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

Love it, or hate it, the Barbie Movie did an amazing job of marketing. The summer it came out there wasn’t anywhere you could go that you wouldn’t run into something that had to do with the Barbie Movie. And this is a great example of what can happen for you and your podcast when you take the time to launch your podcast.

I just wrapped up the successful launch of Season 3 of the Friendly Podcast Guide so while it was fresh on my mind I wanted to talk about why it is such a good idea to intentionally launch your podcast.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Podcast marketing

• Seasonal format for podcasting

• Podcast launch

• Advice for starting a podcast

• Podcast Jumpstart Sessions

• How to start a successful podcast

Here's the one thing you should implement in your podcast if you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start. When you are launching your podcast (or launching the next season of your podcast) make sure to start talking about it a month before your first episode drops! This gives you plenty of time to hype it up and talk about it and it gives your people plenty of time to hear about it and get excited about it with you.

Timestamps

(00:00) Inspired by the Barbie Movie 

(01:26) What it means to launch a podcast

(02:55) Give yourself a month to launch

(03:44) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions

(04:44) Podcast launch calendar

(09:09) Stories for your launch

(12:35) The one thing I would take away from this episode

Links:

• Schedule Your Podcast Jumpstart Session

  Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram

• Free Podcast Launch Calendar

Keywords

how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy, video podcasting, podcasts on YouTube, search engine optimization podcast

Take a peek behind the curtain as I tell you about the stats for the episodes that came out during my winter break, how much money I’ve made since January and what I did during the break.

Topics discussed during this episode:

• Podcast downloads

• Seasonal podcast format

• Podcast recommendations

• Combating perfectionism

• Podcast experiments

• DIY podcasting course

• Podcast planner

• Podcast coaching calls

• Podcast marketing

Takeaways from this episode:

• Download numbers have nothing to do with your worth as a human

• Adding stories to your episodes make your episodes more compelling

• The seasonal podcast format is best for mom podcasters

• Experimenting with your podcast is the best way to improve your show

• Pinterest is a great way to market your podcast

Timestamps:

(00:00) Get to know Andi

(02:49) How many downloads my episodes got

(04:34) How much money I’ve made

(05:47) How many podcast coaching calls I’ve done

(06:32) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions

(07:32) Experiments I’m trying in March

(10:27) Season 3 giveaway

(12:29) What I did during my break

Links:

• The Silt Verses: https://www.thesiltverses.com/

• Jen Morris Interview: https://friendlypodcastguide.com/how-to-conquer-self-doubt-as-a-mom-in-business/

• Podcast Planner Affiliate Link: https://createdbykristakirky.com/?ref=ANDISMILEY

• Podcast Planner video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFdXPsFPRjn/

  For the Love of History Podcast: https://www.fortheloveofhistorypod.com/

• Permission to Pause: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/meagan-hubbard/episodes/Introducing-Permission-to-Pause-e2t2gp1

Keywords

how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy, video podcasting, podcasts on YouTube, search engine optimization podcast

The wait is almost over! Season 3 of the Friendly Podcast Guide will be back on March 4th.

Get ready to learn about podcasting in a way that fits into your life instead of the other way around.

For more behind the scenes follow me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@friendlypodcastguide

Learn about how to keep loving boundaries and network as a mom with creative endeavors.

I got to chat with Jen Morris, the founder of Renegade Motherhood, a movement that helps elevate and amplify moms in business!

Topics discussed in this episode:

Having boundaries as a mom in business

How to network as a mom in business

Channeling main character energy

Kicking self-doubt to the curb

Being picky about the mentors you listen to

Having a “why” for your business

Takeaways from this episode

Embracing main character energy helps you live to your fullest potential.

One way you can deal with self-doubt and your inner critic is to make sure your endeavor aligns with your values and passions.

The best way to form and hold boundaries around family, work and self is communication.

If you are wanting to meet people and network more, look at the groups you are already part of (like the women in your kids’ class or the people in your HIGH Fitness class) and ask to get to know them better.

Links:

The Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/

The Friendly Podcast Guide on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@friendlypodcastguide

Renegade Motherhood website: https://www.renegademotherhoodlife.com/

Renegade Motherhood Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3128932270714748

Renegade Motherhood on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renegade.motherhood/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduce Jen Morris

(03:22) Main character energy

(06:01) Dealing with self-doubt

(13:28) Boundaries as a mom in business

(23:30) Networking as a mom in business

(33:13) Where to find Jen

(35:28) Takeaways from our chat

Keywords

how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy, video podcasting, podcasts on YouTube, search engine optimization podcast, business mom, networking

I can’t believe this is the last episode of Season 2!

As we are wrapping up my first “official” season of the Friendly Podcast Guide I am so excited to talk about last month’s episodes and some of my thoughts about Season 2 overall.

In this episode I answered these questions:

Topics discussed during this episode:

The main takeaways from this episode are:

Links:

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing the episode

(00:50) Get to know Andi

(03:18) November’s download numbers & money

(06:57) Podcast coaching calls

(07:51) Podcast experiments

(11:06) My thoughts on Season 2

(15:23) What I’m doing between seasons

Here are answers to all of the questions you have, but don’t have the time to find individual answers for on the internet.

