Podfest 2025 was a memorable experience, and the Empowered Podcasting community showed up and represented like never before. Did you miss Podfest 2025 and feel the FOMO? No worries—we're back from Orlando and ready to share all the highlights. Join us as we recap impactful sessions, meaningful connections, and moments of growth. We also share our thoughts on the venue, cost of attending, and overall value. Tune in and find out what made Podfest a must-attend event and how it can amplify your podcasting journey.

Episode Highlights:

[1:43] Personal Experiences and Takeaways from Podfest

[8:54] Challenges and Improvements for Empowered Podcasting Conference

[21:31] Networking and Community Building at Podfest

[33:23] Favorite Tools and Takeaways from Podfest Presentations

[47:14] Reflections and Key Takeaways

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Podfest Expo:

 https://podfestexpo.com

Ecamm Live: 

www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive

Shure:

www.shure.com

Riverside:

www.riverside.fm/?via=0676da

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Podfest 2025 is in full swing here in Orlando, Florida, and we have stories to share! Several Empowered Podcasting Community members took the stage on opening day, and in this episode, they’re reflecting on the highs, the challenges, and the surprises along the way. We’re also closing out the week by celebrating every podcasting victory—no matter how big or small. Be sure to join us on Tuesday, January 21st, for the full Podfest recap! 

Episode Highlights:

[6:56] Supporting Others and Setting Boundaries

[7:15] Personal Experiences and Community

[11:26] Speaking Experiences

[30:25] An Unexpected Experience as an Emcee

[35:28] Approaches to Connecting at Podfest

[38:06] Celebrating Weekly Wins

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Podfest:

www.podfest.com 

Shure MV7i:

https://bit.ly/3C9jEWz

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

We're coming to you from PodFest in Orlando with a glimpse into the event's energy and networking opportunities. We kick off our conversation by addressing a question from the mailbag regarding shifts in podcast platform preferences, particularly the rise of Spotify over Apple Podcasts in recent years. We also expand on how to make the most of large conferences like PodFest and discuss the latest updates on the potential TikTok ban, emphasizing the importance of adapting to significant changes in social media platforms to maintain growth and connection with audiences.

Episode Highlights:

[3:52] Challenges and Commitments in Podcasting

[6:59] Audience Engagement and Coping Strategies

[17:52] Podfest Itinerary and Session Highlights

[41:58] TikTok Ban and Creator Reactions

[50:50] Social Media Impact and Long-Term Strategies

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Steven’s Mailbag Question About Platform Shifts: 

https://bit.ly/4g11fcl

Podfest Expo: 

https://podfestexpo.com

Biden Administration Looks For Ways to Keep Tiktok Available in U.S: 

https://bit.ly/4hfQ8NJ

The AI Dillema: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoVJKj8lcNQ

AI, Capitalism, Misalignment & Moloch

Win-Win with Liv Boeree

Voice Note: TikTok Ban & the Race to the Brain Stem:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/426bd87c-8cae-4bc6-ab10-dc94c3759080/

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Joe Rogan "broke a promise" to his listeners, and his fans aren't happy after  Spotify quietly added unskippable midroll ads to his podcast—despite Rogan once claiming he'd never interrupt conversations with ads. Would you be upset if your favorite host did the same? Or is this just part of the business? Today, we're sharing the rest of the story and more of the latest podcasting news including the unveiling of Shure's innovative MV7i smart microphone, and we lightly analyze fresh industry data on listener engagement and its connection to podfade. We also highlight upcoming events like Podfest, Cre8tive Con, and the Toronto Podcaster Meetup. Join us on January 15, 2025, for our next episode coming to you from Podfest in Orlando, Florida.

