E648 - Should Podcasters Have a Disclaimer in their show that this is Human Generated Content As iHeartRadio Shows now do

Episode 649 - Will Apple Video Podcasting Decimate Audio First Podcasters, Editors and ListenersIn this episode of the How To Podcast Series, host Dave explores Apple's renewed push into video podcasting via HLS, questioning if it will overshadow audio-first creators like himself. Drawing from a recent New Media Show discussion between Rob Greenlee and Justin Jackson of Transistor.fm, Dave highlights the tension: listeners crave seamless switching between audio on the go and video at home, syncing progress across devices like phones, cars, and TVs. This shift pressures separate audio and video edits—long a staple for shows like New Media Show—to converge, as platforms like Apple, Spotify, and YouTube prioritize fluid experiences over distinct versions.Dave, an audio-first podcaster managing nine shows while holding a job, shares his Android-user bias and reluctance to invest heavily in video production. He argues not every podcast suits video, citing Buzzsprout's Jordan Blair and her sleep aid show Dreamfall, where visuals would counterproductive. Yet he embraces minimal video: short phone clips repurposed for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram to promote episodes without replacing the core audio experience. Clips from Rob and Justin underscore industry growing pains—editors may need simpler, video-friendly cuts, but creators will adapt with creative visuals that engage background listeners.Apple's model enhances control for creators via RSS metadata, offline video downloads, and better ad tracking through chunked HLS files, benefiting larger shows with sponsors demanding proof of plays. Audio-first remains viable, especially for newcomers lacking video resources, but the market favors hybrid formats that work across listening and viewing. Video podcasters must narrate visuals clearly, avoiding Joe Rogan's uncontextual clips that alienate audio fans.Key Takeaway: Do what you can with what you have where you are—audio-first is here to stay, but blending simple visuals grows your reach without burnout. Adapt to listener habits, stay true to your voice, and podcasting's room for all will expand.New Media Show with Rob Greenlee and Justin Jacksonhttps://www.youtube.com/live/fF5ybfLA7r0?t=3979&si=OTfH4763QLPk-88Lhttps://newmediashow.com/https://transistor.fm/____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 648 - Should Podcasters Have a Disclaimer in their show that this is Human Generated Content As iHeartRadio Shows now doIn this episode of the How to Podcast series, host Dave reacts to a growing trend in podcasting, where shows are beginning to label themselves as human generated content. Prompted by Jay Shetty’s iHeart disclaimer, “This is an iHeart podcast, guaranteed human,” Dave explores whether independent podcasters should also start identifying their shows as created by real people, especially as AI-generated audio and synthetic content become more common across platforms.Dave notes that major platforms are already moving toward AI disclosure rules, with labels and requirements appearing around synthetic voices, cloned speech, and altered content. While he points out that no platform currently requires a human generated label, he sees value in signaling authenticity, especially for personal brands, coaching shows, storytelling podcasts, and niche shows built on trust. He contrasts human-hosted shows with fully AI-generated podcast content and warns that if listeners can no longer tell the difference, transparency may become part of how podcasters stand out.At the same time, Dave makes the case that AI can still be a helpful behind-the-scenes tool for editing and transcripts without needing to be front and center. His bigger concern is keeping the host, the voice, and the creative edge human. For him, the value of a podcast comes from the person behind it, not just the prompt or the software. He argues that while AI may help with production, it should not replace the human connection that makes podcasting meaningful.Dave also shares a related listener question about getting more responses to calls to action. He encourages podcasters to keep their calls to action consistent, choose one ask at a time, and make sure the request offers clear value to the audience rather than simply serving the host’s ego. He closes by inviting listeners to engage through the show’s survey and calendar link, reinforcing the idea that real human connection is still at the heart of podcasting.Key takeaway: As AI content grows, podcasters may benefit from making their human presence clearer, while still using AI as a helper behind the scenes and keeping audience trust at the center of the show.On Purpose with Jay Shettyhttps://pod.link/1450994021AIs Talk About Podcastinghttps://pod.link/1816287876___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 647 - The Declarative Interview - Declarative Techniques for Unforgettable Podcast EpisodesIn this episode of the How to Podcast Series, host Dave explores declarative sentences and questions as game-changers for podcasters. He defines declarative statements as complete thoughts that inform, explain facts, or share opinions, always ending in a period—not a question mark—like "The sky is blue" or "Chocolate is the best flavor." These build confidence by dropping pitch at sentence ends, avoiding upspeak habits that undermine authority. As guests, use them to advance conversations smoothly; as hosts, they lead with intention rather than passive questioning.Dave shifts to "declarative questions," urging hosts to stop lazy, broad queries that yield surface answers. Frame specifics from prep to spark depth: swap "How did you get started?" for "You built this podcast from the ground up with limited resources, and it took real commitment." Or "What was your biggest failure?" becomes "That setback seems like it became the turning point for everything that came next." Follow with hooks like "Tell me more" or "How did that shape what happened next?" Examples include "You've interviewed hundreds, but this conversation changed your perspective" or "Podcasting helped you find your voice again—what did that first episode feel like?"He reframes hosting as guiding a discovery, not checklist interrogating: frame reality, reflect shared truths, invite expansion. This makes interviews natural, confident, and listener-focused—guests feel understood, audiences get richer stories over generic Q&A.Bonus guest tips: match answer length to question time (e.g., 10-second query gets concise reply), leave space for host follow-ups, and use closing mic time to tie up missed points without salesiness.Dave encourages practice, invites new podcasters as co-hosts via his calendar, and promotes listener support through Buy Me a Coffee or sharing the show.A declarative sentence is the most common sentence type, used to make a statement, provide information, express an opinion, or state a fact. They typically follow a subject-verb structure and always end with a period. Examples include "The sky is blue," "She loves to read," and "Dogs are mammals". Key CharacteristicsPurpose: To inform, explain, or state facts/opinions.Punctuation: Always ends with a period ().Structure: Usually Subject + Verb + Object.Frequency: The most common sentence type in EnglishExamples of Declarative SentencesFact: The Earth revolves around the Sun.Observation: The coffee is cold.Opinion: Chocolate is the best flavor.Statement: She is coming home.Description: It is a nice day.Declarative sentences are standard communication tools used in both writing and speech to share information, distinguishing them from interrogative (questions), imperative (commands), or exclamatory (emotions) sentencesKey Takeaway: Lead with declarative statements and questions to frame context boldly, draw deeper responses, and create memorable flow—stop chasing answers, start illuminating stories.____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 646 - What If Another Podcaster Copies My Show, My Content and Tries To Steal Away My AudienceEvery podcaster has felt it—a twinge of panic when another creator launches a show that looks eerily similar to yours. Same theme, same tone, maybe even the same stories. In this episode, Dave takes that fear head-on and invites you to exhale. Copycats may recreate your content, but they can’t duplicate you.Podcasting, Dave reminds us, isn’t about inventing ideas no one has ever heard before. Every concept is influenced by something—or someone—else. Creativity lies not in being the first, but in expressing the familiar through your unique lens. Just as musicians absorb the styles of artists they admire, podcasters are the sum total of their influences. That’s not theft; that’s evolution.Dave shares candid stories from his own show development—experimenting with borrowed formats like the “Question of the Month,” adapting what worked and letting go of what didn’t. These trials revealed an essential truth: success comes not from guarding your content but from staying open-handed with your creativity. If you cling to what’s “yours,” your growth stalls. But if you remain open—to new ideas, new guests, and even audience members who move on—you create space for more meaningful connections to arrive.Using Mel Robbins’ wisdom, Dave reframes duplication as harmless imitation. Products, formats, and even entire shows can be copied, but presence—your energy, timing, empathy, and off-the-cuff brilliance—can’t be replicated. Imitators sound polished but lack the authenticity that turns listeners into loyal fans. They’re the tribute band to your original. You don’t protect your podcast by building fences; you protect it by showing up honestly and bravely, every single episode.He challenges creators to shift from fear to leadership: document your process publicly, collaborate widely, and build your home base on your own website where your true audience gathers. Competitors can chase polish, but they’ll always be two steps behind the creator they’re copying.As the conversation wraps, Dave reminds listeners that growth requires humility and openness. Podcasters who resist feedback or refuse help never get far—because improvement begins with a willingness to listen.Key takeaway: Copycats can echo your ideas, but they’ll never capture your voice, your fire, or your vision. Keep your creative hand open, share generously, and stay many steps ahead. Podcasting is not a competition—it’s a community.____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 645 - The Daily Things That You Can Do To Be A Better Podcaster In Addition to PodcastingIn this episode of the How to Podcast Series, host Dave shares his passion for discovering new podcasts, binge-listening from episode one, and connecting with fellow creators. He credits night-shift listening for fueling his growth and invites listeners to share their shows for feedback.Dave draws inspiration from Austin Kleon's book Show Your Work!, particularly chapter three: "Share something small every day." This sparked his commitment to daily content in 2026, like short social posts or episodes, to build skills, experience steady growth, and attract connections. He adapts Kleon's advice for podcasters, urging daily "dispatches" documenting the process—early ideas, work-in-progress, lessons learned, or audience interactions—instead of revealing finished products. Build in public so listeners join the journey, cheer you on, and see how your podcast evolves, debunking the myth of overnight success.Choose platforms that suit your audience and yield results: YouTube Shorts thrive for How to Podcast, while Instagram works for Living the Next Chapter. Abandon what doesn't, like Facebook or underperforming channels, and post natively—stay engaged to interact in real-time. Turn daily "flow" (ephemeral shares) into enduring "stock" (blogs, newsletters, or books) via your owned website, your "digital turf" that outlasts fleeting social trends. Secure a simple domain cheaply, centralize links there, and direct guests or fans to it for easy discovery.Key Takeaway: Commit to one daily action this month— a short post, DM outreach, or newsletter—to show up consistently, grow your podcast, and foster connections. Identify your cheerleader, thank them today, and watch your presence expand.https://austinkleon.com/show-your-work/A book for people who hate the very idea of self-promotion, Show Your Work! ___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 644 - Looking Back Over 2200 Podcast Episodes - Some Key Things That Podcasting Has Taught MeIn this reflective episode of the How To Podcast Series, host Dave shares insights from producing over 2,200 episodes across his nine podcasts, seven of which remain highly active. Drawing from his HR background in high-stakes interviews, he emphasizes preparation as the foundation of great podcasting—thorough prep reduces rambling, sharpens guest connections, and minimizes editing time, whether for solo shows or interviews.Dave stresses active listening over dominating conversations, advising hosts to let guests shine as the episode's stars, avoid interrupting, and always follow commentary with a clear next question to keep discussions on track. He recounts early mistakes like multi-part questions and squirrel-like distractions, now replaced by focused presence that picks up on guest "hooks" for deeper dialogue.Rejecting guru mandates, Dave champions a podcast-first strategy: prioritize creating, recording, editing, and posting quality content without chasing social media, newsletters, video, or monetization. His shows grow organically through word-of-mouth, proving listeners value great content over rankings like top 100 lists or paid awards - these awards don't mean much to your listeners!Success, he argues, lies in nurturing existing fans—five loyal listeners offer connection opportunities that fuel organic growth via personal recommendations—rather than obsessing over metrics or "best practices" from courses that exploit podcasters. He critiques guru culture's false urgencies, recommending satirical shows like Monetize This for a reality check.Community emerges as vital: despite introversion, in-person meetups revealed "competitors" as supportive comrades, countering isolation. Dave invites listeners to his free virtual meetup for camaraderie.Key Takeaway: Preparation and genuine listening create standout episodes; focus on podcasting core and your current audience—success follows authentic content and connections, not hype. The Audience Growth Advice Podcasters Should Ignore with Alex Sanfilippohttps://monetizethispodcast.substack.com/p/the-audience-growth-advice-podcasters____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 643 - Foolish Things Podcasters Do That Do Not Help Their Podcast - The April Fools Day EpisodeIn this April Fools' episode of the How To Podcast Series, host Dave pulls off a hilarious prank by announcing he's quitting podcasting to pursue basket weaving, only to reveal it's all in fun for April 1st. He dives into debunking foolish advice from podcast gurus that wastes time and money without growing your show. Drawing from his 2,000+ episodes using basic tools like a modest mic, free Audacity software, and Zoom recordings, Dave exposes myths like splurging on top-tier mics and cameras to magically attract listeners, or churning out daily episodes for guaranteed success.He warns against pricey editing services—$1,200 monthly for basics is absurd—and trusting algorithms to promote unpolished content while ignoring your audience. Good titles, artwork, and show care matter more than social media reels from Instagram influencers. Editing isn't optional; it removes boring bits, mistakes, and drive-away moments, proving you value listeners over raw "authenticity." Skip overbuilt soundproof studios costing more than your car—clap in a room to test echoes, use soft spaces like bathrooms or even your vehicle for clean acoustics.Key Takeaway: Real podcast growth stems from sustainable habits, audience focus, great content, and commitment—not guru shortcuts or gear splurges. A bonus tip for storytelling: Trim to peak moments only, ditching tangents for concise tales that connect deeply. ___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 642 - Why Podcasters Overestimate What Will Happen in 3 Weeks and Underestimate What Might Happen in 3 Years with Your PodcastPodcasters often fall into the trap of chasing quick wins while missing the power of sustained effort. We overestimate what consistent weekly episodes will deliver in just three weeks, but wildly underestimate the transformation after three years of showing up.The 3-Week IllusionIn those first three weeks, you might launch with excitement: record five polished episodes, nail your branding, hit 50 downloads, and feel like a pro. But reality hits fast. Early feedback stings, editing takes twice as long as planned, your voice sounds "off" on playback, and listener numbers flatline. You expected a breakout moment or viral clip by week three, but instead, you're questioning if anyone even cares. That initial hype crash is normal—it's the gap between vision and skill-building. Three weeks builds habits, not audiences or authority.The 3-Year Power LawNow picture three years in: 150+ episodes deep. What felt like grinding in month six compounds into something unstoppable. Your voice has natural cadence, guests rave about your prep, editing flows in half the time. You've got evergreen episodes pulling steady traffic, a niche community sharing clips, sponsors knocking because your metrics prove reliability. That one episode from year one? Still converts listeners into superfans. Repetition turns "good enough" into signature style—your catchphrases, rhythm, and empathy become magnetic.The podcaster's journey rewards patience over perfection. Three weeks sharpens the blade; three years forges the sword. Stay consistent, and those "overestimated" early results become the foundation for underestimated, life-changing payoff.____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 641 - Stop One-upping Others in Coversation - Stop Competing With Others by Reframing What Connecting Really IsIn this episode of the How to Podcast series, host Dave dives into a common conversational pitfall: one-upping others. He paints a vivid picture of "Steve" at the office water cooler, who turns every shared story into a competition—your beach day becomes his frequent trips there, your found $20 bill pales against his lottery win. This jousting dynamic, Dave explains, pushes people away rather than building connection, and it's especially damaging for podcasters who interrupt guests with their own "better" stories, turning interviews into unintended solos.Dave reframes true connection as expansion, not comparison. Your role is to grow the other person's story, not eclipse it. He introduces the "three-question rule": before sharing your own experience, ask at least three meaningful follow-ups about theirs, like "What was the most fun part for you?" "How did it feel?" and "What did you take away?" This honors the speaker, deepens the dialogue, and creates genuine bonding. Examples abound, from holding back on his 46 years of music experience with a fellow musician to resisting bragging about his nine podcasts.For recovering one-uppers, Dave offers practical fixes: notice and park the urge to interrupt, mirror emotions without matching stats, keep your additions shorter than their share, swap topper phrases for curiosity ("That reminds me, but let's stay on your story"), and always reflect back or hand the ball to them. Podcasters should edit out one-ups, design segments as 80% listener/20% storyteller, and invite guests to lead. Inner work matters too—trust your value as host so you spotlight rather than outshine.Bonus content addresses sounding robotic when reading scripts: rehearse delivery with full emotion and volume as intended, not quietly or in your head.Key takeaway: Stop one-upping by asking three meaningful questions first—honor your guest or conversation partner, build real connection, and let their story shine before adding yours. Your podcast (and relationships) will thrive.___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 640 - Beating “Boring Fatigue” - How to Bring Real Energy to Virtual CommunicationIn this episode of The How To Podcast Series, Dave tackles the problem of “boring fatigue” in virtual communication and makes the case that what many people call Zoom fatigue is often really a lack of energy, intention, and variety. He argues that podcasters and hosts should stop blaming the platform and instead take ownership of how they show up on the mic and on camera.The episode focuses on bringing more life into virtual conversations by turning up your internal energy, standing or sitting tall, using bigger facial expressions, and speaking with clearer rhythm and intentional pauses. Dave encourages hosts to warm up before recording, move their bodies, and show more visible engagement so listeners and guests can feel their presence through the screen or speakers. He also explains that when you host a guest, your role is not just to ask questions, but to host the room and create an experience that feels active, welcoming, and worth listening to.He reminds podcasters that audiences can sense low effort quickly, especially when the delivery feels flat or obligation driven. To avoid that, he suggests using stronger openings, asking better follow-up questions, varying the pace of the conversation, and speaking to one person rather than a vague crowd. The goal is to make virtual interaction feel personal, animated, and alive instead of routine or mechanical.Dave also shares practical ways to keep a show from becoming stale, including cutting filler, adding pattern breaks, and being willing to overprepare the first part of an episode so it starts with momentum. His larger point is that virtual communication works best when the host brings enough energy, clarity, and personality to create real connection.Key takeaway: If your virtual conversations feel tired, the fix is usually not the platform. It is your energy, your intention, and your willingness to make the experience more engaging for the person on the other side.___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6