The How To Podcast Series - Podcast Co-Hosts, Practical Podcasting Tips, and Podcast Community

Episode 633 - How To Ship Your Pants - How Enunciation Can Save Your Podcast

Dave kicks off this Behind the Mic episode from The How To Podcast Series with a straightforward challenge for podcasters: check your latest transcript to see how clearly you're actually speaking. Beyond spotting filler words like "ums," he urges listeners to examine mispronounced names, places, and garbled phrases that transcription services capture exactly as said. This simple self-audit reveals enunciation gaps that blur your message and disconnect listeners.

He shares a practical warm-up trick: grab a pen, place it lengthwise between your teeth, and speak your intro aloud. Attempting "Welcome to the How To Podcast Series" with the pen forces underused mouth muscles to activate, sharpening articulation instantly. For those with accents or speaking English as a second language, this builds clearer pronunciation muscle memory. Above all, Dave stresses slowing down, noting that rushed speech spikes listener anxiety while crisp, deliberate pacing lets audiences speed up playback if needed.

To drive the point home, he plays the infamous Kmart "Ship Your Pants" commercial, where poor enunciation turns "ship" into something hilariously crude. The clip underscores how blurred consonants like missing the "p" sound can derail communication entirely, leaving audiences confused or amused for the wrong reasons. Dave ties this to common podcaster pitfalls: mumbling, fading volume as sentences trail off, or blending words into incoherence.

He reframes enunciation as respect for multitasking listeners driving, exercising, or working, who tune out when forced to strain for meaning. Clear speech boosts credibility, combats imposter syndrome by projecting confidence, and sustains retention by ensuring key moments land without rewinds. Your voice remains the core instrument, trumping gear or edits, and modest setups shine with intentional delivery.

Improvement comes through practice, voice warm-ups, test clips, and feedback, even via Zoom coaching offers from Dave. Enunciation removes barriers, letting valuable content connect effortlessly.

Key Takeaway: Speak slower, enunciate every syllable, and treat your voice like the pro tool it is. Clear words build trust and keep listeners hooked, turning casual hears into loyal fans.

Kmart - Ship My Pants Ad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03UmJbK0lA

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Episode 632 - Does Your Podcast Impact Others or Are You Just Hoping For A Download Number In this episode of The How To Podcast Series, Dave reflects on a deeper question for podcasters: are you creating content that truly impacts people, or are you only chasing download numbers? The conversation centers on the purpose behind podcasting and the importance of using your platform to lift up others, build community, and create meaningful connection.

​Dave shares how podcasting can serve different goals. For some, it is a tool for growing a business or strengthening a personal brand.

For others, it is a way to spotlight guests, celebrate their work, and create a space where their stories matter. He points to Living The Next Chapter as an example of a show designed to feature authors and give them a strong guest experience, reminding listeners that a podcast can be a platform for generosity as much as promotion.

The episode also highlights the value of supporting other creators in the podcasting space. Dave talks about the importance of recommending shows he admires, especially those created by people who inspire him. He shares how community growth happens when podcasters stop treating every other show as competition and instead begin sharing audiences, encouragement, and support. That idea becomes even more powerful when he encourages listeners to intentionally highlight a podcaster they admire on one of their own episodes.

Another major theme in the episode is feedback and connection.

Dave reminds listeners that the people who follow his show matter to him, and he invites them to complete a survey so the show can improve in ways that serve everyone better. He also shares appreciation for listener support through messages, sponsorships, and engagement, reinforcing that podcasting works best when it becomes a two-way relationship rather than a one-sided broadcast.

The episode closes with a strong message about celebrating the voices that shaped podcasting and continuing to make room for more. Dave encourages listeners to support creators like Demetria Zinga and Cliff Ravenscraft, then asks them to take that same spirit of encouragement into their own shows by shining a light on someone who inspires them.

Key takeaway:

Podcasting is not just about numbers. It is about impact, generosity, and using your platform to amplify voices that matter.

Soul Podcasting: Purpose-Driven Podcasting in Business for Solopreneurs

https://pod.link/1657879891

Podcast Answer Man - Cliff Ravenscraft

https://pod.link/1581494165____

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Episode 631 - How FORD Can Help You Pickup 4 New Conversation Starters For Your Next Podcast Interview

In this episode of The How to Podcast Series, host Dave takes an unexpected route to share one of the simplest yet most effective tools for sparking meaningful conversations, both in podcasting and everyday life. Inspired by the sight of his own Ford pickup sitting idle in the driveway, Dave introduces the FORD Method as a framework for creating deep, engaging dialogue that goes far beyond the typical surface-level chatter.

FORD stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams—four natural entry points for genuine human connection. Dave walks through each element, explaining how these pillars can move conversations from routine to remarkable. Asking about family invites personal stories that open emotional doors. Discussing occupation gives insight into purpose and motivation. Exploring recreation uncovers passions and personality. And asking about dreams reveals what truly drives people forward.

For podcasters, Dave emphasizes that not every recorded conversation deserves to be published. A great podcast is built on curiosity, preparation, and purposeful questioning—not just reading bios or recycling predictable prompts. The FORD framework offers a mental checklist that helps hosts recover from awkward pauses, go deeper with their guests, and create episodes that feel authentic and alive.

Dave also stresses the importance of doing your own thinking rather than depending completely on AI to generate questions or ideas. He reminds creators that their individuality is what makes their content stand out. The more you rely on your own creativity and intuition, the less replaceable you become.

The episode includes a real example of Dave using the FORD method in an interview with an author. By connecting the author’s storytelling style with his own experiences as a musician, Dave opened an entirely new lane in the discussion—prompting personal reflection and connection that neither expected.

Toward the end, he encourages listeners to apply the FORD method not only in their podcasts but in real life, especially at social events or networking opportunities. Simple curiosity and empathy can unlock richer conversations, and the quiet people in the room often have the most meaningful stories to share.

As a bonus, Dave reveals behind-the-scenes tools he uses for capturing clips and visuals in his podcast production, rewarding listeners who stay until the end.

Key Takeaway:
The FORD Method—Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams—is a powerful conversation framework that helps podcasters and communicators move past small talk, uncover authentic stories, and create engaging, human-centered content. Real connection starts when you stop reading questions and start asking the ones that truly matter.

Ford Truck Commercial from 1960

https://youtu.be/gv57GtBPY20?si=UuE4eI3do92eqevF

https://democreator.wondershare.com/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots

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Episode 630 - From YouTube Creator to Podcaster, The Hombre Cave With Guest CO-HOST Mark Cherney

Mark Cherney joins the show to share the unconventional path that led him from traditional broadcasting to building a niche community around tequila, wine, and storytelling through digital media.

With a background in radio and television broadcasting, Mark began his career as an on air personality working across multiple radio formats including country, contemporary hit radio, adult contemporary, oldies, and classic rock. While the creative side of radio appealed to him, the instability of the industry eventually pushed him to explore other opportunities. After leaving radio, he transitioned into sales, ultimately building a career in technology sales before market shifts forced another pivot.

That turning point brought him back to his broadcasting roots in an unexpected way. Mark launched a wedding and event DJ business and began exploring his growing interest in tequila. Already an accomplished home brewer and national champion beer maker, he approached tequila with the same curiosity and technical mindset he had applied to fermentation and brewing. What started as a personal passion soon evolved into a deeper exploration of tequila production, flavor profiles, and the people behind the craft.

This passion eventually led to the creation of his YouTube channel, where he began posting tequila reviews nearly ten years ago. Starting with minimal equipment and overcoming the discomfort of appearing on camera, Mark focused on something that was missing at the time: informative reviews that genuinely helped viewers understand tequila. Instead of chasing monetization or free products, he purchased bottles himself and researched producers directly, often contacting them to verify details and ensure the information he shared was accurate.

Over time, this approach built trust with both viewers and producers. His relationships within the tequila world grew organically, eventually giving him direct access to many of the industry’s leading producers. Through collaborations, special barrel projects, and a growing community, Mark has helped connect tequila enthusiasts with unique products while supporting the people who make them.

Community remains central to everything he does. From his membership based Discord group to his growing podcast audience, Mark emphasizes the importance of giving value first and building authentic relationships. His podcast expands beyond reviews to explore the stories behind the people in the tequila and wine industries, along with his personal interests in sports and home winemaking.

Mark also shares how exploring winemaking deepened his understanding of tequila production, revealing surprising similarities between the two crafts. Today, he even collaborates with producers in Mexico, sharing insights from his winemaking experience to help experiment with new flavor possibilities.

Key takeaway: Building a meaningful platform often begins with genuine curiosity and a willingness to give value without expecting immediate rewards. By focusing on education, authenticity, and community, Mark turned a personal passion into a thriving ecosystem that connects creators, producers, and enthusiasts around the world.

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Episode 629 - Tell Your Face - You Think You Are Connecting With Your Audience, But Are You - Your Face Might Be Misleading

In this episode of the How To Podcast Series, host Dave works with a new podcaster eager for feedback on their upcoming launch. They want their show to sound natural, engaging, and authoritative, even as a beginner. Dave praises their commitment to quality, contrasting it with podcasters who resist improvement and live in a fantasy of perfection without effort. Listening to their recording, he notices it sounds more like an audiobook than a podcast, with rigid delivery tied too closely to the script. He clarifies the difference: audiobooks faithfully read written words, while podcasts prioritize direct audience connection, even if scripted.

Dave stresses that podcasters, whether scripted or not, must “tell your face” to match the intended emotion. Facial expressions subtly shape vocal tone and energy, translating through the microphone even in solo audio-only sessions. A genuine smile lifts pitch and warmth, drawing listeners in, while tense or neutral faces create monotonous, distant delivery. Listeners subconsciously detect these cues—a furrowed brow adds gravity, raised eyebrows convey surprise, and thoughtful squints signal reflection. Drawing from his music studio experience, Dave recalls producers urging singers to smile during choruses, proving emotion is audible regardless of visibility.

He warns against common pitfalls: scripting without audience focus turns episodes into predictable reads, where written pacing clashes with natural speech rhythms. Overly formal vocabulary or deadpan delivery prioritizes the script over connection, causing listeners to disengage. Dave urges podcasters to picture one specific listener, react naturally to their own words, and anchor emotions—grinning for uplifting parts, softening for vulnerability, leaning in for emphasis. Practical tips include using a mirror for practice, visual cues like listener photos, and short expression breaks to combat fatigue.

The episode ends with a bonus confession: Dave fears only what interests him, like meeting his wife Jen over 30 years ago, not irrelevant things like sharks. He reframes podcasting nerves as excitement, a sign of genuine curiosity that drives improvement.

Key takeaway: Tell your face to show up and match your message, even in audio-only podcasts. Your expressions breathe emotion into your voice, turning scripted reads into engaging conversations that truly connect with listeners.

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Episode 628 - Shout Out Your Listeners - We Love To Hear Our Name, Comment and Our Voice on Your Podcast

In this episode of the How to Podcast Series, Dave reflects on his ongoing podcasting journey and shares a powerful reminder about the role listeners play in building a thriving show. After seven years, nine podcasts, and nearly two thousand episodes, Dave has reached a point where podcasting has become a well running creative machine. With content scheduled months in advance and a steady stream of guests reaching out, he continues to challenge himself in 2026 by publishing daily episodes and creating more content across social platforms. The goal is not simply to produce more episodes, but to stay creative, push personal boundaries, and explore new ways to connect with podcasters.

At the heart of this episode is a moment that reminded Dave of something many podcasters forget. While listening to another podcast, his message to the hosts was read and acknowledged on the show. Even after years behind the microphone himself, hearing his name and contribution mentioned brought genuine excitement and a sense of connection. That small moment highlighted a powerful truth about podcast audiences. Listeners love to feel seen and appreciated.

Dave explores how recognizing listener engagement can transform a podcast from a one way broadcast into a true community experience. When podcasters acknowledge comments, voice messages, emails, or social media interactions on their show, listeners move from passive consumption to active participation. Being mentioned on a podcast creates an emotional investment. It encourages listeners to contribute again, share the show with others, and feel a deeper connection to the podcast and its community.

The episode also emphasizes that creating these interactions requires intention. Podcasters must make it easy for their audience to engage and must actively invite feedback. Whether through voice message tools, comments on podcast platforms, direct messages, or listener questions, every interaction becomes an opportunity to highlight the people who support the show.

Dave encourages creators to regularly feature listener voices, celebrate community wins, acknowledge thoughtful comments, and shine a spotlight on audience members who participate. These simple moments can have a lasting impact and often inspire others to join the conversation. Over time, this creates a cycle of participation where listeners contribute, receive recognition, and encourage others to get involved as well.

Podcasting becomes much more powerful when the audience feels like they are part of the show. By elevating listener voices and celebrating the people behind the downloads, a podcast can grow into a shared space where ideas, support, and community lift everyone involved.

Key Takeaway
When podcasters intentionally recognize and celebrate their listeners, they transform passive audiences into engaged communities, creating stronger connections and encouraging ongoing participation that helps the podcast grow.

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Episode 627 - Basic Training for Podcasters - Community Approach Over Going It Alone DIY

In this episode of the How To Podcast Series, Dave reflects on the realities of podcasting and why creators should stop trying to build their shows entirely on their own. While podcasting often begins as a solo effort, the journey becomes far more sustainable when creators connect with others who share the same passion.

Dave opens by acknowledging the workload many independent podcasters face. Between recording episodes, editing, promoting content, managing multiple shows, working full time, and balancing family life, podcasting can quickly become overwhelming. Yet despite the pressure, the creative act of hitting record and sharing ideas remains deeply rewarding.

The episode focuses on a central message: podcasting does not have to be a solitary experience. Many creators start by teaching themselves through online searches, videos, and tutorials. While that independent learning is valuable, it often leads to unnecessary struggle. Tasks such as editing, understanding microphones, managing hosting platforms, or navigating promotion can become frustrating when tackled alone.

To illustrate the importance of collaboration, Dave compares podcasting to military basic training. Recruits often face a large wall on an obstacle course that seems impossible to climb individually. However, when the group works together, helping each other up step by step, everyone eventually clears the wall. The obstacle does not change, but the team approach makes the challenge achievable.

Podcasting presents similar walls. These challenges might be technical issues, creative blocks, time management, or the emotional pressure of speaking into a microphone without immediate feedback from listeners. Attempting to overcome every obstacle alone can lead to burnout, frustration, and isolation.

A supportive community can transform that experience. By connecting with other podcasters, creators gain access to shared knowledge, encouragement, and accountability. Some members may be stronger in editing, others in writing or promotion, while others simply offer encouragement during difficult moments. The result is a network where creators help each other grow.

Dave also highlights the emotional side of podcasting. Recording episodes in isolation can feel discouraging, especially when download numbers are small or progress feels slow. A community provides reassurance that these challenges are normal and that other creators are navigating the same struggles.

One helpful way to think about community is through three types of relationships. Every podcaster benefits from someone ahead of them who has more experience, someone beside them who is at a similar stage, and someone behind them who is just beginning and can learn from their journey. A community environment makes these connections possible.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to consider joining a podcasting community where creators support each other, share resources, and grow together rather than struggling alone.

Key Takeaway

Podcasting challenges rarely disappear, but they become far easier to overcome when you stop trying to do everything alone. A supportive community provides guidance, encouragement, and shared experience that helps creators continue growing while enjoying the journey.

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Episode 626 - Your First Love - Coming Back to Why You Started Podcasting

Podcasting often begins with a spark. It starts with curiosity, excitement, and the simple joy of hitting record for the very first time. In this episode of the How To Podcast Series, Dave reflects on what happens after that spark fades beneath the growing pressure of expectations, advice, and endless “must do” strategies.

Over time, many podcasters drift away from the original reason they started. What once felt creative and energizing can begin to feel overwhelming. Suddenly podcasting is no longer just about recording and sharing your voice. It becomes layered with advice about video, social media, newsletters, SEO, community building, and monetization. While these tools can be useful for some creators, they can also bury the very thing that made podcasting exciting in the first place.

This episode invites listeners to pause and return to their “first love” in podcasting. Dave uses the metaphor of a first romantic relationship to illustrate how we often start something with enthusiasm despite not knowing what we are doing. Just like those early relationships, the experience may be awkward, imperfect, or messy, but the excitement and authenticity are what make it meaningful.

The same principle applies to podcasting. Many creators begin because they love the intimacy of audio, the chance to have real conversations, or the opportunity to share ideas that might help someone else. But as time passes, external pressures can turn that creative outlet into something that feels more like a full time job.

Dave challenges the idea that every podcast must become a business, scale into a media brand, or chase massive growth. Instead, he encourages podcasters to ask a few simple questions: What part of podcasting originally brought you joy? What still feels energizing today? And what parts now feel heavy or draining?

For some creators, the answer might be returning to a simple audio only format. For others, it may mean reducing the number of platforms they try to maintain or simplifying their production process. The goal is not to shrink ambition, but to protect the passion that keeps a podcast sustainable.

At its heart, podcasting is about connection. A message from a listener, a thoughtful comment, or a small community of engaged followers can be far more meaningful than chasing anonymous download numbers. Even a handful of listeners who genuinely connect with your work can be a powerful reminder of why the podcast exists.

Dave also reflects on the mental health side of podcasting. The pressure to constantly grow, monetize, and optimize can lead to burnout. When creators measure success only by metrics, it becomes easy to forget the deeper value of simply creating something meaningful.

This episode offers permission to step back from the noise. You do not have to follow every trend, adopt every new tool, or replicate what large podcasts with big teams are doing. If your first love is simply recording your voice and sharing ideas with the world, that is enough.

Podcasting does not have to be complicated to be valuable. Sometimes the most sustainable path forward is returning to the original reason you started and letting that guide the future of your show.

Key Takeaway

If podcasting has begun to feel overwhelming, reconnect with the reason you started in the first place. Protect your first love for the medium, simplify where needed, and remember that creating something meaningful for even a small audience is more than enough.

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Episode 625 - Being Original is Overrated - Podcasters You Don't Need to Reinvent The Wheel

Podcasters You Do Not Need to Reinvent the Wheel

In this episode of the How To Podcast Series, Dave challenges one of the biggest pressures creators place on themselves: the need to be completely original. Inspired by the book Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon, he gives podcasters permission to “steal” in the healthiest, most creative sense of the word.

The episode explores the idea that nothing is truly created in isolation. Every creator is the sum of their influences, experiences, and inspirations. Rather than chasing an impossible standard of total originality, Dave encourages podcasters to embrace the reality that creativity is often a remix. If you copy one person, it is obvious. But when you draw inspiration from many sources, blend them together, and add your own perspective, that is where your voice begins to emerge.

Dave reflects on the common fear that “it has already been done.” In podcasting especially, it can feel like every topic is covered. But just because something has been said before does not mean it has been said by you. Your lived experience, tone, and intention are what make the content unique. The wheel is still the wheel. It works. You do not need to reinvent it to build something meaningful.

The episode also highlights the importance of curiosity and research. Chase references. Read widely. Follow ideas deeper than the surface. The goal is not to obsess over being groundbreaking. It is to keep learning, collecting influences, and refining your craft.

Dave shares a practical example of how borrowing with intention can help shape a creative voice. Modeling tone, structure, or delivery from multiple sources can be a powerful training tool. Over time, those influences blend into something distinctly yours.

He closes by reminding listeners that their uniqueness does not come from inventing something no one has ever heard before. It comes from being themselves. If you feel called to create, that is reason enough.

The episode ends with an invitation to connect directly. Dave is aiming to have five conversations each month with listeners and encourages anyone interested to book a free chat. He also offers practical advice on planning content calendars, using seasonal themes, interviews, and recap episodes to reduce overwhelm and build consistency.

Key Takeaway: Stop chasing perfect originality. Learn from others, blend your influences, and trust that your perspective is what makes your podcast stand out.

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Episode 624 - Engagement Starts With You as the Podcaster - Be Sure To Acknowledge Your Listeners

Engagement starts long before a listener sends you a message or supports your show. In this episode, Dave shares why meaningful interaction is the responsibility of the host first, and how simple, free tools can help you build a loyal community around your podcast.

He begins by inviting creators into a free online meetup community designed to combat the isolation many podcasters feel. There is no paywall, sales funnel, or upsell, just podcasters supporting each other, listening to each other’s shows, asking questions, and offering feedback so no one has to create alone. This sets the tone for the whole conversation: community is built on showing up consistently and being available.

Dave then walks through two key engagement tools he sets up for every new podcaster he works with: Buy Me a Coffee and SpeakPipe. Both can be added from episode one so that as listeners discover your back catalog, they already have clear ways to support and speak to you. He emphasizes that you can podcast for free using tools and resources that keep your financial risk low while you learn, experiment, and grow, rather than overspending before you know what your show will become.

The heart of the episode is about what happens after listeners actually engage. When someone sends a donation through Buy Me a Coffee, Dave refuses to treat it like a generic transaction. Instead of a canned reply, he records short, personal thank-you videos, acknowledging each supporter by name and intent. When listeners leave voice messages through SpeakPipe, he responds with his own audio replies so they hear directly from him. For him, ignoring messages, comments, or donations is breaking a promise; if you ask for feedback, you need to be there when it arrives.

He also urges podcasters to claim their show on Spotify for Podcasters so they can see listener retention data, access in-episode comments, and respond to those comments where listeners are already trying to talk to them. Too many shows complain about a lack of engagement while overlooking the messages and comments they already have. Dave challenges hosts to stop asking for interaction if they have no intention of replying, because every message represents a significant act of trust in an online world where people are wary of scams and empty asks.

The episode closes with a bonus reflection on storytelling and personal point of view. Great podcasting lives at the intersection of useful content and the host’s unique lens on life. Listeners come for the topic, but they stay for you. By leaning into your own stories and perspective, you become a trusted guide, deepening the bond with your audience and giving them more of what they truly want: your authentic voice.

Key takeaway: Engagement is not a numbers game, it is a trust game. If you want more listener feedback, support, and comments, show up consistently, respond personally, and build community around your unique point of view.

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