Friendly Podcast Guide: Teaching Women How to Grow a Podcast (Without Burning Out)

If marketing jargon makes your eyes glaze over, this episode is for you! I'm breaking down the two types of marketing I use to grow my podcast and make money, no funnels, no KPIs, no marketing bro speak. Just real, simple strategies that actually work.

Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I've spent the past year using Pinterest as my main growth strategy, and my podcast has grown by 74% and gained over 200 email subscribers…all without Instagram. I'm here to share what's actually working so you can grow your podcast sustainably too.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• The two types of marketing every podcaster needs to know about

• Why I deleted Instagram and didn't see a drop in downloads

• How Pinterest fits into my podcast marketing strategy

• My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools (Pinterest, Threads, podcast guesting, and SEO)

• Why my email list is where almost all of my business income comes from

• How my podcast serves my audience without being a hard sales tool

• How to grow a podcast without social media in 2026

• Why you don't need to be everywhere, just strategic

Key Takeaways

• You need at least two types of marketing: one to get people in the door and one to help them buy from you

• Pinterest is one of the most sustainable, low-effort ways to grow a podcast without showing up daily

• Your email list is your most powerful tool for actually making money

• You don't have to use every platform, pick what works for your audience and your life

• Sustainable podcasting strategies beat burnout-inducing ones every single time

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:49) How Pinterest fits into my growth strategy 

(02:14) My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools 

(03:02) Why my email list is where the money comes from 

(03:44) How my podcast fits into the bigger picture 

Links & Resources

• Free checklist, Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?

• How I Grow My Podcast Without Instagram episode

• Follow Andi on Threads

If you've been avoiding your email list because you're not sure what to say, afraid to send too many emails, or convinced your subscribers don't want to hear from you… this episode is your sign to just start.

Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist who works with small business owners and content creators, and she has a refreshingly no-pressure approach to building an email strategy that actually works. She also hosts the Happy Subscribers podcast, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Time Stamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:49) The fears podcasters have about email and why they're mostly unfounded

(04:04) Why email gives you more control than podcast apps or social media

(05:51) Should you grow your list first or start emailing first?

(07:15) Leading vs. lagging metrics — and why the distinction changes everything

(09:33) How many emails should you actually be sending per week?

(12:18) Brainstorming your second email (it doesn't have to be a sales pitch)

(17:50) What a welcome sequence is and what to put in it

(20:33) Allea's top tip for making email feel less overwhelming every single week

Links mentioned:

• Allea's welcome sequence freebie

• Andi's episode on the Happy Subscribers podcast

• Happy Subscribers podcast

Connect with Allea:

• Instagram

• Allea’s website

Connect with Andi:

• Threads

• Pinterest

Summer is coming fast, and if you're a podcaster, that means your strategy probably needs a little seasonal refresh! In this episode, I'm sharing my best tips for marketing your podcast and creating episodes this summer — without burning yourself out. Whether you want to keep things light, try something new, or give yourself full permission to take a break, this one's for you.

Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and the host of Friendly Podcast Guide. I'm passionate about helping you grow your podcast without letting it run your life. I've been using Pinterest to grow my show for the past year, and the results have honestly blown me away…74% podcast growth and 200+ new email subscribers, all without Instagram.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Why Pinterest is one of the best podcast marketing strategies for summer

• What podcast swaps are and how to use them to grow your podcast audience

• How to create shorter, bite-sized episodes that work for summer schedules

• Bringing back your most popular episodes as "best of" content

• How to take a podcast break without losing your listeners

• How to communicate your break across your episode, email list, and social media

• Why sustainable podcasting strategies matter more than rigid consistency

Key Takeaways

• Pinterest is evergreen, which makes it one of the smartest podcast marketing strategies, batch your pins once and your marketing keeps working while you're on vacation.

• Podcast swaps are a two-for-one win: they help you reach a new audience and fill your feed without creating brand-new content.

• Shorter episodes can be a gift to both you and your listeners during the summer months, don't be afraid to experiment with the format.

• "Best of" episodes are an underrated tool. Your newer listeners probably haven't heard your older hits, so bring them back!

• Taking a break is not a cop-out, it's a sustainable podcasting strategy. Burning out helps no one.

• If you're stepping away, tell your people! Share it in your last episode, in an email, and on social media, and always let them know when you'll be back.

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:27) How Pinterest helps you grow a podcast without social media 

(02:09) Marketing your podcast during the summer

(04:21) Creating podcast episodes in the summer

(07:29) What I'm doing with my podcast this summer

Links & Resources

• “Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?” Free Checklist

• Pinterest for Podcasters episode

• Podcast Swaps episode

• Follow me on Threads

I deleted Instagram off my phone and my podcast downloads didn't drop a single bit. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly why I walked away from Instagram and the podcast marketing strategies I use instead to keep growing my show sustainably.

Hi, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I help women grow their podcasts without letting them take over their lives. I've grown my own show by 74% in the past year and gained over 200 email subscribers, all without relying on Instagram.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Why I deleted Instagram and how it was affecting my mental health

• How I realized Instagram wasn't driving my podcast growth

• Why Pinterest is my favorite podcast marketing strategy

• How to use Threads to build real connections and grow your audience

• The power of podcast guesting for networking and new listeners

• How email marketing closes almost all of my sales

• Why sustainable podcasting strategies matter more than being everywhere at once

Key Takeaways

• You don't need Instagram to grow your podcast…there are better, more sustainable options out there

• Pinterest works like a search engine, which means your content keeps working for you long after you post it

• Threads is a low-lift platform where real conversations (and real connections) actually happen

• Podcast guesting is a slow burn, but the networking and referrals are incredibly valuable

• Email marketing is where the sales magic happens, it's the strategy that closes almost all of my offers

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro 

(01:58) Why Instagram wasn't working for my podcast marketing 

(03:08) Pinterest as a podcast growth strategy 

(03:39) Why I love using Threads 

(04:43) Podcast guesting and the power of networking 

(07:07) Email marketing and how it closes my sales 

Links & Resources

• Free "Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?" checklist

• About Progress episode, The Practice of Attention

• My Pinterest episode

• My podcast guesting episode

• My episode with Whitney about podcast experiments

• Follow Andi on Threads

What if the secret to growing your podcast wasn't doing more, but experimenting more? In this episode, I'm chatting with my friend Whitney, the queen of experiments herself, about how an experimental mindset can completely transform the way you podcast. From hiring contractors and rethinking email strategy to rerunning archive episodes and ditching bonus content, we're sharing the real experiments we're currently trying (and what we've learned from the ones that didn't quite pan out).

Meet the Expert

Whitney is the host of The Family Lab, a podcast where she literally experiments with her family to figure out what works in parenting and home life. She brings that same curious, low-pressure approach to podcasting, which makes her one of my absolute favorite people to think out loud with about sustainable podcasting strategies.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Whitney's experience hiring her first contractor to help launch a video podcast

• How delegating podcast tasks (and thinking of it as an experiment) takes the pressure off

• My experiment with splitting weekly emails into two focused sends

• Growing a small but mighty email list and actually making money from it

• Using Threads as a surprisingly fun way to grow a podcast audience

• Why "reliability" might matter more than "consistency" in podcasting

• What Whitney is doing with her podcast archive to build out a self-reliance series

• My experiment with skipping bonus episodes between seasons, and what I'm learning

Key Takeaways

• Calling something an experiment completely changes how you relate to it…especially when it doesn't go perfectly. It takes the failure personally out of the equation and turns your analytics into data rather than a verdict on your worth as a podcaster.

• You don't need a massive email list to support podcast growth or sell your offers. Starting small (even with 7 subscribers!) and staying consistent is what builds momentum over time.

• Outsourcing doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Whitney and I both talked about the ongoing process of figuring out what to hand off and what to keep and how that balance shifts as skills and needs evolve.

• Reliability over consistency is a reframe worth considering. Your listeners want to be able to count on you to come back and show up with quality, not necessarily on a rigid weekly schedule.

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:31) Introducing Whitney and her experimental approach to podcasting

(01:25) Whitney's experience hiring contractors and going video

(05:53) My email list experiment: splitting sends and growing sustainably

(09:38) Using Threads to grow a podcast audience without social media stress

(11:58) Benefits of podcast experiments

(15:59) The Open Lab experiment: building community one listener at a time

(20:09) Some of our current podcast experiments

(27:14) Reliability vs. consistency in podcasting (and parenting!)

Links & Resources

• Whitney's podcast, The Family Lab
• Pinterest VIP Setup offer
• Friendly Podcast Guide on Threads
• The Family Lab on Instagram
  

Ever wonder what a podcast coach actually does during a seasonal break? Spoiler: it's not resting! In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on all the podcast marketing strategies and Pinterest experiments I tested during my off-season… the wins, the messy moments, and the ones I'm still not sure about.

Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women who want to grow their shows without letting podcasting take over their lives. I share sustainable podcasting strategies, Pinterest marketing tips, and what actually works. I've been podcasting for four years, and last summer I used Pinterest to double my monthly downloads and land my most successful revenue month ever.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Launching Pinterest VIP setups and what I learned from filling all five spots

• Cleaning up and refreshing my own Pinterest profile and boards

• Pinning past episodes during a content break (and why it actually works)

• Creating a custom link page on my website instead of using Linktree

• Completing Pinterest Academy and earning my skills badges

• Joining Simple Pin Media's Pinterest strategy group

• Skipping bonus episodes this season and why I'm nervous about it

• Being a podcast guest and doing workshops to grow downloads and email subscribers

Key Takeaways

• Pinterest is a powerful, evergreen platform for podcast growth. Pins from months ago are still bringing in new listeners

• You don't need new episodes to keep pinning! Fresh pin images for older episodes keep your content working for you

• Sending traffic to your own website (instead of Linktree) is a simple win for SEO and visibility

• Investing in your own education (like Pinterest Academy) pays off in a big way

• Podcast guesting and workshops are reliable ways to boost downloads and grow your email list

• Every experiment, whether it works or flops, teaches you something valuable about how to grow your podcast without social media burnout

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro & welcome back

(00:26) Why Pinterest changed everything for my podcast growth

(01:57) Experiment #1: Launching Pinterest VIP setups

(02:52) Experiment #2: Cleaning up my Pinterest profile and boards

(04:32) Experiment #3: Pinning past episodes during the break

(05:41) Experiment #4: Building a custom link page on my website

(06:27) Experiment #5: Completing Pinterest Academy

(07:40) Experiment #6: Joining Simple Pin Media's Pinterest strategy group

(08:36) Experiment #7: Skipping bonus episodes…the scariest experiment

(10:26) Experiment #8: Podcast guesting and workshops

(11:26) Your challenge: What experiment will YOU try?

Links & Resources

- Free "Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?" checklist

- Simple Pin Media Pinterest strategy group

- Follow Andi on Pinterest

- Follow Andi on Threads

In this special Podcasthon episode, I’m highlighting an incredible nonprofit that’s making a real impact in the world of literacy. I sat down with Jennifer Jenkins, CEO of Operation Literacy, to talk about how they’re helping kids access books, discover a love for reading, and even see themselves as future authors. From book drop programs to massive storytelling conferences, this conversation will leave you inspired by what’s possible when we invest in the power of stories.

Jennifer Jenkins is the CEO of Operation Literacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to motivating readers and writers of all ages. With a background in writing and education, Jennifer has helped grow Operation Literacy into one of the largest teen writing communities in the country. Through programs like Teen Author Bootcamp (now StoryCon) and their impactful Book Drop initiative, she and her team are creating life-changing experiences for young readers and storytellers.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• How Operation Literacy got started and evolved over time

• The impact of Teen Author Bootcamp and StoryCon

• What the Book Drop program is and how it works

• Why access to physical books matters for kids

• The connection between reading, writing, and identity

• How StoryCon supports both aspiring and published storytellers

• Real-life stories of how books are changing kids’ lives

• Ways you can support Operation Literacy through volunteering or donating

Key Takeaways

• Access to books can be life-changing, especially for kids who don’t have them at home

• Meeting authors helps kids believe their own stories matter

• Physical books play an important role in early childhood development

• Programs like Book Drop and StoryCon create both opportunity and inspiration

• Supporting literacy initiatives can have a ripple effect across entire communities

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:31) Meet Jennifer Jenkins and what she’s reading

(02:12) How Operation Literacy began

(04:40) What the Book Drop program is

(06:11) How Operation Literacy is helping their community

(10:01) Inside StoryCon and how it works

(13:25) Emotional impact of book drops

(21:16) How to get involved and support

Links & Resources

• Operation Literacy Website

• Story Con Website

• Follow Operation Literacy on Instagram

• Follow Story Con USA on Instagram

Spring is the perfect time to refresh more than just your house, it’s a great opportunity to clean up parts of your podcast that may not be serving you anymore. In this episode, I’m sharing two areas of your podcast that deserve a little spring cleaning so you can grow your show more effectively without piling more work onto your plate.

If you want sustainable podcast growth, sometimes the best strategy isn’t doing more, it’s refining what you’re already doing.

Hey, I’m Andi Smiley, your friendly podcast guide! I help women grow their podcasts without burning out by focusing on sustainable podcasting strategies that actually work. After years of podcasting, experimenting with marketing methods, and helping other podcasters grow their shows, I’ve learned that small strategic tweaks can make a huge difference in how your podcast performs.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Why spring is the perfect time to reevaluate your podcast strategy

• A simple way to improve your podcast SEO without rebranding

• How adding a short phrase to your podcast title can help listeners find you

• Why reviewing your past episodes can reveal SEO improvement opportunities

• How to audit your podcast marketing strategies

• Why some marketing platforms may not actually help grow your podcast

• How to identify which marketing methods are worth your time

• Building a sustainable podcast marketing strategy that works for your life

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need to completely rebrand your show to improve your podcast SEO, sometimes adding a descriptive phrase to your podcast title is enough.

