Your Mic

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl If you’re tired of gurus and hype, you’re not alone. On Be Amazing You, Lolita and I get real about building a show, why you probably have everything you need alread...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl Speke Podcasting brings you a jet-fueled holiday special with Britney Crosson from Fun Love Media, dropping the secrets combos of social media and podcasting during...

Speke Podcasting brings you a jet-fueled holiday special with Britney Crosson from Fun Love Media, dropping the secrets combos of social media and podcasting during the holiday season. If you dread marketing or want to ride the festive wave, Britney and Freddy break down omnipresence, platform picks, and why recycling content is pure genius. This chat shows how midlife podcasters and business owne...

When the job market closed its doors, Freddy Cruz opened a new one. His path from morning radio to founder of Speke Podcasting started with hundreds of rejections and ended up reshaping Houston’s entrepreneurial podcast scene. Integrity Bank co-founders Hazem Ahmed and Mack Neff, who also host Banking on Integrity, walk through Freddy’s personal and professional pivots, authenticity in business, a...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl It’s time for a no-apologies pep talk from the founder of Speke Podcasting. Freddy Cruz gets real about editing, perfection, and why chasing that seamless sound is o...

It’s time for a no-apologies pep talk from the founder of Speke Podcasting. Freddy gets real about editing, perfection, and why chasing that seamless sound is overrated. If you’ve ever agonized about every “um,” “ah,” or background bark, this episode hands you permission to care about the message more than the pixel-perfect audio. He demystifies what listeners truly notice, helps you make kinder e...

Every new podcaster faces the reality of holiday listenership dips, but Freddy Cruz transforms this seasonal curveball into a power move. Expect a direct line on testing bolder formats and rethinking your approach when everyone else disappears for family and festivities. The guidance here is all about owning your choices, setting expectations with your audience, and emerging stronger for the new y...

Audio quality is everything. When you drop a podcast or step up as a guest, the way you sound says plenty about your show before you ever say a word. A solid mic isn’t just a luxury. It’s a signal that you know what you’re doing, that you respect yourself, and that you respect the folks giving you their time. A hundred bucks on a quality microphone is enough to help you stand out in a sea of backg...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl Pop star Anna Storm joins the pod to share powerful lessons on confidence, creativity, and perseverance. A creator at heart, Anna dives into the importance of rememb...

Podcasts lose steam when consistency slips and priorities shift. In this episode, Freddy Cruz breaks down how pod fade happens and why batch recording is key for keeping your show alive. Scheduling dedicated recording blocks helps hosts maintain regular episodes and momentum, even when life gets busy. Staying consistent builds your brand and keeps your mic hot—because podcasting is the ultimate pl...

Freddy Cruz shares how to launch and plan your podcast using AI. Download Perplexity AI, upload your writing, and use prompts to generate a show description and a full episode roadmap. Grade each transcript for value, clarity, and engagement, then use the AI’s feedback to improve with every release. Subscribe to _Your Mic _on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting), Apple (https://podca...

Have you ever missed a deadline and wondered if it made you less dedicated? On this episode, I talk about how I used to push for strict podcast consistency, what changed after a busy season, and why giving yourself some grace matters. The realities of running a podcast and staying disciplined How to handle slipping up without losing momentum Why missing an episode doesn't mean you've failed Join m...

What’s a surefire way make your next podcast episode better than your last? A perfectly crafted prompt. Duh. You might be thinking about your flow, time management, or how the guest shines when you have someone on. Today, I’m sharing how I use a simple system, including an AI transcript grading tool, to get clear, specific feedback. There’s a prompt that goes beyond general notes and gives you a r...

What does it really take to launch your first podcast event? I had big plans for Speke Fest—months of work, meetings, and some tough lessons. Three things stand out: The challenge of bringing people together Learning from honest feedback Finding real connections when things don’t go as planned Let’s talk about what worked, what didn’t, and what comes next. Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple,...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl Think about the last time you tried to get on a podcast. Maybe it was a cold email, or you spent hours crafting a pitch and still ended up with silence. Today, we'll...

What happens when you have a goal that keeps getting moved to the next year, and then someone comes along with a way to make it real? Dorothy Gibbons put "start a podcast" on her list—year after year—without even knowing how podcasts worked. Now, "Let's Talk About Your Breasts" brings stories out of the Rose that would otherwise go unheard. Hear why telling your own story matters. Find out what ha...

What can a 41-year old movie teach you about communication in the 21st century? A lot, actually.  You know, there are lessons buried deep inside classic films like The Karate Kid that go unnoticed by many. Mastering a craft is rarely glamorous, and sometimes it involves tasks that seem mundane. Finding a mentor is crucial, someone who guides without fanfare. And yes, setbacks are part of the proce...

Johatsu—the phenomenon of Japan’s “evaporated people”—sheds light on the extreme decision to abandon everything and vanish from one’s own life. These stories aren’t just shocking; they force listeners to think about why someone chooses to disappear and what that means about society’s expectations and personal struggles. Sharing these hidden stories can inspire deeper honesty when telling your own,...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl In this episode, Freddy Cruz interviews Dr. Beata Lerman, founder of Sinless Treats and host of Heal Me With Chocolate. Dr. Beata recounts her journey from repeated...

Experience the behind-the-scenes journey of “Age of Audio” with producer/director Shaun Michael Colon, whose seven-year passion project culminates in a documentary about the people, stories, and struggles that shaped podcasting. VIPs will get a special screening at Speke Fest, National Museum of Funeral History. Get your tickets here. Watch the “Age of Audio” trailer here. Five Key Takeaways Bring...

Michael Osborne, creator of Famous and Gravy, shares wisdom on podcasting success, gamification in audio, and building a meaningful show that hooks listeners from the first minute. Hear about his creative process and audience engagement, and catch him as a keynote at Speke Fest. Listen to Famous and Gravy here. Get your Speke Fest tickets here. Five Key Takeaways Starting a new podcast requires se...

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl Ozeal DeBastos built his network of over 4,500 podcasters by focusing on authentic connection, both online and in-person. Through consistent events and understanding...

Nestle, despite being a global powerhouse, stumbled hard when they tried to launch coffee in Japan because they didn’t account for local tastes. I walk you through how the campaign flopped and how they finally rebounded by listening to the culture, rolling out Kit Kats tailored for the Japanese market, which became a huge success.  My takeaway for podcasters is simple: listen to your audience, exp...

Ozeal DeBastos built his vibrant network of over 4,500 podcasters by focusing on authentic connection, both online and in-person. Through consistent events and understanding his audience’s needs, he fostered real relationships beyond the mic. His journey proves that showing up and prioritizing people still drives lasting podcast success. Learn more about Ozeal here! Catch Ozeal's workshop "Build Y...

Reena Friedman Watts returns to the show to reveal her inside secrets for killer interviews. She primes every session by scoping out guests on social, hitting up LinkedIn recommendations, and connecting with people in their orbit for the real scoop. By finding common ground, Reena flips nervous chatter into deep, human stories, then drops curveball prompts that ignite authentic, memorable moments....