Episode Highlights:

[3:19] Advice for Podcasters Affected by Natural Disasters

[15:16] Events and Community Support

[18:48] Data and Industry Insights

[42:46] Challenges and Strategies

[43:04] Technology and Innovations

[52:26] Community and Future Trends

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Soda’s Post on Support for Podcasters Post Natural Diaster: 

https://bit.ly/3Cdqudx

PodNews:

www.Podnews.net

Shure Introduces MV7I:

https://bit.ly/4ak53Ej

PodMatch Report: 

https://podmatch.com/report

Toronto Area Podcaster Meetup: 

https://podnews.net/event/toronto-area-podcaster-meetup

Podfest:

www.Podfestexpo.com 

PodCamp Toronto: 

https://podnews.net/event/podcamp-toronto-2025

Evolutions 2025:

https://podnews.net/event/evolutions-2025

Cre8tivecon:

https://www.cre8tivecon.com/

Joe Rogan Mid-Roll Ad Controversy: 

https://bit.ly/42gb430

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Podfest 2025 is just around the corner, taking place from January 16th to 19th at the Renaissance Hotel in Orlando, Florida! As the longest-running in-person podcasting event, it's the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. With so much happening, how can you make the most of your experience? Today, we're joined by Podfest insider Larry Roberts, the host of the podcast "Branded" and the writer behind "Podfest Messenger," the official Podfest newsletter, to share tips on how to navigate the conference, stay focused on your goals, and foster meaningful connections. If this is your first time attending Podfest, tune in—we have a complete Podfest Playbook ready for you!

Episode Highlights:

[2:38] Icebreaker Question: What is your favorite piece of podcasting advice from another podcaster?

[18:59] Preparing for Podfest: Business Cards and Networking Strategies

[41:57] Planning and Maximizing Your Podfest Experience

[48:23] Handling Overlapping Sessions and Making the Most of Podfest

[52:15] Final Tips and Encouragement for Podfest Attendees

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Podfest Expo: 

www.Podfestexpo.com 

Connect with Larry:

https://larryroberts.com/

Podfest Messenger: 

www.podfestmessenger.com/

PodMatch: 

www.PodMatch.com

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

How do you stay true to your values while creating an engaging podcast? Today, we discuss "What would you do" scenarios that many podcasters encounter when featuring guests with differing opinions, all while preserving the integrity of their show. But first, we reveal our favorite productivity tools and methods that help keep our workflows efficient and manage looming deadlines.

Episode Highlights:

[7:46] Icebreaker Question: What is the number one time saver you've created, found or bought that has helped make your podcasting workflow more efficient?

[19:52] Discussion on Podcasting Tools and Techniques

[29:44] Morals and Values in Podcast Guest Selection

[41:35] "What Would You Do" Questions

[58:17] Preparation for Podfest

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Empowered Podcasting Podfest Meetup: 

https://bit.ly/40bUNJI

Chris Hall-Franzkowiak’s Post About Steven Bartlett:

www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7283544981338787840/

Auhonic: 

www.Auphonic.com 

ECamm Live:

https://bit.ly/3DTjW4p

Late Bloomer Living, A Conversation About Life, Death, and Dignity: 

https://bit.ly/4jbF9Xo

Podfest: 

https://podfestexpo.com/

Trello: 

www.Trello.com 

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Have you ever faced a professional opportunity that challenged your integrity for the sake of financial security? Today, we're weighing in on a 'Would You Rather' scenario sparked by a real-life story of a producer leaving The Diary of a CEO over misinformation concerns. We explore how podcasters might navigate similar ethical dilemmas in their careers. To wrap up the week, we celebrate our podcasting wins and send our heartfelt support to those affected by the California wildfires. Please donate if you’re able: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/wildfire-relief.html

Please note: we made a small error this morning when setting up the discussion on taking on a podcast gig that you’re not aligned with. The producer we mentioned did not produce The Diary of a CEO. He used that show as an example when telling his own story of being out of alignment with one of his podcast gigs, we apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Episode Highlights:

[1:45] Condolences and Support for California Wildfire Victims 

[3:54] Ethical Dilemmas in Job Offers

[32:41] Balancing Morals and Financial Needs

[33:12] Personal Wins and Achievements

[46:02] Community Support and Collaborations

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Chris Hall-Franzkowiak’s Post about Steven Bartlett on LinkedIn:

https://bit.ly/4ajZW71

Go FundMe for Postpartum Support Non-Profit:

https://gofund.me/a6f5ee30

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Have you ever grappled with growing your podcast audience or monetizing your show? You’ve poured your heart into creating engaging content, but it feels like you’re spinning your wheels without seeing the growth you deserve. You’re in for a treat! We’re bringing back Tyler Perry, host of Believing the Bizarre, to break down his strategies for building an engaged audience and monetizing his niche podcast. Join us and find out how his cost-effective ad strategy and authentic approach paved the way for consistent and sustainable growth for his niche podcast.

