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A lot of podcasters say they want growth, but what they really want is fast proof that they were right to start. That pressure can turn a show into a pitch, or worse, into a numbers game that drains the joy out of creating. Carl sits down with Barry Labov, two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, brand strategist, speaker, and author of The Power of Differentiation, to talk about what actually builds a lasting podcast and a lasting business: purpose, patience, and trust.

Barry shares the true origin of his entrepreneurial journey, including the moment he quit his job on principle and immediately faced the double hit of losing income and losing housing. From there, we unpack resilience during recession conditions, why entrepreneurship can feel isolating, and how having the right support system changes everything. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re the only one struggling, this conversation gives you a grounded, honest kind of hope.

We also get tactical about modern podcasting strategy and thought leadership marketing. Barry explains why podcasting is like being in a band: you create, test, refine, publish, and repeat, long before anyone “discovers” you. We talk about avoiding the “sell, sell, sell” tone, asking better questions instead of using static interview scripts, and repurposing content through newsletters, clips, and thoughtful one-to-one sharing. Then we tie it back to brand differentiation: discovering what’s already unique, naming it clearly, and winning hearts and minds before chasing market share.

Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. What’s one thing about your work that you should never change?

Connect with Barry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241/
Website: https://www.labov.com/
https://barrylabov.blogspot.com/
https://www.barrylabov.com/

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Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/

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Your podcast can be great and still disappear, and the reason usually isn’t your mic or your guest list. It’s trust, and trust is built through specialization, clarity, and consistent marketing that proves you’re worth a listener’s time.

We’re joined by Nathan Yeung, founder of Find Your Audience, a Canadian B2B marketing leader with deep experience in SEO, performance digital media, and B2B SaaS growth. Nathan walks us through why people often confuse B2B vs B2C marketing, where they truly differ, and why the core marketing approach stays the same even when the tactics change. From brand signals to positioning, he explains how being spread too thin quietly kills credibility, and why audiences rely on mental shortcuts to decide whether you’re “for real”.

Then we bring it straight back to podcast marketing and podcast promotion. Nathan shares what he sees podcasters skip most often: the post-recording workflow. Repurposing short form video, pulling strong hooks, and building a repeatable distribution system isn’t “extra”, it’s the bare minimum in a crowded space. We also get into where the industry may be headed next, including more in-person events, more community-led conversations, and a potential backlash as AI-generated podcasts become harder to spot.

If you want a clearer podcast growth strategy, stronger audience targeting, and marketing that actually builds momentum, hit play. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more creators can find it.

Connect with Nathan
LinkedIn: https: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeungnathan/
Website: https://findyouraudience.online/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fya.marketingbytes

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/

Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:
https://communicationconnectioncommunity.buzzsprout.com

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-solutions-made-simple
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Your podcast is not just content, it is leadership on record. Carl sits down with leadership coach and podcast host Andrea Johnson to unpack how modern communication, workplace culture, and podcasting strategy all point to the same challenge: learning how to lead people with authenticity and confidence, even when the system around you rewards the status quo.

Andrea shares her path from decades in higher education, medicine, and research administration to executive coaching, and why so many organisations still promote great individual contributors into management without giving them leadership development. We talk DISC personality patterns, why change feels slow in big institutions, and what it actually takes to build leaders from the ground up so culture can evolve instead of repeating itself.

Then we pivot into the podcasting space: how Andrea found her voice, what it took to reach 200-plus episodes, and the behind-the-scenes lessons she’s learned as both a host and a guest. You’ll hear a candid debate on podcast quality versus authenticity, why video podcasting and YouTube podcasts are changing discovery, and how “winging it” can quietly erode trust in your brand.

If you care about leadership coaching, communication skills, podcast branding, or building real influence with your message, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who leads a team, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Connect with Andrea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreajohnson-intentionaloptimist/
Website: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaloptimist
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUQ47fVQzItvM2NEAtLZ2Q

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/

Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:
https://communicationconnectioncommunity.buzzsprout.com

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-solutions-made-simple
Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastsolutionsmadesimple/
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