Podcasting Morning Chat | Real Podcasters, Real Podcasting Advice

What do Michelle Obama, John Stewart, and the Kelce brothers have in common with our own community? They’re all finalists in this year’s Signal Awards, and so are long-time community members Dominic and Kenda Lawson, who together scored six nominations across three shows. Beyond the awards spotlight, we cover AudioBoom’s $325M creator payout, Apple Podcasts’ quiet rollout of new availability contr...

The countdown to the Empowered Podcasting Conference is on, and Jonathan Howard joins us to share a taste of his presentation on creating an Obsession Worthy Podcast. His opening challenge: stop being boring and predictable. Too many shows fade into the background because they never take risks or show personality. Jonathan reminds us that the podcasts listeners can’t put down are the ones that fee...

One podcaster’s history show is connecting with both parents and kids. But now comes the hard part: should they launch a separate kids’ podcast or add child-friendly episodes to their existing feed? We dig into discovery, audience habits, and the challenge of serving two groups without creating double the work. We share creative ways to test ideas, and we also talk about the importance of listenin...

Steve Burns’ new podcast Alive grabbed attention with a teaser clip, and it got us thinking: what makes some stories stick instantly? We break down why his moment connected, whether audio flaws matter as much as we believe, and why relatability often outweighs production polish. We also highlight a case study from community member Sid, who is testing a website redesign to see if it shifts listener...

YouTube is stepping up with its most powerful features yet, offering podcasters collaboration tools, flexible ads, auto dubbing, and smarter testing options. In this episode, we also look at Apple’s new podcast features, Vimeo’s acquisition by Bending Spoons, and the impact of Amazon teaming up with SiriusXM. Riverside’s latest marketing guide sparks debate on strategy versus burnout, while the ro...

Is copying in podcasting a cardinal sin or a necessary step towards finding your unique voice? Today, we’re plunging into the murky waters of inspiration vs. imitation. We explore how new podcasters can learn from established shows without becoming carbon copies, and when 'borrowing' ideas crosses the line. Featuring a thought-provoking clip from Matt Bliss's 'Rethinking Podcasting...

Why did you start your podcast? Was it for money, passion, or both? Today, we play a TikTok clip from the Okay Sister Pod that lays out three honest tips for launching a show. Their takes sparked a lively debate. Some agreed that podcasting shouldn’t begin with money as the goal, while others argued that it is possible to earn if you approach it with a clear plan and treat it like a business. We a...

Today is a hard day for many. On this September 11th, we pause to honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders who gave everything. And as podcasters, it raises a question: when a day of such magnitude arrives, is it right to step outside your niche and acknowledge it? Today, we wrestle with that tension between staying on brand and honoring history. We ask whether...

YouTube creators are sounding alarms as views mysteriously plummet, with some losing up to 25% overnight. Could it be an algorithm glitch, a crackdown on AI content, or something bigger? We break down what’s happening and what it could mean for podcasters using the platform. In today’s news roundup, we also cover Spotify’s fastest-growing category, Patreon’s new design tools, Daniel J. Lewis’ PodC...

What makes or breaks an interview podcast, the guest or the host? That’s where today’s debate begins. We launch a new segment featuring hot takes from experienced podcasters, starting with a clip from audio engineer Bek Johnson, who insists the focus should stay squarely on the guest. From there, the crew weighs in: Is it better to have a brilliant guest with a bland host, or a dynamic host who ca...

Should you put the word podcast in your podcast title…or does it just make you sound outdated? In this milestone episode of Podcasting Morning Chat (number 365, meaning you could binge us every day for a full year!), the crew digs into two classic branding dilemmas. First up: the long-running debate over whether adding “podcast” to your show’s name is helpful for clarity or just plain cringey. The...

Is your podcast too boring? It’s a question that makes even seasoned hosts squirm, but for beginner and intermediate podcasters, it’s the elephant in the recording studio. Today, we dive headfirst into the uncomfortable truth: most podcasts lose listeners not because of bad audio or lack of guests, but because they’re just plain dull. We break down the subtle signs your show might be putting peopl...

