Bold podcast promo strategies, psychological triggers from Starbucks, three essential interview question types, and how to add real impact (and "teeth") to your show in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Bands bribe radio station with fireworks for airplay
• What would you delete from your podcast—today?
• Is your gear obsession secretly holding you back?
• Starbucks-style choices: why too many repel listeners
• Sunk cost trap: why you keep bad podcasts alive
• Steal “Metal Shop’s” teeth: make your show addictive
• Never let a “hit-and-run” guest hijack your episode

Why You Should Listen

• The shockingly simple “firework effect” for making your podcast utterly unforgettable—borrowed straight from outrageous music industry stunts!
• The single question that reveals what’s secretly suffocating your podcast’s growth (and how to break free, fast)
• The 3 “fear stories” holding you back from podcast riches and recognition—plus, how to silence them for good
• How to instantly ditch the drudgery and force others to do your dirty podcast work for you (editors will secretly envy you!)
• “Pre-interviews”: the lazy man’s way to higher quality, hypnotic conversations—spend 10 minutes and watch your guests spill their best secrets
• The Starbucks psychological trigger that will keep your audience hooked—ignore it and lose your listeners to the competition
• How endless choices can secretly sabotage your show (and the two-option “milk or water” hack that keeps listeners loyal and powerless to leave)
• The sunk cost sin: why both YOU and your listeners will keep returning to your podcast—even when you bore them to tears (use this, get rich)
• The one tiny change that makes people greedily share your podcast with friends—viral growth, the easy way!
• How to sneak addictive self-care into your episodes, so fans lust after every new release (and brag online about your show)
• The “signature segment” strategy: create one killer feature and listeners will come crawling back for more (even if the rest is garbage)
• Why you MUST give your podcast “teeth”—and the 3 mysterious methods Metal Shop radio used to dominate a rabid cult audience
• What 90% of podcasters get wrong about interview questions—and how to ask so your guests hand you gold on a silver platter
• Expose your guests’ hidden greed, fears, and fantasies with these dangerously fun “novelty questions” that make even stone-cold CEOs open up
• The little-known trick for slashing time-wasting “hit and run” guests—gain absolute control, eliminate ramblers, and make every episode binge-worthy

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] The wildest things bands send to radio stations—fireworks, tombstones, and the desperate quest to get played
• [00:04:42] Three brutally honest questions every podcaster should ask to find true “podcasting freedom”
• [00:08:51] Why Starbucks writes your name wrong on purpose—and what that lesson means for your podcast
• [00:12:47] The shocking power of sunk cost fallacy: why podcasters (and listeners) stay loyal long after the fun stops
• [00:16:53] “What are you really bad at that you wish you were good at?”—Uncommon questions that spark unforgettable interviews
• [00:19:59] The Metal Shop secret: How one syndicated show kept listeners on their toes and what your podcast can steal from them
• [00:24:43] The dark side of podcast guests: How to deal with “hit and run” talkers who waste your time and tank your show

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 240 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
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Podcast burnout, making bold changes to stay inspired, lessons from top podcasters, and plans for new directions and deeper dives in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Burnout: when podcasting’s dream turns to nightmare
• "Hot wife, nice car ... still empty"
• Podcast success: crave more, never satisfied
• Why podcasters secretly fear real change
• Breaking down your podcast: destruction before growth
• “Deliver what people want” or perish
• Relaunch your show: controlled chaos fuels massive growth

Why You Should Listen

• The secret mindset shift that turns podcast burnout into a superpower (and why most podcasters will never do it)

• Is your show a “devil in disguise”?—why what glitters on the outside could be draining you dry on the inside

• Why successful podcasters with hot cars and hotter spouses still wake up dreading the mic—and how to make sure it’s not you

• The hidden cost of popularity: The shocking reason top podcasters like Mark Manson and Marc Maron burn out—and what to steal from their epic pivots

• Why your refusal to change is the #1 reason you’re not making more money (and what you can do TONIGHT to fix it)

