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Longtime musician, Jeremiah Bowser, recently shared his streaming revenue for the month of August: $8.63 for 3,600 plays. That’s less than what he used to make selling a single CD at a live show. His story sparked a bigger conversation: are podcast creators heading toward the same trap musicians face in the streaming era?

In this episode, we compare the realities of music streaming and podcast downloads, break down who actually makes money (from Taylor Swift to indie acts), and reflect on what this means for podcasters. Should monetization be the goal, or just a cherry on top of a passion project?

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Editing can be one of the biggest time sinks in podcasting, but it doesn’t have to be! We're sharing practical ways to cut down on editing time without sacrificing quality.

We dig into recording habits that make editing smoother, why clean audio at the source is the ultimate timesaver, and how planning outlines actually makes you more flexible in the moment.

You’ll also hear tips about cutting down on filler words, mic technique, avoiding crosstalk, using markers to flag mistakes, and when to lean on AI tools like transcript editors.

Our next episode will be about creating podcast superfans! So if you have a tip or a question about that, be sure to tap the Text the Show link!

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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This year's Podcast Movement in Dallas featured a fresh format with silent disco-style headphones and a dramatic shift in podcasting trends. Jordan tracked down some of the top speakers at Podcast Movement to give their podcasting advice and big takeaways from their session.

• Dave Jackson revealed Marc Maron made $215,000 monthly from subscribers paying for his back catalog
• James Cridland shared that Goalhanger generates one-third of their revenue from audience memberships
• Alex Sanfilippo emphasized proactively connecting with listeners through personal conversations
• Courtney Elmer identified podcast SEO as "lowest hanging fruit" for show discovery
• Daniel J Lewis encouraged podcasters to use publishing platforms that support Podcasting 2.0 features
• Tom Rossi highlighted the importance of comparing engagement metrics (90% podcast consumption vs 5% YouTube)
• Krystal Proffitt shared her PREPM method (Plan-Record-Edit-Publish-Market) to create content without burnout
  
  

Don't forget, next week we're discussing how to cut down on editing time, so if you have any tips or questions about that, be sure to tap the text show link to send it in.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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Have you ever worried you'll run out of podcast episode ideas for your show? It's a fear almost every podcaster has, but we have tips to keep you going for hundreds of episodes!

Jordan and Alban welcome Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting to talk about how to keep your podcast ideas flowing year after year. You’ll learn:

• How to keep an ongoing bank of content ideas so you’re never stuck on recording day
• Why passion matters more than download numbers for long-term success
• The importance of hanging out where your audience is to find episode ideas
• Strategies for mixing up formats to keep things interesting (solo, interviews, Q&A, etc.)
• The difference between running out of ideas vs. running out of passion
• How audience engagement can fuel entire episodes
• Real-life examples of Dave’s own podfades, rebrands, and creative pivots

Plus: A quick detour into Taylor Swift’s surprise podcast appearance, what music shaped the hosts’ teen years, and why some fan encounters get awkward.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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We're excited for the upcoming Podcast Movement in Dallas! This event is like summer camp for podcasters, where everyone gathers to learn, connect, and celebrate podcasting together.

• Jordan will be speaking about monetization strategies on Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the expo hall
• Tom will present on understanding podcast statistics on Wednesday at 3:15 PM in Podcaster Stage 2
• Alban will also participate in Adobe's Podcast Primer on Monday from 1-3 PM for beginners!
• We're hosting a Buzzsprout meetup on Tuesday evening with food and drinks
• Attend the iHeart party at Chicken N' Pickle, a restaurant with pickleball courts
• Visit the Buzzsprout booth for swag and to join the text chain for event updates
• Psst...special swag may be available exclusively for Buzzcast listeners!

If you're going to Podcast Movement, tap the Text the Show link to let us know that we're going to see you there!

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• Send us a text message
• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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We are breaking down everything you need to know about designing podcast cover art that actually attracts listeners! From choosing the right fonts and images to understanding episode artwork specs, we cover it all.

In this episode, we talk a lot about visuals, so we recommend you listen in a podcast app that supports chapter images! Here's a list of our recommendations:

• TrueFans
• Podcast Addict
• Podverse
• Fountain
• Castamatic

Topics we cover:

• Why good podcast artwork matters more than you think
• Common design mistakes to avoid
• Tools and templates to create stunning artwork in minutes
• How to make episode and chapter art enhance the listener experience
• Tips on fonts, file sizes, and how to stand out in your category

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Buzzsprout/Canva integration
• OnlyPod's Podcast Cover Art Size Preview

Let us know for next time: How to keep coming up with episode ideas, content planning, and avoid podfade.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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The cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show highlights a major shift in the media landscape as expensive TV production gives way to more cost-effective, audience-focused podcasting formats. When Stephen Colbert's show got axed, the immediate cultural response wasn't "start a YouTube channel" or "join TikTok". It was "launch a podcast." This reaction speaks volumes about where audience attention and creator opportunity now resides.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why Colbert Got Canceled by Nate Silver
• 100 Best Podcasts of All Time

Our thoughts:

• The Late Show cost $100 million annually with 200 employees, making it financially unsustainable
• Traditional TV's aging audience (average 68 years old) doesn't appeal to advertisers seeking younger demographics
• Conan O'Brien's successful transition from TV (280,000 viewers) to podcasting (1.3 million listeners)
• Podcast production costs dramatically lower at $20,000 per episode for major networks, often under $100 for independents
• Creative freedom in podcasting allows hosts to maintain their authentic voice without network interference
• Many former TV personalities finding success in podcasting: Trevor Noah, Bill O'Reilly, Rosie O'Donnell, and Keith Olbermann, for example.
• Podcasting becoming synonymous with independent media creation in public consciousness

Send us your podcast artwork questions for next week's episode by hitting the fan mail button to texting the show!

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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We celebrate hitting 500,000 downloads for Buzzcast and discuss the most effective podcasting gear setups for different needs, from beginners to professionals.

Check out Alban's Podcast Equipment Guide!

Mentioned in this episode:

Microphones

• Samson Q2U (USB/XLR dynamic mic)
• Shure SM7B (dynamic mic)
• Shure MV7+ (upgraded USB-C/XLR dynamic mic)
• Zoom ZDM‑1 (dynamic mic)
• Earthworks Ethos (condenser mic)
• SE Dynacaster DCM8 (dynamic mic)

Audio Interfaces & Mixers

• RODECaster Duo
• RODECaster Pro 2
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
• Vocaster
• Zoom PodTrack P8
• Zoom LikeTrak L-12

Boom Arms

• Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro
• OC White ProBoom Ultima

Headphones

• OneOdio A71
• Apple EarPods (wired)

In our next big episode, we'll be covering podcast cover art and want to hear from you what artwork you think really stands out! Feel free to send your tips or hot takes when it comes to creating cover art for your podcast, as well!

Contact Buzzcast

• Send us a text message
• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

Thanks for listening and Keep Podcasting!