As a podcast coach I love answering questions about podcasting. It’s my job. So here are answers to all of the common podcasting questions I get.

Here are some of the questions we will cover:

• What is a podcast hosting platform? And which ones are good ones?

• What kind of microphone should I buy?

• How do I get approved by Apple Podcasts?

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Podcasting equipment

• Podcast release schedule

• Podcast workflow

• Seasonal podcasting

• Podcast episode creation

• Podcast hosting platforms

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:27) Podcast hosting platforms

(01:11) Podcasting tech

(02:20) Seasonal podcasts

(04:33) First podcast episode/release schedule

(05:34) Podcast content buckets

(07:27) Podcast Editing Software

(08:20) Apple Podcast Approval

(09:18) Choosing a podcast niche

(10:04) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions

(10:58) Recap

Links

• Descript: https://get.descript.com/yjkxjv7z0u54

• Dynamic microphone I use: https://amzn.to/3YZtNh6

• Next Day Podcast: https://clients.nextdaypodcast.com/r/21GG21

Learning from the host of one of the top sleep podcasts in the world today.

Yes. It’s a dream come true that I get to talk to Kathryn Nicolai who is the host of Nothing Much Happens, my favorite sleep podcast that I use at least once a week to fall asleep.

She has some amazing insights into how to serve your listeners, which will then help your show grow. Here are some of the insights Kathryn shares during our conversation:

Topics discussed in this episode include:

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:33) Get to know Kathryn

(04:56) Creativity as a practice

(06:26) Serving your listeners

(09:06) Why people love Nothing Much Happens

(12:43) Responsibility to the listeners

(16:03) The podcast on YouTube

(17:36) Money side of the podcast

(22:48) Donating to charity weekly

(24:58) Writing the stories

(28:15) Advice for podcasters

(30:51) What Andi learned from this chat

Links:

Starting a podcast in 2025 is really pretty simple.

Podcasting changed my life for the better in so many ways. If you want to start a podcast, here are the 10 things that will help you make it happen in 2025!

I’ve been in the podcasting world for almost 4 years and I’ve been helping a lot of women start their own podcasts in the past year.

Here’s what I would do if I was starting a podcast in 2025:

1. Do video from the beginning

2. Use Descript

3. Figure out your niche

4. Have a workflow

5. Do seasons

6. Buy a dynamic microphone

7. Have a month’s worth of content before launching

8. Create a trailer

9. Find a couple of podcast coaches to follow on social media

10. Don’t have download goals have number of episode goals

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Podcast microphones

• Video podcasting

• Podcast editing

• Avoiding podcast burnout

• Podcast trailers

• Podcast niche

Takeaways from this episode:

• Doing a video podcast isn’t as daunting as you think it is.

• Having a seasonal show will help you avoid burnout by giving you built in breaks.

• Only have one or two podcast coaches that you take advice from. If you have more than that you will get overwhelmed.

Links:

• Descript (affiliate link): https://get.descript.com/yjkxjv7z0u54

• The microphone I use (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3CfnInV

• Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:49) 1- Video podcasting

(02:07) 2- Use Descript for editing

(03:21) 3- Sticking to your niche

(04:41) 4- Podcast workflow

(06:26) 5- Pros and cons of seasonal podcasts

(07:36) 6- Buy a microphone

(08:42) 7- Episodes before launch

(09:46) 8- Podcast Trailer

(11:11) 9- Podcast coaches

(12:08) *Bonus tip* Download numbers goal

(12:58) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions

(13:57) Episode recap

(15:40) Next week’s episode

how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy

I didn’t reach my download numbers goal…and I thought I was embarrassed about it, but I’m actually not.

I didn’t take my own advice about goals around download numbers and it shows.

In this episode I talk about:

You’ll also hear about the experiments that I tried out last month. Which ones worked and which ones didn’t. Along with the experiments that I’m trying in November.

Topics discussed:

My favorite takeaways from this episode are: 

Links from the episode:

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Friendly Podcast Guide

(00:52) Get to know Andi a little bit

(02:51) November’s theme: Start a Podcast

(04:28) October download numbers

(08:26) Podcast coaching calls

(9:49) October podcast experiments

(17:26) Podcast experiments for this month

(20:08) Share this episode with a friend

how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy

Almost HALF of podcast listeners find new shows through YouTube, according to research done by Sounds Profitable.

I wanted to take advantage of all of those eyeballs that are using YouTube to find new shows so I’ve been putting my podcast on YouTube for the past two months and I’ve learned a bunch about how to do it.

I’ll answer common questions like:

Topics discussed in this episode:

Takeaways from this episode:

Timestamps:

(00:00) Podcasts and YouTube

(00:47) Why to put your podcast on YouTube

(4:10) Using your RSS feed to get on YouTube

(5:12) What I’ve learned from putting my show on YouTube

(15:54) Recap of today’s episode

Links: