Send us feedback/questions via Text The feed isn’t “social” anymore—it’s an endless parade of AI-recommended video. So why are we still hoping a 30-second short will magically convert strangers into hour-long listeners? We pull back the curtain on what the platforms actually reward, why shorts are best used for brand awareness, and the specific moves that help listeners cross the bridge to your long-form show. We talk about the algorithm reality—how little time people spend with actual friends o...
Oct 18, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 550
Send us feedback/questions via Text What happens when AI gets good enough to sit in the co-host chair—but not good enough to replace a heartbeat? We dig into the real trade-offs behind AI in podcasting, from research assistants and auto-summaries to voice cloning, live translation, and whether anyone actually wants a synthetic sidekick. The conversation is honest and a little contrarian: yes, the tools are powerful and getting better by the week; no, they can’t carry the weight of human curiosit...
Oct 11, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 549
Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever feel like your show is stuck at 30 downloads and your guests won’t share your episode? We’ve been there, and we’re putting it all on the table—how language choices affect your brand and reach, why “big name” guests almost never translate to listener growth, and how to structure improv so it lands without a live audience. We get honest about impostor syndrome, burnout, and the moment you realize your strategy isn’t working. Then we walk through practical f...
Oct 04, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 548
Send us feedback/questions via Text Dave Jackson flies solo this week (with special guest appearances from Randy Black and Ralph Estep Jr.) to tackle this challenging question and more. Randy shares a heart-wrenching story about losing his podcast co-host and friend, reminding us of the human connections that make this medium so powerful. His emotional recounting serves as a poignant reminder that beyond analytics and strategies, podcasting creates meaningful relationships that transcend the mic...
Sep 20, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 547
Send us feedback/questions via Text How do you find guests when your podcast covers extremely niche topics? It's a challenge many creators face, especially when starting out. Dave Jackson and Jim Cullison tackle this question head-on, providing practical strategies that go beyond the standard advice. Rather than endless online searching, they suggest going directly to where your potential guests gather, leveraging existing connections, and most importantly, asking current guests for recommendati...
Sep 18, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 546
Send us feedback/questions via Text The boundaries between legal protection and audience engagement blur when we confront one of podcasting's persistent questions: do you need release forms from your guests? This episode dives deep into this conundrum, revealing why adding friction to your listener experience might actually sabotage your growth efforts. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version...
Sep 06, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 545
Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wondered what's lurking in your podcast stats? This week, we tackle a mysterious surge in ThinkBot downloads that has creators scratching their heads. When this web crawler suddenly outpaces even Apple Podcasts in your analytics, it's time to investigate—and we'll walk you through exactly what to do when bots inflate your numbers. For Android users struggling to find their perfect podcast companion, we compare the top apps with Pocket Casts emerging as ou...
Aug 30, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 544
Send us feedback/questions via Text In today's show Dave is back from Podcast Movement 2025 in Dallas and shares some of the things he saw. We are joined by Marty and get an inside scoop of podcasting blind. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://...
Aug 23, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 543
Send us feedback/questions via Text What truly builds podcast audiences - authentic connections or inflated metrics? This episode explores the fascinating contrast between Taylor Swift's approach to audience building and questionable industry practices like buying fake downloads. When Taylor Swift recently proclaimed "I'm in the business of human emotion" on a podcast, she revealed the secret behind her massive success - creating genuine connections with fans through carefully crafted experience...
Aug 16, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 542
Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wonder if your podcast title is helping or hurting your discoverability? We unpack a fascinating case study of "Booked on Planning" – a podcast about city planning that highlights the tension between creative naming and searchability. As one listener aptly notes: "What are people typing in trying to find your show?" This question alone could transform your approach to podcast branding. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Based...
Aug 09, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 541
Send us feedback/questions via Text Welcome to our show, where we dive deep into the secrets of growth and why your favorite shows might not be hitting the big time. Are lackluster plots or poor marketing to blame? We'll analyze the common pitfalls and obstacles that keep shows from expanding their viewership. Hear from Dave, Jim and the chat room as we share behind-the-scenes knowledge on what it really takes to make a show succeed and what the common missteps are. Is there a lost connection wi...
Aug 02, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 540
Send us feedback/questions via Text Is there something podcasters are doing that is a waste of time, and if so, what should we doing instead? Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgegeeks.com Vid IQ https://supportthisshow.com/vidiq Da...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 539
Send us feedback/questions via Text Jim has 12 monitors, and the chat room can't get over it. He explains how he uses them and if it keeps him warm in the winter. Check the chapters for other topics. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.home...
Jul 05, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 538
Send us feedback/questions via Text We have a new Awesome Supporter! Randy Black from the Shooting Straight Podcast with Jim Clayton. Jim and Dave start with helping Ray figure out how to handle a potential sponsor spamming his Facebook group. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypo...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 537
Send us feedback/questions via Text Jim tried something new on his latest episode , he added "Mick" his AI Co-host. So we talked about the roll of AI in podcasting. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Video Version Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgegeeks.com Ecamm Live https://s...
