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, 2017•38 min
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, 2017•33 min
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, 2017•34 min
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, 2017•32 min
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, 2016•29 min
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, 2016•31 min
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, 2016•36 min
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, 2016•26 min
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, 2016•28 min
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, 2016•31 min
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, 2016•29 min
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, 2016•30 min
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, 2016•32 min
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, 2016•28 min
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, 2016•29 min
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, 2016•31 min
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, 2016•29 min
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, 2016•30 min
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, 2016•34 min
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, 2016•36 min
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, 2016•50 min
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, 2016•49 min
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, 2016•42 min
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, 2016•23 min
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, 2016•26 min
We have arrived at Part Three of our three-part series on creating a show that has meaningful differentiation — the kind of differentiation that will attract and retain an audience in a time of more and more podcast clutter. This lesson is all about how to display your differentiation visually, and how to use the... Listen to episode
Jun 01, 2016•1 hr 7 min
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, 2016•1 hr 2 min
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, 2016•49 min
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, 2016•43 min
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, 2016•51 min