This week on PodBiz, we’re joined by Greg Wasserman, Head of Relationships at RSS.com, to break down how podcasters actually build leverage in the industry and why relationships, not just downloads, are at the core of sustainable growth.

Greg challenges the industry’s obsession with ads and sponsorships as the only path to revenue. Instead, he explains why podcasting works best when it’s treated as part of a broader business strategy, whether you’re a creator, agency, or brand. From audience growth to distribution gaps to relationship-driven ROI, Greg offers a clear framework for thinking about podcasting as a long-term asset.

As he puts it:

“You want more money? Then go focus on how do you grow your audience.”

He also emphasizes that many podcasters limit their growth by staying inside a single ecosystem rather than taking advantage of open distribution through RSS.

This episode is a practical conversation about where value is actually created in podcasting and how creators can stop leaving opportunity on the table.

• The three questions every podcaster asks: distribution, audience, money
• Why monetization should not be the starting point
• The hidden cost of limiting your show to one ecosystem
• Podcasting as a relationship-driven business tool
• Why most podcasters misunderstand ROI
• How agencies leave money on the table
• Improving as a host to grow audience trust
• Community building as a growth strategy
• Why relationships are a form of currency in podcasting
• What excites Greg most about where the industry is headed

Greg Wasserman is the Head of Relationships at RSS.com, where he leads creator and partner engagement across the podcast ecosystem. With a background in media sales, platform growth, and community building, Greg is known for connecting people, building long-term relationships, and helping podcasters think strategically about growth, distribution, and monetization.

Find Greg on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/

(01:18) Introducing Greg Wasserman

(01:20) Where the money in podcasting really comes from

(02:45) Podcasting as a business versus a media company

(03:12) Rethinking monetization beyond ads

(04:56) Why being a good host matters

(05:17) Greg’s path into podcasting

(06:00) Learning podcast distribution from platforms

(06:56) The three questions podcasters always ask

(07:38) Distribution as the fastest path to audience growth

(08:13) Relationships as a career strategy

(09:18) Where agencies leave money on the table

(11:00) Improving your craft as a host

(13:27) Building creator communities at RSS.com

(15:59) Serving creators through feedback and partnerships

(16:30) What Greg would do differently starting today

(19:11) Why this is an exciting moment for podcasting

“Life is about time and relationships.”

“If you want more money, make sure you have those other 30 percent of your audience.”

“Relationships can be currency. The more conversations you have, the more opportunities appear.”

PodBiz is the podcast about the business of podcasting. Hosted by industry veterans Norma Jean Belenky and John Kiernan, the show features conversations with creators, executives, and platform leaders to answer one question: Where’s the money in podcasting?

Each episode dives into monetization strategy, adtech, branded content, IP development, and audience growth. Guests include leaders from Acast, Captivate, Crooked Media, Buzzsprout, True Native Media, Podfest, and more.

Learn more: njbmedia.co | thepodhouseproductions.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on PodBiz, Andreea Coscai breaks down how creators across Europe are building audiences, reaching listeners across borders, and monetizing through community-first strategies. As the founder of Eurowaves, Marketing Lead at Tink Media, and a key voice in global creator communities, Andreea offers a grounded look at what independent podcasters need to understand about the European landscape.

As she puts it, marketing is not optional:

She also explains why connection and cultural alignment matter more than follower count:

This episode is a thoughtful, realistic look at what it takes for creators to grow in a market defined by nuance, collaboration, and diversity.

• How European creators build audiences across language and culture

• Why marketing and audience clarity matter more than scale

• Community-first growth and the rise of Eurowaves

• How Tink Media supports podcasters through realistic promo systems

• What creators misunderstand about social media and discoverability

• Sponsorship reality in smaller or emerging markets

• The role of grants, co-productions, and cross-border collaboration

• Why global thinking benefits every independent creator

Andreea is the founder and writer of Eurowaves, Marketing Lead at Tink Media, newsletter and community coordinator at EarBuds Podcast Collective, and an independent podcast producer. She works across audience development, marketing strategy, and creator support throughout Europe and beyond.

Eurowaves: https://eurowaves.substack.com/

Events: https://eurowaves.substack.com/p/top-podcasting-events

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreea-coscai/

Pod.Vision: https://pod.vision/

(03:29) Value alignment for Patreon and community support

(04:08) How Eurowaves began and why Europe needed it

(05:23) Community gaps in the European podcast space

(06:57) What podcasters get wrong about audience development

(08:54) Getting into podcasting through production and community

(13:21) Cross-platform thinking for modern creators

(14:42) Value packaging and sponsorship fit

(16:50) Local markets, local sponsors, local wins

(18:38) The fragmented but rich European ecosystem

(19:48) How grants and co-productions shape opportunity

(20:55) Storytelling across cultures

(22:24) Learning from the U.S. while building something distinct

(23:46) What Andreea would approach differently today

(27:44) What excites her most about Europe’s creator future

PodBiz is the podcast about the business of podcasting. Hosted by industry veterans Norma Jean Belenky and John Kiernan, the show features conversations with creators, executives, and platform leaders to answer one question: Where’s the money in podcasting?

Each episode dives into monetization strategy, adtech, branded content, IP development, and audience growth. Guests include leaders from Acast, Captivate, Crooked Media, Buzzsprout, True Native Media, Podfest, and more.

Learn more: njbmedia.co | thepodhouseproductions.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on PodBiz, we talk with Andrew Weiss, Director of Partnerships at Podfest Expo, about the real paths to monetization for indie podcasters. Andrew works directly with thousands of creators through Podfest’s global community, and he brings a grounded, practical view of how shows grow, how they earn, and why some creators thrive while others fade out.

Andrew explains why niche audiences consistently outperform broad ones, what strong brand alignment looks like, and how smaller shows win high-value sponsorships by understanding exactly whom they serve. He shares examples from the Podfest ecosystem, including a produce-industry podcast earning significant revenue because it reaches a high-intent audience brands care about.

As he puts it:

Andrew also talks about the mindset and systems that keep creators consistent. He breaks down batching, workflow design, community support, and why many podcasters underestimate the value of environment. His message is direct: when creators combine structure with a defined purpose, growth becomes achievable no matter their starting point.

Another reminder he returns to:

This episode is full of practical insights for anyone building a show meant to last.

• How independent podcasters earn through niche audiences and alignment

• Monetization beyond ads: lead generation, partnerships, coaching, and services

• Why creators should define success before launching

• Preventing burnout and podfade through systems and batching

• How community and collaboration accelerate growth

• Sponsorship trends, audience quality, and brand expectations

• Why mindset, structure, and environment influence creator success

• What Podfest creators are doing that works today

Andrew Weiss is the Director of Partnerships at Podfest Expo, where he leads sponsor relations, event operations, and community initiatives that support independent creators worldwide. He is also the host of Rapid Results with Andrew Weiss and brings a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, coaching, and creator development.

Socials: @theandrewjweiss

(00:05) Sponsor growth and why niche shows win

(02:03) Where the money is for indie creators

(03:10) Monetization beyond advertising

(04:06) Andrew’s path into podcasting

(07:16) How Podfest grew virtual creator events

(08:57) Lead generation and brand alignment

(11:15) Mindset, grit, and environment

(15:27) The six-figure produce-industry podcast

(17:54) Preventing podfade through structure

(21:35) Running large-scale creator events

(26:27) What Andrew is excited about next

PodBiz is the podcast about the business of podcasting. Hosted by industry veterans Norma Jean Belenky and John Kiernan, the show features conversations with creators, executives, and platform leaders to answer one question: Where’s the money in podcasting?

Each episode dives into monetization strategy, adtech, branded content, IP development, and audience growth. Guests include leaders from Acast, Captivate, Crooked Media, Buzzsprout, True Native Media, Podfest, and more.

Learn more: njbmedia.co | thepodhouseproductions.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.