In this episode I sit down with David Brent Downley to explore how he built his podcast from the ground up, why he rebranded after years of running it under a different name, and the lessons he’s learned through successes and setbacks—including an unexpected deplatforming on iTunes. Brent shares why he chose podcasting as a way to build an audience for a book he’s still writing, how he fell in love with the intimacy of the medium, and the importance of owning an email list and community so you’re not at the mercy of platforms. We dig into his journey from early fitness podcasts he listened to, to launching the Fallible Man podcast in September 2020, to rebranding as the Driven to Thrive broadcast in January 2024. He opens up about hitting the top 1% of podcasts, then losing most of his downloads overnight, and how audience feedback and personal conviction kept him going. Along the way we discuss choosing a podcast host, integrating video, building a mobile recording setup, and defining your goals as a podcaster from day one. If you’re starting out or facing roadblocks in podcasting, Brent’s story offers practical advice and encouragement to keep going and focus on the people you serve.

Want to dive deeper with David Brent Downley? Check these out:

• Listen to the Driven to Thrive broadcast: https://brentdowlen.com/driven-2-thrive-broadcast/

• Explore resources and articles on Purpose Driven Men: https://purposedrivenmen.com/

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Chapters

0:04 Building an Audience

0:17 Meet Brent Darling

0:44 Personal Development Focus

3:00 Podcast Beginnings

6:22 The Journey to Podcasting

7:41 Discovering Podcasting's Joy

13:25 The Ups and Downs

15:18 The iTunes Incident

17:25 The Importance of Email Lists

28:59 Creating Valuable Content

37:50 The Power of Connection

41:48 Impactful Moments

43:19 The Role of Comedy

48:24 Lessons Learned

50:23 Weird Recording Locations

53:31 Advice for New Podcasters

55:39 Connecting with Brent