In this episode, we’re talking about the long game of podcasting — the messy, imperfect, deeply human side that no one really warns you about.

Itır shares the behind-the-scenes of her four-year journey:

• why she started her podcast (spoiler: it wasn’t strategic at the beginning)
• how she built long-term relationships, collaborators, and even team members through her episodes
• the way curiosity — not trends — drives her topics
• the challenges of booking guests and staying consistent
• why over-editing kills the magic
• what she’s learned about listening, confidence, and showing up without needing everything perfect

She also gives a peek into what’s coming next for The Marketing Meeting and her consultancy, IE Brand Consulting.

This is a thoughtful, honest, encouraging conversation for anyone who wants to use their podcast as a space to learn, grow, and build something meaningful.

Where to find Itır:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itireraslan/

The Marketing Meeting Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-meeting-with-itir-eraslan/id1589765306

Website: https://www.ie-brand.com

When Will Laurenson first started Customers Who Click, there was no strategy deck or detailed launch plan — just a deep curiosity and a desire to learn from great marketers.

Five years later, his podcast has crossed 500,000 downloads, featured over 260 guests, and become a key part of his consulting business.

In this episode, we unpack the lessons behind that journey:

• Curiosity over control — how letting go of a fixed plan led to better conversations
• The value of pre-calls — why building comfort and fit before hitting record matters
• Over-prepping kills flow — what Will learned about staying present in the moment
• Good questions > smart answers — how listening properly changes everything
• Podcasting as relationship-building — the unexpected business growth that follows

If you’ve ever wondered how podcasting can do more than just share stories — how it can actually drive business results — this episode is packed with takeaways from someone who’s done it for five years straight.

🎧 Listen to Will’s show: Customers Who Click

💬 Connect with Will on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/willlaurenson

In this final episode of The Podcast Rethink, Sadaf Beynon explores why so much of the podcasting advice online doesn’t work — and what actually does when your goal is to build meaningful authority and long-term business growth.

Drawing from conversations with past guests and lessons learned behind the mic, Sadaf covers:

• Why chasing numbers can sabotage genuine success
• The truth about sponsorships and monetisation
• Why social media isn’t the growth engine you think it is
• The three principles that make a podcast truly work: Focus, Consistency, and Connection
• What to measure when you care about real ROI

Takeaway Challenge:

• 🎧 If you’re starting: record three honest solo episodes about something you care about.
• 🎙️ If you’re a few months in: review your last five episodes — did they serve your audience or just fill airtime?
• 📈 If you’re established: trace one client or collaboration back to your podcast. That’s your ROI.

Podcasting might not be the fastest route to success — but it might just be the most meaningful.

Mentioned Guests:

• Matt Edmundson (The eCommerce Podcast)
• Michelle Thames (Social Media Decoded)
• Norm Farrar (Lunch with Norm)
• Scott McInnes (The Inspiring Change Podcast)

Connect with Sadaf:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadafbeynon/

Website → https://www.podjunction.com

Most podcasters still measure success by the wrong numbers — downloads, likes, and vanity metrics that look impressive but don’t move the business forward.

In this episode, Sadaf Beynon shares what she’s learned from business leaders who use podcasting strategically — focusing on three KPIs that actually reflect real ROI:

Podcasting is one of the most effective networking tools available.

Kevin Bupp (Real Estate Investing for Cashflow) calls it a “door to genuine relationships” that often lead to clients and collaborations.

Consistency builds credibility. Michelle Thames’ solo episodes led to consulting opportunities — proof that showing up with valuable insight creates authority and business growth.

True engagement isn’t likes or downloads; it’s when people stay, listen, and come back. As Gary Arndt (Everything Everywhere Daily) says, “The right 200 downloads beat 2,000 every time.”

The best podcasters don’t chase numbers — they build trust, consistency, and connection.

Your challenge:

Write down three real wins your podcast created this month — one relationship, one opportunity, and one reminder of your impact. That’s your real ROI.

Most podcasting advice says, “Get guests to grow faster.”

But what if the fastest way to build authority and connection … is to start solo?

In this episode, Sadaf Beynon explores why solo episodes aren’t just a fallback option — they’re a foundation for clarity, confidence, and credibility.

You’ll hear:

• How “guest-heavy” podcasts can unintentionally hold you back
• Why solo episodes are your best tool for learning, experimenting, and leading with authenticity
• How successful hosts like Amy Porterfield, George Bryant, and Randy Molland used solo formats to build trust before bringing in guests
• What you can do this week to build confidence in your own voice

This is your reminder that your podcast doesn’t just need more guests — it needs more of you.

👉 Connect with Sadaf on LinkedIn or visit podjunctionpodcast.com for resources, insights, and upcoming episodes.

In this episode of The Podcast Rethink, Sadaf Beynon explores one of the biggest traps in podcasting: believing that more guests equal more success.

She reveals how relying too heavily on interviews can blur your message, weaken your authority, and make your show feel like everyone else’s.

Instead, Sadaf shares how to bring your voice back to the centre—being intentional with guests, creating space for your own reflections, and designing conversations that align with your mission.

💬 What you’ll take away:

• How “the guest trap” can quietly erode your podcast’s focus
• Why intentionality matters more than frequency
• How to reintroduce your voice through short solo segments
• Simple ways to vet guests who actually add value

If you’ve ever felt like your podcast is becoming a content treadmill, this episode will help you recalibrate and refocus on what really matters—you.

Connect with Sadaf:

LinkedIn

Website

In this solo episode, Sadaf Beynon takes a closer look at one of the biggest myths in podcasting: that download numbers equal success. She explains why chasing big numbers can actually hurt your business podcast — and what to focus on instead if you want genuine growth.

Sadaf breaks down three core pillars that matter more than metrics: engagement, relationships, and authority. Through examples from past Podjunction guests, she shares how business leaders use podcasting strategically to build trust, credibility, and connection.

Key Takeaways:

• Why high download numbers can be a distraction, not a sign of success
• How small, loyal audiences often convert better than large, passive ones
• The three KPIs that matter most: engagement, relationships, and authority
• Why podcasting is a long game — and what to expect along the way

Mentioned in this episode:

Scott McInnes – Building Better Cultures

Dave Jackson – School of Podcasting

Roger Martin – ThriveMore Podcast

Brett Curry – eCommerce Evolution

Elzie Flenard – Journey to Mastery

Most leaders think podcasting starts with content. But according to Kirsten Graham, the real starting point is delegation. In this episode of Podjunction, Kirsten shares how outsourcing transformed her own business and why it’s also the key to making a podcast sustainable.

You’ll discover:

• How letting go of control can unlock your creativity and energy.
• Why outsourcing tasks like editing, tech, and bookkeeping frees you to focus on growth.
• The role of podcasting as a long-term visibility strategy (and why most shows fail before 24 months).
• How internal growth and confidence directly impact your external authority as a host.

Connect with Kirsten: SixFigureBusinessCoaching.com

If you’re curious about using podcasting as a strategic tool for your business growth, this episode will show you why the very first step is learning to delegate.

Podcasting margins aren’t what they used to be. Once an easy win, podcast production has become crowded, commoditized, and ROI-pressured. But here’s the truth: podcasting still works when you stop treating it like “just content” and start focusing on strategy, systems, and conversations that drive real business results.

In this episode, I talk with David “Ledge” Ledgerwood—serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and founder of Listen Network, Riggg, and Add1Zero. Ledge has hosted over 400 podcast episodes, guested on 100 more, and built multiple companies that help agencies grow, look great on video, and close more deals.

We dive into:

• Why the COVID boom changed podcasting forever—and how ROI now drives the game.
• Why podcasting isn’t a noun, it’s a verb—and what that shift means for your business.
• How to build systems that free you up to be a strategist, not stuck in content slog.
• What separates podcasts that fade out from the ones that actually fuel growth.

If you’re a business leader, agency owner, or founder who wants to get podcasting right in today’s tighter market, this episode is packed with insights you can use straight away.

🔗 Reach out and connect with David on LinkedIn

Elzie Flenard, founder of Podcast Town and host of Journey to Mastery, shares how podcasting transformed his business from a side hustle into a strategic platform for growth. In this episode, Elzie breaks down how his show became the cornerstone of his brand, the lessons he's learned over nine years and 500+ episodes, and why podcasting is the most powerful tool for building trust, visibility, and long-term influence.

Whether you’re new to podcasting or wondering how to better leverage your existing show, this conversation will give you practical insight into what it really means to build a business around a podcast.

• The story behind Elzie’s first podcast guest (hint: it started at the barbershop!)
• How podcasting helped him connect with high-level entrepreneurs and build credibility
• Why he believes podcasting is the most trusted medium and what that means for business owners
• The monetization strategy behind his Journey Feed private community
• Lessons from over 500 episodes: trust, consistency, and mastering the art of listening
• Why he’s planning a daily 10-minute podcast and the personal challenge behind it
• What all founders need to understand before using podcasting as a business tool

• 🎧 Listen to Journey to Mastery: https://open.spotify.com/show/2RQRkzY8zFztz7vHNjib77
• 🌐 Learn more about Elzie: https://elzieflenard.com
• 💡 Interested in launching your own podcast? Visit: https://www.podjunction.com

Subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more business leaders discover how to use podcasting to grow, connect, and build their brands.