Audience
Castos Productions
Each episode of Audience goes behind the scenes of all kinds of podcasts to uncover the creative process that powers audio creators.
Audience is a Castos Original Series that is hosted, produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot.
And That's a Wrap...
As Audience comes to an end, we're signing off with a collection of podcasting tips from our season 3 guests
Feedswap: Podcast Perspectives
We're excited to collaborate with our friends at The Podglomerate and their show, Podcast Perspectives:
How does the Washington Post share sweeping stories through audio?
Today on the podcast, we’re excited to feature a conversation from Podcast Perspectives, produced by our friends at The Podglomerate (the podcast firm specialized in producing, distributing, and monetizing podcasts for high-profile clients including Freakonomics Radio, PBS, NPR stations, Harvard Business Sch
A Psychedelic Western with David Weinberg
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and David talk about his limited series, Dreamtown, the Story of Adelanto. David shares his expertise on podcasting and storytelling in general. It can be difficult to tell someone else’s story compassionately and compellingly. Dreamtown aims to do that for–not only–the main character, but also the town of Adelanto. He also touches on the importance of being able to explain your podcast in one sentence, what to do when your story
Audio and Artifacts with Tania Mohammad
Stuart talks to Tania Mohammad, the host and producer of the award-winning podcast, Undiscarded: Stories of New York. They talk about how audio can be used to bring artifacts back to life and how objects can tell bigger stories.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued suppo
Asking "Dumb" Questions with Christopher Linnane
Today, Stuart and Chris Linnane discuss Chris' podcast The Parlor Room, and what it's like to talk to experts. Chris lives his life surrounding himself with smart people on purpose. For some people, that can lead to imposter syndrome. Chris uses it to motivate him to do better. He also talks about his background in music, what makes The Parlor Room stand out from other podcasts, and the value of video in podcasting.
Chris Linnane is the creative director of Harvard Business School Online (HBS On
3 Clips Re-Air: Drilled: Rigorous Audio Journalism (ft. Amy Westervelt)
As we continue to work on new Audience episodes, here's an episode from one of our other shows, 3 Clips. It first aired on September 6, 2021, was hosted by Jay acunzo and was produced/ edited by Cherie Turner
Amy Westervelt is a print and audio journalist and environmentalist; she founded the podcast network Critical Frequency, which raises up important but often overlooked voices; and she is the executive producer and host of the critically acclaimed show Drilled.
The through line here i
Laughing at Ourselves with Charles Austin
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks to Charles Austin about the comedy podcast, Episode One.
Episode One is a satirical podcast that started out as just a funny passion project for three friends. After a while, they realized that they had an idea that could possibly take off. E1 is a podcast starring Andrew, Branson, and Charles. Each episode is the first—and only—episode of a failed podcast that never existed. Today, Stuart and Charles talk about what it takes to m
Hostiness with Elaine Appleton Grant
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Elaine talk about her podcast "Sound Judgment" and what it takes to be a great host. (Stuart gets a lesson from an expert.) Elaine uses her experience as a lifelong journalist to help hosts become better at what they do, no matter the genre.
Elaine Appleton Grant is the CEO of Podcast Allies, an audio storytelling consulting, production and training company helping public media, NGOs, social impact and higher ed organizations make beautif
A Novel Concept with Bethanne Patrick
Today Stuart talks to Bethanne Patrick about her podcast, Missing Pages. Being a critic of your professional industry can go one of two ways, horribly wrong or positively eye-opening. Bethanne’s podcast, Missing Pages, is all about the controversies in the publishing industry. From the way that big publishers treat their authors, to plagiarism, to scams, to literal snake oil salespeople, the publishing industry is no stranger to controversy. Bethanne dives deep into these controversies whi
3 Clips Re-Air: Creating With Sensitivity
While we work on new episodes, here's an episode from another Castos Original, 3 Clips. It firt aired in October of 2021, was hosted by jay Acunzo, produced by Andrea Muraskin and was edited by Stuart Barefoot.
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The World needs more sensitive creators. Content that moves the world, moves listeners and make things better. And you know what? That doesn’t have to come in the form of some epic narrative. It can be stories from daily life. The seemingly
A Podcast About (Almost) Everything with Anisa Khalifa
On this episode of Audience, Stuart talks to Anisa Khalifa about her podcast, The Broadside, which is a podcast that covers a variety of different topics. Anisa talks about her career in radio and podcasting and how she and her team work to develop great stories in order to fully immerse listeners in each of their stories. While most of the stories on The Broadside cover topics that are centered in North Carolina, the themes are universal so everyone can get value and information out of each epi
Creating Moments with Rick Wimberly
Today, Stuart chats with Rick Wimberly about how to create great moments during a podcast. He is a great storyteller and, boy, does he have some interesting stories to tell. Between the behind the scenes stories from his career in radio, to his stories about being a government sales consultant, he is a natural storyteller. In this episode of the Audience podcast, Rick talks about the skills he transfers over to podcasting, what it means to be a good storyteller, and how to find those good moment
The Stories Food Can Tell with Melissa Hall
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Melissa talk about the podcast, Gravy and how it's a springboard to bigger stories. Gravy tells the stories of the changing American South through the foods we eat. It showcases a South that is constantly evolving, gives voices to the unsung folks who prepare and serve everyday foods, and challenges stereotypes. From how KFC is succeeding in China to the story behind sweet potato vodka, the culture of The South is both varied and wide-reaching.
Re-Air: Realism in Audio Fiction
As we continue work on new episodes, let's listen in on an episode from August of 2022.
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Some of the best, most diverse, and talented audio creators alive make their living creating audio fiction. Shows like Welcome to Nightvale, Limetown, and Alice isn’t Dead, just to name a few, weave complex story arcs, colorful characters, and of course, great production value for listeners. We’re all lucky these shows exist.
Northwoods Baseb
Looking for Wonder with Aaron Millar
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Aaron Millar discuss his travel and adventure podcast, Armchair Explorer. On his podcast, Aaron showcases some of the world’s greatest adventurers. He shares their stories and their journeys to help inspire his listeners.
Today he talks about how he curates each topic and episode, shares his message and motivation behind Armchair Explorer, and talks about how we don’t have to go out to the Gobi desert to find adventure. Pulling gre
Passion and Compassion with Jenna Flanagan
On this episode of Audience, Stuart chats with Jenna Flanagan about her podcast, After Broad and Market, a show about what happens when the dust settles after a crime. Twenty years ago, the Newark community was rocked by the death of a young lesbian black teen named Sakia Gunn, or was it? Why wasn’t there more of an outcry? What were the reasons behind the silence and the lack of compassion from the public? In After Broad and Market, Jenna explores these questions and more, highlighting th
Fiction Reveals Truth with Jonathan Mitchell
Jonathan Mitchell, the creator and producer of The Truth takes Stuart and the listeners behind the scenes of this award winning fiction anthology. Audio drama and audio fiction is a different podcast animal and it takes a keen ear to create a podcast with such an authentic feel. On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Jonathan talk about Jonathan’s creative process, his philosophy on radio and the musicality of speech, and what it takes to adapt a story from the page to a podca
Introducing Creative Architects by Castos
Introducing Creative Architects by Castos. Join creative entrepreneur Angela Hollowell as she talks to the creators shaping the future of the creator economy through education, community and tech. Presented by Castos
Full Episodes of Creative Architects
Watch on YouTube
Re-Air: Hearing Pictures with Allen Clark
RE-AIR: As we work on new episodes for season 3, listen in on this episode from November 17, 2022. Stay tuned to this feed more updates about Audience and Castos
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On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with photographer Allen Clark about photography, his journey as an artist and as a podcaster, and what it’s like to photograph a president. Allen is well-known as an artist who will do anything to capture the perfect image. He has built a name for him
3 Clips Re-Air: You Heard Me Write: Structure Sets Us Free (ft. Kacie Willis)
We are currently between seasons, so in the meantime, enjoy a re-air from another Castos Original:
Every so often we come across a show so refreshing, so original, it revamps our whole idea of what a podcast can be. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Atlanta-based sound designer Kacie Willis made her living from live theater. In 2020, Kacie found herself stuck at home without any gigs – and, like many of us, watching people hide behind screen names to attack each other on the internet. S
Do No Harm with Jasmyn Morris
Stuart talks to journalist Jasmyn Morris, the host and producer of a limited series called Hitman. They discuss true crime as a genre, Jasmyn's background in reporting, and journalistic ethics. Also in this episode, Stuart curates a conversation between Jasmyn and Tiffani Horn, someone impacted by the events of Hitman.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show p
Season 2 Podcasting Tips
As we prepare to wrap up season 2, this week's episode features many of our guests's podcasting tips.
Next week's episode will be the final episode of season 2 featuring Jasmyn Morris from the podcast, 'Hitman.' Stuart and Jasmyn will be discussing journalistic ethics, particaurly as they relate to the true crime genre. If you want to listen to Hitman it's linked below.
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hit-man-45764628/
Beyond the Big Screen with Jenny Turner Hall
Stuart talks with director, writer and producer, Jenny Turner Hall about her groundbreaking kids' podcast, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. They also discuss how Speilberg films influenced her work and some of her other projects like Marvel's Wastelanders: Wolverine.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you thi
Re-Air: Immersive Storytelling with Morgan Givens
This episode is a re-air from November of 2022. We're currently working on new episodes, but if you missed Morgan's episode the first time around, this is worth your time.
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In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Morgan Givens about how he uses field recordings and immersive sound design to create unique episodes that come to life for his listeners. Morgan shares the relatable story of Antoine in his fiction podcast, Flyest Fables.
Flyest Fabl
When Objects Tell Human Stories, with Shin Yu Pai
Stuart talks with Shin Yu Pai about her podcast Ten Thousand Things from KUOW Public Radio. They discuss how commonplace objects can tell much broader stories. While she might be new to podcasting, Shin Yu’s background in poetry, art, and writing adds depth to her content as well as craft a new experience for listeners.
Shin Yu is the writer, host, and producer of Ten Thousand Things – a podcast on Asian American stories for KUOW Public Radio, Seattle’s NPR affiliate station. T
Honoring a Legacy with Joe Skinner
Stuart talks to Joe Skinner, the host and producer of PBS's American Masters: Creative Spark. Storytelling is everywhere and provides more than just entertainment for the masses. On this episode of Audience, Stuart and Joe chat about Joe's interview process and how he creates engaging and thought-provoking episodes. He also goes in-depth about what it is like to have partnerships with companies like PBS and collaborate with a team.
Joe's background is in film documentaries and he currently
Entertainment in a Time of Crisis with Emily Y. Wu
Stuart talks to Emily Y. Wu, the co-founder of Ghost Island Media to talk about the podcasting scene in Taiwain, and why entertainment is important in a time of crisis. Emily talks about why Taiwan has been in the news for the past few years and what sorts of conversations need to happen in order to stay knowledgeable and instigate change. What will it take in order for the West to understand what is going on across the world?