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] “666” — Why podcasting can feel like hell on the inside, even when things look good on the outside

• [00:02:24] The hidden truth about burnout and depression in podcasting — and why you’re not alone

• [00:03:37] Why top podcasters like Mark Manson and Marc Maron walked away from hugely successful shows

• [00:06:01] “I just want more listeners, more money ... but I don’t want to change anything” — The hard truth about podcast growth

• [00:08:11] Why most podcasters stop short of real change (and how David plans to break the cycle)

• [00:09:15] The secret power of launching and relaunching — and why a hard deadline can change everything

• [00:12:04] “People should change. Podcasts should change.” A challenge to every podcaster feeling stuck

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

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• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

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• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Spotting biased podcasting advice, the truth about audio vs video growth, how to get more listeners (and subscribers), Betty White and Bea Arthur’s backstage drama, and tips for handling tough co-host dynamics in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Podcast “experts” lying to push their own agenda

• Don’t trust advice from people with hidden motives

• The dark side of Golden Girls: real backstage feuds

• Unlock podcast growth—even in “shrinking” markets

• Why most listeners never learn to subscribe

• Feuding hosts? Turn drama into irresistible content

• Craving validation? Dodge it for real podcast growth

Why You Should Listen

• The dirty little secret behind “expert” podcasting advice – discover who’s really pulling the strings (and how their hidden agendas can sabotage your show)

• The truth about audio podcasting’s “death” – why the YouTube push is making millions of creators rich … and millions more look like suckers

• How to grow your audience—even if the world says your podcast niche has “peaked”

• The single biggest mistake podcasters make when trying to get listeners hooked (and how a book-selling trick can double your downloads overnight)

• How showing your audience exactly what to do can create an army of obedient fans…without lifting a finger

• The Golden Girls’ ultimate backstage feud and the priceless lesson for every co-hosted show (ready to weaponize friction?)

• What Gavin Newsom knows about podcasting for power and how political beasts are using this platform to bypass the gatekeepers and reel in more control

• How to flip tension and drama into irresistible, binge-worthy content (just like top politicians and TV shows)

• The ugly truth about asking “What do you think of my podcast?” and why most podcasters are begging for the wrong praise

• How to extract brutally honest feedback and turn it into your podcast’s secret growth weapon (while your competition avoids the mirror)

• Why some of the world’s biggest podcasts survive even when the hosts hate each other’s guts and how you can swipe their method to keep the money rolling in

• The “step-by-step” video hack that nearly guarantees more subscribers, reviews, and rabid listeners (even if they don’t know how to use a podcast app)

• Podcasting publishing frequency exposed: Is more always better, or will flooding your feed turn listeners into zombies?

• How to tap into the seven deadly sins—envy, greed, lust for power—to engineer episodes nobody can resist sharing

• How to use your podcast to overthrow traditional media, silence your critics, and build a cult-like audience that follows your every word

Episode Timestamps

• [04:27] The truth behind “audio is dead”—why a well-known podcasting expert says it (and why you shouldn’t trust him)

• [05:45] What LASIK eye surgery and disposable diapers can teach you about podcast growth

• [07:33] The shockingly simple way to double your audience (and why most podcasters never do it)

• [09:55] Behind the scenes at The Golden Girls: Betty White and Bea Arthur’s secret feud—and what it means for your podcast partnerships

• [13:15] How political enemies create viral podcast moments—what Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk can teach you about tension on your show

• [15:57] The hidden danger of asking, “What do you think of my podcast?”—and what most podcasters really want to hear

• [20:55] The doctor’s visit nobody wants to talk about: why hearing harsh truths is the key to leveling up your podcast

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 239 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Time-bending interview moments, 20 years in radio, using Cameo for podcast promotion, growing your email list with giveaways, and why your audience is your invisible co-host in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Celebrate podcast milestones—what 20 years brings

