Summer is officially over, the kids are back in childcare and school, and I’m ready for a little reset. I’m recapping what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ll be doing differently next summer, from childcare and screen time to behavior strategies, summer lunches, and finding a better rhythm for working from home. I’m also sharing a behind-the-scenes look at Pivot Ball Change, including how my team has helped me manage the workload, where most of my business actually comes from, how my nine-week podcast launch series performed, and a brand-new client who has landed some incredible guests. And of course, I’m bringing back the 4 F’s with dinner inspiration, a 20-year-old appetizer recipe, fall fashion favorites, a trip that finally made it out of the group chat, a wedding-crashing story, and my latest and current reads.

We Cover:

• What worked and what didn’t work with our summer childcare, routines, screen time, and parenting strategies
• Why I felt like I was just surviving with Pivot Ball Change this summer and how my team has become a huge part of managing the business
• The surprising ways Pivot Ball Change actually generates most of its business and why social media isn’t necessarily the biggest driver
• How my nine-week podcast launch series performed, including the download numbers and whether I think it was worth the time and effort
• My latest Pivot Ball Change client, why niche podcasts can be a powerful opportunity for professionals, and the events and speaking opportunities I’m hoping to do more of
• The return of the 4 F’s: food, fashion, fun and fiction, including dinner inspiration, Amazon mom jeans, fall accessories, watermelon margaritas, and my latest book recommendations

Summer definitely had its challenges, but it also taught me a lot about what I need personally and professionally to feel like I’m thriving instead of just getting through the season. I’m taking those lessons into the fall, along with a few new ideas for Pivot Ball Change, some changes to my work routine, and hopefully a lot more fun along the way.

Links & Resources:

Kid’s Watch: https://amzn.to/4zToOyO

Dog Man Book Series: https://amzn.to/4gS0lBk

Amy Schmidt’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-right-sized-life-with-amy-schmidt/id1484425679

Sign-up for Everyday M&K Recipes: https://everydaymandk.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D

Angels + Arrows Fashion Boutique: https://www.angelsandarrowsboutique.com/

Barrel Jeans: https://amzn.to/4raeQVR

Bauble Necklace: https://amzn.to/4xezPIq

Fish Necklace: https://amzn.to/46Shnul

Chatham Bars Inn: https://www.chathambarsinn.com/ 

Theo of Golden: https://amzn.to/4r1scUb

Dolly All the Time: https://amzn.to/4cSMUjB

Big Little Truths: https://amzn.to/4A3sHBq

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Launching a podcast is exciting, but what happens after the launch is what really determines whether your show has staying power. In this episode, I share practical strategies for staying consistent, growing your audience, and making podcasting more sustainable long after your first few episodes go live. From batching episodes and setting clear goals to using analytics, repurposing content, delegating tasks, and appearing as a guest on other podcasts, these strategies can help you take the pressure off while continuing to build momentum. I also talk about the emotional ups and downs that come with podcasting and why learning to ride the waves is just as important as having a solid strategy.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why you should have episodes four, five, and six ready to go when you launch
• How batching podcast episodes can save time and make consistency easier
• Setting long-term goals for your podcast and defining what success looks like
• Using podcast analytics to better understand your audience and content performance
• Repurposing or re-releasing popular episodes during holidays and slower seasons
• What podcast tasks you should consider delegating as your show grows
• How guesting on other podcasts can expand your reach and build credibility
• Managing the emotional highs and lows that come with growing a podcast
• Why consistency doesn't have to mean creating something completely new every week

Links & Resources:

Victoria’s Episode: https://www.pivotballchange.com/podcast-1/47-finding-my-pink-again-why-im-bringing-pivot-ball-change-back-24p45-eaesj-ksjtj-ygxw2-w4al3-jpyfw-elj4f-rjwbc-ssx7x-8ltms-bbcsh-tzmsl-ml8m7-7xlbb

Find a Guest, Be a Guest Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastguestcollaboration

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

We’re almost there! If you’ve been following along for the last few weeks, you know I’ve been walking you through my step-by-step process of how to launch a podcast. This week’s episode is episode eight of nine and we are breaking down what it actually takes to launch and grow a podcast that people stick with. From nailing your planning and timing to building buzz through social media, collaborations, and giveaways, I share practical, tested strategies for getting your show in front of the right ears and keeping listeners coming back for more.

Key Topics Covered:

• Podcast launch planning and timing
• Scheduling and releasing episodes strategically
• Social media marketing strategies that actually work
• Collaborations and guest appearances to expand reach
• Using giveaways to boost engagement and downloads
• PR and media exposure tactics for new shows
• Turning episodes into shareable content
• Engaging your audience with strong calls to action

Links & Resources:

Listen to Ep. 66 with Shannon Leyko: https://www.pivotballchange.com/podcast-1/66

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Editing a podcast can take much longer than simply recording an episode, especially when you’re working with both audio and video. I’m breaking down how I use Riverside to edit podcast episodes efficiently, from cleaning up the conversation and adding intros, outros, music, and transitions to creating clips and audiograms for social media. I’ll also walk through which Riverside AI tools I use, where I still prefer manual editing, and how I export high-quality audio and video for different platforms. Whether you’re editing your own podcast or trying to understand what goes into professional podcast production, these tips can help you create better content while making your editing workflow more efficient.

We Cover:

• How long it actually takes to edit podcast episodes based on their length
• Using Riverside for podcast recording, audio editing, video editing, and transcription
• The difference between manual editing and AI-powered editing tools, and why quality still matters
• Adding intros, outros, music, transitions, ads, and other episode elements
• Creating social media clips and audiograms from your podcast episodes
• Exporting high-quality audio and video for publishing and promotion
• Using Riverside features like Smart Layouts and AI tools to streamline your workflow

Links & Resources:

How to Edit Podcasts Guide (FREE Just for Listening!!): https://canva.link/aqtnr8fscuaq78o

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Launching your podcast successfully starts before you ever hit publish. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to plan your first three episodes, why releasing multiple episodes on launch day can help your podcast gain momentum, and how to create a strong foundation for your show. You’ll learn how to batch record, prepare for guest interviews, determine the right episode length, and why having future episodes ready before launch will help you stay consistent as a podcast host.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why you should launch your podcast with three episodes and how it can impact your rankings and listener growth
• How to plan, record, and batch your first episodes while building confidence as a new host
• Why your dream guest may not always be the person with the biggest following and how to create a strong guest pitch
• How to prepare for launch day and set yourself up for long-term podcast consistency

Links and Resources:

Instagram Post Looking for Guests: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYN06j4FPhT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Every episode is someone's first episode, and that changes everything about how you should structure your show. I break down the essentials of episode architecture: what a master intro is and why you need one, why pre-recording multiple outros will save you in a pinch, and how to build an audiogram that hooks listeners in the first 30 seconds. I walk through the ideal flow for your episodes, why asking for ratings and reviews in your outro matters more than you think (plus a real client example that worked), and why you don't need sponsors on day one to have something valuable to offer your audience. I also cover the difference between pre-roll and mid-roll ads, a smarter way to pitch sponsors, and why recording your intros and offers on video gives you reusable content for your PR package down the road.

Key Topics

• What a master intro is and why every show needs one
• Why you should pre-record several outro options
• Building an audiogram that hooks listeners in 30 seconds
• Structuring your episode flow for first-time listeners
• Asking for ratings and reviews the right way (with a client example)
• Why you have something to offer even without sponsors
• A smarter strategy for pitching sponsors and landing brand deals
• Recording intros, outros, and offers on video for future PR use
• Pre-roll vs. mid-roll ads: where to place your offers

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Launching a podcast starts long before episode one, and this conversation breaks down the one step so many new podcasters skip: the trailer. You'll learn what a podcast trailer actually is, why it matters for building an audience before you're even live, and how it protects you from the frustrating reality that hosting platforms don't let you control exactly when your first upload goes public. From there, the discussion covers how long a trailer should run, whether to add music, and what content needs to be included so listeners know exactly what to expect from your show. You'll also get a real world example of how inconsistent release schedules can hurt a podcast's growth, plus a walkthrough of the technical checklist your hosting platform will require before submission. Categories, rankings, and what they mean for discoverability round out the episode, along with practical next steps for what to do once your trailer is finally live.

Key Topics Covered

• What a podcast trailer is and why it's essential before launch
• Why hosting platforms don't guarantee an exact go live time, and how a trailer solves that
• Ideal trailer length and whether to include music
• What to include in your trailer script: who you are, what the show covers, and release schedule
• A real world example of how inconsistent posting can hurt a podcast's momentum
• The technical requirements to have ready before submitting to your hosting platform
• How podcast categories work and why your choice affects your show's ranking
• Why video matters for podcasts right from the start
• Next steps once your trailer goes live

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Part three of a nine-part series on launching a podcast, this episode breaks down everything you need to know about podcast cover art and music. I walk through the technical guidelines that platforms require for cover art approval, plus my own take on what makes cover art work (and what to avoid). I also cover why cover art consistency across episodes matters for brand recognition, and recommend Audio Jungle as a go-to source for royalty-free music that sets the right tone for your show.

Key Topics Covered

• Why cover art and music matter for podcast branding
• Platform guidelines for getting your cover art approved
• What to include (and skip) when designing your cover art
• Why consistency in cover art builds recognition over time
• Finding royalty-free music through Audio Jungle
• How music choice shapes the tone and feel of your show

Links and Resources:

Royalty Free Music: https://audiojungle.net/

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

Launching a podcast doesn't require a fancy studio or expensive equipment, and I prove it in this second installment of the nine part podcast launch series. Recording from my home in rural Wisconsin as a mom of two, I walk through exactly what you need to get started: lighting, video recording, hosting, scheduling, branding, and website tools, most of which you probably already own. I break down my go to platforms for editing and hosting, the design tool I use for brand images, the website builder that made building my own site simple, and the organization and communication tools that keep my show (and our client's work) running smoothly. If you're overwhelmed by the idea of gear and tech, this episode will put your mind at ease.

Key Topics Covered

• Why you don't need expensive equipment to start a podcast
• Recording a podcast using just an iPhone
• Lighting tips: natural light and a ring light for better video quality
• Riverside as an all-in-one recording and hosting platform
• Creating branded images with Canva
• Building a user-friendly website with Squarespace
• Using social media to grow your podcast presence
• Staying organized with Google Drive and Asana
• Team communication and collaboration with Slack

Links & Resources:

Listen to Ep. 76: https://www.pivotballchange.com/podcast-1/76

Ring Light Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4vuvRdZ

D1 Microphone Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4w5IgWQ

Paige & Becca’s Episode: https://www.pivotballchange.com/podcast-1/62-528gy-aawcl

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064

I am kicking off a brand new nine-week series designed to walk you through launching your very own podcast, step by step. If you've been sitting on a podcast idea but have no idea where to begin, or you're feeling completely overwhelmed, this series was made for you. Each week, you'll walk away with actionable, bite-sized homework so that by the end of all nine episodes, you'll have a fully launched show. This first episode dives into how to choose a compelling title, develop your overall concept, and land on three to four content pillars that will anchor your show. I share thought-provoking questions, helpful insights, and a few go-to resources to get your creative wheels turning right away.

Key Topics Covered:

• How to choose a podcast title that stands out
• Developing your overall podcast concept and defining your "why"
• Identifying and establishing three to four content pillars
• Narrowing down your ideas with thought-provoking questions
• Pinpointing your ideal listener and who the show is for
• Recommended resources to help you get into the right headspace to brainstorm

Links & Resources:

Core Values Worksheet: https://canva.link/gxhdq3wsiyqjbwt

Be by Jessica Zweig: https://amzn.to/3Qqgchs

Let’s Connect!

Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/c/6950782/2183832/28064