How PodMatch Was Born: A Conversation with Founder Alex Sanfilippo

From parts manufacturing to paying over $1,000,000 back to podcasters, Alex Sanfilippo built PodMatch because 100 people in one room told him the same thing: “I can’t find the right guests.”

This is the behind-the-scenes story of how he solved it, why he still podcasts once a week, and how hosts can actually get paid to podcast.

Adrienne sits down (live on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and ChatterSocial) with Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, to unpack how PodMatch started in 2020, why he walked away from a C-suite role he loved, and how the platform has evolved from “slow and no logo” to a super-organized hub for hosts and guests. Alex explains his simple entrepreneurship formula—get in the community, find a real problem, build the fastest possible solution—and tells the Orlando story where 100 podcasters all said the same thing: “booking is hard.” They walk through the PodMatch dashboard live, talk scheduling, reviews, workflows, leaderboards, affiliates, and even the upcoming review swap feature. Adrienne also shares how she’s turning her PodMatch interviews into a book and why she spends just 20–30 minutes a day inside PodMatch to stay fully booked months in advance.

• PodMatch was built from real feedback. At a 2020 event in Orlando, Alex asked 100 podcasters what they were struggling with; the #1 answer was finding the right guests and streamlining the process. That became PodMatch.
• He left a good job for a “potentially great” idea. After 15 years in corporate—and his best year ever—Alex left on December 7, 2020, to go all-in on PodMatch. Ending one season well matters for how you start the next.
• It’s like a dating app… for podcasting. PodMatch matches hosts and guests, allowing them to message, schedule, sign releases, and track episodes all in one place. No reinventing the wheel.
• Hosts still have to do the work. Adrienne demonstrates how she responds to matches daily, keeps unscheduled interviews on track, and maintains her reputation with prompt responses. PodMatch makes it easier—but you still have to show up.
• There’s a built-in production workflow. PodMatch now has episode “cards” with tasks, assignees, files, and due dates—basically project management for your podcast (and it’s included for hosts).
• Community over “users.” Alex is intentional about calling people “community members,” not “customers”—because PodMatch grows when podcasters help one another.
• PodMatch has given over $1,000,000 back to podcasters through its PodValue/affiliate program—hosts who bring people in can actually earn.
• Review swaps are coming (early 2026). For shows with sensitive topics—where listeners won’t leave public reviews—can still get social proof from other podcasters.
• Personal stories win. Alex talks about weaving in family, travel, and real life on social media—“make it sound like you and make it weird”—because human is the only move left.“I was sacrificing the good for the sake of the potential great.” — Alex Sanfilippo
• “Entrepreneurship is: join the community, find the problem, offer the fastest solution.” — Alex Sanfilippo
• “PodMatch takes so much of it away from us—on the other hand, you still have to be committed to do the work.” — Adrienne

Interested in Booking Great Guests:👉 https://www.joinpodmatch.com/adriennebarkerspeaks