Dave Jackson has been helping people launch podcasts since 2005 and every Saturday he is joined by Jim Collison to is runs the Average Guy Network. Together they have 20 years of podcasting experience and coaching.
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In this episode of Ask the Podcast Coach, Dave Jackson and Jim Collison dive into the evolving world of podcasting where authenticity wrestles against the growing pressures of monetization and consolidation. Are podcasts losing their unique spirit and turning into just another version of radio? Dave and Jim reflect on the rise of dynamic ads, syndication, and free hosting, dissect the pitfalls of “following the money,” and urge podcasters to stay true to their voices.
They also share hard-earned insights on:
The realities of switching hosting platforms and how to avoid common traps
Building and engaging a supportive community
Motivation and consistency tips during slow growth phases
Smart file management and backup strategies
How to handle listener feedback, sponsorships, and measuring podcast success beyond downloads
Riverside - Remote Recorder, Editor, and Hosting(?)
This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
Getting More From Your Podcast Guests: Sharing, Branding, and Engagement
First up, I share some behind-the-scenes updates, including my recent move from a lifetime video hosting deal that went south to Voomly, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are helping me generate show notes and summaries more efficiently. We also discuss the mysterious rise of EM dashes in AI-generated writing—did anyone use them before AI took over our grammar?
We talk about what’s happening at Libsyn, including some big changes in leadership and strategy, and my insider thoughts about their direction and features (or lack thereof). If you’re as confused about Descript’s new billing system as I am, you’re not alone! We chat about the challenges podcasters are facing as media hosts race to add features and AI tools—sometimes at the expense of clarity or affordability.
Our special guest, Ray Arnott from Around the Layout, comes on to ask how to best encourage guests to promote their episodes. Jim and I brainstorm practical ways to make it easier for your guests—everything from pre-written social posts to follow-up routines and even link tracking so you know who your real MVPs are.
Ever wondered what's lurking in your podcast stats? This week, we tackle a mysterious surge in ThinkBot downloads that has creators scratching their heads. When this web crawler suddenly outpaces even Apple Podcasts in your analytics, it's time to investigate—and we'll walk you through exactly what to do when bots inflate your numbers.
For Android users struggling to find their perfect podcast companion, we compare the top apps with Pocket Casts emerging as our favorite for its seamless cross-device synchronization. Whether you're listening on your phone, tablet, or desktop, we explain how to create the most satisfying listening experience without getting lost between devices.
Today I talk about a book called Listenable and it mentions how REALLY bad taking a break can be for your show. While I agree consistency is important, Jim has taken a few breaks off and on (as does this show occasionally) so we ask is it really REALLY bad?
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
I had no idea Jim would answer, "YES" when I asked, "Have you ever had to do a podcaster that was drunk? We also help someone understand why nobody in your family is listening to your show.
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
This episode covered a wide range of topics, from recommendations vs feed drops to event experiences, audio engineering, and more. Here are three key takeaways that I think will be valuable for you:
The Power of Clear Communication: As podcast hosts, it's crucial to provide clear information about your show's theme or target audience. This helps potential guests understand the interview questions better, leading to more engaging and insightful conversations.
Navigating the Event Landscape: The episode delves into the speaker's experiences attending various conferences and events. They highlight the advantages of smaller, more intimate gatherings, such as Indipodcon in New Jersey. Smaller events foster meaningful connections and conversations, unlike larger conferences, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Feed Drops for Promoting Podcasts: Dave explains the concept of feed drops, where podcasters share an episode from another show on their own platform. We discuss two options: playing the entire episode or providing a host-read endorsement and linking to the episode. Feed drops can be a great way to collaborate and introduce your audience to new content.
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
What Works for THEIR Audience May Not Work For Yours
Today we have a theme that what works for one podcaster may not work for you because your audience is different. We start by sharing that after putting a video version of this show on Spotify for Podcasters, I've received zero downloads of the video.
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
Can I protect my rights to a podcast if I do the podcast for the company I work for? My boss wants me to start a podcast for work. Under the slim chances this podcast gets big & starts to generate revenue, how do I protect my rights to it? I'm the host, I'm creating the content, I came up with the idea, the name, etc. We haven't started recording it yet, so I'm just trying to get ahead of the ball here. Not sure if I need to lawyer up or write a contract or what. Has anyone been through something similar?
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
Today Dave and Jim talk about a show that appears to be stuck. We also talk about media hosts, electricity and microphones, Clarity Sound, Bad Audio, Dave's Garage Sale and More.
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join the School of Podcasting worry-free using the coupon code " coach " and save 20%. Your podcast will have you sounding confident, sound great (buying the best equipment for your budget), and have you syndicated all over the globe. There is a 30-day worry-free money-back guarantee. Go to https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/coach
Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
If you need podcast artwork, lead agents or a full website, podcastbranding.co has you covered. Mark is a podcaster in addition to being an award-winning artist. He designed the cover art for the School of Podcasting, Podcast Rodeo Show, and Ask the Podcast Coach. Find Mark at
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
This week's awesome supporter is Greg from the Indie Drop-in Network. Connecting listeners with amazing independent creators/ Submit your show at https://indiedropin.com/
BE 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.
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