• Tap celebrity power: Cameo for podcast buzz

• Forget the crowd, seduce listeners one-on-one

• Make your audience your secret co-host

• Grow your email list—get greedy with giveaways

• Want clout? Invest in stories, not gear

• Burnout or “rust-out”—hustle wins every time

Why You Should Listen

• How “being present in the moment” can make your interviews fly by—and your listeners lust for more

• The 20-year secret to podcast longevity most podcasters don’t want you to know

• The “one to one method” proven to turn every listener into a passionate fan hanging on your every word

• Why celebrating your wins (even if you hate celebrating) gives you unstoppable momentum

• How a Hollywood celebrity can promote your podcast—without blowing your budget or your mind

• A D-list hack: Let forgotten stars lend you their fame and turn envy into audience growth

• The invisible co-host trick that makes your audience feel like they control your podcast (and love you for it)

• The “audience as puppet master” principle for harnessing feedback and steering your show straight to profit

• How to build a cult-like following by getting listeners to connect, collaborate, and crave each other’s attention

• The single easiest way to supercharge your email list … with contests so addictive people beg to get in

• The ruthless email-gathering secret no major podcaster will talk about in public

• How to cut promotion effort in half by riding the power of giveaways and instant gratification

• The tools you need to conquer your niche and devour your competitors—without spending a fortune

• Why obsessing over the perfect mic is a sucker’s game—and where the real riches are created

• The $60 setup that makes you sound like a broadcasting god while lazy podcasters waste thousands on gear

Episode Timestamps

• [00:03] Why time speeds up (or slows down) on memorable podcast interviews—and how being “present in the moment” changes everything

• [04:03] The accidental moment that launched David Hooper’s 20-year podcasting career and what you can learn from it

• [05:23] How celebrating milestones—or not—can secretly impact your podcast longevity and mindset

• [06:59] Lessons from joining SiriusXM: Why jumping into live national radio after years of syndication is a game-changer

• [08:13] How to use celebrity shout-outs from Cameo to instantly boost your podcast’s credibility and listener buzz

• [11:56] The “one to one method”—why podcasts fail when hosts talk to a ‘crowd’ instead of an individual listener (and how to fix it)

• [17:58] The truth about spending money on your podcast—why upgrading your microphone probably won’t get you more listeners or credibility

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 238 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Tracking what works (and what doesn’t) in podcast marketing, why live events are your secret growth weapon, how relatability beats perfection, mic myths busted, and smart ways to do "more, better, and new" in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• The “overnight” flood of listeners is a total myth

• Why celebrity endorsements will never save you

• Turn lonely dog groomers into loyal superfans

• Being relatable trumps perfection—ask OnlyFans entrepreneurs

• Revealed: $30 mic vs. $400 mic—can listeners tell?

• How “fake it till you make it” actually pays off

• Daily podcasting: pure genius or burnout bait?

Why You Should Listen

• The quickest way to flood your podcast with loyal listeners—without begging for viral magic or celebrity handouts!

• Why most “overnight success” stories are myths—and what real podcasters do instead to build cult-like followings (envy warning!)

• How to turn a trickle of new listeners into a steady stream using the “multiple faucet” method no algorithm can touch

• Are you sabotaging your own growth by praying for Apple or Spotify features? Discover the lazy way to win—no luck required!

• The secret to making your podcast irresistible to strangers using the forbidden power of live events (and why almost nobody dares)

• How to make your fans lust after your show by tapping into their deepest need: authentic, quirky, perfectly imperfect hosts

• The “Dog Groomer Effect”: why creating a tribe around your podcast will grant you power over a loyal, obsessed audience

• Why being too “perfect” will kill your show and the sneaky OnlyFans secret that makes you instantly relatable (even if you have a Christian podcast!)

• What Taylor Swift and the Spice Girls know about podcasting success that top marketers would kill to steal

• How Pat Flynn lost relatability with his audience (and what he did to get it back)

• Can a $30 microphone make you sound like a pro? 

• The little-known AI tool that turns your episodes into podcasts that practically promote themselves (plug in, sit back, and watch the magic)

• Want to sound confident even when you’re terrified? The “Fake It Till You Make It” prayer ...

• Unlock the dark art of “More, Better, New”—the greedy podcaster’s step-by-step path to outshining every competitor in your niche

• How to hijack trending topics and current events to make your podcast impossible to ignore—even if you’re starting from zero

Episode Timestamps

• [00:06:48] The unexpected fastest way to grow your podcast—and why everything you fantasize about “going viral” is probably a waste of time

• [00:07:46] The real secret behind successful live podcast events and why small, intimate gatherings might actually work better than big ones

• [00:10:11] What does your podcast have in common with OnlyFans? (It’s not what you think—and yes, even your church podcast!)

• [00:12:34] How Pat Flynn lost his audience by being “too successful” and the revealing lesson about staying relatable as a podcaster

• [00:14:50] Can AI really do your marketing for you? The $59 tool that claims to write your podcast promos, show notes, and more—instantly

• [00:17:11] How one podcaster’s insane “daily episode” grind shocked the industry—and what happened to all the copycats who tried to keep up

• [00:28:26] The dangerous trap of “failure porn” and why too much vulnerability can actually turn your audience against you

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 237 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Clever (and risky) marketing tricks, the truth about podcast gear and guests, essential pre-interview tips, AI voice options, and free podcast artwork templates in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• The dangerous cost of clickbait podcast titles

• Why tricking listeners kills your show’s growth

• Envy alert: how niche podcasters leapfrog celebrities

• The seductive myth of “perfect” podcast gear

• How AI voices tempt you—should you resist?

• Sponsor dollars: easy money or creative handcuffs?

• Confessions: the lies podcasters tell themselves

Why You Should Listen

• The little-known “Free Beer” trick to fool an entire audience (and what it means for your podcast title)

• Sneaky "bandit" signs: The dirty tricks musicians and marketers use to hijack attention (and how to turn their mischief into loyal listeners for yourself)

• How a single word—hidden in plain sight—built million-dollar web traffic empires overnight (and how podcasters still abuse this today)

• The “lost dog” heartstring ruse that tricks passersby—and why you should never deploy similar stunts on your show (unless you want hate-listeners)

• How hiding your true podcast intent could backfire—and the smarter shortcut to building fan loyalty faster than your rivals

• The #1 rookie mistake in podcast episode titles … and the foolproof way to turn curiosity into binge listening instead of anger

• Why wasting the first 10 minutes catching up with your co-host is a crime against audience retention—and how to make every moment count

• The seductive lie of "more time = great podcast"—and what the hustlers who thrive on deadlines know that you don’t

• Booking “big name” guests: Will it rocket your podcast to the top—or could it ruin your chances at real influence? Discover the surprising answer

• The dangerous myth of your “personal story”: Why sharing your tale rarely triggers mass subscriptions (and the secret story they’ll pay attention to instead)

• How to transform a train wreck interview into gold—using David Hooper’s method for scavenging irresistible audio clips

• Revealed: The gear-envy trap keeping broke podcasters broke, and why one simple microphone can level the playing field against media giants

• The real path to high-end audio—why most “sound quality” advice is pure gluttony for your wallet (and the $0 solution that rivals studio perfection)

• The ugly truth about podcast sponsorships: Why chasing advertisers could poison your show—and how to make real podcast profits instead

• The forbidden hack for pre-interviews that 99% of hosts ignore—unlock the lazy shortcut to elite-level guest rapport and on-mic power plays

Episode Timestamps

• [00:04:52] The musician who tricked Nashville with a “lost dog” QR code—and why it backfired

• [00:06:21] Bait-and-switch marketing: fake dollar bills, Bible tracts, and why tricking people kills trust

• [00:07:11] How misleading podcast titles are sabotaging your audience—and what not to do

• [00:11:36] The myth that celebrity guests will make your podcast successful (and what really happens)

• [00:13:51] Why your personal story won’t convince listeners to subscribe—and what does

• [00:14:19] The dangerous “all or nothing” thinking that ruins podcast episodes (and how to avoid it)

• [00:19:28] How a simple pre-interview can supercharge your podcast—plus what to do when guests say no

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 236 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Zero-budget podcasting truths, signs it's time to quit your show, Spotify's new "Plays" metric, Audacity's 25th anniversary, and a pro trick for getting remote guests to show up in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Can you really podcast with zero budget?

• Your community: free content machine or wasted potential?

• Are you secretly quitting your show already?

• Audacity: free tool pros secretly rely on

• Spotify “plays”: will your numbers embarrass you?

• Doing it only for others? Beware burnout

• Outsmart flaky guests with this ruthless trick

Why You Should Listen

• Can you really build a high-impact podcast on a shoestring budget—and why some “zero dollar” shows secretly outperform the big spenders

• What the most obsessive fans in your niche desperately want to give you—for free—that can boost your podcast overnight

• The tragic mistake that exposes you as a non-believer in your own podcast ... and instantly destroys trust, influence, and momentum

• The “secret weapon” tool billion-dollar media companies use (and you can too) to produce world-class audio at no cost

• The seductive danger of podcasting for an audience you don’t care about—and how it poisons your creativity, your brand, and your will to win

• How to know with chilling certainty if it’s time to quit your podcast (Don’t ignore these 7 dark warning signs!)

• What to do when the passion is gone and your broadcast has turned into a soul-sucking grind

• Why the silent killer of fading creativity may already be sabotaging your episodes, stealing your audience, and nobody has the guts to tell you

• The toxic “slow quitting” behaviors every podcaster falls into—and the simple test that reveals if you’re infected

• How to seduce guests into showing up on time and ready to deliver their best—using nothing but a well-timed digital “breadcrumb”

• The envy-inducing way to grow a tribe of raving superfans who feed you story ideas, viral links, and juicy questions (while your competitors toil in obscurity)

• Why showing your raw, embarrassing numbers on Spotify can spark insane jealousy—or merciless humiliation—and how to flip public metrics to your advantage

• What podcasting’s oldest “free” software can teach you about outlasting the giants and still dominating your niche

• The lazy podcaster’s roadmap: Set up automatic processes so even when you’re running on fumes, you still ship episodes and cash checks

• The ruthless truth about “doing it for your community”—is your loyalty to the audience destroying your own happiness and profits?

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] The myth of the zero-budget podcast—what you really need to make your show compelling

• [00:03:40] The Blockbuster shrink wrap hustle: Does saving money mean you don’t believe in your podcast?

• [00:05:17] Why billion-dollar companies still use free tools like Audacity (and how you can, too)

• [00:07:23] The 7 silent warning signs you’re mentally quitting your podcast before you hit “stop”

• [00:09:56] The surprising truth: Why taking a break might reveal you’re ready to quit for good

• [00:12:13] Spotify “plays” exposed: Why most podcasters shouldn’t sweat over public metrics

• [00:16:36] The real reason Audacity is unfairly labeled “amateur”—and how it secretly shaped the podcasting world

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 235 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

Why you need podcast segments, what happens when you DM every fan, the power of 30-day challenges, smarter ad reads, and the secret to building deeper listener relationships in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Why You Should Listen

• How to harness the power of podcast segments to multiply your audience and keep them hooked—no matter your experience level

• The “lazy podcaster’s curse”—are you guilty of killing your own growth with long, rambling episodes?

• The irresistible secret to creating podcast episodes people devour—without burning out

• Why the Tim Ferriss “4-hour podcast” approach might be making your listeners secretly hate you

• The absolute shortest episode length proven to trigger instant downloads (and why size really does matter)

• The simple 30-day challenge that will have your listeners begging for more—and evangelizing your podcast everywhere

• When to say “NO!” in podcasting—and why mastering this tiny word can skyrocket your reputation and income

• How to turn a fleeting social media “like” into a hardcore fan, loyal friend, and raving evangelist

• The DM experiment: what REALLY happens when you personally message every fan—and how it can unleash a tidal wave of attention

