Buzzsprout Weekly

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Hey, Podcasters! 

A few weeks ago, Kevin tried something a little nerdy.

He fed Buzzcast’s entire back catalog (titles, downloads, durations, and transcripts) into ChatGPT to see what patterns it could find.

Within a few minutes, the AI was pointing out things we hadn’t noticed in years of producing the show. Which topics perform best, what kinds of conversations create the most engagement, and even how each host contributes to the flow of the episode!

It also surfaced opportunities to improve: better title patterns, segments that work especially well, and ideas for future episodes based on what listeners already love.

This week on ​Buzzcast​, the team walks through how you can run the same kind of analysis on your own podcast using your episode list and transcripts.

If you want to spot patterns in your content, optimize your back catalog, and plan stronger future episodes, this episode is for you! 

Listen to Buzzcast

Short on Time? 
Here are some quick videos to better your podcast this week:

• ​Podcast Chapters in Apple and Spotify​
• ​5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Podcasting​

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters!

Over the years, we’ve received quite a few emails from podcasters in a panic!

Their latest episode had been removed from a directory because they used a popular song for the intro.

Most of them assumed it was fine because they credited the artist or weren’t making money from the show. But most music is protected, and using it without permission can lead to takedowns.

If you're using music in your show, the safest route is to use podcast-safe music, like:
• Creative Commons music: usually free with attribution
• Royalty-free music libraries: pay once or subscribe
• Public domain recordings: music with an expired copyright

In our latest blog post, we share 10 of the best places to get free music for your podcast.This topic actually came up recently in the Buzzsprout Facebook Community, where podcasters were discussing the safest way to add music to an episode without risking a takedown.

The general consensus was: if you don’t have the rights to the track, don’t use it.

And if you want to go a step further, we recently talked through the best practices for incorporating music into your podcast on an episode of Podcasting Q&A.

Cara walks through:

• How to choose music that fits your show

• Where to place it (intro, transitions, outro)

• How to make sure it enhances the listening experience instead of distracting from it

If you’re adding music to your podcast, or thinking about refreshing your intro, start here: 10 Best Places to Get Free Music for Your Podcast

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! When I first started podcasting, I thought editing meant fixing mistakes. 

I would cut out ums, clean up the noise, and try to remove a pause or two.But I remember finishing one recording that was technically "perfect," and the episode was still hard to follow. That's when I realized editing isn't just for audio, it is also about telling a story!

This week on Buzzcast, the team is talking about audio content editing: how to shape the dialogue so your interviews feel tighter, clearer, and more compelling.

They cover how to “get good tape” (even when a guest gives you a non-answer), what to cut that quietly frustrates listeners, and how to trim preambles, filler words, repetition, and random detours without making your show feel robotic.

If you want your episodes to tell a story and hold the thread from hook to conclusion, this episode is for you! 

Listen to Buzzcast

Short on Time? Here are some quick videos to better your podcast this week: ​

5 Reasons to Use the Buzzsprout Mobile App​

Stop Losing New Listeners in the First Minute​

If you want more on content editing, be sure to check out this episode of Podcasting Q&A.

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

Over the past year, it feels like every headline has been saying the same thing: video is the future of podcasting.

Then Apple announced, “Video arrives this spring.” And naturally, a lot of podcasters started wondering… should I be doing something about this?

In this week’s episode of ​Buzzcast​, the team unpacks what Apple’s new HLS video support actually is, and who it’s really for right now!

The team also takes a practical look at the economics of video, how platforms sustain it, and what that means for everyday podcasters.

If you’ve felt pressure to add video just because the platforms are talking about it, this conversation will help you decide what actually makes sense for your show!
Listen to Buzzcast

Short on Time? 

Here are some quick videos to better your podcast this week: 

• ​Make Any Microphone Sound Better ​
• ​Remove Background Noise in Audacity FAST​
• ​Fix Zoom's Audio Issues in 41 Seconds​

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

At nearly every conference or meetup, someone says the same thing: “I didn’t realize how much I needed to meet other podcasters.” Because most of the time, this work happens alone.

But that isolation doesn’t have to be part of the job. For many creators, local podcast meetups have helped turn solo work into a shared community!

This week on ​Buzzcast​, the team sat down with Badr Milligan, host of ​The Short Box Podcast​ and co-founder of ​JAX Podcasters United​, to explore how a small meetup in 2018 grew into a 500+ member community. 

He breaks down exactly how to get started, including:
How to plan your first meetup (even if you’ve never hosted an event)

• Where to host it, and why restaurants often welcome podcast groups
• How to market it without a big budget
• When to introduce workshops, education tracks, or even a charity element
• How to keep events free without burning out

If you’ve ever wished podcasting felt more connected, this episode is for you!

Listen to Buzzcast

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

If promoting your podcast on Instagram feels exhausting, you’re not imagining it! A lot of podcasters are putting in the effort on social media without seeing much return.

In this video, we talk about a better way to think about podcast promotion! 

Instead of forcing your show into one platform or chasing trends, the focus is on thinking outside of the screen in more creative ways. 

Small shifts in how and where you share your show can make promotion feel more natural and be more effective!

If social media has been feeling like a chore, this is a quick watch worth your time.

Watch Video

Do You Book Podcast Guests?

Booking podcast guests has changed a lot in the past few years, and we’d love to hear what’s working for you right now.

This quick survey takes less than two minutes, and your answers will help us understand how podcasters are finding guests and producing great interviews. 

If your response is selected, we may feature your podcast in an upcoming Buzzsprout blog post! 

Take Survey

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

When you first start a podcast, everything feels exciting! Every recording is new, and every episode feels like progress towards your goal.

But somewhere around six months in, that can change. Suddenly, what once felt exciting now just feels like routine, and podcasting slowly begins to feel more like work than a creative outlet.

In this week’s ​episode of Buzzcast​, the team is talking honestly about what happens when podcasting stops being fun, and how to bring that joy back without walking away from your show!

They share eight realistic shifts that can make podcasting feel lighter and more sustainable so you can have more fun with your weekly workflow!

Podcasting is supposed to be something you enjoy building. If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or are tired of hitting publish, this episode will help you reset.

Listen to Buzzcast

Do You Book Podcast Guests? 

Booking podcast guests has changed a lot in the past few years, and we’d love to hear what’s working for you right now.

This quick survey takes less than two minutes, and your answers will help us understand how podcasters are finding guests and producing great interviews. 

If your response is selected, we may feature your podcast in an upcoming Buzzsprout blog post! 

Take Survey

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

In today’s world, it can feel like every opinion has to be final. But when something you’ve built starts growing in a new direction, it's okay to rethink what made sense at the beginning. 

If your podcast name came to mind while reading this, you’re not alone! After talking with so many podcasters at Podfest, it’s clear that some shows evolve beyond the name they started with.

The good news is your podcast name can be changed at any time! 

A thoughtful rebrand can make your show easier to find and better aligned with what you’re creating now.

In this video, we walk through the ​Buzzsprout Podcast Name Generator​ and how to use it to explore new name ideas! You can describe your show, adjust the tone and format, and instantly see which names are unique.

If you’re considering a rebrand or planning for 2026, this is an easy way to find a name that fits where your podcast is heading!

Watch Video

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! 

Our team is back from Orlando and had a blast seeing so many of you at Podfest last week! 

The meetup was definitely a highlight of the conference for me. It is so encouraging getting to talk face-to-face, hear what you’re building, and get to know the people behind the podcasts!

It reminds me that podcasting is about a lot more than just download numbers. And that mindset shows up all over this week’s episode of Buzzcast. 

​In this episode, the team talked about what healthy, realistic podcasting goals actually look like and asked listeners to share what success would mean for them in 2026.

Spoiler alert: it's not just numbers!

Instead, podcasters talked about consistency, letting go of perfection, building skills, engaging listeners, and slowly working toward monetization in a way that feels sustainable.

Alban, Jordan, and Kevin also do a quick check-in on Apple’s new Creator Studio announcement, along with some thoughts on how creator tools are evolving.

If Podfest left you feeling motivated and a little reflective about where your show is headed, this is the perfect episode for you! 

Listen to Buzzcast

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey Podcasters! 

As much as I love being a podcaster, I don't love promoting my show. No matter what strategy I try, it always feels awkward! 

I want people to listen to my show, but I cringe posting the same “new episode out now” message every week.

But promoting your show doesn't need to sound desperate. In this ​video,​ we show a different approach. 

You’ll learn how to turn your podcast stats into shareable content using Podcast Playback in the Buzzsprout app. You can promote your show by highlighting progress, not asking for favors!

It’s an easy way to give listeners something interesting to engage with and promote your show naturally, without feeling forced.

As a bonus, sharing your Podcast Playback can earn you $100 in Buzzsprout Ads to help promote your podcast.

If you’re looking for a more comfortable way to grow your show, this is a great place to start.

Watch Video

Mark Your Calendar

​​Join Buzzsprout at Podfest 2026:​ Buzzsprout is headed to Podfest this month, and we want to hang out with you! Join us for a Buzzsprout Podcaster meetup on January 16th at 6:30 pm. ​RSVP​ to save your spot!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!