Episode Highlights:

[4:48] Tyler Perry on Monetization

[11:10] Challenges and Management of Multiple Revenue Streams

[12:12] Organization and Tools for Content Management

[13:31] SEO Best Practices

[32:07] Advanced SEO Techniques and Tools

[32:23] Advertising and Audience Targeting

[41:54] Audience Building and Niche Marketing

[48:57] Engagement and Authenticity in Marketing

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Believing The Bizarre: 

https://believingthebizarre.com/

Believing The Bizarre on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/believingthebizarre

Believing The Bizarre on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/believingthebizarre

Meta Ads Manager: 

https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/ads-manager

Facebook Ads Library: 

https://bit.ly/4h1yJYN

Canva: 

www.Canva.com 

Cast Magic: 

https://bit.ly/40nPwzY

MP3 Tag: 

www.mp3tag.de/en/

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

What if you could grow your podcast audience from hundreds to thousands starting with with just $2-3 a day? That’s exactly what Tyler Perry (no, not the filmmaker…the host of the 'Believing the Bizarre' podcast) did.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Tyler about how he used Meta ads to grow his niche paranormal podcast. He shared how he did it and why intentionality, clear goals, and truly understanding your audience are key to creating successful ad campaigns. If you're ready to grow your podcast, join us for this conversation. Tyler breaks down his strategy, lessons learned, and tips to help you start small and scale big.

Episode Highlights:

[2:30] Paranormal Podcast and Target Audience

[6:25] Personal Connection and Paranormal Experiences

[8:37] Early Podcast and Initial Struggles

[11:09] Advertising Strategy and Initial Growth

[15:59] Targeting and Ad Creative

[39:57] Outreach and Engagement

[40:49] Challenges and Adjustments

[51:10] Monetization and Video Content

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Believing The Bizarre: 

https://believingthebizarre.com/

Believing The Bizarre on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/believingthebizarre

Meta Ads Manager: 

https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/ads-manager

Facebook Ads Library: 

https://bit.ly/4h1yJYN

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Happy 2025! Did you know that 23% of people give up on their goals just one week after New Year's Day?  This phenomenon is known as Quitter's Day, and today, we're here to help you make steps to start small and determine the one key action that will kickstart your podcast this year. We're excited to welcome special guest Johnny Giangregorio from the Lifey Brand to discuss strategies for defining our podcasting goals and staying consistent. Have you set your podcasting goals yet? Let us know in our Facebook group what you're aiming for and how we can help you stay accountable.

Episode Highlights: 

[5:42] Nonprofit Goals

[8:05] Podcast Awards Goals

[10:14] Professional Challenges

[11:42] AI-Hosted Podcast Goals

[14:06] Restarting Your Podcast 

[15:48] Consistency Goals

[39:49] Podcast Schedule Changes 

[51:09] Inspiration and Challenges 

[55:50] Podcasting Morning Chat Goals

Links & Resources: 

The Podcasting Morning Chat: 

www.podpage.com/pmc

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Johnny Giangregorio 

https://coachwithjohnnyg.com/

The Lifey Brand:

www.thelifeybrand.com

Go FundMe for Postpartum Support Non-Profit:

https://gofund.me/a6f5ee30

Song Swap Showdown: 

https://www.songswapshowdown.com/

Mental Health Rewritten:

www.instagram.com/mentalhealthrewrittenpodcast/ 

Podcast Help Desk: 

https://bit.ly/40bAtrY

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w

Brought to you by ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ and ⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or [email protected]

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: 

https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b