• The “DIY Dumb Phone” trick—how to hack your productivity, outwork your competition, and get your life back (while everyone else is still doomscrolling)

• Why most podcast interviews are disasters—and how to never bore, frustrate, or lose your audience again

• The bulletproof method for attracting sponsors who beg to give you money (and keep coming back for more)

• How to make advertisers crave your podcast—even if you don’t have a giant audience

• The three insider rules that keep top sponsors obsessed with your show (and your bank account overflowing)

• The ugly truth about feedback: why taking advice from the wrong people will destroy your podcast (and how to protect yourself with one simple question)

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

Episode Timestamps

• [04:37] Why most podcasters’ interviews are “just thrown up conversations”—and how this could be killing your growth

• [06:53] 30-day podcast challenges: The trick that builds listener loyalty, compelling stories, and community—with examples for every niche

• [09:58] What really happens when you DM every single person who likes your social media post (this guy actually tried it—and made money)

• [12:39] The “drive-by comment” method: How a simple follow-up turns your social media lurkers into lifelong podcast listeners

• [14:56] The “DIY dumb phone” challenge: What happens when you give your smartphone a lobotomy—and why your listeners might thank you for it

• [16:05] The American Idol problem: Why taking podcast feedback from the wrong people will derail your show (and the hilarious test you should use instead)

• [18:59] No more boring sponsor reads: How to turn ads into must-hear content—and the three secrets that keep those sponsorship dollars flowing

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Shorter episodes steal more listeners, guaranteed

• Four-hour podcasts: Tim Ferriss’s secret regret

• Tempt your audience with irresistible 30-day challenges

• DM everyone who likes your posts—get rich?

• Your “dumb phone” controls you—flip the power

• Feedback is gold… unless it’s fool’s gold

• Why generic ads kill your sponsor money dreams

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 234 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

AI-powered artwork, voiceover cadence secrets, cable-saving hacks, Spotify controversies, and your chance to be featured in a new podcasting book in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Why You Should Listen

• The secret to launching a podcast so memorable, your competitors will envy you for decades (and maybe beg to copy your plan!)

• Why some podcasts vanish without a trace, and how you can create episodes that claw their way into listener’s memories (and wallets)

• How to turn your “disposable” podcast into a permanent, irresistible addiction that fans lust after—week after week

• The real AI artwork trick that’ll make your podcast’s cover look 10X better than your peers—no expensive designer required

• The step-by-step podcast launch formula that makes your name echo in the minds (and social feeds) of influencers everywhere

• How to engineer podcast content with a “half-life” most shows would kill for—so your episodes never fade or die

• The “hungry ghost” problem: are you feeding the gluttonous content monster, or creating something that makes you truly powerful?

• Secrets of seducing the media—using a media tour to fuel insatiable buzz and make your show un-ignorable

• The dangerous mistake podcasters make with their cables—and the simple backstage technique to make yours last a lifetime (envy of every audio pro)

• Are you subconsciously sabotaging your own show with a deadly dull vocal cadence? Here’s how to inject instant charisma and control your audience’s heartbeat

• Turn your first 10 listeners into your first million—steal this real-world example of podcast growth that puts big networks to shame

• Discover why old-school radio pros secretly fear podcasters—and the unfair “power moves” you can use to dominate them

• The subtle social signal hidden in your show’s Spotify play count—and how to leverage it to own your niche (while rivals gnash their teeth)

• Is your collection of microphones pure greed, or pure genius? Find out how owning just two can put you lightyears ahead

• Why most podcasters cling to false hope and self-delusion about their reach—and the ruthless truth about how “success” really works in podcasting

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] The grueling reality of recording an album as a five-year-old studio musician—and the lessons it taught

• [00:01:20] Fast fashion, “hungry ghosts,” and the dark side of disposable content in today’s podcasting world

• [00:05:14] How your podcast could become a real-world example in David’s upcoming book—and why you shouldn’t miss your shot

• [00:09:22] Launch secrets revealed: Live events, media tours, and the inside scoop on getting your podcast noticed from day one

• [00:14:52] Terry Gross, never hearing her own voice—and what selfie culture has changed forever about broadcast talent

• [00:19:11] How Rush Limbaugh did radio—addicted, nearly deaf, and still dominating the airwaves with a single secret weapon

• [00:24:55] Are you less successful if your Spotify numbers are low? The hidden danger of “success” metrics and what they truly mean for podcasters

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Is your podcast a fast-fashion throwaway?

