In this episode of Pod Savvy Guide, Steph takes a deep dive into one of the most surprising and inspiring podcasting stories to come out of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy. What started as a casual roommate situation during the pandemic turned into one of the most influential behind-the-scenes collaborations in podcasting. Steph unpacks the story of Lauren (aka Laren), Alex’s best friend and now executive producer of Call Her Daddy, and how her research-driven brain transformed the show’s structure and impact. From organizing celebrity interviews and creating detailed prep packets to overseeing a team of researchers and editors at the Unwell Network, Lauren helped evolve Call Her Daddy into a cultural force. You’ll hear key quotes from their episode together, why Lauren chose podcasting over a PhD in psychology, and how their friendship-turned-business-partnership proves that podcasting is far from a solo game. Whether you’re producing from your closet or managing a podcast empire, this episode is your reminder: podcasting is powerful, and your voice matters.

Ever feel a little intimidated listening to huge podcasts with fancy studios and million-dollar deals? You’re not alone. In this episode of Pod Savvy Guide, Steph shares how to look beyond the budgets and learn real, practical lessons from one of podcasting’s biggest names Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy.

Steph opens up about how hard it was, in her early podcasting days, to listen to polished shows without feeling jealous or discouraged. But she explains why paying attention to the big players can actually help us level up our own DIY podcast without needing a celebrity guest list or a million-dollar contract.

Alex Cooper’s journey is a perfect case study. Once making basement videos as a kid, she exploded onto the scene with Call Her Daddy, going from 12,000 downloads to 2 million in just two months. After landing a massive $60 million deal with Spotify and now an even bigger $125 million deal with SiriusXM Alex has become the highest-paid female podcaster and a creative powerhouse in the industry.

But beyond the jaw-dropping numbers, there’s so much podcasters can learn from Alex’s style and business moves. Steph breaks down the secrets to Alex’s success, including:

• Authenticity and Relatability: Alex connects with listeners by staying true to her personality, sharing personal stories, and letting guests feel like they’re chatting with a friend rather than sitting through a formal interview.

• Knowing Your Niche: She focuses squarely on her core audience even if her style or topics aren’t for everyone. That clarity has built her a fiercely loyal following.

• Leveraging Social Media: Alex’s Instagram and TikTok strategy is brilliant. From teasing upcoming guests with fun clues, to creating highly shareable clips, she knows how to keep fans engaged and curious.

• Strategic Partnerships: Instead of doing it all solo, Alex forged major deals with Barstool, Spotify, and SiriusXM, giving her resources to grow while maintaining creative control.

• Adapting and Evolving: Her show has shifted dramatically from wild dating stories to deep celebrity interviews proving podcasters don’t have to stay stuck in one lane forever.

Steph also dives into how Alex has turned Call Her Daddy into an entire brand universe: launching the Unwell Network, signing new podcast talent, creating a hydration drink line, and even throwing live events that blend entertainment with fandom. It’s a reminder that your podcast can become more than just audio it can become an experience.

While we might not all be raking in million-dollar deals, Steph encourages listeners to explore ways to bring similar creativity and connection to their own podcasts, even at the local level. Whether it’s planning a small live show, experimenting with social media teasers, or just learning how to ask better interview questions there’s inspiration here for every podcaster.

Want to check out Alex Cooper’s world for yourself? Find her here:

• Call Her Daddy on Spotify

• Alex Cooper on Instagram

• Call Her Daddy on YouTube

• Unwell Network

Your Pod Savvy Challenge:
Go explore Alex Cooper’s platforms and look at them with an investigative eye. What’s one thing she’s doing that you could bring into your own podcast—on your scale, with your audience?

See you next Saturday for another episode of Pod Savvy Guide!

Ever wish your podcast felt less like a presentation and more like swapping stories with friends over dinner? That’s the beauty of conversational podcasts, and today, Steph dives deep into why this format might be the secret sauce for your show.

• Not a solo show.

• Not an interview show.

• Instead, it’s the same 2-4 hosts chatting every week - no guests required.

Listeners become flies on the wall, soaking up genuine banter, inside jokes, and the warmth of real friendships. It’s like hanging out with friends you’ve never met and that’s not just Steph’s opinion. Podcast critic Nicholas Quah has noted that podcasts make us feel like we’re hanging out with friends we’ve never met.

• Parasocial friendships: Fans feel connected to hosts and invested in their lives.

• Inside jokes: Listeners love feeling “in the know.”

• Consistency: Familiar voices become part of your daily routine the commute, the walk, errands.

• Authenticity: Real stories, awkward moments, and funny tangents keep it relatable.

• Easy production: No guests to schedule, no fancy setup required just press record and chat.

  
  

If you’re the person everyone gathers around to hear a story, conversational podcasts might be your perfect format.

Ever feel like you’re the only podcaster still making mistakes? Think again.

In this episode your Pod Savvy Guide, Steph Shoell is getting real about the blunders, hiccups, and downright cringe moments she’s experienced as a podcaster in 2025. From dropping the ball on a huge challenge to losing an entire guest’s audio, Steph shares her behind-the-scenes chaos and how she’s turning every misstep into a lesson.

If you’re worried that making mistakes means you’re “not cut out for podcasting,” this episode will be the breath of fresh air you need. Even pros who’ve been podcasting since 2017 mess up. And that’s okay.

Steph opens up about the embarrassment of canceling an interview for her sister’s wedding dress shopping, only to accidentally show up 30 minutes late to the rescheduled time. Despite heartfelt apologies, she felt unprofessional and deeply disappointed that she’d let a guest down after they’d generously given their time.

Steph reflects on her journey from the early podcasting days in 2017, when losing SD cards and forgetting to hit record were weekly occurrences. While the mistakes have gotten less frequent, they haven’t disappeared entirely and she’s learned that no podcaster, no matter how experienced, is immune.

The episode is full of candid reminders that perfection isn’t the goal. Steph encourages podcasters to find systems that work for their style whether that’s simplifying guest intros, reducing editing stress, or leaning on automation to keep projects on track.

Most importantly, Steph wants listeners to remember that mistakes shouldn’t stop them from podcasting. Your audience still needs your voice, your insights, and your unique perspective. Keep creating, even if you’re still figuring it out.

Curious to follow Steph’s podcasting journey, get tips, or reach out for help with your own show? Connect with her here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephshoell

Thanks for tuning in to Pod Savvy Guide. Keep recording mistakes and all and Steph will see you next Saturday!

Have you ever felt trapped in endless email chains just trying to schedule one simple meeting? What if you could reclaim those hours-and your sanity-with just one powerful tool?

We’re diving into how to streamline your scheduling process using Calendly. We start with a full demo of Calendly’s interface, walking you through how to set up events, customize availability, and integrate your calendar.

Next, we discuss workflow strategies, showing you how to automate reminders, follow-ups, and even payments through Calendly. You’ll hear tips on embedding Calendly on your website, using it with Zoom, and how to leverage team scheduling features.

Finally, we share real-life examples of businesses saving hours each week thanks to better scheduling workflows. If you’ve been looking for ways to save time and reduce back-and-forth emails, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

Links Mentioned:

Calendly https://www.calendly.com

Connect with Steph:

Follow Steph Shoell on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephshoell/

Can you imagine your favorite podcast winning a Golden Globe? In this episode of PodSavvy Guide, Steph dives into the thrilling news that the Golden Globes are adding a "Best Podcast" category for January 2026 a sign that podcasting has officially gone mainstream. She breaks down who’s eligible, how the nominations work, and why this new award could spark a creative explosion among big-name shows vying for the first-ever trophy and what this means to you as a DIY Podcaster.

Ever wonder what it really looks like behind the scenes when you’re trying to teach someone how to edit a podcast episode? Spoiler alert: it’s not always glamorous or perfectly polished.

In today’s super casual episode of Pod Savvy Guide, Steph takes you along as she teaches her co-host how to edit their latest episode of Idiot to Genius. It’s a fast, on-the-fly tutorial showing the basics of slicing audio, cleaning up mistakes, and keeping the process as simple as possible.

This isn’t a fancy, studio-produced how-to video it’s real life, tech hiccups and all. But that’s the whole point. Steph wants to show that editing doesn’t have to be intimidating. Even if you’re brand new, you can figure it out together.

If you’re someone who’s been nervous about tackling your own editing—or trying to hand it off to a co-host this episode will give you a peek into how easy (and sometimes messy) it can be.

Your Pod Savvy Challenge:
Think of one small editing task you could teach your co-host or podcast buddy this week. Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to get you started.

See you next Saturday for another episode of Pod Savvy Guide!

Ever wonder how some podcasts effortlessly build a signature look even when hosts are miles apart? In this episode of PodSavvy Guide, Steph dives into the genius behind The Toast podcast, breaking down how their cohesive branding, snappy studio setups, and smart social media strategy deliver a polished feel without a huge budget. From consistent pink backdrops and palm‑leaf motifs to mic covers featuring their logo and branded iPads, Steph shares DIY-friendly ideas you can adapt for your own show. You’ll also get tips on clean YouTube visuals, simplified website layouts, merch potential, and using templates to streamline content creation. If you want your podcast to look as sharp as you sound and feel authentically you this episode is packed with inspiration!

Check out The Toast podcast at: http://www.thetoastpodcast.com/

Join Steph as she dives into the world of "The Toast," a podcast that has become a weekday ritual for many."The Toast" airs every weekday, providing a reliable source of entertainment and information. Their "Fab Five Things You Need to Know" segment is a masterclass in delivering concise, engaging content that keeps listeners coming back for more. Creative Segments: With segments like "Queenie and the Weenie of the Week" and "Dear Toasters," the podcast showcases how creative, recurring segments can build listener loyalty and engagement. DIY podcasters can take inspiration from these formats to create their own unique segments. The podcast's vibrant community, filled with inside jokes and a dedicated Patreon following, highlights the importance of fostering a strong connection with your audience. Claudia and Jackie's authentic engagement is a model for building a loyal listener base. 

Episodes of the Toast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToast

If you’re feeling uncertain about your podcast brand, your voice, or how to truly connect with your audience, this episode is packed with valuable insights just for you. I’m joined by Cherene Francis, founder and Creative Director of Personal Brand Boss. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, image consulting, and mindset coaching, Cherene helps people unlock what makes them unique and craft stories that deeply resonate.

In this conversation, we explore how to discover and communicate your unique brand message through intentional storytelling. Cherene shares practical advice on protecting your privacy online while staying authentic, and explains how colors and visuals influence the first impression you make on your audience.

Episode Highlights:

• Cherene’s unique path from theology and philosophy to becoming a branding expert

• How personal branding goes far beyond logos and colors—it’s about intentional storytelling and clear messaging

• The importance of aligning your visual identity (colors, style) with your brand message

• Handling sensitive stories and privacy while being authentic

• Advice for coaches, hobby podcasters, and content creators on developing a compelling brand and podcast presence

• Using client stories and expert interviews to build authority and connection in podcasting

• The role of personality and authenticity, especially for conversational or entertainment-focused podcasts

• How color psychology influences audience perception and business success

• A simple yet powerful branding exercise to try this week: Ask five people how they would describe you in three words and what color they associate with you

If you’re a podcaster, coach, or hobby creator wondering how to build a compelling personal brand, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you create engaging podcast content that truly connects. Plus, Cherene challenges you with a simple exercise: ask five people to describe you in three words and assign a color to your brand.

Connect with Cherene Francis
Website & Brand Quiz: https://www.personalbrandboss.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalbrandboss