The Showrunner - podcast cover

The Showrunner

Jerod Morris & Jon Nastorshowrunner.fm
The Showrunner is a weekly podcast hosted by veteran podcasters Jonny Nastor and Jerod Morris in which we share advice, ideas, and experiences that will help you solidify your podcast's positioning, produce more useful content, build a more authentic connection with your audience, and drive more meaningful results with your podcast.

And we also provide regular words of encouragement and inspiration, because none of the rest of it matters if you don't show up and keep showing up reliably for your audience.
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Episodes

No. 086 10 Tips for a Better Show in 2017

Back at the beginning of 2016, we posted an episode titled 13 Steps to a Better Show in 2016. It was one of our favorite episodes to produce in 2016, and one of our most popular. Well, it's still the beginning of 2017, so let's revisit that topic. Jerod has five and Jonny has five.... Listen to episode

Feb 01, 201738 min

No. 085 One Podcast, One Audience, or One Topic (Two Attempts)

What is your anchor? Is it the podcast you're creating, the audience you're serving, or the topic you're focused on? In this episode of The Showrunner, we discuss the importance of knowing the answer to this question. We begin with a bit of small talk — about Jonny's recent interview with Brian Clark on Unemployable,... Listen to episode

Jan 25, 201733 min

No. 084 The Value of Meeting Your Audience in Person

As podcasters, can we get too comfortable hiding behind our microphones? It seems likely, but also avoidable. Coming out from behind the microphone to meet with your audience in person is valuable to your audience and podcast — true — but it is also extremely useful to you as a Showrunner. In this episode, Jonny... Listen to episode

Jan 18, 201734 min

No. 083 How to Rekindle Your Focus on the Other End of the Headphones

As you progress as a showrunner, it's easy to become focused on your end of the headphones. To kick off 2017, we deliver some strategies that will help you maintain your focus where it always needs to be: on the other end of the headphones. In this episode, Jonny and Jerod discuss: Some recent content... Listen to episode

Jan 11, 201732 min

No. 082 How to Stop Listening to Podcasts and Start Your Own Show

As we wrap up 2016, Jerod and Jonny are also wrapping up their 3-part series created to prepare you for 2017 by improving yourself and your podcast in 2016. In today's episode we are answering two listener-submitted questions. Both of these questions struck a chord with Jerod and Jonny. Although the questions are answered directly,... Listen to episode

Dec 28, 201629 min

No. 081 Professional Podcasting Tips for Pristine Production (and Hosting Hacks)

What are Jonny's "4 D's of Pristine Production?" You'll find out in this week's episode of The Showrunner. We begin this episode by discussing the how and the what of podcasting — and more importantly, which one we place a greater emphasis on. (You probably won't be surprised by our answers.) Then we dive into... Listen to episode

Dec 21, 201631 min

No. 080 Quick! What Can You Systematize Before 2017?

In this week's episode, our goal is to send you and your shows sailing into 2017. This conversation is the first of a three-part series created with the sole purpose of enabling you to take your podcast to new heights in the new year. Yes, 2016 was a great year for Showrunners as a whole... Listen to episode

Dec 14, 201636 min

No. 079 Is It Okay to Alternate Between Monologues and Interviews?

We're back! In this week's episode we explain why we didn't publish a new episode last week and what you can learn from our mistake, then we discuss a listener question that leads to an important epiphany from Jonny. The question we tackle is whether or not it's okay to alternate between monologues and interviews... Listen to episode

Dec 07, 201626 min

No. 078 Should You Still Start a Podcast? (Ask Yourself These 3 Questions)

As Showrunners, we understand that the act of creation and publishing brings about detractors — sometimes more aptly referred to as haters. To thrive in this space, we need to wear our first (and subsequent) negative reviews as badges of honour. This is part of the game and an integral part of being a Showrunner.... Listen to episode

Nov 23, 201628 min

[Rebroadcast] No. 077 The Right Way to Approach Branding Your Podcast

With Jonny focused on preparing to lead his first ever workshop, we took a week off from recording a new episode. Instead, we decided to rebroadcast an oldie but goodie, and one that pairs especially well with last week's episode about show intros. You may think that branding your podcast begins with the name and... Listen to episode

Nov 16, 201631 min

No. 076 Is Your Intro Silently Killing Your Show?

Each introduction to every one of our shows presents a massive opportunity. An opportunity to orient your listener, establish pacing, drive intrigue, and keep them listening … or an opportunity to drag down your show before even starts. In this episode of The Showrunner, we discuss tips to help you achieve the former and avoid... Listen to episode

Nov 09, 201629 min

No. 075 Why Podcast Advertising Works (and How to Get Started), with Glenn Rubenstein

Up until today, we ve exhaustively covered the topic of podcast sponsorships and monetization. But each time we ve covered it from only one perspective — the perspective we know as showrunners. Today, we are talking to an absolute expert in podcast advertising. In fact, our guest spent years selling podcast ads for TWiT. As the Director... Listen to episode

Nov 02, 201630 min

No. 074 The Brilliant Strategy and Backstory Behind Zero to Book

Pamela Wilson just launched a book — Master Content Marketing — and a podcast played a key role in the project from idea inception to launch. She dishes on the details in this episode of The Showrunner. In this lesson, Pamela describes how she: "Showed her work" every step of the way with ZeroToBook.FM Developed... Listen to episode

Oct 26, 201632 min

No. 073 Empathy Maps: A Podcaster s Guide

What if you knew exactly what your listener was thinking, feeling, and seeing when they listened to your show? To even think about having that kind of deep insight is empowering. In this episode, Jerod and Jonny discuss the simple steps you need to take to acquire this valuable insight, and then use it to... Listen to episode

Oct 19, 201628 min

No. 072 How to Create a MVP (Minimum Viable Podcast)

Have you ever fallen off the podcasting wagon? Or come close? In tough times, it can be useful to consider the idea of the minimum viable podcast. So long as you're willing to never compromise on producing useful audio, this version of the MVP can be extremely helpful in keeping you moving forward. In this... Listen to episode

Oct 12, 201629 min

No. 071 When Is the Right Time to Start Another Podcast?

