The Circle Sessions

If you’re looking to learn from real stories of trial, error, and triumph in podcasting and entrepreneurship, settle in—this episode offers advice, laughs, and a practical roadmap to start the new year stronger than ever.

Welcome back to The Circle Sessions, where we gather insights from the Circle of Experts to help you grow your podcast, your brand, and your business. In this year-end review episode, host Brett Johnson is joined by Yasmine Robles and Izzy Dadosky from Rebel Marketing for a candid conversation on the three biggest lessons they learned over the past year.

Together, they talk about the realities of goal-setting (and what happens when you try to do too much too fast), the importance of knowing your worth when it comes to pricing, and learning to embrace your unique working style—especially in the face of changing circumstances.

Yasmine and Izzy reflect on the power of keeping things simple, honest discussions about money (both with clients and within the team), and the value of accountability and partnership. Brett shares his experience with outsourcing and the importance of listening to how others perceive your brand.

Plus, they talk openly about firing fast, moving past people-pleasing, and creating flexible workflows that serve both business growth and personal well-being.

Moments

03:13 "Rebranding, Pricing, and Growth"

06:59 Shared Goals Boost Collaboration

09:27 Letting Go of Personal Doubts

13:35 "Accountability in Business and Life"

18:02 Balancing Parenthood and Work Flexibility

22:04 "Connect, Follow, Market Like Pros"

23:01 Podcast & Marketing Collaboration

1. Keep It Simple, Seriously! - Learn why trying to do all the things at once can trip you up—and how embracing the KISS method (shout-out to Izzy!) helped the Rebel team focus on what really matters.
2. Know Your Worth - Yasmine and Izzy open up about the real struggle of underpricing your work, especially as women business owners, and how they overcame the fear of raising rates.
3. The Power of Accountability - How having a business partner (or someone in your corner) can keep you honest—not just about money, but about making tough decisions and actually sticking to them.
4. You Can’t Please Everyone (and That’s Okay!) - Izzy shares her lightbulb moment about letting go of the need to be liked by everyone—whether that’s clients, colleagues, or anyone else.
5. Find Your Flow, Not Just a 9-to-5 - Whether it’s late-night creativity or juggling clients and kids, discover how the team embraced flexible schedules and leaned into their personal working styles to get the best results.

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Whether you’re making plans for a new year or just need fresh inspiration, this episode offers actionable insights from industry insiders ready to help you do less—and achieve more!

Welcome to another episode of The Circle Sessions, where I, Brett Johnson, am joined by Izzy Dadosky and Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing. As a new year approaches, we reflect on the things we're ready to let go of and what deserves to be carried into the future—both in our businesses and personal growth.

In this episode, our discussion centers around identifying patterns and habits that either hold us back or help us thrive. Yasmine shares her journey of relinquishing control in her business after bringing Izzy on as a partner, and how leaning on others can boost productivity and well-being. Izzy adds her perspective on the challenge of letting go of negativity and the importance of shifting one’s mindset toward positivity and gratitude. We talk openly about burnout, fear of failure, and how comparing ourselves on social media often leads to unnecessary self-doubt.

Together, we explore the benefits of celebrating small wins, whether that’s landing a new client or simply keeping to a manageable work schedule. Izzy brings up the value of keeping things simple—adopting the "KISS" (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method—instead of overcomplicating tasks and strategies. Yasmine recalls how rebranding to Rebel Marketing unleashed their unapologetic brand voice and gave them a more authentic business identity.

We also discuss reframing setbacks as learning opportunities and the art of letting go when things don’t go as planned. Our collective goal is to encourage listeners to assess what’s worth holding onto, celebrate achievements (even with a metaphorical shot!), and move forward with clarity and purpose.

If you want hands-on support with your marketing or podcast journey, check out myrebelmarketing.com and mypodcastguy.com for resources and a way to connect with us directly.

Moments

00:00 "Planning for Growth and Change"

06:09 Manifesting Positivity in 2026

07:59 Turning Negatives Into Opportunities

11:56 Overthinking Missed Opportunities

14:45 "No Control Over Internal Changes"

17:46 Reevaluating Event-Driven Networking

19:55 "Pursuing Value and Celebrations"

24:58 "Push Your Brand Forward"

26:36 "Start Your Podcast Guilt-Free"

1. How to Let Go of Control - Yasmine gets transparent about stepping back in her business and trusting her team, sharing why it’s crucial for growth and sanity.
2. Beating Burnout & Negativity - Izzy reveals her goal to “gaslight” herself into positivity and Brett shares tips for avoiding comparison traps in the wild world of social media.
3. Celebrating Both Wins & Losses - The team discusses why acknowledging proposals that didn’t pan out is just as important as ringing the bell when you land a new client.
4. The Power of Keeping It Simple - Find out why the classic KISS method (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”) is top of mind for Rebel Marketing in 2026—and how overcomplicating things can tank your productivity.
5. Leaning Into Your Brand Voice - Yasmine and Izzy talk rebranding, finding unapologetic confidence, and making your brand memorable (hint: it’s more than just your logo).

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

So, if you’re ready to make your podcast more visible—and easier for your audience and guests to share—this conversation offers a roadmap to smarter, more efficient content creation.

This week, host Brett Johnson is joined by Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications. Together, they explore the power of repurposing your podcast content using OpusClip, an AI-driven tool that takes your long-form video and transforms it into shareable, bite-sized clips perfect for social media.

Tonnisha shares her firsthand experience with OpusClip—discussing its user-friendly features, how it ranks and edits content, and the creative possibilities it opens for podcast promotion. Brett offers his own insights and the impact of delivering ready-made reels to guests to boost shareability.

Whether you’re considering video, audiograms, or just looking for ways to maximize your podcast’s reach without burning out on extra editing, this episode is packed with practical tips and real-world examples on leveraging AI tools to lighten your load and broaden your audience.

Moments

00:00 "OpusClip: AI Video Tool"

05:10 Repurpose Podcast Content Efficiently

09:00 Podcast Content Repurposing Insights

11:04 Podcast Listening Trends on YouTube

15:34 Podcast Tools and Collaboration Insights

5 BIG TAKEAWAYS YOU’LL LEARN

1. How OpusClip Works: Get the lowdown on uploading & generating mini clips from your long-form podcast episodes—either with YouTube links or direct uploads!
2. Smart Content Rankings: Discover how OpusClip uses AI to rank your clips from viral potential to editorial quality (and why your gut still matters in the final pick!).
3. Effortless Formatting: See how easy it is to create clips in multiple aspect ratios (Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, Reel), all at the click of a button—no extra credits needed.
4. Custom Templates & Branding: Learn Tonnisha’s tips for building templates with backgrounds, music, and logos to keep your brand consistent, episode to episode.
5. Repurposing Made Simple: Find out how this tool streamlines sharing with guests, and why giving guests ready-to-share reels is a game-changer for reach & engagement.

Subscribe to Tonnisha's Tip of The Month

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

If you want to make your podcast shine through the holidays and maybe even sneak in some downtime, grab your coffee (or hot cocoa) for some holiday prep wisdom.

Hey there, and welcome to The Circle Sessions! On this episode, we’re all about getting your podcast holiday-ready—without running yourself ragged. Host Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy, is joined by Yasmine Robles and Izzy Dadosky from Rebel Marketing, and together, they’re spilling all their tips on how to prep for the holidays like a pro.

Recorded in September (hello, early planners!) but focused on surviving the chaos of December, the trio chats about why it’s smart to start thinking about your holiday content now. Whether you want to take a well-deserved break or keep your show buzzing, they’ve got you covered. You’ll hear everything from batching episodes, easy ways to stay visible, creative ideas for festive content, and why it’s totally okay to let your audience know if you’re hitting pause and taking a breather.

Plus, Yasmine and Izzy share a few fun stories, lots of laughs, and advice on keeping things stress-free—not just for your audience, but for you!

Here are 3 key takeaways you can put to use right now:

✔️ Start Planning Now: Don’t wait until November to figure out your holiday content. As Yasmine pointed out, corporate retail starts thinking about the holidays in September—and so should you! Early planning takes the pressure off and frees up time to enjoy the season.

✔️ Strategize Your Content Break: If you want to hit pause during the holidays, batch-produce content and let your listeners know you’re taking a break—you won’t lose momentum or audience trust. Use “top episodes,” gratitude messages, and update your website/social to keep touchpoints going while you recharge.

✔️ Stay Visible Without Burnout: For those aiming to boost visibility or sales, keep it simple—think quick solo episodes, freebie tie-ins, or short reflective content to keep your audience engaged without running yourself ragged. Remember, quality touchpoints matter more than quantity when everyone’s busy.

Moments

00:00 "Holiday Content Planning Essentials"

03:33 Planning Podcasts Around Holidays

08:25 Strategic Breaks for Business Owners

13:04 "Plan Ahead: Holiday Content Strategy"

17:04 "Lessons, Growth, and Letting Go"

18:09 Podcast Teasers and Holiday Opinions

21:47 Setting Podcast Goals and Strategies

27:08 Podcast Business Goals & Planning

28:09 Podcast Improvement Strategy

31:36 Effective Pre-Planning for Content Launch

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Launching a podcast takes planning, creativity, and persistence—but with the right foundation, you can create a launch that builds buzz, keeps momentum going, and leads to real, lasting engagement.

Welcome to this episode of The Circle Sessions, where I’m joined by Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing. We’re talking all about what it truly takes to launch a high-impact podcast. As someone who’s helped many podcasters both before and after their launches, I know just how important those first steps can be for creating ongoing momentum—and also how overwhelming all the moving pieces might feel.

In this conversation, we walk through that essential pre-launch phase: building early buzz, teasing your podcast with behind-the-scenes peeks, and even creating a waitlist so you have listeners and supporters primed for day one. We get practical about why your trailer deserves real attention, how launching with multiple episodes helps new fans binge right away, and strategies for using countdowns, sneak peeks, and social media content to fuel excitement.

Yasmine also shares her real-world lessons from launching her business podcast, “Market Like It’s Hot,” and how they leveraged graphics, templates, branded visuals, and batching content ahead of time to avoid that launch overwhelm. We touch on the importance of making your graphics stand out (hint: you don’t need a giant microphone!) and how to use strong calls to action to encourage listeners to actually interact—whether that’s leaving a review, DM-ing a takeaway, or sharing with a friend.

Finally, we look at how to keep things rolling post-launch. You’ll hear tips on repurposing evergreen content, weaving the podcast into your entire marketing ecosystem, and small actions to stay energized for the long run. If you’re launching—or need to relaunch—this episode has practical steps, plenty of inspiration, and reassurance that you’re not alone. Be sure to visit mypodcastguy.com or myrebelmarketing.com for more resources and support!

Moments

00:00 High-Impact Podcast Launch Guide

06:01 Podcast Content Strategy Tips

09:43 Strategic Sharing for Launch Success

10:19 Engaging Guests for Promotion

14:06 Pre-Launch Branding Graphics Strategy

18:51 Social Media Tagging Strategy

20:34 Interactive Audience Engagement Strategies

25:11 "Podcast Promotion and Content Updates"

Here are 5 Keys You’ll Learn This Episode:

1. How to Build Pre-Launch Buzz: Why it’s crucial to start talking about your podcast even before your first episode drops.
2. The Power of a Killer Trailer: Learn why your first episode (the trailer) might be the hardest, but most important, recording you’ll ever make.
3. Launching with Multiple Episodes: Why dropping a few episodes at once lets your audience binge — just like Netflix.
4. Launch Week Game Plan: How to treat your debut as a mini-campaign, including templates, daily posts, and getting your friends to help spread the word.
5. Keeping the Momentum Rolling: Ways to keep it fun, repurpose your content, plug your podcast everywhere (literally email signatures, proposals, everywhere), and make sure listeners always know what to do next.

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

If you want to build a show that stands the test of time, start treating it like the business it is. Lean into strategy, know your value, and keep evolving so your podcast becomes an asset to both you and your community.

I’m joined by Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications to talk about what it truly means to grow your podcast like a business.

So many of us start our shows as passion projects, but without a business-driven strategy, it’s easy for things to fall apart or lose momentum. Tonnisha reflects on her personal experiences starting and stopping podcasts, and we discuss how crucial it is to blend creativity with intentional strategy—especially if you want your show to stand the test of time.

Together, we examine how treating your podcast like a business means putting clear logistics in place: everything from scheduling recordings and editing, to writing episode descriptions and handling marketing. We compare the division of roles and responsibilities on a podcast to any other business, highlighting the importance of designating tasks, setting deadlines, and holding each other accountable while still allowing for flexibility.

Another big takeaway from our conversation is the power of understanding your niche. We talk about what makes a podcast stand out, using examples from the true crime genre and storytelling formats, and encourage you to analyze your favorite podcasts—even those outside your category—for inspiration.

We also explore how adding new voices and guests can help evolve your podcast, much like a business brings in new team members to grow and adapt. Whether you’re doing solo episodes or thinking about a bigger team, we share how slowly introducing others can make your workload more manageable while keeping your show fresh.

Finally, we share thoughts on building community and remind listeners that the podcasting journey doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

If you’re looking for help or want to chat about your entrepreneurial path, both Tonnisha and I invite you to reach out and connect. Growing your podcast like a business is all about having a plan, staying adaptable, and supporting each other along the way.

Moments

00:00 Podcast Success: Passion Meets Strategy

03:38 Podcast Planning Analogies

07:11 Podcast Planning and Niche Focus

11:57 "Serial's Transformative Podcasting Approach"

15:18 Business Delegation Strategy

18:08 Guest Strategy for Solo Podcasts

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

1. The Business Mindset for Podcasters: Why thinking like a business owner, not just a creator, is the cornerstone of long-term success.
2. The Power of Planning & Logistics: Learn the behind-the-scenes essentials—like creating a strategy, delegating roles, and sticking to schedules—that keep a podcast running smoothly.
3. Finding Your Unique Podcast Niche: Uncover tips to make your show stand out, grab your audience’s attention, and keep them coming back for more.
4. Evolving with Your Podcast: How to introduce new voices, adapt your format, and build a sustainable platform beyond just one person.
5. Accountability & Teamwork: Why honesty about your time and commitments can make or break your podcast when you’re collaborating with others.

Subscribe to Tonnisha's Tip of The Month

TJE Communication’s mission is to empower and educate small women-owned businesses and equip them with digital solutions to level the playing field.

IG - @tjecomm

TW - @tjecomm

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonnishaenglish/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/tjecomm

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

If you want a website that truly serves your podcast, gives visitors what they need, and helps you hit your goals, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can put to use right now.

I’m joined by Yasmine Robles of Rebel Marketing to break down what it really takes to create a podcast website that isn’t just beautiful—but strategic, simple, and designed to help your show and business grow.

We start by talking about the importance of having a clear purpose for your website. Yasmine recommends sticking to just one primary goal—whether you want your listeners to binge episodes, sign up for your email list, or book your services. Once you know that, it shapes every other decision, from layout to calls to action.

Next, we discuss the power of compelling headlines. Yasmine explains you should write them for the “laziest person in the room,” making it easy for even quick skimmers to get your vibe and what you offer. She also weighs the balance of SEO keywords and natural language, ensuring your site feels human and authentic.

We cover why focusing on your audience’s needs—using “you” language and speaking directly to their pain points—makes your content resonate more. Yasmine shares practical advice for keeping your website layout clean and simple, with easy navigation and clear calls to action.

Showcasing your best content is key, too. Instead of letting your great episodes get lost in the shuffle, use your homepage to highlight must-hear interviews or featured services. We chat about the value of About pages, using personal stories and approachable headshots to build trust with your audience.

You’ll also hear tips on visual storytelling (including affordable brand photography and cohesive stock images), optimizing for mobile, using lead magnets to grow your email list, and tracking your site’s performance with analytics tools.

3 Key Website Design Tips for Podcasters:

• Start with a Single Purpose: Before building or refreshing your site, define one primary goal. Do you want listeners to binge episodes, join your email list, or pitch themselves as guests? That focus shapes everything from layout to navigation.
• Simplicity Sells: Keep your site clear and easy-to-navigate. A clean hero section, intuitive menus (just call them “About” or “Contact”!), and clear calls-to-action help guide even the “laziest” visitors to the content you want them to see.
• Showcase Your Best Content: Don’t just post every episode in chronological order—highlight the ones you’re most proud of on your homepage! Tag ‘featured’ episodes to spotlight your finest work and make sure new visitors see what you’re all about.

Moments

00:00 Podcast Purpose and Monetization

03:58 "Crafting Content for All Readers"

07:51 Focus on Audience Needs

11:47 Podcast Monetization Challenges and Solutions

14:10 "Highlight Featured Content on Homepage"

18:18 Annual Brand Photo Shoot Advice

21:18 Columbus Lawyer Website Tips

24:23 Highlighting Unique Entrepreneur Stories

27:59 Email List: Your Marketing Gold

29:46 Boosting Podcast and Website Analytics

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I’m Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, and I’m joined by Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications—an expert with a real passion for empowering small businesses through digital marketing. We’re talking all about one of the most consistently powerful tools for podcasters: email marketing.

If you’ve ever thought of email as “old news” or overlooked it in favor of flashier social media campaigns, think again. Tonnisha breaks down why email marketing remains the backbone of good audience engagement. She explains that, unlike social platforms (where only a fraction of your followers see your posts), email gives you direct access to your listeners—an audience you truly own.

We touch on defining what email marketing really is, spotlighting the valuable analytics these platforms provide. From seeing exactly who opens your messages and which links get clicked, to understanding audience behavior, email platforms give you the data to tailor your messaging for better results. Tonnisha even shares examples of how to make emails more engaging and fun, including personalized messages and creative automations.

Starting from scratch? Don’t worry—we talk through actionable steps for building your first email list, like offering valuable resources or exclusive content in exchange for sign-ups, and encouraging subscribers to forward your messages. We also discuss how to make your newsletter more than just new episode notifications. Think curated content, timely stories, and conversation starters that offer real value and keep your list engaged.

If you want to grow your podcast audience, keep your content front-of-mind, and truly connect with your listeners, this episode is packed with practical strategies. Tonnisha and I also hint at a deeper follow-up on tools, terminology, and advanced tactics—so stay tuned!

Moments

00:00 Email Marketing Insights and Benefits

06:09 Engaging Newsletter Reminders

09:00 Building Podcast Audience with Freebies

12:16 Revamped Newsletter Boosts Engagement

13:37 Top 21st Century Movies Survey

19:26 "Future Episode Topics and Follow-Up"

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

What IS email marketing, really?

Get a clear definition of email marketing (hint: it’s way more than just sending out a few announcements).

Why does email marketing matter for podcasters?

Learn why relying on social platforms alone isn’t enough—and how your email list keeps you connected to your audience, no matter what happens on TikTok or Instagram.

How can you start an email list from scratch?

Actionable ideas for building your database—even if you have zero subscribers right now.

Ways to make your email campaigns fun and engaging:

Tonnisha shares creative examples, like using playful subject lines and GIFs to boost click rates and connect with your listeners.

How email analytics can help you podcast smarter:

Discover how to use open rates, click maps, and other data to fine-tune your content and know what your listeners really care about.

TJE Communication’s mission is to empower and educate small women-owned businesses and equip them with digital solutions to level the playing field.

IG - @tjecomm

TW - @tjecomm

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonnishaenglish/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/tjecomm

Subscribe to Tonnisha's Tip of The Month

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

From Pineapple Street Shutting Down to Gen Z Influencing Podcasts

I’m joined by Don The Idea Guy for a candid chat exploring some of the latest news and trends impacting the podcasting world. We kick things off by discussing the recent shutdown of Pineapple Street Studios by Audacy, reflecting on how a company with such creative and award-winning shows could be shuttered due to mismanagement.

Don and I share our frustrations about legacy radio companies stepping into podcasting without understanding the medium, questioning decisions like Audacy's acquisitions and its repercussions for the creative podcast ecosystem.

We also break down the always-buzzy topic of recommendation algorithms. Drawing insights from a recent VidCon session, we talk about how platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok prioritize feeding content to users. While these algorithms can surface hidden gems, as creators, it can be frustrating knowing alerts don’t always reach your audience. We emphasize why building email lists is still the most reliable way to alert your listeners to new episodes.

Shifting to public broadcasting, we talk through NPR and PBS losing federal funding. As fans of public media, Don and I see this as both a challenge and an opportunity—especially for NPR to amp up its value-for-value model, tap into loyal listener bases, and innovate with merch and events.

We also tackle new stats from eMarketer showing that nearly 80% of US agencies are advertising on podcasts, but only a fraction of podcasters are monetizing. That gap represents a huge opportunity for niche shows. Gen Z’s strong influence by podcast ads is another exciting trend we discuss, along with examples of sponsored content that truly resonates.

Moments

00:00 Audacy Shuts Down Pineapple Studios

06:05 Algorithmic Advertising Overload

07:29 YouTube Alerts vs. Algorithmic Discovery

12:29 NPR's Opportunity: Embrace Value Model

15:28 NPR, PBS, and Accessibility Concerns

16:36 "Supporting Content Amid Funding Cuts"

20:27 Boosting Funds Through Merchandise

24:29 Podcast Advertising Trends Shift Opportunities

28:07 "Podcasting Heavy Logistics Insight"

32:14 "Gen Z Influenced by Podcast Ads"

33:27 Loyalty to Advertisers

36:38 Advertising Influences Younger Generations

Key Topics

• Podcast Industry News: Audacy & Pineapple Street Studios
• YouTube Algorithms and Platform Challenges
• Distribution and Communication Strategies for Podcasters
• Funding Cuts to NPR and PBS: Challenges and Opportunities
• Podcast Advertising Landscape
• The Power of Niche Podcasting
• Gen Z Media Consumption and Podcast Influence

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/vince-mcgill/lemon-slice

License code: 2NRNUIV5VG7FU3K5

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

You are invited to explore additional innovative possibilities by choosing one of your favorite ideas from this (or any) Five Buck Brainstorms and purchasing a more in-depth custom idea generation session from Don The Idea Guy on that (or any other) subject. Visit the Brainstorm page on the Don The Idea Guy website for more details.

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

In this episode, I’m joined by Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications to talk about something many podcasters face: how to start and grow your podcast with little to no budget. Tonnisha brings her expertise in digital marketing and small business solutions to share real, actionable advice for podcasters working with limited resources.

We kick things off by discussing the importance of just getting started, even if all you have is a smartphone and a laptop. Tonnisha recommends using free or low-cost editing tools like iMovie or Canva, and uploading your episodes to free platforms such as YouTube. We chat about the importance of being mindful of your recording environment, especially if you’re only using built-in microphones.

A big focus is on growing organically—leveraging social media, tagging guests, and collaborating to maximize your reach. Tonnisha shares practical tips like inviting guests to co-create Instagram content, which can expand your audience without spending a dime. We emphasize making guests feel valued, keeping them in the loop about episode launches, and encouraging their support in promoting your content.

We also highlight free marketing channels like newsletters (using Substack, ConvertKit, or LinkedIn), and the power of repurposing engaging moments from your episodes on social to spark conversation. Tonnisha suggests joining topic-specific Facebook or LinkedIn groups to share your podcast with communities already interested in your subject matter, and even interviewing group admins to build real connections and increase visibility.

Editing can be a pain point, so we talk about batching episodes, planning recordings to minimize mistakes, and tracking your time with tools like Toggl to decide when it’s worth outsourcing. Ultimately, we stress that DIY-ing is great for starting out, but knowing when to invest your time—or someone else’s—makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for creative ways to keep your podcast moving forward on a shoestring budget, this episode is packed with first-hand advice, inspiration, and resources to help you make the most of what you have.

Key Moments

00:00 "Podcasting Basics with Free Tools"

03:09 Organic Podcast Growth Tips

07:23 Podcast Studio Networking Tips

12:09 "Maximize Podcast Reach and Savings"

13:54 Promoting Podcasts in Niche Groups

18:57 Time Management for Effective Outsourcing

20:50 Efficient Time Management Tips

24:23 "Building Business with Free Resources"

Here are my top 3 takeaways from our conversation:

• Start with What You Have: Leverage your smartphone, laptop, and free or built-in editing tools like Canva or iMovie to produce and share your episodes. Don’t let the lack of expensive equipment hold you back—focus on content and consistency.
• Grow Organically (and Creatively): Collaborate with your podcast guests for cross-promotion, use social platforms to tag and invite them as collaborators, and tap into relevant Facebook or LinkedIn groups. Building your network this way can be just as effective as paid ads—and often more authentic.
• Track Your Time & Outsource Strategically: Use free tools like Toggl to see where you’re spending time. If editing eats up your hours, consider bartering services or investing a bit to outsource the tasks that slow you down, so you can focus on what you do best.

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Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

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