Ask the Podcast Coach

Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever feel like your show is stuck at 30 downloads and your guests won’t share your episode? We’ve been there, and we’re putting it all on the table—how language choices affect your brand and reach, why “big name” guests almost never translate to listener growth, and how to structure improv so it lands without a live audience. We get honest about impostor syndrom...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Dave Jackson flies solo this week (with special guest appearances from Randy Black and Ralph Estep Jr.) to tackle this challenging question and more. Randy shares a heart-wrenching story about losing his podcast co-host and friend, reminding us of the human connections that make this medium so powerful. His emotional recounting serves as a poignant reminder that...

Send us feedback/questions via Text How do you find guests when your podcast covers extremely niche topics? It's a challenge many creators face, especially when starting out. Dave Jackson and Jim Cullison tackle this question head-on, providing practical strategies that go beyond the standard advice. Rather than endless online searching, they suggest going directly to where your potential gue...

Send us feedback/questions via Text The boundaries between legal protection and audience engagement blur when we confront one of podcasting's persistent questions: do you need release forms from your guests? This episode dives deep into this conundrum, revealing why adding friction to your listener experience might actually sabotage your growth efforts. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wondered what's lurking in your podcast stats? This week, we tackle a mysterious surge in ThinkBot downloads that has creators scratching their heads. When this web crawler suddenly outpaces even Apple Podcasts in your analytics, it's time to investigate—and we'll walk you through exactly what to do when bots inflate your numbers. For Android...

Send us feedback/questions via Text In today's show Dave is back from Podcast Movement 2025 in Dallas and shares some of the things he saw. We are joined by Marty and get an inside scoop of podcasting blind. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcas...

Send us feedback/questions via Text What truly builds podcast audiences - authentic connections or inflated metrics? This episode explores the fascinating contrast between Taylor Swift's approach to audience building and questionable industry practices like buying fake downloads. When Taylor Swift recently proclaimed "I'm in the business of human emotion" on a podcast, she reve...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wonder if your podcast title is helping or hurting your discoverability? We unpack a fascinating case study of "Booked on Planning" – a podcast about city planning that highlights the tension between creative naming and searchability. As one listener aptly notes: "What are people typing in trying to find your show?" This question alone c...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Welcome to our show, where we dive deep into the secrets of growth and why your favorite shows might not be hitting the big time. Are lackluster plots or poor marketing to blame? We'll analyze the common pitfalls and obstacles that keep shows from expanding their viewership. Hear from Dave, Jim and the chat room as we share behind-the-scenes knowledge on wh...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Is there something podcasters are doing that is a waste of time, and if so, what should we doing instead? Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodp...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Jim has 12 monitors, and the chat room can't get over it. He explains how he uses them and if it keeps him warm in the winter. Check the chapters for other topics. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting htt...

Send us feedback/questions via Text We have a new Awesome Supporter! Randy Black from the Shooting Straight Podcast with Jim Clayton. Jim and Dave start with helping Ray figure out how to handle a potential sponsor spamming his Facebook group.  Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Jim tried something new on his latest episode , he added "Mick" his AI Co-host. So we talked about the roll of AI in podcasting. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.co...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wonder why some podcast episodes get shared like wildfire while others barely get a whisper? This week on Ask the Podcast Coach, we're diving deep into the mysterious world of podcast shareability - uncovering the secret sauce that transforms good content into must-share moments. From emotional triggers to building trust, we'll break down exactly...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgegeeks.com Ecamm Live https://supportthisshow.com/ecamm [00:00:00] Introdu...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we start off by talking about using social media to promote your show, and what it takes to get someone to stop the scroll, and come listen to your show (hint: it's not "episode 16 is out!).  This podcast uses chapters to make it easy to skip to different topics.  Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestory...

Send us feedback/questions via Text In this episode, we talk about the unpredictability of podcasting when things like power outages shut things down, strategies for running better interviews, and the importance of prepping your guests and your own questions. We dig into what actually makes a podcast “advanced,” swapping thoughts on whether it’s about the gear, the content, skill, style, or just d...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Spotify announced that it is to add a “play” count, visible within the app, for all podcasts. “Plays will capture engagement across audio and video content on Spotify.” Do we care? Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we start where we left off. We talked about the $ button in Pocketcasts and how you can add a payment link ( see video ). NOTE: There was a technical glitch in the middle where Dave couldn't hear Jim. This has been left in - the solution was to "Jiggle the cable." Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastrue...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we kick things off with insights into the ever-changing world of podcast advertising—where should ads go, how many is too many, and can you make money without alienating your audience? From discussing the chaos of TV ad breaks to sharing smart strategies for host-read sponsorships, Dave and Jim dig into the nuts and bolts of monetizing podcasts while keepi...

Send us feedback/questions via Text We start off talking about your top three podcasting tips, and then get into creating episodic artwork and do you need it.  00:00 Introduction and Greetings 01:15 PodcastBranding.co 02:32 Based on a True Story Podcast 03:53 Health Tips and Fun Tangents 05:23 Podcasting Advice for Newbies 14:07 Debate on Custom Artwork for Episodes 28:45 Spotify and Video Monetiz...

Send us feedback/questions via Text In today's episode, we explore various intriguing topics that resonate closely with the podcasting community. From the challenges of seasonal allergies affecting podcasters to the heated discussions about Spotify's handling of podcasting statistics and whether it's impacting download numbers, we cover it all. We also tackle the age-old debate of r...

Send us feedback/questions via Text This episode covers the nuances of podcast analytics on platforms like Spotify and Apple, the intricacies of streaming services such as StreamYard and Ecamm Live, and the importance of podcast titles. We also talked about audio enhancement tools like Adobe Enhance and Descript . Special thanks to our supporters and guests for their questions and participation. S...

Send us feedback/questions via Text Dave Jackson and Jim Collison discuss various podcasting topics, including reflections on last week's episode, dealing with hosting challenges, the impact of Spotify's podcast deletion policies, measuring engagement through Spotify analytics, sustaining passion amid life's challenges, and the importance of meaningful feedback. They also touch on l...

Send us feedback/questions via Text In this episode, we explore the intricacies of using sound bites and organizing them efficiently, delve into the art of crafting genuine human connections over automated pitches for podcast guest appearances, and touch upon the challenges of uploading hefty video files to platforms like Spotify. Jim Collison shares the value of being content with your current au...