Then we explore which celebrity podcasts are most popular by state (some results surprised us!). Finally, we question...

 It’s a loaded news day, and we’ve got the highlights ready for you! YouTube may be testing dynamic ads and we’ve got questions. What could this mean for creators? How might it compete with traditional podcast ad tools? We also dig into  Podcasting 2.0’s latest features and some factors for what may be holding it back. We also share a round-up of upcoming virtual and in-person events you should kn...

Have you tried Buzzsprout’s new fan mail feature yet? It lets your listeners text you directly, making it easier than ever to build real connections with your audience. Inspired by a mailbag question on how to take advantage of this feature, we kick things off with a conversation about how to use this tool AND OTHER TOOLS to boost engagement. From there, we explore creative ways to elevate your vi...

If you're feeling stretched thin, pulled in too many directions, or teetering on the edge of podfade, this one's for you. Today we talked boundaries—not just the buzzword kind, but the kind that can protect your time, energy, creativity, and podcasting! I opened the show inspired by a conversation I had over the weekend with co-host, DR Fay about setting boundaries with clients. Her story was incr...

In this episode, I opened up a conversation about how we can keep podcasting fun—not because it’s hard, but because it should be fun. We talked about breaking routines, trying new creative projects, and giving ourselves permission to explore, pause, or even switch directions with intention. From community wins to personal stories, it was a powerful reminder that podcasting is more than being consi...

How does a community find the strength to rebuild after an unimaginable disaster? In this special ‘ Podcasthon ’ episode, I’m joined by my guest Marilyn Ball who shares the resilience of Asheville, North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene , celebrating a city whose history, culture, and unbreakable spirit refuse to be washed away. Together, we reflect on personal stories of devastation and...

It’s a big news day in the podcasting world! In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the latest headlines, including: [03:36] Who’s topping the podcast charts? – Apple & Spotify’s latest #1 shows [10:42] Podcasting events & industry meetups – Upcoming networking and learning opportunities [14:12] Gen Z’s podcast preferences – Do younger audiences really prefer video, or is audio still king...

Curious about the best tools for creating a podcast? Today, we’re breaking down the tech stacks our community uses. We talk about everything from recording software and editing tools to hosting platforms. We share what works, what doesn’t, and how our setups have evolved over time. If you’re new to podcasting, don’t worry! This episode is an inside look at how podcasters choose their tools and why...

What was the moment you knew you were a podcaster? Was it your first episode? Your first listener? Or the moment someone asked for your advice? Today, we’re reflecting on the milestones that made us feel like real podcasters. Then, inspired by a question from a Facebook group, we shift to an in-depth conversation about podcast growth what’s realistic, and how to stay motivated when downloads feel...

If you had to follow ONE golden rule for podcasters, what would it be? Today, we share our ideas for the one rule we believe every podcaster should follow. We cover several opinions provided by, long-time podcasters. Plus, to wrap up the week, we share wins and celebrate each other’s progress. Episode Highlights:  [4:46] Debating the Golden Rule of Podcasting [5:27]  Active Listening in Interviews...

Are you showing up entirely as yourself on your podcast or are you holding back? Today, we tackle a question from listener Izzy, who’s ready to shed the ‘professional filter’ and embrace her unapologetic self behind the mic. But how do you break through hesitation and show up in a more genuine way without alienating your audience? Today we explore why podcasters hold back, how authenticity impacts...

YouTube defines podcasting as “listenable content that’s video-optional,” but what does that really mean for creators? It’s news day, and today we’re bringing you many headlines, including  YouTube’s changing role concerning podcasting, new research from Edison revealing where most listeners tune in, and an AI tool that can separate overlapping voices in audio recordings. We also discuss whether p...

Have you been trying to monetize your podcast? You’ve put in the work, and you’ve gained a small, respectable following, but now you feel like it is time to start turning your efforts into compensation.  But how do you start connecting with brands that align with your podcast’s mission statement? After a couple of questions from the community, the Empowered Podcasting team digs in and shares strat...

One of the best things about the Empowered Podcasting Community is when our members get the chance to meet face-to-face. That’s exactly what happened this past weekend when several of our community members gathered in Detroit, Michigan. The meetup was filled with laughter, long hugs, and the realization that the people we connect with online are often just as genuine in real life. Not all of us we...

Podcasting isn’t solely about hitting the record button. It’s full of unexpected life lessons as well.  After a day of frustrating tech setbacks, I was reminded of the importance of patience and reaching out for support. This reminder sparked today’s topic which led to an insightful discussion centered around the lessons we have learned from our podcasting journeys. To wrap up the  week, we reflec...

Have you ever considered charging guests to be on your podcast? It’s a bold monetization strategy that’s gaining attention! Today, we’re excited to welcome Victoria Meyer, host of The Chemical Show, to share her journey of shifting from traditional sponsorships to treating her podcast as a media company with a business mindset. In our conversation, Victoria will discuss the advantages of this appr...

Since you’ve been on your podcast journey, have you ever found yourself in the situation where you are on the home stretch, the recording has been done, and the final edits have been made, but you just can’t bring yourself to publish the episode? What emotion is behind that resistance? This is a place even podcast professionals find themselves in, and today, our community steps up to the plate to...

Is video podcasting really the key to discoverability, or is it just another myth? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest, ongoing debates in podcasting: Do you need to be on YouTube and Spotify (video) to succeed? I’m joined once again by PMC co-host and podcast producer Matthew Bliss to unpack the realities of video podcasting, workflow sustainability, and the role mindset plays i...

Have you ever had an intriguing interview, only to wonder during editing if the episode might be too long for your listeners? Will your audience stay engaged, or will they tune out? If you release the episode in multiple parts, will they come back to hear the continuation? This topic was inspired by a question from the mailbag, and we’re weighing the pros and cons of splitting long episodes into m...

Have you ever thought about what you want to leave behind when you leave this planet? How do you want people to remember you? How would you describe the legacy you want to leave behind? Today, we are reflecting on our legacies and the impact we make every day. Earlier this week, the Podfest community suffered the tragic loss of fellow creator Neil Gallarte. He was so much more than a creator, he w...

What would you do if someone repurposed your content without permission? Would you be flattered or offended? This recently happened to me when a video editor on LinkedIn repurposed a recent clip of mine, tagged me and the guest, and didn’t bother to ask my permission. This led me to wonder how the community would react in this situation, which leads to a rich conversation with many perspectives. W...