Jun 21, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 536
Send us feedback/questions via Text Ever wonder why some podcast episodes get shared like wildfire while others barely get a whisper? This week on Ask the Podcast Coach, we're diving deep into the mysterious world of podcast shareability - uncovering the secret sauce that transforms good content into must-share moments. From emotional triggers to building trust, we'll break down exactly what makes listeners hit that share button and spread the word about their favorite shows." Sponsors: PodcastB...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 535
Send us feedback/questions via Text Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgegeeks.com Ecamm Live https://supportthisshow.com/ecamm [00:00:00] Introduction and Greetings Opening the show with hosts Dave Jackson and Jim Cullison. Mention the usual Sat...
Jun 07, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 534
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we start off by talking about using social media to promote your show, and what it takes to get someone to stop the scroll, and come listen to your show (hint: it's not "episode 16 is out!). This podcast uses chapters to make it easy to skip to different topics. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoo...
May 31, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 533
Send us feedback/questions via Text In this episode, we talk about the unpredictability of podcasting when things like power outages shut things down, strategies for running better interviews, and the importance of prepping your guests and your own questions. We dig into what actually makes a podcast “advanced,” swapping thoughts on whether it’s about the gear, the content, skill, style, or just deeper expertise, and debate the value and pitfalls of reading guest bios and how to make your intros...
May 24, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 531
Send us feedback/questions via Text Spotify announced that it is to add a “play” count, visible within the app, for all podcasts. “Plays will capture engagement across audio and video content on Spotify.” Do we care? Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Podpage http://www.trypodpage.com Home Gadget Geeks https://www.h...
May 10, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 531
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we start where we left off. We talked about the $ button in Pocketcasts and how you can add a payment link ( see video ). NOTE: There was a technical glitch in the middle where Dave couldn't hear Jim. This has been left in - the solution was to "Jiggle the cable." Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://www.sch...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 530
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we kick things off with insights into the ever-changing world of podcast advertising—where should ads go, how many is too many, and can you make money without alienating your audience? From discussing the chaos of TV ad breaks to sharing smart strategies for host-read sponsorships, Dave and Jim dig into the nuts and bolts of monetizing podcasts while keeping listeners happy. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruest...
Apr 26, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 529
Send us feedback/questions via Text We start off talking about your top three podcasting tips, and then get into creating episodic artwork and do you need it. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 01:15 PodcastBranding.co 02:32 Based on a True Story Podcast 03:53 Health Tips and Fun Tangents 05:23 Podcasting Advice for Newbies 14:07 Debate on Custom Artwork for Episodes 28:45 Spotify and Video Monetization Discussion 35:15 Shoutouts and Sharing Links 44:13 The Cost of Domain Renewals 44:42 Selling Do...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 528
Send us feedback/questions via Text In today's episode, we explore various intriguing topics that resonate closely with the podcasting community. From the challenges of seasonal allergies affecting podcasters to the heated discussions about Spotify's handling of podcasting statistics and whether it's impacting download numbers, we cover it all. We also tackle the age-old debate of repurposing old episodes and when it might be beneficial for your show. Plus, the episode wouldn't be complete witho...
Apr 12, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 527
Send us feedback/questions via Text This episode covers the nuances of podcast analytics on platforms like Spotify and Apple, the intricacies of streaming services such as StreamYard and Ecamm Live, and the importance of podcast titles. We also talked about audio enhancement tools like Adobe Enhance and Descript . Special thanks to our supporters and guests for their questions and participation. Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comp...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 526
Send us feedback/questions via Text Dave Jackson and Jim Collison discuss various podcasting topics, including reflections on last week's episode, dealing with hosting challenges, the impact of Spotify's podcast deletion policies, measuring engagement through Spotify analytics, sustaining passion amid life's challenges, and the importance of meaningful feedback. They also touch on leveraging YouTube for brand growth, engaging audience commentary, and illustrating the value of personal creativity...
Mar 29, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 524
Send us feedback/questions via Text In this episode, we explore the intricacies of using sound bites and organizing them efficiently, delve into the art of crafting genuine human connections over automated pitches for podcast guest appearances, and touch upon the challenges of uploading hefty video files to platforms like Spotify. Jim Collison shares the value of being content with your current audience size, while Dave Jackson draws from his experiences to highlight the power of relationship bu...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 524
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we talk about the challenges of integrating podcasts with YouTube, utilizing shorts and reels for better engagement, and exploring various tools that can streamline your podcasting process. We also discuss the power of niche podcasting, effective affiliate marketing strategies, and the importance of intros in podcast episodes. Tune in for all this and more as we explore the podcasting landscape and share valuable insights to enhance your podcasting journ...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 523
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today, we noticed it's March, and that means taxes are right around the corner. Always, we have tons of topics from making good first impressions, how many UMS are too many, starting another podcast, and more (see chapters). Sponsors: PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear you Basedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with History? Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting https://learn.schoolofpodcasting.com Podpage http://www.trypo...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 522
Send us feedback/questions via Text Today we kick off March with engaging discussions, bringing you the latest insights and advice for your podcasting journey. They tackle questions spanning from the technicalities of audio equipment to the intricacies of podcast branding and the ever-evolving landscape of the industry. This episode digs deep into the value of personalized artwork for your podcast episodes and explores the balance between regularity and creativity in your podcast schedule. Plus,...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 521