• Revisiting older episodes and updating titles or descriptions can help more listeners discover your podcast.

• Not all marketing platforms contribute equally to podcast growth, so it’s important to analyze what’s actually working.

• A sustainable podcasting strategy focuses on the marketing methods that deliver real results.

Timestamps

(00:00) Why spring is the perfect time for podcast cleanup

(00:39) How Pinterest helped grow my podcast downloads

(02:15) Improving your podcast SEO with a simple title tweak

(03:28) Reviewing past episodes for SEO improvements

(04:21) Auditing your podcast marketing methods

(05:08) Why Instagram isn’t a main growth driver for my podcast

(06:37) Final thoughts on sustainable podcast marketing

Links & Resources

• Free Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast? Checklist

• Connect with Andi on Threads

If marketing your podcast feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing three simple podcast marketing strategies that help you grow your audience without spending all your time promoting your show. These are the exact tools I use to grow my podcast and business while keeping marketing sustainable and manageable.

I’m Andi Smiley, a podcast coach who helps women grow their podcasts without letting marketing take over their lives. I’m passionate about sharing strategies that actually work, the things I wish someone had told me earlier, and conversations with smart podcasters who are doing things differently.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• How to grow a podcast audience without spending hours on marketing

• Why Pinterest is a powerful search engine for podcast marketing

• How Pinterest helped double my podcast downloads

• Why podcast guesting is one of the best ways to find new listeners

• How guesting helps people connect with your voice and style

• Using Threads as a simple, low-effort marketing platform

• Why sustainable podcast marketing matters for long-term growth

• Simple podcast marketing strategies that don’t take over your life

Key Takeaways

Pinterest, podcast guesting, and Threads are three powerful ways to grow your podcast without constantly chasing algorithms or spending hours creating content.

Pinterest works as a search engine, meaning your content can continue bringing in listeners months or even years later. Podcast guesting introduces you to people who already love listening to podcasts, making it easier to turn listeners into subscribers. Threads allows you to share ideas quickly and connect with other podcasters in a low-pressure way.

When you focus on sustainable podcast marketing strategies, you can grow your audience while still having time for the rest of your life.

Timestamps

(00:00) My goal as a podcast coach

(00:23) How Pinterest changed my podcast growth

(01:47) Why Pinterest works for podcast marketing

(02:23) Podcast guesting as a growth strategy

(03:12) Using Threads to market your podcast

Links & Resources

• Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast? Checklist
• Pinterest episode
• Podcast guesting episode

Connect with me:

• Threads
• Pinterest

If you’ve been wondering how to grow a podcast audience without living on social media, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down exactly how Pinterest helped me double my downloads, grow my email list, and have my highest revenue month ever. I’m sharing what changed, what actually worked, and why Pinterest might be the most underrated podcast marketing strategy out there.

Meet the Expert

Hey, I’m Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and the unofficial “Pinterest for podcasting girl.” I help women grow their shows using sustainable podcasting strategies that don’t take over their lives. After going all in on Pinterest, I saw a 100% increase in monthly downloads, gained more than 100 email subscribers, and hit my highest revenue month in four years of podcasting.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• How to grow a podcast audience using Pinterest

• Why Pinterest is not dead (and the real stats behind it)

• The difference between social media and Pinterest marketing

• How to grow a podcast without social media

• Simple podcast marketing strategies that compound over time

• Why consistency matters more than volume on Pinterest

• Busting myths about who can succeed on Pinterest
  

Key Takeaways

• Pinterest rewards clarity, consistency, and strong keywords.

• You don’t need to create dozens of pins per day, you need a sustainable system you can stick with.

• Pinterest is not just for food bloggers or DIY creators. It works beautifully for podcasters, coaches, and educators.

• You don’t need stunning, complicated graphics to succeed with Pinterest. You need clear messaging.

• If Instagram feels exhausting, Pinterest might be a more sustainable podcast marketing strategy for you in 2026.

Timestamps

(00:00) Why I’m known as the Pinterest for podcasting girl

(01:22) My Pinterest story

(02:57) 100% increase in downloads + revenue growth

(04:02) Myth #1: Pinterest is dead

(04:25) Myth #2: Only food & DIY bloggers succeed

(04:53) Myth #3: Only gorgeous pins work

(05:30) Is Pinterest right for your podcast?

Links & Resources

• Free “Is Pinterest Right for My Podcast?” Checklist

• Connect with me on Threads