Podcasting is an incredible medium that covers everything from art, t
Introducing The Limelight, a Castos Original Series (plus a preview for our next episode.)
Introudcing The Limelight, a new Castos Original series.
The Limelight is a short form audio and video series that talks to Castos customers and other podcasters, about the things that make them and their shows excellent and unique and interesting.
This is our newest podcast from the Casto original series. Here at Casto, we're building a whole network of podcasts, all serving the purpose of educating, inspiring, and, and motivating you as a podcaster and a creator to live your best
Hearing the Past with Tricia Vita
Stuart chats with Tricia Vita, from the Coney Island History podcast, about how an oral history archive was converted into a podcast series. Oral histories are important, not just for preserving and honoring the past, but also because we can learn from these memories. They can also spark important intergenerational conversations between families.
Tricia talks about what it’s like to create thematic episodes using short, spontaneous interviews. She also talks about what makes Coney Island
More Than a Hobby at The Place to Be
Today Stuart talks to Eric and Adam from The Place to Be, a Seinfeld Podcast. There are plenty of fan-made podcasts about cult TV shows, but The Place to Be is unique in that it combines multiple different formats: from interview to trivia to banter. Eric and Adam talk about the tight-knit Seinfeld community and about what made the show so iconic and timeless. Alongside fellow Seinfeld fan Stuart, they also answer some trivia questions, talk about how to connect with listeners, and what they lov
Documenting Culture with Andi Murphy
Today, Stuart and Andi Murphy chat about her award-winning podcast, Toasted Sister. Andi Murphy is Navajo from Crownpoint, N.M., and lives in Albuquerque. In addition to Toasted Sister, Andi is the producer for Native America Calling, a national show about Native issues and topics, and the 2021-2022 Civil Eats Indigenous Foodways fellow.
Food is an important aspect of all our lives and is something we sometimes take for granted. Andi talks about how important food is for culture as well as
Re-Air: Owning and Earning a Platform with Sangeeta Pillai
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart is talking with Sangeeta Pillai from the award-winning Masala Podcast about what it is like to create a podcast that talks about taboo content. Sangeeta has important messages to share about diversity, feminism, and inclusion. She shares those messages today, as well as her experience winning multiple British Podcast Awards. Sangeeta talks about her journey into podcasting, what it is like to be backed by Spotify, and how podcasting shoul
Stories to be Lived with Clem Snide [Explicit]
Everyone deserves a song.
Today, Stuart chats with Eef Barzelay, the lead singer of indie rock band Clem Snide, about his podcast, A Life in Song. They talk about the creative process and how it evolves and differs when he creates movie scores, writes songs, or creates podcast episodes. Eef is always busy making something, whether it’s his own brand of “simple” songs or if it’s a song based on his guest’s stories and journeys.
Eef has put his own spin on
A Brighter Future with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas
On this episode of Audience, Stuart talks with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas of the What Could Go Right?, a podcast that talks about current events that range from artificial intelligence, to climate change, to democracy. Zach and Emma talk about their influences, their vision, and their background. They share tips on podcasting and how to share your mission with your audience.
On their podcast, Zach and Emma tackle the big topics while looking at them through a positive lens and posing
Weaving the Endless Thread with Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson
On this episode of Audience, Stuart chats with Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson from the acclaimed podcast, Endless Thread. It is quite a feat to be able to build a show that stays relevant while also standing the test of time. Endless Thread has proven to be one of those great podcasts. On the show, Ben and Amory explore the depths of the internet in order to find niche communities, untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other jaw-dropping stories.
Today, Amory and Ben talk a
Art and Vox Pop with Tamar Avishai
Stuart and Tamar go inside her critically acclaimed podcast, The Lonely Palette. The Lonely Palatte started its wonderful journey in 2016, a different time for podcasts where things were both uncomplicated but also uncharted. Tamar talks about her experiences in podcasting, the importance of art history, how to bring visual art to an auditory medium, and different types of guests and what they can bring to a show.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources
Season 2 Trailer
Audience is an original series by Castos. At it’s core, it’s a podcast about podcasting. The team here at Castos is passionate about bringing valuable information, tips, and podcasting news to listeners so they can elevate their shows to the next level. In the second season of Audience, Stuart talks with podcasters from different backgrounds about their stories and how they achieved success. Join Stuart as he uncovers the process for making better shows and as he unravels the busines
3 Clips Re-Air: Design Matters with Debbie Millman
Since Audience is between seasons, we’re offering up a great episode from our 3 Clips archives. Today’s episode features an episode originally published in 2021 and highlights the first podcast about design. Ever. In this interview, host Jay Acunzo and Debbie discuss how she got started as a host, what’s kept her going, and why her research documents for each and every guest can be as long as 70 pages.
Debbie Millman started her interview show about design as a radio program to
2022 Wrap-Up
Today on Audience, Stuart and Matt talk about 2022 and the future of podcasting. There was a lot of news in big tech last year as well as the recession playing Hokey Pokey with the general public. Stuart and Matt chat about how those things affected podcasting as an industry and what 2023 will hold for Audience and the industry in general.
Have a few spare seconds? Do us a solid and fill out this anonymous survey. We really appreciate any input you have. Thanks!
If you have any questions a
3 Clips Re-Air: Smithsonian's Sidedoor
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re going back into our archives for another episode of 3 Clips. This one is hosted by Jay Acunzo and is with guest Lizzy Peabody. This episode focuses on narrative podcasting and how to create an immersive experience, especially if you don’t have a ton of resources.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show
World Building with Jonathan Goldberg
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with award-winning playwright Jonathan Goldberg about how he builds a world for the stage and behind the mic for his podcast, “The Fall of the House of Sunshine.” How do you create and portray a believable world for your podcast? Which details do you focus on and which do you leave out? Jonathan also shares his perspective on working as a writer, his influences, and why (and how) dark comedies work so well today.
If you have any q
Creating Complex Characters with Jenny Turner Hall and Florencia Lozano
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with Jenny Turner Hall and Florencia Lozano about how they created a high-concept podcast with a complex protagonist. With the rise of fiction podcasts, audio fiction, and docuseries, some podcasts now require better stories and compelling characters. How do podcasters achieve that level of storytelling? What are the ins and outs of audio fiction? Jenny and Florencia also talk about A Simple Herstory, “a theatrical and high-concept podc
Changing a Show with Sam Sethi
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt chats with Sam Sethi about what he’s been up to and about the future of podcasting. It’s surprising to hear that Sam’s only been in the podcasting space for around three years. In 2019, he was named Best Newcomer of the Year at the Community Radio Awards and since then, he has built a name for himself in the industry. Today Matt and Sam talk about Elon Musk, the future of opensource tech, and what it’s like getting some hard c
3 Clips Re-Air: Dirt Cheap: Serious Goofballs (ft. Amanda Meadows and Geoffrey Golden)
As always, we’re working really hard on new episodes of Audience. In the meantime, we're going to take a trip into our archives this week and listen in on a 3 Clips Episode. This one features the podcast Dirt Cheap. Dirt Cheap is all about the world of dirt cheap paperback novels, specifically old pulp novels.
Host Evo Terra talks with podcasters Amanda Meadows and Geoffrey Golden about what it is like to collaborate with a loved one on a creative project, the importance of structure
Hearing Pictures with Allen Clark
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with photographer Allen Clark about photography, his journey as an artist and as a podcaster, and what it’s like to photograph a president. Allen is well-known as an artist who will do anything to capture the perfect image. He has built a name for himself behind his lens, but, as The Photo Untaken Podcast will show you, he is more than a photographer.
Today, Stuart and Allen talk about how to get more out of an interview than just
Immersive Storytelling with Morgan Givens
In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Morgan Givens about how he uses field recordings and immersive sound design to create unique episodes that come to life for his listeners. Morgan shares the relatable story of Antoine in his fiction podcast, Flyest Fables.
Flyest Fables is more than just a story of a young bullied boy. Morgan’s amazing storytelling abilities help Antoine’s story transcend race, gender, and age barriers. Today Morgan shares his storytell
The Joy of Collaboration with Wil Williams
Introduction:
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Wil Williams of Hug House Productions. Together they chat about their podcasts (Scoring Magic and Valence) as well as the story behind Hug House Productions, a collective that focuses on spotlighting stories by and about marginalized groups.
Wil is the CEO of Hug House Productions, the showrunner for Valence, the head of communications and community at Apollo Podcasts, and a writer at Discover Pods. Today they talk ab
3 Clips Re-Air: Darknet Diaries
As work on new episodes continues, we're going to take a trip into our archives this week and listen in on a 3 Clips Episode.
In the meantime, we need help with a story we're working on. Do you use stock media for your projects? Do you create stock media for ohters to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between projects that use stock media and shows that comission art? We want to hear from you.
Reach out directly stuart@castos.com
Cyber crime, hacking and th
Think Globally, Pod Locally with Angela Hollowell
Introduction:
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Angela Hollowell from Ang H Studios based out of Durham, North Carolina, about independent media, the perks of staying small, and things to think about as you grow as a podcast. Angela is a visual brand storyteller and she uses her local podcast to connect with listeners from all over the world. On her video podcast, the Honey & Hustle podcast, Angela focuses on storytelling and entrepreneurship where the global issues
Blending Art and Utility with Bruce Wawrzyniak
Introduction:
How do you monetize without alienating your audience? What is the right mindset when going into a podcast?
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Bruce Wawrzyniak, who started his podcast (Now Hear This Entertainment) as a way to promote his business. This is a path that a lot of business owners take since it is an easy way to get valuable information out to their customers and potential customers. Today Bruce talks about his success and how his podcast ha
The Editor's View with Stephanie Fuccio
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt chats with Stephanie Fuccio, a multi-passionate creative who produces podcasts for herself and other creatives. She also writes about podcasts, and podcasting, and runs the Global Podcast Editors community.
Today, Stephanie and Matt talk about their editing process, why Stephanie leans into newsletters, how to gain confidence on a big platform like podcasting, and the best way to talk with (and not at) your audience. Listen in to get some insig
Discussing September Headlines
Matt and Stuart catch up with some headlines from the audio space
If you have quesitons that you want answered on an episode, you can send a quesiton in audio or written form to matt@castos.com
We're also working on a story about the use of stock media in podcasting. Do you use stock media for your projects? Do you make stock media for others to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between podcasts that use stock media versus those that have custom art? We want to hear fr
Re-Air: Creating an Audio Experience with Eric Nuzum
**Do you use stock media for your creative projects? Are you a creator who makes stock media for others to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between stock media and something that has been commissioned? We want to hear from you! Reach out directly to Stuart: stuart@castos.com
We’re going back to our archives and listening to an episode from March of 2022. It features Eric Nuzum from Magnificent Noise.
