Podcasting for Humans

For the latest episode of Podcasting For Humans, I spoke with Jamie Golden, co-host of The Popcast, about her fascinating journey in podcasting. Jamie and I talked at length about the unexpected turns and constant changes she's faced throughout the years, and how she's learned to embrace the chaos and find her own unique voice along the way. We dive into her how she’s adapted to a constantly shifting landscape, what she loves about collaborating with incredible people, the ups and downs of partnership, and the importance of staying true to yourself in a world that often feels anything but predictable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

Last week, I had a conversation with Danielle Desir Corbett, a seasoned travel creator and the host of 'The Thought Card' and 'Road Trip Ready.’ We talked about Danielle's transition from blogging to podcasting in spite of her audience’s initial opposition, and the ways her career has changed after years of podcasting. Danielle has some lived experience to share, particularly in the ways she’s learned to define success outside of downloads, and I was especially taken by her articulation of how she runs all podcasting advice through her “filter of self.”If you’re struggling with the tension between the podcasting advice you’re hearing and doing what you love to do, take a moment to listen to this conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

This week, I spoke to Kirk Hamilton, a co-host on Triple Click and the creator and host of Strong Songs. Strong Songs is a critically acclaimed music podcast that has been recommended by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and won the support of popular podcasters Merlin Mann and Leigh Sales.I spoke to Kirk about how the decentralized nature of podcasting made Strong Songs possible, how his unique set of skills translate to podcasting, and how the simple fact of loving what he does translates into being a better podcaster:“I hear from a lot of people that it sounds like I'm smiling when I talk. That's a very common thing that people will say, which is true. I am smiling a lot when I talk, especially when I'm making Strong Songs." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

In the first edition of a new, more open-ended approach to Podcasting for Humans, I spoke to Katelyn Beaty, the co-host of Saved By The City. In addition to her podcasting work, she’s also a writer, and the difference between writing and podcasting is not lost on her: “I’m a lefty. And writing will always be my left hand. Podcasting has been like trying to write with my right hand. I'm getting at things that I couldn't get at with my dominant hand.I think podcasting is about relationship and what's emerging between two or more people. Writing is solitary. Writing just feels like I have these things in my head and my head's about to explode, so I need to get the things out of my head so it doesn't explode.”To hear more about how Katelyn Beaty grew more and more comfortable with the art of podcasting and the relinquishing of control, listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to Katelyn’s newsletter: The Beaty Beat. Listen to Katelyn and Roxy’s podcast, Saved By The City. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

Podcasting for Humans is known for “honest conversations about podcasting problems,” but we're making a slight pivot this year. In our new format, we’ll be featuring “honest conversations about the art and heart of podcasting.”Starting next week, the podcast will have a slightly different feel, but the core will remain the same: exploring human side of podcasting through open and honest conversations.Why am I making this pivot now? Listen in to find out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

This week, I had the opportunity to speak to Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Yons. This has been an eventful year for Yons. In addition to finding himself with his first-ever Grammy nomination, he’s been producing two extremely distinct podcasts, helping them with everything from the technical side of recording and production, to providing creative insight and advice on content and promotion.And it’s with the promotion where, he’s found, things can start to get a little sticky:“I’m dealing with how to create content that's interesting and entertaining without like being cheap, salacious, or sensationalist.With Divorce Talk with miss Angie, she wants to be responsible with the content that she's putting out. But at the same time, she wants it to be interesting and inviting for people that may be interested in it. It's just kind of hard to catch people's attention without click bait stuff.”If you’d like to hear more about how to play up tension without courting controversy, take a listen to my conversation with Yons.Find out more about Yons at spaceghostyons.com.Listen to his music on Bandcamp or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

This week: Jessica Schroeder is preparing to start an entirely new podcast, and she’s trying to figure out how to best find her people.I very much appreciate this framing more than the typical “how do I grow my audience” question, not only because it’s simply more interesting and asked less often, but because it’s a question that gets to a deeper idea: one of belonging.When we’re creating a podcast designed to “find our people,” we’re raising the idea of belonging. We’re acknowledging that deep relational ties can happen when we connect with others who share our particular struggles, proclivities, and goals in life.In this case, Jessica is looking to connect with people who are looking to navigate a plant-based diet, both for health and sustainability reasons. And there are aspects of her interests, approach, and personality that you’ll have a hard time finding in the mainstream.That may seem like a bad thing, but there is deep community to be found among people who perceive themselves as “weird.” And in this conversation, we talked about how that feeling of weirdness can be an assett. There’s a reason both the cities of Louisville, KY and Portland, OR wear the label as a badge of honor.If you’re weird, and you’re secure in your weirdness, then you’re actually just onto something everyone else is missing out on. From there, the only thing you’re missing is a community in which to enjoy that status.Check out Jessica’s website and sign up for her mailing list at Eden And Me.Podcasting for Humans is an Area Code Audio production.Want to start a podcast the right way? Check out our Podcast Creation Package and let Area Code Audio help you get started on the right foot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

I hate monologuing (i talk more about why in this episode), but I’m devoting an episode to just talking to you, the listener, about what I learned from this year about the art of podcasting. Here’s what I came up with:* We Don’t Even Know What Podcasting Really Is Yet* Podcasting and Video Are Having a Moment: One of the most significant developments of the year has been the growing synergy between podcasting and video content. * You Don’t Have to Follow the Moment* Not Consistency but Sustainability* Experiment, But Don’t Lose Your CoreAs we approach the new year, I'm excited to continue this journey with you, and in this moment I’m feeling incredibly grateful to have each and every one of you as a subscriber.If you're considering starting a podcast or need guidance in refining your existing one, remember that Area Code Audio is here to help, from conceptualization to production.Thank you for being part of this incredible year. Let's keep the conversation going and promise to try a bunch of stuff, and fail a lot in the upcoming year. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] – I'd love to hear from you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

We're all drawn to podcasting for different reasons: creative expression, social connection, the opportunity for personal growth and self discovery. But those reasons often become second-tier when we're faced with the realities of making a podcast. The more invested we become, the more we actually have to invest, meaning questions of sustainability often come to the forefront of our mind. We start thinking more about numbers: download stats, reviews, and sponsorships.That's a tension that struck a chord with Tommy Pettifer, co-host of Podcast Assemble. Tommy and his friend began recording their movie podcast 125 episodes ago, mainly as a way of recreating their pub conversations during the COVID lockdown and keep themselves sane.But after investing significant time, effort, and money into professionalizing their scrappy production, they now grapple with growth: seeking new listeners without forsaking what makes their show special—an easy chemistry born of true friendship.The truth is, podcast goals can change - and not always on purpose. Over five years’ time, a show can start to feel mundane, more like a waning marriage than a honeymoon. Sometimes the goals we start with can become less compelling over time than the secondary goals tied to sustainability.If you find yourself thinking more about monetization and audience growth and the creative act of podcasting, or the missional purpose of what you're doing, it might be time to focus on rekindling the flame. Spend time really thinking through whether the podcast is "worth it" as is. If not, real-world factors may mean reassessing whether your initial goals should shift. This is often referred to as "selling out", but I call it "leaning into sustainability." I won't lie - this phase doesn't always end well. Sometimes this particular moment in a podcaster's life results in the death of something pure. And while it may result in watering down your original vision, there's a way to do it that results in something even better, more engaging, and ultimately more impactful. And let's be honest: sometimes, being rewarded for your effort, and having the bandwidth to pull it off is the best way to rediscover your first love. On this episode we discuss: 💥Rediscovering your original spark for podcasting when practical concerns override your initial motivations.💥Balancing audience growth goals with retaining the intimate feel that distinguishes your show.💥Reassessing whether your funding models still match your evolving vision and audience needs.💥Sustaining creative fulfillment and joy in making your podcastCheck out Tommy’s podcast, Podcast Assemble.Podcasting for Humans is an Area Code Audio production.Want to start a podcast the right way? Check out our Podcast Creation Package and let Area Code Audio help you get started on the right foot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com

This week I welcomed Alex, veteran host behind the hobby podcast Time For Your Hobby, a podcast that’s gone well beyond the 200 episode mark. As someone who's witnessed the podcasting world evolve for over half a decade, Alex has noticed a change to the podcasting world over the years. What began for many of us as a collaborative medium driven by curiosity and passion has in some corners morphed into an echo chamber of cliques more concerned with defending superior approaches than hearing each other out.As Alex observed, podcasting culture increasingly devolves into tribalism - the celebrity household names, the hustler bros fixated on downloads, the creatives obsessed with polish and perfection, the niche hobbyists seen as quaint amateurs. Between them brew assumptions and hostility where once there was camaraderie and mutual support. I realized in the course of our conversation that I slip into that at times myself, looking down on or making assumptions about those with different priorities. But Alex maintains his long-running hobby podcast to this day purely for the joy of making connections. He’s living proof that podcasting at its best remains an open, dynamic medium that defies the often rigid expectations of what constitutes success.By assuming we know others’ motivations and approaches without asking thoughtful questions first, we undermine the diversity that should be our community’s strength. We forget this playground was built for experimentation, not echo chambers. So I aim to lead by example moving forward - making space for hobbyists and professionals alike, meeting superficial differences with empathy rather than judgment. Because as veterans like Alex remind me, there are countless right reasons to start speaking into a mic. We just need to hear them.On this episode we discuss: 🎙️How and why podcasting culture has shifted over time from collaborative to increasingly fractured and competitive🎙️The four kinds of podcast cliques that Richard came up with off the top of his head🎙️The various legitimate podcasting styles and goals that motivate peopleCheck out Alex's podcast, Time For Your Hobby.Follow Alex on Twitter.Podcasting for Humans is an Area Code Audio production.Want to start a podcast the right way? Check out our Podcast Creation Package and let Area Code Audio help you get started on the right foot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforhumans.substack.com