The New Way To Grow a Podcast in 2026 | 112

Chris Hutchins, host of the wildly popular All the Hacks podcast, joins us to crack the code on podcast growth. Most creators dream of building a brand, attracting millions of listeners, and monetizing their passion, but Chris has actually done it, transforming his podcast into a powerhouse through meticulous optimization. If you've ever wondered how successful podcasts truly scale beyond the initial buzz, or how to inject startup-level strategic thinking into your creative venture, this episode is a masterclass. Chris reveals the behind-the-scenes tactics that catapulted his show to millions of downloads, sharing the unconventional strategies that maximize reach and impact.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
07:08 The Underrated Power of Networking
11:09 Leveraging Your Inner Circle for Connections
15:08 Crafting Pitches That Stand Out
20:00 The Value of Deep Expertise
23:44 Podcast Growth: Beyond the Numbers
28:07 Gauging Podcast Potential with Overcast Ads
32:20 Strategic Guesting on Other Podcasts
37:57 The Art of Asking to Be a Host
42:04 Maximizing Value in Podcast Collaborations
46:19 The Untapped Potential of Post-Roll Ads
51:00 Subsidizing Growth for Maximum Scale
54:15 Reinvestment and Strategic Retreats
58:24 Optimizing for Leverage, Not Just Revenue
1:01:52 Gaming the Podcast Charts
1:08:14 Essential Personal Finance Hacks
1:10:00 The Ultimate Hotel Upgrade Hack
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.

Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com

Follow Chris:
Website: https://allthehacks.com
X: https://x.com/hutchins
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishutchins
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishutchins
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-hutchins

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
All the Hacks: https://allthehacks.com

Highlights:
02:22 Shifting from Entrepreneur to Creator Identity
08:31 The Power Move of Ending a Conversation
12:12 Networking by Adding Value to an Inner Circle
26:35 Podcast Downloads vs. YouTube Views: Engagement Matters
34:04 Treating Your Creator Business Like a Startup
45:15 The Strategy of Buying Post-Roll Ads
1:08:29 Why You Should Never Leave Cash in a Checking Account