Technology is only good if it solves a problem. In the case
Owning and Earning a Platform with Sangeeta Pillai
Introduction:
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart is talking with Sangeeta Pillai from the award-winning Masala Podcast about what it is like to create a podcast that talks about taboo content. Sangeeta has important messages to share about diversity, feminism, and inclusion. She shares those messages today, as well as her experience winning multiple British Podcast Awards. Sangeeta talks about her journey into podcasting, what it is like to be backed by Spotify, and how podcasting s
Writing for Audio with Megan Bagala
Introduction:
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Megan Bagala about what it means to write for audio. Megan is a podcast producer, songwriter, musician, writer, actor, and renaissance woman. In addition to doing a bit of everything, she is also an expert in the topic of writing for audio, whether it be a musical, narrative, or chat show. She shares tips and advice from her experiences in order to help new podcasters, as well as veteran podcasters, look at their copy in a
3 Clips Re-Air: Nice Try with Avery Trufelman
On this episode, we dive back into our archives and an old episode of 3 Clips. This episode aired on January 17, 2022, and was hosted by Evo Terra. It was edited and produced by Stuart Barefoot
For connoisseurs of podcasts, Avery Trufelman shouldn’t need much of an introduction. She’s worked on popular shows like 99% Invisible and its successful spinoff, Articles of Interest. More recently she teamed up with Vox and Curbed to create Nice Try!
In season one of this investi
3 Clips Re-Air: Nice Try with Avery Trufelman
On this episode, we dive back into our archives and an old episode of 3 Clips. This episode aired on January 17, 2022, and was hosted by Evo Terra. It was edited and produced by Stuart Barefoot
For connoisseurs of podcasts, Avery Trufelman shouldn’t need much of an introduction. She’s worked on popular shows like 99% Invisible and its successful spinoff, Articles of Interest. More recently she teamed up with Vox and Curbed to create Nice Try!
In season one of this investigative series, Avery e
Centralized vs. Decentralized: The Space Between
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart share their discussions with Juleyka Lantigua, Sam Sethi, and Skye Pillsbury about centralized and decentralized monetization and podcasting. Take a peek into these fun and informative conversations as they delve into the definitions of indie podcasting, what kind of conversation you should have with advertisers, and the best possible route for different podcasters.
Should we welcome corporate overlords into our podcasts? Should we stay as
Centralized vs Decentralized: Value 4 Value
In this episode of Audience, you’ll hear Part II of our “Centralized vs. Decentralized” series. Matt and Stuart are joined by “The Podfather” himself, Adam Curry. Adam stops by to talk about protecting podcasting, and all those involved with creating podcast content. In addition to his many successes in podcasting, Adam is the Founder of PodcastIndex.Org, whose mission is to preserve, protect, and extend the open, independent podcasting ecosystem.
Centralized vs Decentralized: The Case for Discoverability
As podcasters (and creators in general) look for ways to generate more interest in their work, the method of distribtuion is sometimes being debated. So Matt and Stuart set out to ask podcasters of all stripes how they feel about centralized and decentralized distribution.
In part one Matt talks to Tanner Campbell who advocates for a more centralized system. He tells Matt this could help solve for discoverability and could streamline monetezation tools for podcasters.
Thanks
Realism in Audio Fiction
Some of the best, most diverse, and talented audio creators alive make their living creating audio fiction. Shows like Welcome to Nightvale, Limetown, and Alice isn’t Dead, just to name a few, weave complex story arcs, colorful characters, and of course, great production value for listeners. We’re all lucky these shows exist.
Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is firmly in the realm of audio fiction. But unlike most audio fiction, there are no supernatural elements, heroes, villai
Discussing podcast industry headlines for July 2022
Stuart and Matt are back to discuss their top podcast industry news stories for the month of July.
Acast continues to make the news from spamming podcast host customers like us at Castos, to purchasing Podchaser, the "only social media site for podcasters."
Subscription podcasts are making a splash with Marc Maron jumping into the game of selling exclusive access content. Subscription podcasting will be on the rise as more and more creators adopt the method.
Castos is proud to
Coping with (creative) loss
Matt interviews Dr. Sherry Walling about her new book, Touching Two Worlds: A Gudie for Finding Hope in the Landscape of Loss.
Dr. Sherry Walling is a clinical psychologist, speaker, podcaster, best-selling author, yoga teacher, and mental health advocate. Their discussion crosses into many different areas of creativity, life, entrepreneurship, and podcasting.
The last few years have been tough on everyone -- this is an episode you don't want to miss!
Links
https://www.sherrywalling.
Grant Funding a Podcast with Danielle Desir Corbett
Funding a podcast can be tricky. Unless you’re one of the top-rated podcasts, ads typically won’t generate all that much revenue. Paywalls are great under the right circumstances. But if you don’t already have a large following, they can be a barrier to your podcast being discovered.
Enter grant funding. Yes, grants exist for podcasters, you just have to know where to find them. So Danielle Desir Corbet, founder of WOC Podcasters and host of The Thought Card Podcast, started &l
3 Clips Re-Air: Bellwether
For this episode, we’ll go back into our Archives to listen to an episode of 3Clips. It features Sam Greenspan and their podcast of speculative journalism, Bellwether.
Not only is Sam one of the best minds in radio and podcasting (and the masterpiece that is Bellwether reflects that) but they also were able to use crowdfunding to bring a project five years in the making to life.
This episode first aired in February of 2022 and was hosted by Evo Terra and was produced and edited
In the News: White Noise Podcasts, Spotify’s Proclamation and More
Stuart and Matt gather to discuss a few stories from the world of audio.
Pod Voices
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe Vs. Wade podcasters are uniting to support women’s right and pro choice policies. If you’re a podcaster who feels called to speak out, Arielle Nissenblatt has a website for how podcasters can spread awareness and link to resources.
podvoices.help
White Noise in Podcasting
Ashley Carmen from Bloomberg reports that some p
We Need Podcast Critics - with Keelin Peterson
Keelin Peterson runs the website Mentally a Magpie where she reviews podcasts. She joins Audience to discuss what she looks for in a podcast and how thoughtful, objective criticism can help podcasting.
Links:
Connect with Keelin
mentallyamagpie.com
@IAmKeelinIt
Podcasts Mentioned
goodniks.org
20k.org
iheart.com/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-cl-21124503/
theringer.com/gene-and-roger-podcast
Castos
castos.com/integrations/stripe
When Passion Meets Profession: How to fund a Project with Newt Schottelkotte
Newt Schottelkotte created their first audio drama in 2017 when they were only 15 years old. That led to the creation of Caldera Studios, a production company where Newt produces their work including their latest series, Where the Stars Fell.
In this episode, Newt and Stuart discuss the creative process of making a fiction podcast, the need for budgets in audio drama, and strategies for crowdfunding.
Links
Castos and Stripe Integration
Newt’s website
Newt’s piece on Mediu
When Passion Meets Profession: How to fund a Project with Newt Schottlekote
Newt Schottlekote created their first audio drama in 2017 when they were only 15 years old. That led to the creation of Caldera Studios, a production company where Newt produces their work including their latest series, Where the Stars Fell.
In this episode, Newt and Stuart discuss the creative process of making a fiction podcast, the need for budgets in audio drama, and strategies for crowdfunding.
Links
Castos and Stripe Integration
Newt’s website
Newt’s piece on Medium
Caldera Studio’s Band
Camp Monsters (Re-Air)
For brands and companies, incorporating podcasting into their content marketing strategy probably seems like a no-brainer. But doing it well? It’s more art than science, but REI at least has the “art” part of that down pretty well.
Among their many podcast offerings is Camp Monsters. So we go to our archives and a previous episode of another Castos Original, 3 Clips. This episode first aired on November 1, 2021 and was hosted by Jay Acunzo and produced and edited by Stuart Bare
Selling an audio book through a podcast
Matt and Jonathan get back together to give us an update on their “build in public” subscription podcast experiment.
In their first episode, Matt pitched the idea to Jonathan as a way to add another revenue stream to his podcast efforts. It was a new concept to Jonathan, who still had to come up with a plan on what he would actually sell.
Today, he’s back to share his ideas on selling an audiobook version of his printed book, and what other value he can deliver to his cust
From the Road to the Studio
In his decades-long relationship with audio, Marcus dePaula has been a musician, a live audio engineer touring with bands and now he’s a podcast producer. Through his company “Me Only Louder” he works with business and creative professionals to make podcasts and website content. He also works with his wife at Mixtus Media to create websites
He joins Audience to discuss his time on the road and how he gained the technical skills and the attention to detail that are crucial in ma
Facebook quits while podcast listenership on the rise
Stuart and Matt are back with some of the most impactful headlines in the podcasting space. Listen for a breakdown of how some of the big players in the space might impact your podcast. If you want us to cover a
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/facebook-pulls-plug-podcast-business-184557380.html
The company will stop creators adding podcasts to the service this week. They don’t plan to communicate the closure to Facebook users.
https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-top-50-most-listened-
Niche Podcasting and Learning to Love (work) Again
Ijeoma Ekeocha was over her job. A series of microaggressions and just blatant racism convinced Ijeoma, a talented Pharmacist and medical researcher, that she should quit. So she created a podcast hoping she could transition into doing that full time. She launched the podcast “Brownskin Stories” and things seemed to be going well.
But then something happened. Podcast coach Nikaila Matthews convinced her to find even more of a niche. That’s when “Black Women Pharmaci
Making a Living (3Clips)
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re diving into the archives to show you an older but important episode of the 3 Clips Podcast called, “Making a Living in Podcasting.” This episode was hosted by the 3 Clips original host, Jay Acunzo with business partners Kinsey Grant and Josh Kaplan as guests.
3 Clips is a show that focuses on the craft of podcasting. It showcases specific podcasts in each episode and breaks down their processes, three clips at a time.
I
Formatting for a niche podcast
“No one ever says that we should stop publishing books.” is the thought that popped into Stuart’s head while he visited a bookstore in today’s episode.
After returning, he and Matt chat about finding a niche for your podcast. With over 4 million podcasts published at podcastindex.org and 2 million+ in Apple’s directory, you might feel discouraged to make it in this medium. Don’t fret! Learn how you can niche down and persist through the launch phase of y
You (Probably) Need a Producer w/ Alex Lewis
What does a producer actually do anyway? Well, it varies from one project to the next but the best podcasts often utilize the services of a producer or multiple producers. So for this episode, Stuart chats with Alex Lewis, an audio producer and musician.
Alex has been a radio and audio producer for more than a decade and has worked with NPR, the BBC and founded his own company, Rowhome Productions based in Philadelphia. For his work, Alex has received a National Edward R. Murrow Award a
Building a subscription podcast in public w/ Jonathan Jones
Are you curious about subscription podcasting? Do you know what a private podcast is? Are you scared about jumping into private podcasting?