In the past, we ve laid out how to decide what topic to podcast about and how to decide what your podcast should be about, and we stand behind both pieces of advice. Today, we are talking to the Showrunners who are running a podcast and are thinking about starting a second one — or maybe... Listen to episode

Oct 05, 201631 min

No. 070 3 Important Lessons About Sponsorships That Will Make You More Money

Do you want to make more money from your podcast? Rhetorical question. Of course you do! We all do. One of the clearest paths to revenue with a podcast is sponsorship, but it can also be the most difficult to tap into it, especially for newer or niche shows. In this episode, Jerod shares... Listen to episode

Sep 28, 201629 min

No. 069 How to Identify Potential Guests for Your Show

We're back! And, we hope, better than ever. In our triumphant return to the mics for the beginning of Season 2 of The Showrunner, we tackle a listener topic idea that we've had percolating for a while and discuss the best methods for identifying potential guests for your show. Here is the idea, submitted by... Listen to episode

Sep 21, 201630 min

No. 068 The Showrunner's Dilemma

Time is of the essence. As Showrunners, we have a finite amount of time to focus on producing our shows. Between work, sleep, family, fitness, friends, or showrunning, there is never enough time to do everything we want to be doing. According to an article written by Jessica Stillman, we only have time to pick... Listen to episode

Jul 20, 201634 min

No. 067 What Being a Showrunner Can Teach Us About Parenting (and Vice Versa)

Jerod is set to become a parent for the first time later this month. Jonny has been a parent now for 11 years, and podcasting has featured prominently in the development of his relationship with his daughter. Needless to say, Jerod has some questions … and Jonny does his best to provide some answers. How... Listen to episode

Jul 13, 201636 min

No. 066 5 Steps for Conducting a Useful Podcast Archive Audit (in 30 Minutes or Less)

There are myriad good reasons why you might want to conduct an audit of your podcast archive. But content audits can be messy, complicated, even intimidating. They don't have to be though — not if you follow these five steps to a useful podcast archive audit. (You should even get done in 30 minutes or... Listen to episode

Jul 06, 201650 min

[Rebroadcast] No. 065 Next-Level Tips for Building Your Show s Email List

With Jonny still away enjoying his European "workcation" we decided to dig into the archives and re-run one of our most popular and useful episodes. And our choice was inspired by a listener comment. Here's what Monica had to say about this episode when she listened to it recently: I've just listened to the episode... Listen to episode

Jun 29, 201649 min

No. 064 Listener Life Cycles: A Podcaster's Guide

Not all listeners are created equal. Without a proper understanding of your podcasts listener life cycles, you will find yourself fighting an uphill battle to keep every new listener who comes your way. We publish remarkable podcasts on a consistent basis and new listeners discover our shows each and every day. So why do new... Listen to episode

Jun 22, 201642 min

No. 063 How to Never (Ever) Forget an Important Idea Again

What happens when you have a lightning strike of inspiration? What are some possible ways to capture that inspiration before it escapes us? It's an important concept, because as we all know … lightning doesn't strike the same place twice. In this episode, we explain how to not only capture your inspiration but also provide... Listen to episode

Jun 15, 201623 min

No. 062 Beware: Authenticity Is Not Transparency

As Showrunners, we talk … a lot. We share our expertise, stories, and thoughts — and we do it all live on the air. But is this a good thing? In this episode, we share a recent experience Jonny had when he shared something during an interview, and then his mom heard it. In this... Listen to episode

Jun 08, 201626 min

No. 060 How to Execute Engaging Podcast Interviews

This is the third lesson in our three-part mini-course about how to book, plan, and execute engaging podcast interviews. In this lesson, we tie the entire interview process together. Sometimes the booking and planning stages can seem unnecessary or overly-complicated, but as you'll learn in this lesson, it is worth the effort. Along with this... Listen to episode

May 25, 20161 hr 2 min

No. 059 How to Differentiate Your Show in Meaningful Ways That Create Connection

This is the second part of our three-episode mini course on creating your unique snowflake in a blizzard of podcasts. In our last episode, we discussed how you decide what your show will be about. In this episode, we take the next step of providing a three-step process for differentiating your show, so that it... Listen to episode

May 18, 201649 min

No. 058 How to Plan Engaging Podcast Interviews

This is the second lesson in our three-part mini course about how to book, plan, and execute engaging podcast interviews. In this lesson, Jonny leads a deep dive into the fundamentals of planning a great podcast interview. Not simply a do this next discussion, but a look into key mistakes Jonny made in planning his... Listen to episode

May 11, 201643 min

No. 057 How to Decide What Your Podcast Should Be About

This is the first lesson in our three-part mini course about how to create a unique podcast that attracts and retains an audience. In this lesson, Jerod leads a discussion about the fundamental question that must be answered at the beginning of every showrunner's journey. And while it may not seem like it has much... Listen to episode

May 04, 201651 min
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