How to know if your podcast idea has legs

Do You Know of a Tool?I was scrolling Reddit the other day when I saw someone ask if there was a tool they could use to write their podcast script. I couldn't help myself. "Yes," I said. "Your brain." Maybe that was a little snarky. Okay, it was a lot snarky. But I stand by it.Here's what I'm seeing more and more: people are "AIing" themselves right out of their own show. It usually goes like this. Someone finds a YouTube video that worked well for another creator. Instead of watching it and asking, "how can I do this in my own way and still sound like me," they grab the transcript, feed it to their favorite AI tool, and say "write this in my voice." And on YouTube, where the algorithm rewards volume over connection, it kind of works. Then they ask AI to whip up a thumbnail that looks suspiciously like the original, because on YouTube it really is all about the thumbnail. The problem is, the person doing this often doesn't fully understand what they're now saying on camera or on mic.Getting My Electronics DegreeThat reminds me of my lab partner Gary from college. My first degree, before I got into teaching, was in electronic engineering. I'm pretty sure I only got that associate's degree because of Gary. He was brilliant. I understood the math fine, but the electronics side threw me constantly, so Gary did the heavy lifting, I copied his work, and I walked away with a diploma and not much real understanding of electronics. That's exactly what happens when you let AI be your thoughts instead of your tool. You end up reading someone else's words with all the warmth of a bored McDonald's drive-through worker, then wondering why nobody connects with it. You can't be a thought leader on somebody else's thoughts. Think about how backwards that is. And if that approach ever landed you a speaking gig, then what? You'd have to ask AI to write the speech too.But AI Helps Me Do So Much More!I know the counterargument: AI helps you get so much more done, so much faster. I get it, I use it too. But think about two bowls of mashed potatoes. One came out of a box. The other is Grandma's, hand-mashed with a stick of butter and a healthy amount of salt. I grew up on the boxed kind. It's fast, it's easy, and it's fine. But nobody goes back for seconds on boxed potatoes. Grandma's bowl, you eat until it's empty and your stomach hurts. That's the difference. When you let AI write your content, you're serving your audience the boxed version, and they can tell.They Come For the Content and Stay For the HOSTHere's the thing people forget: listeners come for the content, but they stay for the host. My very first podcast, years before the School of Podcasting existed, was called The Marketing Musician. I'd meet listeners of my current show who'd bring it up, and I'd assume they were musicians too. Almost every time, the answer was "no, I don't play anything, I just think you're funny." They didn't stick around for the topic. They stuck around for me. If you let AI take over as the host of your own show, you're left with nothing but AI. And if I don't need you anymore, I don't need your show either. I can just go ask AI the question myself.How I Use AISo here's how I actually use it. I don't let AI write my scripts. I let it help with research and organization. For my next School of Podcasting episode, I recorded my reflections on the Empowered Podcasting Conference by just talking into a microphone. No outline, just a brain dump, the way you'd brainstorm out loud. I ran that recording through Otter to get a transcript, then asked AI to pull out the main topics I'd already talked about and organize them in a way that flowed better, since I knew I'd circled back and added points out of order. I asked for a list of bullet points from what I'd said. Not new content, just my own words organized better. And honestly, it came out better than my original brain dump. I also lean on AI for images, because if I had to design my own graphics, you'd be looking at stick figure theater. Use AI for the things you're genuinely not good at, but keep yourself in your own podcast.Need Help With Your Podcast?If you're just getting started and thinking, "Dave, I don't even know where to begin with any of this," you know where to find me. Head to schoolofpodcasting.com and use the coupon code LISTENER for a discount on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly membership, and you can work directly with me and the community there. We've got step-by-step tutorials to walk you through everything. I've been doing this for over 20 years, I love helping podcasters, and I can't wait to see what we build together. I want to be your podcast consultant.Key takeawaysUsing AI to write your script in "your voice" strips out the one thing listeners actually stick around for: you.People come for the topic, but they stay for the host — lose the host, and you're just competing with AI itself.Use AI for research, organizing your own ideas, and things you're not skilled at (like graphics) — not for generating your content from scratch.A good process: record a brain-dump, transcribe it, then ask AI to organize and summarize your own words rather than write new ones.Links mentionedschoolofpodcasting.com — use coupon code LISTENERThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Should You Publish a Bad Interview? (Even If It Hurts Their Feelings)You just finished recording. The audio is clean, the guest showed up on time... and the conversation was completely forgettable. Do you publish it anyway, or do you tell your guest "no thanks" and risk