Ask the Podcast Coach

Send us feedback/questions via TextIt’s Halloween, and the scariest thing on this episode isn’t a costume. Jim is back from Brazil with an urgent warning: a serious PHP zero-day is putting WordPress sites at risk, and he explains why you should patch today or take your site offline. Dave has a deadline of his own: if you ever used Podcorn as a prefix, your podcast could break tomorrow. From there, the guys look at Instagram’s new 90-minute videos and ask who wanted them. They cover how to run an audience survey people will actually answer, and why being “too busy” means you should raise your prices. They also take on free discovery calls, whether your show needs its own app, and Zoom vs. StreamYard. Grab your candy and press play before your website gets spooked.Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comMentionedSureTake - Remote Recording (aff)Jim's Take on Episode 599After Further ReviewFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextToday I'm joined by Neal Veglio of Podmastery.co as Jim is in Brazil.Are you struggling to find the sweet spot between harnessing the power of AI and keeping your creative voice front and center in your podcast? This week, we’re diving deep into how creators can use AI as a tool—without letting it take over—to save time, spark new ideas, and still deliver the authentic, engaging content your listeners crave. Join us for a conversation that will inspire you to work smarter, create boldly, and stand out in a world where technology and originality can work hand in hand. Hit play and discover how to make AI your creative sidekick, not your replacement!Video VersionSponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comNeal Vegliohttps://Podmastery.cohttps://podknows.co.uk/Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:05 Let guests tell their stories03:21 Sponsor PodcastBranding.co https://www.podcastbranding.co04:26 Sponsor: Based on a True Story podcast https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com05:20 We Both Love Spotify 07:47 Podcast Audits08:55 Why radio habits hurt podcasts10:47 Win attention with immediate retention14:15 PHP Worries17:54 Balance AI efficiency with authentic show notes19:56 Build a workflow that keeps your voice22:04 Protect integrity when using AI26:13 Avoid copying other creators with AI29:40 Find the middle ground with AI33:42 Use AI creatively, not lazily35:32 Pair AI with critical thinking39:55 Define a distinct audience and purpose44:13 Measure the value your show delivers46:40 Fix common podcast production mistakes47:50 Please Support the Show ($5) https://podcastcoach.supercast.com48:16 Ad: School of Podcasting courses, coaching, and community https://community.schoolofpodcasting.com48:45 Ad: Add clickable chapters with PodPage https://www.podpage.com48:54 Home Gadget Geeks https://www.homegadgetgeeks.com48:54 Podcastmastery: Podcasting Insights https://podmastery.co/49:15 Podindy.com Conference http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987753467129/?discount=sop50:26 Did I Hear That Right? https://www.didihearthatrightpodcast.com/50:44 Featured Supporter: A Long Look Podcast https://www.alonglookpodcast.com/50:58 Become an Awesome Supporter https://www.askthepodcastcoach.com/support/51:27 Mix background music without overpowering voices56:28 Keep effective production simple58:26 Where to Find Neal https://podmastery.co/01:00:24 Recognize your real audience through feedbackFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextWhat do you do when your mic won’t work, a guest keeps tapping the desk, or life throws a furnace breakdown into your podcast plans? This week, Dave, Jim, and Randy share practical ways to handle live-show hiccups, explore audio tools and podcast workflows, and get real about juggling multiple shows—and knowing when it might be time to move on. Press play for useful ideas, honest stories, and a reminder that every podcaster needs a backup plan.Video Version (unedited)Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comRandy Blackhttps://randallblack.com/Auphonic Audio Processinghttps://supportthisshow.com/auphonicAfter Further Review on This Episodehttps://theaverageguy.tv/2026/10/17/ask-the-podcast-coach-after-further-review-597-adapt-walk-away-shorts/Featured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextThis week Dave and Jim dig into the messy, human side of podcasting — Jim debuts a brand-new recurring segment where he calls out his own mistakes from past episodes (yes, really), a listener spirals over editing software and begs for a faster workflow, and the guys argue over whether $9 a month is worth switching streaming platforms. Throw in a deep dive on why YouTube Shorts and clips might be the secret weapon you’re ignoring, a surprisingly practical lesson on matching your website colors to your show art, and some hard truths about trimming the fat out of your interviews, and you’ve got another fast-moving, genuinely useful hour of live podcast coaching.Video Version (unedited)Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comsUpon Further Review PostsEpisode 595 ReviewEpisode 594 ReviewGive him some feedback at [email protected] Mentionedwhosondrums.com — new awesome supporter (Stevie Taylor & Jonnie Adams)pitchapodcast.com — Hear the horror stories of bad podcast pitchespodindy.com — November 7th live event in Indianapolis (code SOP)color.adobe.com - pull the hex codes from your artworkFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextAdam Curry asked an AI agent to download the latest episode of a popular podcast and remove the ads. Eight minutes later it was done, and it turned out half the file was ads. Dave and Jim react to the clip and ask whether this is the end of podcast advertising or just the next round of an ad-blocking arms race that YouTube has already survived. Then they get practical. Why "cap it at 10%" might be the smartest ad strategy around. Why a $12 book sale beats 2,400 downloads. And how a 42-second social media post turned out to be worth far more clicks than Dave expected. If you've ever wondered whether ads, subscriptions, or social media are worth your time, press play.VideoSponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comMentioned in this episodeNew supporter: Karen Jackson of A Long Look Podcastshort.io and Switchy (trackable links)Wispr Flow (voice dictation)Profit From Your Podcast by Dave Jackson: profitfromyourpodcast.comPodIndy, November 7, 9am to 4pm, with Cliff Ravenscraft. Use code SOP at podindy.comComing up: Phil Hawthorne of the Home Assistant Podcast joins Jim on Home Gadget Geeks at theaverageguy.tv. Next week, a shout-out to Stevie from Who's on Drums.Featured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextDave is back from Podcast Movement in New York City with a full report on the new venue, the split business and indie days, and the $1.50 pizza. He and Jim cover a lot this week. Video Version (unedited)Randy Black plays a before-and-after demo of Auphonic's new Studio Voice beta that turns an echoey 8-year-old Skype call into something that sounds like it came from a treated studio. A new industry stat puts Netflix at number three for podcast consumption, ahead of Apple, which leads to a debate about what counts as a "podcast" and why a closed platform matters to independent creators. Dan Schultz makes the case that audio-first shows can skip the YouTube algorithm games, handle SEO in ten minutes, and spend the rest of their time making the show good. Jim shares early results from his YouTube Shorts experiment and a surprisingly powerful stats tool hiding in YouTube Studio. Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comAlso MentionedAuphonichttps://supportthisshow.com/auphonicSounds Profitablehttps://www.soundsprofitable.comPodcast Movementhttps://www.podcastmovement.comRandall Blackhttps://www.randallblack.comDan Schultz Banned Camphttps://www.bannedcamppodcast.com/Featured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextWhat do you do when YouTube dies mid-livestream, a fire alarm goes off in your office, and a guest sits frozen on screen for seven awkward minutes? Dave and Jim tackle real live-show disasters this week, plus how to embed your own live stream on your website without touching an RTMP link, why AI keeps butchering your guests' last names, and whether those "automatic clip maker" tools are actually saving you any time (spoiler: maybe not). They also dig into resurrecting old blog content with ChatGPT, the real conversion rate on 60-second clips, and why "7-figure podcaster" claims deserve a serious side-eye.Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextIt's Labor Day weekend, but Dave and Jim aren't taking one off from the AI rabbit hole — this episode covers everything from free (and not-so-free) transcription services to the moment ChatGPT started recommending third-party apps mid-workflow, plus a candid gut-check for the podcaster who's 89 episodes in and wondering if it's time to quit. Throw in Audacity 4's big redesign, a debate over how often you really need to disclose affiliate links, and a war story about paying influencers gone wrong, and you've got a jam-packed hour of practical advice, real talk, and the usual Dave-and-Jim banter to kick off your holiday weekend.VideoSponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comMentioned:Otter.aiCastmagic.comMonarch MoneyAcrons bankingSoFi BankingFeatured Supporter: AI Goes to CollegeFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextDave and Jim spent most of the show riffing on conferences and community, sparked by Dave's recent trip to the Empowered Podcasting Conference. He recapped the small-but-mighty vibe of the event, a "woo-woo" keynote that split the room (a good reminder that not every talk is for every audience), and reconnecting in person. We also talk about:The new Supporter Ralph and Julia on Becoming Financially ConfidentHow to get feedback?Jim's 20 minute fail.Sponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.

Send us feedback/questions via TextEveryone wants the 10,000-download podcast, but almost nobody wants to talk about how you actually get there. In this episode of Ask the Podcast Coach, Dave Jackson and Jim Collison dig into a listener's question that stops most podcasters cold: can you really study a podcast's rise from zero to sixty the way a business school studies a company? The answer gets messy fast. Copying what worked for someone else, chasing burger-chain nostalgia, and mistaking a microphone for a financial plan all come up before Dave and Jim land on what actually separates the podcasts that make it from the ones that quietly disappear around episode eight. If you've ever wondered whether there's a real playbook for podcast growth, or just a lot of hustle dressed up as one, this conversation is the honest version nobody's selling you.Video VersionSponsors:PodcastBranding.co - They see you before they hear youBasedonastruestorypodcast.com - Comparing Hollywood with HistoryVideo Version (unedited)Mentioned In This EpisodeSchool of Podcastinghttps://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinPodpagehttp://www.trypodpage.comHome Gadget Geekshttps://www.theaverageguy.tvFix My Podcasthttps://www.fixmypodcast.comFeatured SupporterJoin lifelong art lover Karen Jackson for the slow looking experience. A long Look podcast is a better way to experience art.Check it out at alonglookpodcast.com Leave Your QuestionGo to askthepodcastcoach.com/voicemail and leave your message to be answered on the next show.Support the showBE AWESOME!Thanks for listening to the show. Help the show continue to exist and get a shout-out on the show by becoming an awesome supporter by going to askthepodcastcoach.com/awesome want a one time donation? Buy Dave a Coffee.