Imagine a Netflix-style platform where you don’t just watch shows, you create new episodes, alternate endings, and even step into the story yourself. That’s the vision behind Fable, an AI company pushing the idea of “playable shows,” and it could change how we think about entertainment. It's podcast news day, so we also dig into YouTube’s new collaboration tools for creators, LinkedIn’s pivot...

If you could only choose one social media platform to promote your podcast, which would it be and why? We debate cases for using Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Substack, and more because each choice sparks stories about reach and helps form closer connections with our communities.  Midway, we flip the script: if you could only monetize your podcast in one way, which path would you choose? W...

Is it ethical to charge podcast guests to “jump the line,” or is it simply a clever way to bring in extra income? That’s the question of the day. The crew weighs in on long release queues, pay-to-play options, and whether this practice feels fair…or a little questionable. Midway through, we pause for a heartfelt moment to celebrate Chris and Amanda, two longtime members of our community. After fiv...

Taylor Swift just broke the internet again, and this time joining her fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason, on their New Heights podcast. At its peak on August 13th, over 1.3 million people tuned in live on YouTube, making it the most-watched podcast episode ever on the platform. The demand was so intense it briefly crashed at the 1:44 mark, and today the episode sits at more than 21 milli...

Would you trust a digital twin to produce all your content for you? Because that is now possible with Hey Gen's new "digital twin" feature. That’s just one of the hot headlines on today’s news day. We also break down Podcast Movement 2025’s headline-making merger with Sounds Profitable and what it means for creators, as well as the latest podcast charts, Google Gemini’s updates, and new AI video t...

Have you ever had an experience that changed the way you show up in the world? One that reignited your passion and reminded you why you care so deeply? Today I return from a 19-day summer break after volunteering at Camp Footprint, a sleepaway camp for kids living with CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth Disease). I served on the programming staff and rediscovered “Little Marc,” the playful, present version...

What’s something about your current podcast that you would like to change? Would you adjust the format, switch up the frequency, or try something completely different? That’s the question that kicks off today’s episode. While Marc is away at Camp Footprint, Sid and the rest of the crew take the lead, steering a lively conversation about private podcasting and why creators are exploring it, and som...

Taylor Swift just shook up the podcasting world…again. While Marc is away at Camp Footprint serving as a counselor, DR and the crew take the wheel to unpack Swift’s surprise reveal of The Life of a Showgirl on Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, the surge in engagement it sparked, and what it means for the Kelce brand. We also look at a new study showing most listeners only make time for three pod...

Google may be forced to give up Chrome, and that’s just the start of today’s headlines. While Marc is away at Camp Footprint DR and the community lead the conversation on podcasting’s most profound news. We cover the $34 billion Chrome bid from Perplexity AI, what users are saying about Chat-GPT5, and the unusual lawsuit pitting Mattel against a podcaster named Ken. Add in Shondaland’s podcast div...

Are you using Spotify for Creators to its full potential? If not, you’re in for a treat. While Marc is away at camp,  podcast producer Chris Stone of The New Statesman joins us to share powerful, lesser-known tools hidden inside the Spotify for Creators platform. Spoiler: you don’t need to host with Spotify to unlock them. Chris reveals his favorite features for boosting engagement, including inte...

When trailblazing AI news drops, we talk about it. Today, Sid Meadows takes the host chair while Marc travels, and we open with the launch of ChatGPT-5. We look at what’s changed, how the update works, and the creative ways people might use its app-building features. The conversation flows into the real highs and lows of content creation.  We share our experiences bringing ideas to life and the ch...

What should you look for when renting a podcast studio? With more studios popping up in big cities, it’s an exciting step, but how do you know what’s worth the money? Today, we break down what to ask before you book, red flags to watch for, and how to tell if a studio offers real value or just fancy lights. We also discuss pricing, gear, camera setups, and what studios often don’t tell you upfront...

Amazon just laid off 110 people at Wondery and is folding parts of it into Audible and Amazon Music. That’s one of the big stories we’re talking about on today’s podcast news day. We also share that Descript dropped new tools that could make your workflow easier, ElevenLabs is getting into AI music with licensing options, and Buzzsprout’s latest numbers give you a better idea of where your show st...