an awkward, guilt-ridden conversation?A Reddit question kicks off this episode: a new podcaster recorded an interview that just wasn't interesting, and now feels guilty about shelving it. I break down why that guilt is misplaced, how to spot the guests who never cared about your audience in the first place, and the exact line you can use to say no without burning a bridge.In this episode, Dave covers:Why a "meh" episode is sometimes on you, not the guest — and the research questions to ask before you ever hit recordHow to spot a guest who wants to pitch himself to you instead of serving your listenersThe pre-interview trick that saves you from wasting a full hour on a guest who isn't a fitThe exact script to use when you have to tell someone their interview won't airWhy setting the "I reserve the right not to publish" expectation up front makes the hard conversation so much easierThe goalie mindset: why protecting your audience from mediocre content matters more than one guest's feelingsA line worth remembering: "Do I want one stranger mad at me, or my entire audience going, 'Is it time to swipe left and unsubscribe?'"If you're building (or fixing) your podcast and want help with exactly this kind of decision, Dave's been coaching podcasters for over 20 years at School of Podcasting. Use coupon code LISTENER for a discount, backed by a 29-day money-back guarantee.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

So Many OptionsI've been playing with AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Grok, and an all-in-one tool called Magi ) and I finally did the thing most of us avoid: I picked one and went deep instead of bouncing between tools.Hello ClaudeIn this episode, I share what happened when I handed Claude a transcript and a few of my own blog posts and asked it to write my show notes, why I'm keeping AI on a short leash (folder by folder, not my whole Google Drive), and the bigger lesson underneath all of it: knowledge is only power when you actually do something with it.Whether it's AI, or finally plugging in that microphone that's been sitting in a drawer for three years, the principle is the same: knowing isn't the finish line. Doing is.On a Budget?I need to check and see what the difference of Claude in Magai, and a direct use of Claude. As Magai is $20 for a ton of tools, but much like many "all in one" systems, I may be missing some of the customizations.Key TakeawaysPick one AI tool and go deep, rather than chasing whichever tool looks coolest this week. They're all converging on similar features anyway.AI should polish what you've already created, not create it for you. I fed Claude a transcript and my own blog posts so the show notes would sound like me, not like generic "let's delve into a deep dive" AI-speak.Watching tutorials isn't the same as doing the work. I watch AI tutorials, then immediately try what I learned, and sometimes it's great, sometimes it flops, but either way I learn something.Start small and contained. I'm giving AI access to one dedicated folder on my computer, not my entire Google Drive, until I trust it more.The same principle applies to launching or growing your podcast. You don't need to know everything before you start. You need to plug in the mic, watch the levels move, and take the next small step.Resources MentionedMagi, the all-in-one AI tool subscription I've been testing (~$20/month)Claude, the AI tool I chose to go deep withChatGPT, Grok, other AI tools I've testedWispr Flow, the voice-to-text tool I use to dictate show notesCraig Van Slyke, AI Goes to College: aigoestocollege.comPodcasting Observations newsletter: podcastingobservations.comAudacity, free recording software mentioned in the mic-setup exampleThe School of Podcasting, weekly classes on growth and launchingWork With MeI've been helping podcasters for over 20 years. If you've got the knowledge but haven't taken the next step, whether that's launching your show or finally growing it, that's exactly what I do as your podcast consultant. Head to the schoolofpodcasting.com to join a live weekly class, or reach out about working with me directly.From the HumanI let Claude take a swing at the above show notes. I removed three of those stupid "M Dash" things, but the rest is AI. I'm not sold on how this is saving me time. It did write some social posts.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Does My Podcast Idea Have Legs? There's Only One Way to Find OutMost of the time, I cringe when I hear someone say "just start," because it usually sounds like advice from a person who isn't looking where they're going. Start what? For whom? Toward what goal? There is, however, exactly one situation where I will look you in the eye and tell you to just start your podcast, and it's the situation I keep running into over and over again on Reddit.Homework is Done - But Can't Press RecordIt shows up as a question that sounds reasonable but can't actually be answered: "Does my podcast idea have legs?" The person asking has usually done their homework. They've researched, they listen to plenty of shows, they have a format in mind and a list of episode ideas ready to go. What they're really asking is for someone to promise them their show will work before they ever hit the record button, and nobody on earth can make that promise.In this episode, I walk through why that question keeps people stuck, the chocolate toast test I use to think about any untested idea, and how to get honest feedback once you actually have something recorded. If you've been staring at the same pile of Post-it notes for the 400th time, this one is for you.Mentioned in This EpisodeSchool of Podcasting (coupon " listener ")Fix My Podcast (auditing service)This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Will Joining the School of Podcasting Help Me?I got an email from someone who has been podcasting three months and they wanted to know if my "Grow Your Podcast" live classes would help them. Do I Need a Coach?Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Bill Gates all had personal coaches. With this in mind having a coach is good (as I spotted three things wrong with your show after spending five minutes looking at it). I want to monetize eventually if it is possible but I’d say my podcast is more ministry focused right now Monetization? I wrote the book on it.Would there be other people in my space to have as guests or do podcast swaps with or are most of the people in your school more about business growth or AI growth etc.?Yes, we have collaborations with members all the time. I also have a resource list where you can find guests, etc. Examples, Dr. Craig Van Slyke is the host of AI Goes to College. Ralph Estep Jr. has been an accountant and business coach for decades.Would there be other things I need to invest in to be “successful” in your school?As always, "It depends" as I'm not sure 100% where you are, but for most people no if you're already going. In many cases you're just going in a slightly wrong direction. For example, yes YouTube is a discovery platform, but nobody is talking about how audio SMASHES video in audience 15 to 1 as there are many more opportunities to listen than to watch. So if you want to do video, do video, but you don't have to. Podcasting is simple (find out what the audience wants and give it to them in a fun and entertaining fashion), but not easy. I believe your downloads are equal to the value you deliver multiplied by your smart marketing efforts. I saw the creation of a podpage is free which I have thought about since I launched but still can’t decide if that is the best fit or a traditional website?Only if you want less headaches, more exposure, and a tool designed for podcasters (vs trying to squeeze your podcast into a yoga studio theme). I've been singing the praises of Podpage since I was hired by the founder back in 2020 (which got me in trouble at Libsyn where I worked at the time). I eventually left libsyn and joined Podpage because it's so amazing.Mentioned:School of Podcasting - Podcast Growth CourseDave's Private CoachingPodpageTakeaways:Joining the School of Podcasting can totally help you grow your podcast skills and audience.Monetization takes time and effort; you don't just slap ads onto a show and cash in!The community at the School of Podcasting is awesome for networking and swapping promos with fellow podcasters.Using tools like PodPage can save you headaches and help your podcast shine online, trust me!The Grow Your Podcast course starts on August 19th, and it's gonna be a blast!If you join now, you can participate in listener parties to get real-time feedback on your show.Join free with a money-back guarantee This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Ready to Start Your Podcast?Starting August 19th we are doing an experiment, we are bringing back the "Podcasting in Six Weeks" course (and this time it's FREE). Go to Podcasting in Six WeeksGrow Your Podcast CourseAlso starting August 19th is the Grow Your Podcast Live courses where we will meet for an hour and go through the strategies to grow your show. Expect some feedback, more downloads, reach and influence. This is for members of the School of Podcasting (so join today with the coupon code listener and save 20%). School of PodcastingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

I Love Howard SternI'm a huge fan of Howard Stern and have listened to him for decades. About five years ago, he said something that I didn't hear because I became very inconsistent in listening to him when he became very inconsistent in his schedule. His recent contract will have him broadcasting once a week, which, to me, just says, "Why not just retire?" This is how you lose your audience, though.How to Lose Your AudienceI realized that some people like to talk about politics, and that is your choice, but just realize when you do, you're going to lose about 50% of your audience. This wasn't new to Howard. He would voice his opinion and explain who he endorsed for a candidate, etc., but there are politics and then there are far politics. By that, I mean far left and far right. When you go into far left or far right politics, you're going to lose a tremendous amount of your audience.Be a Sore LoserThen, throw on top of it that, when his candidate didn't win, he told his audience something that I still can't believe he said. If you want to lose your audience, follow Howard's strategy here, and you will.Want to GROW Your Audience?If you need help planning, launching, or growing your show, check out the School of Podcasting. If you have a show and you're frustrated by it's lack of growth, check out Fix My Podcast.Takeaways:Podcasting gives us the freedom to say what we want, but watch your back.Consequences are real, and sometimes they hit harder than a bad hangover.Talking politics in your podcast? Yeah, that might just lose half your listeners.Howard Stern's audience dropped because he told Trump voters he hated them. Oops.Staying neutral is key, unless you want to alienate half of your audience.Remember, the Internet never forgets, so think before you hit publish.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

The Key To Great Podcast Episode TitlesEpisode titles can make or break your podcast’s appeal, but there’s one crucial mistake you must avoid: clickbait. In this episode, Dave Jackson explains what makes a great episode title. Start with the listener’s benefit, including relevant keywords, and, above all, being truthful. He shares why misleading titles erode trust and waste your audience’s most valuable resource: their time. Join Dave as he explains how to craft honest, enticing titles that draw listeners in without deception and keep your audience coming back for more.It Takes Years To Build Trust, and One Piece of Clickbait to Lost itYou might be enticed to exagerrate when it comes to your titles and thumbnails, but we've all been there when you realize someone just wasted your time, and you can't get it back.Need Help With Your Podcast?Check out the School of Podcasting.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Stop Obsessing Over Your DownloadsObsessing over your downloads isn’t gonna magically make them grow, folks. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s a wild ride of checking stats every five seconds like it’s some sort of lottery. We look into why fixating on those numbers is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. It’s all about the real connections we make and the value we bring, not just the digits on a dashboard.So, let’s chat about how to actually measure success in ways that matter and keep our podcasting dreams alive without going bonkers over the numbers. New podcasters often find themselves spiraling into the black hole of statistics, obsessively tracking their downloads like it's the holy grail of success. I mean, c'mon, we’ve all been there, right? You release a couple of episodes, and next thing you know, you’re refreshing your stats page like it’s a lottery results site. But here’s the thing: all that staring at numbers won’t magically make them grow. In this episode, we dive into this common pitfall, dissecting the absurdity of letting download counts dictate our moods and self-worth.It’s not about the numbers; it’s about the impact.I share stories of podcasters who’ve hit the download wall but found fulfillment through audience engagement instead. Trust me, those heartfelt emails and community interactions are way more rewarding than any download spike could ever be. Let’s face it – we’re not running a fast-food joint here. McDonald’s has it all measured out, but in the world of podcasting, consistency and quality trump the obsessive number crunching.Predicting Success is Not EasyI talk about how, sometimes, the episodes we think will flop resonate deeply, while others we’re sure will be hits fall flat. The unpredictability of audience reactions is part of the charm, and embracing that chaos can be liberating. Plus, we tackle the importance of focusing on relationships with our listeners rather than just chasing that elusive download milestone.One Piece of the Podcasting PuzzleIn the end, download numbers are just one piece of the puzzle. We explore various ways to gauge success that don’t revolve around download stats: feedback, collaborations, and even the sheer joy of sharing your passion. So, if you’re new to this podcasting game, let’s ditch the download anxiety and start building genuine connections. Your show’s growth will follow, even if the numbers take a back seat for a while.Takeaways:Staring at your podcast stats every day won't magically boost your downloads, trust me.When you obsess over numbers, you can miss out on the real impact you're making.Your podcast's success isn't just about downloads; feedback and engagement are crucial too.Focus on creating good content rather than just chasing the download numbers.Building a community and connecting with your audience is way more valuable than stats.Remember, you're not McDonald's; entertainment is unpredictable, so embrace the chaos.Links referenced in this episode:podcastconsultant.comschoolofpodcasting.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Episode Show Notes: The "Urgency Trap" vs. QualityIn this episode, we tackle the paradox of the "Urgency Trap"—why we feel an overwhelming need to rush our creative projects, even when we've been sitting on them for years.Key TakeawaysThe "Anus GPS" Effect: Why do we make bad decisions when we're close to the finish line? Much like the frantic urge to reach the bathroom in time, when we get close to launching something, we hit a panic button. We start rushing, and that's when mistakes happen.The "Dusty Microphone" Syndrome: If you've been "thinking" about starting for years, putting off your launch for one more week isn't going to break the world. The world has managed to keep spinning without your podcast—don't let your gear collect dust for a decade because you're waiting for "perfect."The "Wrinkled T-Shirt" Episode: Your first episode probably won't be perfect. It’s like a wrinkled t-shirt: you can wear it, but you don't really want people to notice. The trap here is releasing that "wrinkled" work because you feel a self-inflicted pressure to get it out "yesterday."The Golden Rule: Late is temporary, but bad is forever.I'm currently dealing with the pressure of a rebrand. I wanted it out last night, but I pushed it back a week.Yes, you can technically change things later, but let’s be real—do we ever actually go back and fix them?The Balance: How do you avoid the "dusty microphone" paralysis without becoming a perfectionist? It's about knowing when to buff out the rough spots without letting the pursuit of excellence keep your project buried in a drawer.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy