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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 syndrome, burnout, and the moment you realize your strategy isn’t working. Then we walk through practical fixes: crafting episode promises that stop the scroll, building segments that deliver clear payoffs, and setting up chapters so listeners can jump straight to what matters.

We also tackle the messy stuff most shows avoid. If a co‑host keeps low-talking under you, the solution isn’t a new mic—it’s leadership. Hear how to set expectations, give actionable feedback, and make the hard call when behavior doesn’t change. On the tools front, we compare quick-win clip workflows, where AI show notes actually help (FAQs, key takeaways), and why you still need a human ear before you publish. We touch on platform realities—feed limits, chapter support, and the way explicit tags can nuke discoverability in certain markets—so your distribution doesn’t quietly work against you.

Sponsors:
PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you
Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History?

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Mentioned In This Episode

School of Podcasting
https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

Podpage
http://www.trypodpage.com

Home Gadget Geeks
https://www.homegadgegeeks.com

Featured Supporter: Shane from Spybrary
We interview spy authors, espionage historians and fans of spy books, spy movies and spy TV series! Check it out at https://spybrary.com/

Podcast Hot Seat
Grow your podcast audience with Podcast Hot Seat. We help you do more of what is working, and fine tune those things that need polished. In addition to the podcast audit, you get a FREE MONTH at the School of Podcasting (including more coaching). Check it out at https://www.podcasthotseat.com/store
Your Audience Will Thank You!

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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 beyond analytics and strategies, podcasting creates meaningful relationships that transcend the microphone.

The conversation takes a practical turn when Ralph joins to break down the differences between LLC and sole proprietorship structures for podcasters. His expertise reveals that proper business structuring can save significant money on self-employment taxes while providing liability protection—with benefits potentially kicking in at just $8,000 of annual podcast income.

A cautionary tale emerges about platform dependence when Dave shares the story of a podcaster who lost 168 episodes overnight when Spotify deleted their entire catalog over a single music-related terms of service violation. The lesson? Always back up your content and understand platform policies before it's too late.

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.trypodpage.com

Home Gadget Geeks
https://www.homegadgegeeks.com

Featured Supporter: Shane from Spybrary
We interview spy authors, espionage historians and fans of spy books, spy movies and spy TV series! Check it out at https://spybrary.com/

Podcast Hot Seat
Grow your podcast audience with Podcast Hot Seat. We help you do more of what is working, and fine tune those things that need polished. In addition to the podcast audit, you get a FREE MONTH at the School of Podcasting (including more coaching). Check it out at https://www.podcasthotseat.com/store
Your Audience Will Thank You!

Support the show

BE AWESOME!
Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome

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 guests gather, leveraging existing connections, and most importantly, asking current guests for recommendations.

The episode takes a heartfelt turn as the hosts pay tribute to podcasting pioneer Todd Cochran, founder of Blubrry, who recently passed away. Todd's unwavering commitment to open RSS, transparent business practices, and advocacy for podcasters has left an indelible mark on the industry. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Dave and Jim highlight how Todd's principled approach to business and genuine care for the podcasting community set a standard that continues to influence the medium today.

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.trypodpage.com

Home Gadget Geeks
https://www.homegadgegeeks.com

Featured Supporter: Shane from Spybrary
We interview spy authors, espionage historians and fans of spy books, spy movies and spy TV series! Check it out at https://spybrary.com/

Podcast Hot Seat
Grow your podcast audience with Podcast Hot Seat. We help you do more of what is working, and fine tune those things that need polished. In addition to the podcast audit, you get a FREE MONTH at the School of Podcasting (including more coaching). Check it out at https://www.podcasthotseat.com/store
Your Audience Will Thank You!

Support the show

BE AWESOME!
Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome