Hi there. Before you keep reading, I want you to know that if you listen to the audio, you will get a BTS look at my podcast stats and lessons learned from the last few days. It is raw and juicy. Learn from my hard lessons….

If you’re wondering how often to post a podcast to grow an audience without burning out, here’s the short answer:

* 2 to 3 episodes a week.

* 5 to 9 minutes each.

* Informative, edutaining, and delivered like you’re gossiping with a smart friend over coffee.

That’s the magic formula. And yes, it works.

I’ve tested this across my own podcasts and with clients in different industries. Every time someone stops overthinking length, production, and “sounding professional,” their downloads go up and their confidence follows.

Let’s break down why this works so well.

Why 5–6 Minute Episodes Perform Better Than Long Ones

People don’t need more content. They need content that fits into their actual lives.

Five to six minutes is:• A walk around the block• A commute to the store• A coffee refill moment• A mental reset between meetings

Short episodes lower the commitment barrier. Listeners are far more likely to hit play when they know they can finish before life interrupts them.

Completion rates go up. Trust builds faster. Habit forms quicker.

Why 2–3 Episodes a Week Beats “Once a Week” Consistency

Weekly episodes are fine. But frequency is what creates familiarity.

When you show up 2 to 3 times a week:• Your voice becomes familiar• Your ideas stay top of mind• Your audience builds listening habits• You stop relying on one “perfect” episode

This is especially powerful on Substack, where podcast episodes land directly in inboxes and live alongside your writing. You’re not fighting for attention. You’re building a rhythm.

Thanks for reading How We Podcast on Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Informative + Edutaining Is the Sweet Spot

This is not a lecture series.And it’s definitely not a motivational rant.

The goal is edutainment. Education with personality.

That means:• Sharing insight without jargon• Teaching through stories• Explaining things the way you’d explain them to a friend• Letting your tone be warm, real, and human

If it sounds like you’re gossiping with a friend who happens to be very smart, you’re doing it right.

People don’t connect with perfection. They connect with presence.

Why This Format Builds Thought Leadership Faster

Thought leadership is built through repetition and clarity, not length.

Short, frequent episodes allow you to:• Share one clear idea at a time• Respond quickly to trends and questions• Reinforce your frameworks in digestible pieces• Build trust without overwhelming your audience

Instead of one big episode trying to do everything, you create a library of focused insights that compound over time.

Search engines love this. Answer engines love this. And audiences love this because it feels usable.

How This Works on Substack Specifically

Substack amplifies this formula because:• Episodes are paired with written posts for SEO and AEO• Subscribers receive episodes directly via email• Your content is archived and searchable• You’re building owned media, not renting attention

Each short episode becomes part of a larger body of work that positions you as clear, consistent, and credible.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a 60-minute episode.You don’t need fancy production.You don’t need to sound like a broadcaster.

You need:• 2–3 short episodes a week• 5–6 minutes of focused insight• A conversational, human tone• A platform that supports consistency

This is the magic formula that’s working for me and my clients. It’s sustainable. It’s effective. And it actually fits real life.

If podcasting has felt heavy or intimidating, this is your permission slip to make it simpler.

Short. Smart. A little gossipy.And surprisingly powerful.

Here we grow,

xx Blair Kaplan Venables

P.S. I can help you build this out. I will create your podcast, set everything up and create a 3-month plan for you, while supporting you in creating and publishing your content. Don’t let overwhelm stop you from getting your content into the world! HIRE ME and don’t stress.

Thanks for reading How We Podcast on Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howwepodcast.substack.com