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Jonathan Jones and Matt do a little experiment with subscription podcasting. Jonathan is going to build a subscription podcast (at Castos) in public, with Matt. Today they go through the initial brainstorming process as Jonathan submits his membership and audiobook ideas for his private podcast.
Jonathan also ta
Starting a paid members-only podcast w/ Joe Casabona
Joe Casabona joins the Audience podcast today to talk about his journey as a podcast creator. Joe produces a mix of podcasts in the web, WordPress and podcasting space.
Matt and Joe cover some of the ways you can monetize a public podcast. Including digital products, courses, memberships, ads and more. Joe has found balance in offering sponsorship spots on public podcasts, but also uses Castos private podcasts for his membership offerings.
Creating a successful podcast requires a multi-chan
Planning and Producing a Great Interview Show
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart talk about what it takes (behind the scenes) to make a great podcast, with examples from the 3 Clips podcast. They talk about best practices and their processes when it comes to booking guests, pre-interviews, monetization, and editing. Not only do they touch on a few newbie mistakes (and how to avoid them), they also talk about how to make your podcast better. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, everyone will find something to take away
Steal this podcast listener survey!
Today I'm hoping you can share in the improvement of the Audience podcast by taking part in our survey. Head there now at https://castos.com/survey
As you might know, Season 2 of our other podcast 3 Clips has come to close. That means Stuart will be joining us more regularly on Audience.
We have some new concepts cooking for you, which I think you'll really enjoy. By visiting castos.com/survey you can help us understand what types of content you'd like us to produce. And hey, if that's not enoug
Creating an audio experience w/ Eric Nuzum
Technology is only good if it solves a problem. In the case of podcasting it definitely does solve problems. It’s basically broken down all major barriers to access when it comes to creating and distributing your audio.
But creating a good podcast is so much more than simply choosing the right microphones, the best software and distributing an RSS Feed. To make a good podcast, you need to create an audio experience, ideally an experience that is unique to your show.
Eri
Create your own subscription podcast w/ Stripe and Castos
Today I’d like to talk about creating your own subscription podcast without the middle man taking a cut of your revenue.
Before we get too far down into the blueprint for monetizing your podcast, there are some hard requirements I’m mentioning in this episode:
You must be okay with starting a free Stripe account.
You’re using Castos to host your subscription podcast feed or feeds.
Bonus: If you want to make other automation magic happen, I also recommend a free Zapier acc
Researching & Producing a narrated podcast with Paulina Salmas
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt interviews Paulina Salmas from An Eyesore and a Plague podcast. Paulina talks about how Twitter Spaces has changed podcasting and what it’s like to write and perform a scripted non-fiction podcast. Their discussion goes from podcasting to the definition of a village, to Wurlitzer keyboards. Paulina’s passion for history and how things work fuels her podcast and hobbies and it shows in her enthusiasm for the topics. She is a wealth of info
6 Ways to be a better podcast guest
Chances are, if you're listening to this episode, you produce a podcast. There's a 90% chance that podcast is an interview show. There's a 50% chance you've had a guest on said show that made you exhale a gigantic w-t-f was that when the conversation stopped.
We've all had that guest. They sounded good on paper, but when you hit record, the whole vibe fell flat.
So, the mission for today: share this episode with your potential guest. Because, dear guest, my friend the podcaster here wants the be
Bob Ross: Finding inspiration from Different Mediums
What can a soft-spoken painter teach us about podcasting?
In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about what we can learn from painting legend Bob Ross. While this beloved artist may have passed away nearly thirty years ago, he is still in the heads and hearts of many people today.
Stuart talks with Doug Blandy, professor emeritus at the University of Oregon, who has done a lot of work around Bob Ross and his legacy. From books to documentaries, Doug is a Bob Ross expert. Stu
Podcast 2.0 app Fountain.fm with Oscar Merry
Is Bitcoin an option for podcasters? What should you be doing right now when it comes to monetizing your podcast?
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Oscar Merry from Fountain. Fountain is an app that allows podcasters to share podcast clips with potential listeners and it allows listeners to support their favorite creators with Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency isn’t just in the future of podcasting, it’s in the present as well.
Today Oscar talks about Fountain
3 Clips Season 2: How to start a war
Do you know how WWII started? How do you incorporate narrative elements into a nonfiction podcast? In what ways can you weave in various sound elements to heighten the podcasting experience for your listeners?
These questions (and more) are answered by Evo Terra (from the 3 Clips podcast) and Michael Trapani (from the How to Start a War podcast). Today’s Audience episode is actually the first episode from the second season of the 3 Clips podcast. In it, host Evo Terra talks with his guest,
How to hit the podcast reset button
Do you have more than one podcast? Have you been reconsidering your podcast goals? How do you continue to innovate (and want to innovate) when you’ve been podcasting for so long?
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Craig talk about what you can do to hit the reset button on your podcast. Whether you’ve been hosting the same podcast for years or if you’ve been running two or more podcasts, burnout can feel inevitable.
Today, Matt and Craig talk about what you
Jonathan Jones: From public speaker to podcaster
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Jonathan Jones from the Your Podcast Mentor Show. Today they’re talking about how Jonathan went from public speaker to podcaster and how he utilizes YouTube and his skills as a speaker to grow his audience.
Jonathan also talks about where you can find your first speaking gig, how he is leaning into YouTube shorts, and how he connects and engages with his audience. Jonathan Jones is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to podca
Less is more: How long should an episode be?
How long should a podcast episode be? Do longer episodes have more useful content than shorter ones? Do short episodes cut out all the unnecessary chatter? Making a podcast is more of an art than a science. There’s no magical format that will get you downloads; there is only the format that works for you. For most people, that means they’ll have an awkward trial and error period. To make that period a little less awkward, Stuart brings on a podcaster to share one format that has work
2022 Podcast Predictions
What is podcasting going to be like in 2022? What are your predictions for next year? What are your hopes for the industry? In this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about his predictions, Castos’ predictions, and other podcasters’ opinions about what they think will happen in the next year.
Are you hopeful for more integrations for promotion? What trends do you see moving forward and evolving in 2022? Matt hears from four strong and seasoned podcasters (Danny Brown,
30 Days to launch a podcast
Are you up for a challenge? How about launching a podcast in 30 days? Today, Matt talks about what it would take to launch a podcast in a month. With the New Year around the corner, many of you (or your friends) might be thinking about launching a podcast in 2022. What would that take?
Would you be able to launch a podcast in 30 days? From conception to publication? Matt turned to Twitter to ask what you would do. Today he covers his favorite tips from @heyemilykennedy, @indiedropin, @tfyhpodcas
There's 92 Podcast Marketing Tips After This
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about his latest Twitter challenge and how it led to Lauren Passell, the Founder of Tink Media, Podcast the Newsletter and Editor at Hark Audio. Matt talks about Lauren’s top eight tweets (according to Matt) and Lauren joins the podcast for a few extra tips as well. This short episode is packed full of helpful advice for new podcasters, as well as some reminders and words of wisdom for veteran podcasters. So get out a pen and paper, you&r
Simplify Your Sound Design, Without Sacrificing on Quality
To state the obvious, Podcasting is an audio medium so how it sounds is crucial. But sometimes sound design can be a lengthy and expensive process, which is fine when you have the budget and personnel to create custom music and score each episode. But for independent creators and small organizations who might not have the time or budget to do that, there’s a way to spruce up your podcast without sacrificing on quality.
Links:
Q-Rock on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinton-j
I listened to 3 hours of Tim Ferris so you wouldn't have to
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about a 3-hour episode of Tim Ferriss’ podcast, where he and guest Chris Hutchins talk about how Tim grew The Tim Ferriss Show into what it is today. The episode is a powerful one but pretty long, so Matt highlights some of the most important bullet points for you. Using clips and commentary, Matt dives into the ten biggest lessons from that episode.
You might have heard of Tim Ferriss from his bestselling book, The 4-Hour Workweek. You m
When to use a "Trailer Episode" and when to use an "Episode 0"
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart talk about the differences and the importance of having a trailer episode or an “Episode 0.” Are they different things? The short answer is yes. The long answer involves the reasoning for using one or the other, as well as the length and content of this initial episode. Depending on the format of your podcast, you may benefit from either having an Episode 0 or a trailer.
Listen in to get tips on how to make both of them w
Gary Arndt on winning with short form podcasts + TikTok
What is a travel photographer to do when the entire world shuts down? Turn to podcasting and TikTok, of course. Gary Arndt was owning the space of travel photography until the global pandemic put an end to his plans. Now he’s taking on the podcasting world with his podcast, The Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast.
But Gary did not let that break him. Gary has been a content creator for many years and today he shares some of his expertise about how to create podcasts people love. He gives h
Data Doesn't Have to Be Scary w/ Alexandra Mannerings
Podcasting can be a really great medium for breaking down long-held ideas about a certain topic.
On this episode, Sam is joined by Alexandra Mannerings of the Heart, Soul, and Data podcast to learn about how she is using her show as a platform to start conversation with organizations and individuals who may have been adverse to all things data in the past while opening new opportunities for her business.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we m
Automations Engine and ConvertKit Integration
Castos’ private podcast automation makes it easier to make changes to subscriptions, engage with your audience, and make sure your content is secure. Today, Craig and Matt talk about Castos’ newest integrations and what it will mean for podcasters interested in private podcasting. The team is ecstatic about the ConvertKit integration which will allow podcasters to do wonderful things with their private podcasts.
The crew at Castos has been working hard to deliver some of the mo
Let's put on a show
Why do I want to start a podcast? What should my podcast be about? What do I want to get out of podcasting? These are the questions we’re talking about today on Audience.
Peter Link, CEO of Watchfire Music, joins us today, to talk about how to put on a good show. Peter goes over his process from concept to post-production, and how he uses his experience as a composer and lyricist when he produces his podcast, Scattershot Symphony. He also talks about how podcasting has helped him and
Craft Beer & Conversation: The Perfect Recipe for A Podcast w/ Joseph Bennecke
Today on the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski brings you the latest episode of the Castos Creator’s Spotlight series. In this series, Sam talks with content creators (just like you) about where they came from, where they’re going, and also their tips, tricks, and advice for new podcasters.
In this episode Sam is joined by Joseph Bennecke from the Brews with the Homies podcast. In this episode, Sam and Joseph focus on building communities around podcasts and around beer. Joseph
Ushering in a community for your podcast w/ Arielle Nissenblatt
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Arielle Nissenblatt about building a community around your podcast. There are so many great takeaways from this episode, from community engagement to building an audience, podcasting habits to monetization. Arielle lends her expertise in answering Matt’s questions about podcasting and Twitter.
Arielle is a podcast expert in every sense of the word. She founded the EarBuds Podcast Collective in 2017, a podcast recommendation engine wh
Nathan Gathright of Steno.fm
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with podcast veteran Nathan Gathright about his latest venture: Steno.FM. The podcast 2.0 movement is bringing a lot of great things to podcasters and listeners. This also means transcripts. Descript is great for podcasters who need to work on their own podcasts, but what about listeners? There are a limited number of podcasting apps that have transcript features. Enter: Steno.FM. But we’ll let Nathan talk about that.
Matt and Nathan also
Behind The Scenes Of A Brand Redesign
In this episode Craig takes you behind the scenes with 3 Castos team members as we describe the process of the brand redesign we're launching today. Recreating a brand, even after just a few years, is a major undertaking, but one that every brand (and yes, your podcast is a "brand") should consider. Taking the time to properly align your mission, vision, and goals with the actual visual elements that you put out into the world goes a long way towards conveying brand consistency and t
Thriving On Twitter with Bridget Willard
There aren't many more well-understood growth channels for a brand's audience than social media. But like a lot of things when it comes to growing your brand, it's often not complicated, but it's hard.
Twitter in particular is a favorite for brands (and let's face it, your podcast is a 'brand' whether you've admitted it to yourself or not) to grow their reach and drive traffic back to a website.
Today Craig sits down with Bridget Willard, social media management pro, and someone who has bee
Podcasting with Friends
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about a different type of podcast. While most of the Audience podcast episodes focus on podcasts and podcasters who want to glean financial value and brand awareness from their work, other podcasts originate from a group of friends hanging out.
Today, Stuart focuses on a few podcasts which have started off that way. Renee from the ConspiraTea Podcast and Gavin from the What Kind of Monster Are You Podcast share their formula for success
Starting a Conversation and Engaging Your Community with Chris Desmond
On this week’s episode of the Creator’s Spotlight series, Sam talks with Chris Desmond about how to start a conversation and engage with your podcasting community. Chris’ healthcare background easily transferred into a podcasting hobby. It has since morphed even more, changing from a hobby, to a mental health tool, to a resource for the healthcare community. Sam and Chris share their advice about how to create these communities as well as tips for interviewing, making the editi
10 Ways to save time as a busy podcaster
Today’s episode is all about saving time as a podcaster, especially a solo podcaster.
Running a podcast resembles running a small business more than you might have guessed...or hoped.
As small business owners, you’re responsible for wearing many hats. If you’ve ever launched a business, you quickly found out that not only are you the owner but you’re also the:
Head sales person
Customer support lead
Accountant
Janitor
Food runner
And the president! 
Podcast 2.0 apps + your new call to action
Today’s episode is all about new podcast apps + podcast 2.0.
It’s a big topic, and a bleeding edge one for most of us, suffice to say this one episode wouldn’t do the whole of it justice. However, if there’s one thing I leave you with, it’s that you’re encouraged, as podcast creators, to go out and explore. If you’ve been hearing more and more about this from other shows you listen to but are still left scratching your head, well, allow me to
Thoughts on using video to grow your podcast
In the last episode we talked about Tom Webster's approach to using YouTube for growing your podcast.
A quick recap of that is:
Use Youtube because it's a powerful search tool for topic heavy podcast episodes.
Make your show more shareable; leverage something other than audio to do that.
After shipping that episode, I felt like, while it was great I said we should be considering video -- I didn't really get into how you could that for your show. More specifically, if you're already neck deep i
Growing through word of mouth
Matt is back from vacation. On this episode of the Audience podcast, he tackles the subject of growing an audience in the most tactful way possible. Matt offers tips and advice based on statistics, his own expertise on podcasting, and through the lens of his unique perspective from being in the industry for so long. Even after the biggest year in podcasting, the classic word-of-mouth marketing techniques are still best. Listen in to find out how to utilize it best in 2021, for your podcast.
If y
Crafting a Narrative Podcast
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about creating podcasts and episodes with narratives. Narrative podcasts have their own format and their own style but are not limiting within the narrative format. Stuart explains what makes a narrative podcast different from an interview podcasts and how to craft one well. He also goes over best practices, the pros and cons, and how a narrative podcast can make you stand out in the sea of podcasts out on the internet right now.
If you have
The Creator's Calling - A Leap of Faith Into Podcasting with Anya Smith
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski, the host of The Creator Spotlight Series, talks with Anya Smith of the Matters of Belief podcast. The top two topics we generally avoid when making pleasant conversation are politics and religion. Today Anya shares why religion should not be on that list. It is obvious by her curiosity, expertise, and enthusiasm about the topic, why people feel so comfortable talking with her about spirituality and religion. In addition to these topics, Sa
Growing A Successful Membership Podcast with Tony Merkel
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Craig talks with Tony Merkel from the Confessionals podcast. Tony was able to live the dream: quit his job and become a full-time podcaster. Today on Audience, Tony talks about creating a community, suggestions for new podcasters, and lessons that he has learned about audience growth. Tony shares his bootstrap knowledge to help new podcasters but he also shares an inspirational message about being passionate about the things you love, and not being afraid
A Systematic Approach to Podcasting Success with Eric Stauffer
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski is joined by Eric Stauffer from the Proper Cents podcast. Eric talks about everything from his background and journey into podcasting to his workflow and process for coming up with content for his podcast and website. Proper Cents is a wealth of information about financial news and advice. He also gives his advice for new podcasters in terms of content creation, growing your podcast, and the process of podcasting. He even chimes in on the 1
Creating a Content Emergency Fund with Sam Chlebowski
Content emergency fund with Sam
Today's guest is none other than our very own Head of Growth, Sam Chlebowski.
Over the last two months, Sam has been helping our team iron out some of the creases in-between the marketing & sales teams here at Castos. His background in the web services industry and managing expectations of small business owners navigate uncertain waters is a huge boon to our podcasters.
Sam and Matt help define what the "Head of Growth" role means along with his day to day res
Castos raising outside funding to improve podcasting for creators
In this episode Matt and Craig talk through the fundraising round that Castos has recently completed.
Castos, a leader in podcast hosting and analytics, has successfully closed an investment round of $756,000. With investments by Automattic, Joost de Valk of Yoast SEO, and individual investors, Castos will use this additional capital to fuel its advance into the Private Podcasting market.
With podcasting, and audio content in general, showing no signs of slowing now that the worst of th
Exploring the step away experience at Castos
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about what the step away experience is at Castos. In a world that was changed by the events that happened in 2020, employers and work expectations must also change. Employees and team members no longer commuted to work or walked into boardrooms for meetings. Instead all of that was replaced with virtual meetings after virtual meetings. “Zoom fatigue” became widely experienced. Today Matt talks about how to utilize private podcasting
Are you a Creator? (Part 1)
In today's episode of Audience, Matt explores the boundaries of being called a "Creator" and how it relates to the creator economy.
This is episode 1 in a series that will explore what a creator means in the larger context of podcasting. There are a few challenges for you ahead:
Ask yourself what "Creator" means to you
Learn from other creatives outside of the podcasting space
Find a deeper connection in your content
Matt shares a clip from an interview with actor Ethan Hawke titled, Give your
3 Clips Archive: How to Make an Interview Show Extraordinary (ft. Neil Pasricha)
Today's episode is a must-listen re-run from our other show, 3 Clips . It's presented by Andrea, one of our producers for 3 Clips, in place of Jay while he's out on parental leave.
We hope you enjoy today's episode and give 3 Clips a follow in your favorite podcasting apps.
Niching down to monetize your podcast w/ Bob Dunn
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with fellow podcaster, Bob Dunn from the Do the Woo Podcast. Bob specializes in a specific niche within WordPress, which is what his podcast focuses on as well. That begs the question, “How do you niche down in podcasting?” Today, Bob and Matt talk about niche podcasting and sponsorships, how to get started with sponsorships (when you’re new and scared), and different types of ad-rolls.
How important is creativity in an
Podcast Junkies w/ Harry Duran
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Harry Duran from Podcast Junkies and his podcast production company (Fullcast). From mobile app developer to his ah-ha moment at New Media Expo, he talks about his journey into podcasting as well as his thought experiment which led to the Vertical Farming Podcast. Harry shares his expertise in the industry as the discussion moves from hyperfocusing on niches and the importance of building partnerships with sponsors.
If you have any questio
Castos acquires Podiant podcast hosting
The Audience podcast is back with exciting news: Castos has acquired Podiant podcast hosting!
Matt & Craig sit down to discuss the acquisition and what it means for the Castos family. We'll learn that it goes beyond acquiring more customers and injecting them into the Castos brand, but that customers from both sides will benefit.
Along with new Podiant customers remaining on the same billing plan, they will also get all of the great unlimited features of Castos podcast hosting, too! Cas
Castos Creator: Tim McKenna of the Signal337 podcast
The Castos Creator's series is happy to share today's story of Tim McKenna, podcast host of the Signal337 (three-thirty-seven) Podcast, a show for the innately curious and creative.
Since September of 2019, Tim has been sharing his thoughts on design, business, and leadership with his audience. Though, we'll learn today that he tried to start the show with some co-hosts, things didn't pan out the way he had hoped.
Like many of us, Tim didn't set out to do a solo podcast reserved for only his opi
Welcome Apple & Spotify
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Craig and Matt do a deep dive into the Apple and Spotify announcements about private podcasts, and discuss how it might affect the industry and the podcast creator economy. How will it affect creators? Would you rather “rent land” or “own your own property”? What does this mean for the future of podcasting? What are the pros and cons to monetization with a big company like Apple or Spotify?
If you have any questions about this epis
Castos purchases the 3 Clips podcast
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re featuring a new podcast acquired by Castos: The 3 Clips podcast. Castos owner Craig Hewitt and 3 Clips host Jay Acunzo talk about the acquisition process along with a few tips on the fundamentals of podcasting. They also share their thoughts on what makes a show great and how smaller shows can achieve that.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcas
The energy to create your art with Espree Devora
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Espree Devora about creating and cultivating energy, positivity, and motivation with your art. Do you consider podcasting to be an artform? What is your purpose for podcasting? Why do you show up? These are the types of questions that Matt and Espree talk about on today’s episode.
Espree Devora is an amazing personality and a bright light in podcasting. From her Women in AI podcast to the We are LA Tech podcast, she endeav
Podcasting through the lens of Evo Terra
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Evo Terra from Podcast Pontifications. Evo is the author of Podcasting For Dummies and Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies. He has also launched and run one of the first large podcast networks, and built a successful strategic podcast consultancy. From public speaking to podcasting, Evo has an amazing way with words and he shares a few of his pontifications and advice with us today.
Today, Matt and Evo talk about livestreami
Improve your podcast production
Anyone can start a podcast, but not anyone can make it successful... Stuart Barefoot is an expert in podcast production - so his voice is a legitimate one to listen to for anyone thinking about starting a podcast - even more so if you have an existing podcast and are looking to take your show to the next level.
Stuart has years of experience coaching people to find and create content that is relevant now - and for the foreseeable future - evergreen content as they call it… This kind
Why every podcast needs a community
Today’s guest is the lovely and bubbly Michelle Frechette. Michelle does a little bit of everything: coaching, public speaking, website evaluation, writing, podcasting, and she is a WordPress expert. Her mission is to help people and she accomplishes this by working with non-profits around the world.
In this episode, Matt talks with Michelle about the importance of building a community. They share stories and tips, including the launch and journey of Michelle’s podcast (“
The future of private podcasting at Castos
What is a private podcast? How is it different from a public one? How is it different from social audio? What’s the point of having a private podcast? In today’s episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Craig talk about, that’s right, private podcasting. What it is, the future of private podcasting, and how it impacts the industry.
If you’re utilizing private podcasting, tell us about it. Write us an email or record a message, drop it in Dropbox or Google Drive, then sen
Marketing your podcast against 2 million other shows
2020 brought explosive growth to podcasting, but how can you stand out OR at the very least, build a structure around marketing your show? Recording & publishing a podcast is merely the first step. It is all the things you do around the show which will help it achieve its potential.
Today’s episode is almost like a mini crash course in podcasting and marketing. No matter if you’re new to podcasting or if you’ve been around the block a few times, sometimes it is important to
Improving the podcast creator experience at Castos
We’re excited to have Kim McCaffery join Castos as our Customer Experience Manager.
Matt and Kim join the podcast to talk about her role in servicing Castos podcast hosting customers, leading them to publish successful shows. Kim has a deep passion for supporting users needing to use software to reach their goals.
As much as we like to say that podcasting is easy, the team at Castos knows there are a lot of challenges for creators coming into this space for the very first time. From
Monetizing a restaurant podcast during a pandemic
In this creator’s spotlight episode, Matt talks with Chip Klose of the Restaurant Strategy podcast. Today’s topics are all about audience and monetization. Matt and Chip talk about Chip’s incredible achievement at creating over a hundred episodes and the lessons he has learned from that success. Chip also goes over what it means to be a content creator, how to monetize a podcast in the midst of a pandemic, and the most important thing to remember while you create content and ma
Social Audio: Clubhouse vs Twitter Spaces
In this episode, Matt and Craig talk about using audio on different platforms. With the introduction of Clubhouse (an invite-only platform where users are able to have casual, drop-in audio only conversations with one another), social audio is on the rise. But what is social audio? Will it replace podcasting? Will your podcast have to compete with it? Today, Matt and Craig talk about the pros and cons of social audio, the different platforms, how you can use it to supplement your podcast, and wh
Becoming a talk show host w/ Kerry Gorgone
In this episode, Matt talks with talk show host Kerry Gorgone. Seasoned podcasters and newbie podcasters can learn a lot from our conversation which spans topics that range from Clowns Without Borders to avoiding podcast burnout. Today, Kerry lets us in on a plethora of lessons she has learned from the podcasting industry. She also talks about what it means to be a talk show host, and how to get over perfectionist tendencies.
Kerry is the cohost of The Backpack Show (with Chris Brogan), Th
Should you use YouTube for your podcast?
In this episode, Matt talks about whether or not you should utilize the YouTube platform for your podcast. He lists and explains a number of reasons why YouTube is great for interaction with your current listeners, and will help attract new listeners. He also covers a couple of reasons why some people prefer not to use YouTube and his thoughts on those as well.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. A
Castos Creator's Spotlight: Crimes Against Folk
In this episode, Matt talks with Ed and Ashley from Crimes Against Folk. The wonderful episode has a ton of takeaways including finding and publishing your passion to the world, focusing on what’s really important first, and even finding sponsorship. In addition to a great conversation, today’s edition of Castos Creator’s Spotlight talks with Ed and Ashley about the evolution of their podcast because of 2020, and marathon livestreaming sessions. They also talk about the importa
Complimenting a Live Event with Podcasting with Ed Freyfogle
In this episode, Craig talks with Ed Freyfogle about his live event (Geomob) and the podcast that goes with it. With fifty episodes under his belt, Ed has a lot of great information to share about how he organizes interviews, records episodes, tips for new podcasters, and on the topic of podcasting as a business-related hobby. Ed also talks about how the podcast has been a great compliment to their live event and the perks of having both.
Ed Freyfogle is the co-founder of OpenCage (which provide
Deep dive into podcast advertising with Bryan Barletta
In this episode, Craig talks with Bryan Barletta from Sounds Profitable about advertising in podcasting. Sounds Profitable is a free, weekly newsletter about adtech in podcasting. Advertising can be such an intimidating process. Where do you start? Who do you talk to? Where do you go? What connections and relationships should you be building? Bryan answers these questions in today’s episode.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, hea
Drive more podcast traffic through livestreaming
Today on Audience, Matt is talking with live-streaming expert Ross Brand. Ross is a former radio personality, reporter and also a show host. With his deep love for broadcasting in mind, he created the @livestreamuni Twitter account before finally created the website: LivestreamUniverse.com. Through this platform he’s able to highlight brands that produce high quality content as well as broadcasters. He is one of the most noteworthy names and experts in live-streaming because of his passion
Chris Coyier of the Shoptalk Show
Today on Audience, Craig talks with Chris Coyier of the Shoptalk Show, which has produced over four hundred episodes. Craig talks to Chris about what it’s like being an online creator (podcaster, blogger, software and web designer, etc.). Chris talks about the lessons he has learned and what it’s like to have a weekly podcast for ten years. They also talk about podcasting trends in terms of marketing, topics, and the future outlook of the industry.
If you have any questions about thi
The ROI of a podcast w/ Brendan Hufford
In this episode, Matt is talking to Brendan Hufford about ROI and marketing. He also goes over his background in teaching and marketing and how that led to his SEO course titled, “SEO for the Rest of Us.” Today Brendan brings his high energy, enthusiasm, and expertise about SEO, his YouTube channel, and marketing for podcasts. He also talks about community: what it means to be a community member, how to create and cultivate a good community, and the whys of building a community aroun
Live Podcasting: Why you should consider doing your podcast via livestream
In this episode, both Craig and Matt are talking about live podcasting, livestreaming, and video podcasts. They’re talking about trends in the industry, what livestreaming does for accountability, future live streams, and the pros and cons of the medium. Whether you’re just starting in podcasting or if you’re a veteran podcaster, livestreaming is something you should familiarize yourself with. Today, Craig and Matt help introduce you to this new format.
If you have any question
Award-winning podcast producer Eric Johnson
Today Matt is talking with Eric Johnson from Bumblecast.FM. From winning the 2019 Podcast of the Year award to helping make original podcasts, Eric is a well-known and prominent podcast editor in the industry. His newest venture is Bumblecast.FM which is a business in the business of helping you with your podcast. They can either help you start a podcast of your own or can help your existing podcast.
Eric has been in the digital media and podcasting field for over ten years. He’s wor
How podcasting helped Kim Doyal build an E-commerce business
Today Matt talks with Kim Doyal (from Content Creators Planner and the Kim Doyal Show) about focusing on quality content and putting your energy where it is most needed instead of spreading yourself out too thin. They also touch on the podcasting and marketing aspects that Kim loves to do and why those things are so important when you’re creating content. Kim shares her experience with taking a break from podcasting and why that can be a good thing. They also go over what the Content Creat
The Truth About What It Takes To Be A Successful Content Creator
On today’s episode, Craig talks with Ben Pines, the Head of Content and Product Evangelist of Elementor. Ben is a marketing expert that has developed several successful online ventures in the past few years, one of which is Elementor, the most popular website builder for Wordpress. Both Elementor and Castos help enable creators to make and share content with their audience. We are going to focus on debunking the myths around how easy it is to be a content creator and run a successful
5 Podcast Videos Worth Your Time
On today’s episode, I’m talking about five videos on the Castos YouTube page, which will help streamline the podcasting process. It doesn’t matter if you’re a podcasting veteran or if you’re new to the podcasting world, there’s information in there for everyone. I hope you find these five videos helpful.
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you&r
Looking back on a failed podcast
In this episode Matt and Craig look back at the first iteration of Castos' podcast.
Questions that we (and you if you've ever 'podfaded') are asking ourselves are:
Why did the podcast not stick the first time?
What are we doing differently this time around?
The new Audience podcast is resonating with our listeners a lot...why is that?
Are there system or process things we can do to make running the podcast easier and more sustainable for the long run?
Once you have soli
Run a Successful Podcast with 200 Listeners
This episode is about realigning your podcasting expectations. Why you need to serve your listeners, no matter how many there are, and get clarity on what you want to achieve.
Better Storytelling with Steve Pratt from Pacific Content
In this episode Craig sits down for a chat with Steve Pratt from Pacific Content.
Monetizing a Podcast
“How do podcasts make money?” is a legitimate question to ask yourself as you pour time and resources into creating a show. If you want to do it seriously, finding a way earn money podcasting will help you produce it over the long term.
In this post, we’ll go over 20 different strategies to monetize a podcast to help you get started. Updated for 2020, we sourced advice from successful podcasters, industry veterans, and newbie hosts on how they monetized their podcast.
Ho
How to Figure Out What Content to Record
After coming up with a name, designing the cover art, and finally sitting behind the mic, you're probably thinking about what the heck you're going to talk about. Filling out a week, month, or seasons worth of content is important. But what will make your life easier is planning, strategizing, and organizing everything ahead of time.
We talked about podcast content marketing in the last episode. How to repurpose an episode into multiple promotional pieces is a key to success. But figuring out
Jennifer Bourn on Why You Can't Post & Ghost
This week on Audience, we're giving ourselves a hard look in the mirror after chatting with Jennifer Bourn. She's a business builder, helping clients grow their brands and attract new opportunities with concrete tools and tweaks.
She kicked off the interview asking an important question, "Let's face it, most of us know we need to be doing [content marketing]. And most of us know we need to be doing. But are we actually doing it?". When life gets in the way and the content marketing to-do list
Why Podcasters Should Care About Member-Only Sites
Creating a traditional podcast that's available to the public isn't what you need for your premium content. It's public for anyone to hear, both paying members and anyone else who stumbles across the show. Instead, you need a private podcast where you can restrict who has access to the content. That's where Castos' latest integration with MemberSpace comes in. Check out this week's Audience episode where we sit down with Ward, the co-founder of MemberSpace. He fills us in on why podcasters
Don't Let Fear Get in the Way Of Starting Your Podcast
There are one million good reasons to start a podcast. A love of storytelling, repurposing written articles to be more accessible, to find deep connections with strangers all over the world, or just because you like the sound of your own voice.
But with the many motivations to get started, there are thousands of inner monologues that make it difficult to take the leap. Voices that say your story isn't interesting enough, no one will listen, or that you don't quite have the voice for podcastin
The Interview Podcast Blueprint & Podcast Grader
Interview-style podcasts are among the most common formats in our medium. Listeners often find new shows to check out when people they admire give a unique interview. But getting the actual interview right is just one step of the process. There are a list of things before and after the recording that can help pump up an episode's performing.
Checklists exist to help you run through items that need to get done before you publish something new. But checklists miss the nuance and additional expl
Exploring Private Podcasts
Creating a private podcast is a popular way to distribute information to employees, members, or specific list of people. While traditional podcasts are available to the general public, a password protected RSS feed only grants access to those with the required credentials. Recording a private podcast isn't much different than a publicly available one. The key change is in the distribution. In order to start podcasting privately, your podcast hosting provider needs to have a special set o
Creator Spotlight: A Most Unusual T Party
Part of the Castos mission is to educate and inspire fellow podcasters. With a whole community of hosts figuring it out and thriving, we launched our new Creator Spotlight series.
Our goal is to feature Castos customers and their podcasts–from how they got started, what their recording setups look like, and highlighting the unique skills they use to create a successful show.
This in our inaugural interview with our first Creator who has something unusual to share. Without further ado,
Why Your Podcast CTA Isn’t Working
There are a lot of podcast education courses out there. Heck, we even have one. Most promise actionable steps to take an idea and transform it into a successful podcast, providing guidance and tutorials to get you there. But when you want to learn the best tips and tricks, you have to go to the best. So that’s why we set out to talk to Rachel Corbett.
Rachel got involved with podcasting 20 years ago, right at the beginning of industry’s infancy. She was the Head of Podcasts at the Ma
Should You Try Affiliate Marketing? An Interview with Ross Winn from Podcast Insights
This week on Audience, we’re talking monetization. While many podcasters start their show as a hobby, more times than not, they eventually want to start thinking about how to earn some money from the show.
But rather than focus on every podcast monetization strategy, we’re drilling into one specific method: affiliate marketing. Ross Winn from Podcast Insights is an expert on promoting affiliate products to earn some extra cash. His site is the go-to for all things podcasting–fro
How To Record A Podcast With An iPhone & On-The-Go
Given podcasting’s spontaneous nature, it’s more than likely that you’ll run into a time where you want to capture a conversation that needs to be heard, but you don’t have your usual equipment with you. That’s where recording a podcast on your iPhone comes in.
On this episode of Audience, we're shifting gears to highlight Castos creators who are podcasting in unique ways. Rob and Jill from Fearless Camping are the first to join us to talk about how they record their podcast on-the-go.
F
How To Get Featured In Apple Podcasts with Bobby Temps
One of the biggest players in the podcasting industry is Apple Podcasts. Up to this point, they have helped dictate major shifts in podcast consumption and how podcasters create their shows.
Given Apple Podcasts’ popularity, it’s no surprise getting in front of their curation team can help propel a podcast to new heights. But the question is, how can I pitch my podcast to appeal to their editors?
This week on Audience, we’re tackling this important topic with Bobby Tem
More Podcasting Questions Answered
Class is back in session on our latest Audience episode! This week, we’re taking it back to our community.
Across our Facebook groups and in conversations with customers, we hear a lot of great questions. Some that we’ve never thought of and others that frequently stump newbie podcasters. In our latest episode, we brought in five questions that we think don’t get enough air time.
But first, some exciting announcements with our company and platform. The first is that we a
How Covid-19 May Change Podcasting Forever with Tom Webster
There’s no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has changed many of our lives, and for some aspects of our lives this may be a permanent change.
Our guest on Audience this week is Tom Webster from Edison Research, the company behind the industry-leading Infinite Dial survey.
In an earlier episode we recapped some of the biggest takeaways from the 2020 Infinite Dial survey, and thought we HAD to have Tom on the podcast to talk through some more of his interpretations of the data ther
Creating A Diverse Podcast Publication With Ashley And Galen From Bello Collective
As with many new hobbies, a fair bit of research and reading is required to figure out the best way to start. Podcasting isn’t much different so there has always been need for diverse resources teaching Podcasting 101.
According to Google Trends, the phrase “how to start a podcast” has averaged 60 searches per day since 2016. With low barriers to entry and the ability for just about anyone to start podcasting, the Bello Collective was ready to answer that question.
Googl
Rob Walling On How To Podcast For 10 Years Straight
Motivation is a fickle thing. Some days it’s front and center, driving you to produce your best work. Others it’s no where to be found and things that used to be a priority can fall to the wayside.
The rollercoaster of motivation is a central theme in our latest episode of Audience. Craig sits down with Rob Walling, found of Drip and TinySeed, who has produced over 500 podcast episodes. His show, Startups For the Rest of Us, has been on the air for 10 years. Throughout that time
James Cridland On How Podcast Directories Can Change The Industry
There are a lot of experts within the podcasting industry. But James Cridland is in a unique position to see the industry’s trends, successes, and failures differently than most. As the curator of Podnews, a daily podcasting briefing, his perspective is a combination of news from podcast hosts, advertisers, content creators, and listening platforms.
Given his holistic view, we invited James to chat on our latest Audience episode. We took the opportunity to hear his thoughts on the fut
The Key To Starting A Podcast Network With Jeff Umbro From Podglomerate
When it comes to the distribution aspect of your podcast there are fewer “sure things” than having other similar shows in your niche promoting your content.
And podcast networks are the most natural way to establish that cross pollination of your podcast with other relevant audiences.
In this coversation with Jeff Umbro from podcast network Podglomerate we discuss how setting up a podcast network can be a good fit for you and other shows in your niche, the 5 different approach
Upping Your Podcast Game, And Listener Questions
The team at Castos is excited to announce that our premium course on how to create a great podcast is now entirely free. Check out the Podcast Like A Pro course today to get 25+ lessons on everything from:
Listener personas and popular podcast topicsGear, microphones, and setup recommendationsAudio recording and editing software recommendationsHow to achieve professional sounding audio for your final episodesWriting SEO-friendly show notes for your websiteSetting up a podcast hosting platfo
8 Podcast Best Practices You Should Know
Creating great content is hard. Any kind, really. Whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel, or a podcast. In a sea of information it’s tough to know what advice to follow and what to dismiss as noise.
In this episode, we lay out an easy-to-follow set of podcast best practices that will help you grow your show.
This playbook is full of things we’ve learned from working with hundreds of successful shows and interviewing some of the best minds in podcasting. They are the pro
Creating A Remote Creativity Platform With The Founders Of Squadcast.fm
Creating great sounding audio is the cornerstone of what constitutes a winning podcast. And there are many things that go into this: the right gear, the right techniques, great post-production, and a way to record that audio in an easy and high-quality manner.
And in this episode, we welcome Zach Moreno and Rock Felder, cofounders of Squadcast.fm to discuss this, and much more.
At their core, Zach and Rock from Squadcast have set out to create a platform in which creatives can record real
Castos Productions: Affordable Podcast Editing From Your Dashboard
When we talk to our customers, podcast editing is often the most intimidating part of podcasting. It's technical, a more laborious process, and it's hard to know when you're done. With the importance of consistently publishing new episodes, there are a few podcast editing methods to choose from.
Some some, purchasing podcast editing software and using a DIY approach is best. An option for beginners and veterans, doing the editing yourself takes more time. There's a learning curve to underst
How To Tell A Story From NPR’s Former VP Of Programming
This week on Audience we chatted with Eric Nuzum, an expert who started NPR’s podcasting efforts back in 2005. Eric help found some of NPR’s most successful shows, has published three best-selling books, and co-founded a podcast production company called Magnificent Noise.
Recently, he found time to write and publish his fourth book, Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling. The words of wisdom and exercises on being a better storyteller lea
The Ladybug Podcast Shows The Importance Of Personal Brands
In this episode of Audience, we sat down with the hosts of the Ladybug Podcast. Emma Bostian, Ali Spittel, and Kelly Vaughn produce a weekly show geared towards developers at all stages in their careers. They create episodes about technical coding topics, interview industry experts, and weave in “softer” development conversations to keep their audience engaged.
Throughout this interview, our conversation regularly transitioned back to personal brands and their importance. These
Jay Acunzo On How Your Point Of View Grows An Audience
On this week’s Audience episode, Craig sits down with Jay Acunzo from Marketing Showrunners. The two founders and podcasters dig into why defining and sticking to a point of view is the key to building an engaged audience.
The episode touches upon why it’s OK to have a podcast that doesn’t speak to some people. And how to differentiate their negative feedback from the reviews that will help you succeed. Jay clues us into his team’s mantra and how it continues to serve
Your Podcast Questions, Answered
Lately, many of us have been figuring out how best to spend time in our new routines. Some are dusting off their podcast microphones for the first time and others are taking a diligent look at how to improve their show.
In this episode of Audience, we put a call out for your most pressing podcast questions across our Facebook group and newsletter. We wanted to use our voice to help you navigate common hurdles of making a successful podcast. And it may come as no surprise, there was a commo
Your Podcast Questions, Answered
Lately, many of us have been figuring out how best to spend time in our new routines. Some are dusting off their podcast microphones for the first time and others are taking a diligent look at how to improve their show.
In this episode of Audience, we put a call out for your most pressing podcast questions across our Facebook group and newsletter. We wanted to use our voice to help you navigate common hurdles of making a successful podcast. And it may come as no surprise, there was a commo
Podcast Statistics From The 2020 Infinite Dial Survey
Edison Research and Triton Digital released their podcast statistics and digital media consumption in March 2020. This presentation was slightly different as we globally navigate the Covid-19 landscape and what that means for content creators.
In this episode of Audience, we’re recapping the most relevant consumption data for podcasters and how to take advantage of what’s to come. The podcasting industry is still in its infancy with plenty of room to grow. For those currently pr
The Best Educational Podcasts Of 2020–And How To Create Your Own
As listeners and podcast producers, we’re always on the hunt for shows that help us improve in some aspect of our lives. The best educational podcasts fill the void with episodes about entrepreneurship, language learning practice, and even philosophical debates.
When Craig sat down with Kevan Lee from Buffer, he didn’t plan on digging deeper into how Buffer creates their educational podcasts. But after hearing about their unique process and transition into scripted episodes, we
The Best Educational Podcasts Of 2020–And How To Create Your Own
As listeners and podcast producers, we're always on the hunt for shows that help us improve in some aspect of our lives. The best educational podcasts fill the void with episodes about entrepreneurship, language learning practice, and even philosophical debates.
When Craig sat down with Kevan Lee from Buffer, he didn't plan on digging deeper into how Buffer creates their educational podcasts. But after hearing about their unique process and transition into scripted episodes, we had to know
Become A Better Interviewer By Asking These Questions
In this episode of Audience, we’re taking a break from interviewing to talk about…interviews. Being a good interviewer means asking thought-provoking podcast interview questions but what does that mean? To answer that question, we’re taking a step back and analyzing how to interview someone for a podcast. From the prep work to the questions you should consider asking, this is a comprehensive look at how to generate a great podcast interview.
If you’re using Kai’
10 Absolutely Best Podcast Interview Questions to Ask
In this episode of Audience, we’re taking a break from interviewing to talk about…interviews, and help you come up with podcast questions to ask during your podcast interviews.
Being a good interviewer often means asking thought-provoking podcast interview questions but what does that mean?
To answer that question, we’re taking a step back and look at how to interview someone for a podcast. From the prep work to coming up with a list of questions you should consider asking, th
4 Ways To Create A Video Podcast (And Why You Should Try It)
Why do all the top podcasts publish videos to YouTube? Because YouTube has 2 billion logged-in users (and growing), which makes it a powerful place to grow your audience.
In fact, 43% of monthly podcast listener say they’ve enjoyed podcast content on YouTube in the last year, which means you probably have potential fans browsing YouTube for content like yours right now. All you have to do is turn your regular podcast into a video podcast.
Fortunately, you are already doing mos
How To Pitch, Book, And Be The Perfect Podcast Guest
Pitching, booking, and being the perfect podcast guest takes persistence and practice. Appearing on different shows is a tried and true method to growing a following, but there’s a lot that goes into the process. This week on Audience, we sat down with Kai Davis who is an expert on how to get the most out of podcast guest opportunities.
Davis been in the industry for over a decade. Through appearing and booking podcast guests, he helps podcasters, business owners, authors, and more ach
How To Pitch, Book, And Be The Perfect Podcast Guest
Pitching, booking, and being the perfect podcast guest takes persistence and practice. Appearing on different shows is a tried and true method to growing a following, but there's a lot that goes into the process. This week on Audience, we sat down with Kai Davis who is an expert on how to get the most out of podcast guest opportunities.
Davis been in the industry for over a decade. Through appearing and booking podcast guests, he helps podcasters, business owners, authors, and more ach
What Is A Podcast Consultant With Mathew Passy
Putting out the best podcast possible is the goal of every host. It typically starts with refining a show's content and structure. But honing in on the mistakes and finalizing a game plan is where a podcast consultant comes in.
To help figure out the right path forward, it may be worth turning to a professional. Typically an auditing service, podcast consultants take both a high-level and detailed look at your podcast. The goal is to fix the pain points and elevate the pieces that are workin
What Is A Podcast Consultant With Mathew Passy
Putting out the best podcast possible is the goal of every host. It typically starts with refining a show’s content and structure. But honing in on the mistakes and finalizing a game plan is where a podcast consultant comes in.
To help figure out the right path forward, it may be worth turning to a professional. Typically an auditing service, podcast consultants take both a high-level and detailed look at your podcast. The goal is to fix the pain points and elevate the pieces that are
Podcasting As Content Marketing With Ben Sailer From CoSchedule
Content marketing has long been a primary way for brands to increase their website traffic and customer bases. And one of the best in the game is CoSchedule.
This software as a service (SaaS) tool allows marketers to organize, execute, and analyze every promotional campaign to get more done. To introduce CoSchedule to potential users, they create educational content about industry best practices and their product.
In this episode, we discuss how CoSchedule uses podcasting within their bro
Podcasting As Content Marketing With Ben Sailer From CoSchedule
Content marketing has long been a primary way for brands to increase their website traffic and customer bases. And one of the best in the game is CoSchedule.
This software as a service (SaaS) tool allows marketers to organize, execute, and analyze every promotional campaign to get more done. To introduce CoSchedule to potential users, they create educational content about industry best practices and their product.
In this episode, we discuss how CoSchedule uses podcasting within their bro
How To Create A Narrative Podcast (& Why You Should Try It)
Six weeks into this experiment and a handful of data analyses later, we discovered our narrative style episodes were driving the most engagement. More listeners were tuning in the first day the episode dropped and the passive listens over time continue pouring in.
212 people listened to Crafting The Narrative the day it was released.
Keeping our eyes on the growth prize, we committed to producing more content our audience showed us they want to hear. But creating a narrative podcast
How To Create A Narrative Podcast (& Why You Should Try It)
Six weeks into this experiment and a handful of data analyses later, we discovered our narrative style episodes were driving the most engagement. More listeners were tuning in the first day the episode dropped and the passive listens over time continue pouring in.
212 people listened to Crafting The Narrative the day it was released.
Keeping our eyes on the growth prize, we committed to producing more content our audience showed us they want to hear. But creating a narrative podcast requ
Jack Rhysider Talks Podcast Promotion & Darknet Diaries
In this episode of Audience, I sit down with Jack Rhysider from the Darknet Diaries podcast and dig into his journey promoting his podcast.
With +200K listeners and counting, Jack is not only the host of an insanely popular podcast but he also talks transparently about how he grew a following using strategies any podcaster can leverage.
Ahead, we picked out few key topics from his interview that can help take your show to the next level. We explore Jack's research on audience tipping poin
Jack Rhysider Talks Podcast Promotion & Darknet Diaries
In this episode of Audience, I sit down with Jack Rhysider from the Darknet Diaries podcast and dig into his journey promoting his podcast.
With +200K listeners and counting, Jack is not only the host of an insanely popular podcast but he also talks transparently about how he grew a following using strategies any podcaster can leverage.
Ahead, we picked out few key topics from his interview that can help take your show to the next level. We explore Jack’s research on audience tipping point
Early Results And Growth Strategy Looking Ahead
Audience was born to be an unfiltered, raw look at one brand’s quest to test the most popular podcast growth strategies. To stay true to our word, we’re looking back at our results to date and detailing what lies ahead.
In the 10th episode, Early Results And Our Growth Strategy Looking Ahead, we’re diving into the important growth numbers to see how we’ve done.
Growing a podcast takes diligence, strategic thinking, and an eagerness to keep at it. We’re currently not
The 4 Best Paid Acquisition Channels To Grow Your Listenership
In this episode of Audience we talk through the 4 most common advertising platforms you can use to grow your podcast.
While the quality of your content is, and likely will always be, King if you have the budget to amplify that already-awesome content with advertising it can be a really effective way to accelerate the growth of your show.
In this episode we talk about the following ad platforms for your podcast:
FacebookOvercastQuora and RedditOther podcasts
But fair warning, good a
8 Tips To Podcast More Efficiently
When it comes to creating great content everything starts with consistency.
You've got to be able to publish episodes on schedule, week after week.
And a big part of that is having a system to allow you to create those episodes easily over time, with spending just the minimum amount of time necessary, so you can spend the rest of your time on higher value (and higher leverage) activities, like connecting with your audience, promoting your podcast, and growing your brand.
In this epis
Effective Podcast Promotion Strategies
In this our 6th episode of the Audience podcast we dive into the tactics you can use to broaden your listenership through better promoting your podcast.
Promoting your podcast comes down to finding new ways to reach prospective listeners outside of your existing audience circle.
Effective podcast promotion starts with knowing your ideal listener and the places where you can connect with them, and then building the systems and practices to connect with people in those communities every tim
Becoming A Content Leader with Srini Rao
Being a content leader (as opposed to a follower and copying what everyone else is doing) is scary, especially for first-time podcasters. In Audience's episode 5, we're taking a closer look at podcast content tips.
But this "Blue Ocean" of content for your listeners creates an opportunity for you to explore what you really want to talk about on your podcast and creates for your audience that engaging, share-worthy material that they so desperately are looking for.
In this episode, I si
Launch Day
In this episode of Audience, we cover the results of our launch day, talk about how we approached launching the podcast, and what some of the early analytics around the launch day episodes are.
From here the fun (and hard) part starts, where we will begin growing the listenership of this podcast. A modest beginning of ~200 listeners in our inaugural episodes is a good starting point, but now comes the time to broaden the reach of this show to new listeners.
Our early plans to grow this
Crafting The Narrative
In this episode, we talk through what makes up a good story for your podcast, and why it's an essential step in creating engaging and shareworthy content.
These days creating the same content as the rest of the shows in your niche just isn't good enough. We all need to be publishing 10x content that really stands out above and beyond what other shows are creating.
To learn how the pros do this I sat down with Jared and Leah from Vancouver based Pressboard Media.
Jared and Leah are e
Podcast Setup And Gear
Everyone's favorite topic, and an important one here at the beginning of your podcasting journey is a podcast's setup.
If you're new to recording high quality audio then sit down for a crash course in podcast setups. After this episode, you'll be able to record the kind of sound that your audience will love listening to, and keep them coming back week after week.
In this episode we discuss:
Podcast microphone suggestionsAudio recording and editing softwarePodcast hosting providersWhat
Why And For Whom We’re Podcasting
These two questions are so essential that we put them into this inaugural episode of Audience.
If you don’t have a well thought out and defensible answer for:
Why you’re podcastingWho you’re podcasting for
Then stop everything else now and let’s figure this out.
The answer to these two questions will guide almost all of the creative content decisions that you make with your show. Doing this will give you great alignment between the 3 pillars of a great podca
Why And For Whom We're Podcasting
These two questions are so essential that we put them into this inaugural episode of Audience.
If you don't have a well thought out and defensible answer for:
Why you're podcastingWho you're podcasting for
Then stop everything else now and let's figure this out.
The answer to these two questions will guide almost all of the creative content decisions that you make with your show. Doing this will give you great alignment between the 3 pillars of a great podcast: what your audience i
Trailer
In this episode we set the stage for the Audience podcast. Here we talk through why we’re doing this show, what it’s aim is, and who the podcast is for.
Through the course of this show we’re going to explore all of the ways to grow a podcast audience. From zero listeners through to what constitutes a successful and impactful podcast for our brand.
Follow along as we share the best ideas and newest strategies around growing a podcast audience…real, unfiltered,
Teaser
In this episode we set the stage for the Audience podcast. Here we talk through why we're doing this show, what it's aim is, and who the podcast is for.
Through the course of this show we're going to explore all of the ways to grow a podcast audience. From zero listeners through to what constitutes a successful and impactful podcast for our brand.
Follow along as we share the best ideas and newest strategies around growing a podcast audience...real, unfiltered, and transparently.
21 Podcast Recording Tips For Polished Episodes
Recording great audio takes some practice, but you can skip a lot of the trial-and-error with these podcast recording tips. No amount of editing will make terrible source audio sound great so practice these to-the-point strategies to capture clean podcast recordings from the start.
The Top Podcast Recording Tips
Great podcast recordings come down to the host’s ability to produce the right sound. These tips are all about creating the perfect recording environment and actionable t
How Email Marketing Can Help You Grow Your Podcast
You're all set up with your microphone, headphones, and hosting software. You're creating awesome podcast content. People will listen to you because of that, right? Unfortunately, no.
In the past year, podcasters have added 10.5 million new episodes to 150,000 new shows, bringing the total to 700,000 active podcasts with 29 million episodes.
Competition is fierce, and you have your work cut out for you to compete with the best podcasts. But you can do it. And email can help.