• Join my book: Immortalize your podcast success

• Why podcasters envy radio’s secret skills

• The dark art of vocal seduction: cadence

• AI as your greedy new podcast designer?

• Spotify’s power move: exposing your real numbers

• Are you hoarding microphones—or stories to tell?

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 233 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)

A wild journey through podcast merch mishaps, creative constraints that boost your show, pin trading for superfans, and what to do when a podcast moment needs a "code red" fix in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Why You Should Listen

• The bizarre afterlife of your podcast merch—why a homeless man might be your brand’s next billboard (and why that’s pure opportunity)

• How your podcast episode can worm its way halfway across the country—and what to do when you spot it in the digital “used bin”

• The unstoppable, profit-pulling power of true “fast fashion” in podcasting (and why your superfan isn’t always your final destination)

• The one thing every podcaster fears: a guest’s secret blurted on-air—then the desperate call begging you to erase it (here’s how to turn disaster into gold)

• Why rejection and resale could supercharge your audience—envy the reach you can’t control

• How to turn podcast pins and stickers into rabid collector’s items—triggering fandom lust you never thought possible

• The forbidden, dirt-cheap podcast setup that rivals the big guns—how your “$100 studio” could earn you kinglike respect (and listeners)

• Little-known tricks to harness limitations and make your podcast infinitely more creative…while your rivals weep

• Why mistakes and on-air blunders spawn cults of true believers—here’s how to harness shame, missteps, and embarrassment for viral growth

• What the most loyal Disney pin traders know that most podcasters don’t (and how you could use it to steal the hearts ... and wallets ... of your listeners)

• The overlooked “Code Red” rule for survival: when the phone rings with a nightmare edit request, how the savvy podcaster turns panic into power

• How to make your merch irresistible—even if it winds up on the “uncool” or the unsuspecting—and why that’s a secret weapon

• Turn podcast events from ghost towns into gold mines: how local, “small-time” networking leaves the mega-conferences trembling

• The grudge you didn’t know you carried: why it’s better to have your logo in Goodwill than in a landfill (and how to twist it for public envy)

• The crazy, backstory-packed secret behind “Baba Booey” and how your own accidental inside jokes could fuel an underground movement of rabid fans

You want these links ...

• Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
• See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance

Episode Timestamps

• [00:04] The bittersweet story of finding your own CD in a dollar bin—and the unexpected life of what you put into the world

• [04:53] The surprising encounter with a homeless man wearing “Call Her Daddy” podcast merch—and what that reveals about your brand’s reach

• [05:49] Why podcast merch isn’t just for superfans—and how it can spread your message in ways you never anticipated

• [08:09] How a $500 endurance car race is a perfect metaphor for podcasting on a shoestring budget—and why creative constraints can make your show better

• [10:07] The hilarious radio origin story of the Howard Stern Show’s “Baba Booey”—and how legendary podcast moments are born from on-air mistakes

• [12:48] The weird world of Disney pin trading, and how podcast pins can turn listeners into obsessed collectors (and what you can learn from music merch)

• [19:00] “Code Red”: When a guest wants you to pull their wild on-air confession, and the sticky situations that happen after you hit publish

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Where your merch really ends up—embrace it

• Why your cast-off swag can create new superfans

• Turn limitations into podcasting gold

• Borrow this $500 car race stunt for your show

• Pin trading secrets: make your podcast irresistible

• The inside story of Baba Booey’s immortal nickname

• Code Red: what to do when guests overshare

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 232 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Want more help growing your podcast audience?

• Big Podcast Extra - Podcasting Tips
• Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program)