Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting – Details, episodes & analysis

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Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting

Sam Sethi & Claire Waite Brown

News

Society & Culture

Technology

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 12

Championing independent podcasters and their supporters, each episode features an interview with an indie podcaster to talk about their show and how they make it, their podcasting frustrations and joyful moments, how they connect with listeners, how they fit podcasting in around their everyday lives, and whether they earn money from their shows.

We also consider how specific Podcasting 2.0 features could be of use to them to improve discoverability, interactivity and monetisation for their podcast.

Co-hosts Claire Waite Brown and Sam Sethi (CEO of the TrueFans podcast listening app) then discuss what's happening in the podcast world that might be of interest and use to independent podcast creators.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
28/09/2025
#80
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
27/09/2025
#63
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
07/05/2025
#98
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
06/05/2025
#83
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
05/05/2025
#74
🇨🇦 Canada - techNews
04/05/2025
#92
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
04/05/2025
#49
🇨🇦 Canada - techNews
03/05/2025
#77
🇬🇧 Great Britain - techNews
03/05/2025
#37
🇨🇦 Canada - techNews
02/05/2025
#67

Spotify

No recent rankings available

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RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 58%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Latest published episodes

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Welcome to Creators

Season 1 · Episode 1

Thursday, April 24, 2025 • Duration 01:36

Creators is a new weekly podcast from TrueFans. Each week, we will showcase an independent podcast creator and an independent music artist.

We will also discuss a new TrueFans feature as well as look at what's going on more widely in the podcast world aka the podosphere.

We are keen to hear from independent creators who would like to be featured on the show. You can get in touch with us by leaving a comment or super comment in TrueFans and we will review and choose shows to feature on the live episodes.

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback: TrueFans Support

Read: Creators Blog

Recommendations: Creators Podroll

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Independent Voices: Why TrueFans Matters for Creators

Season 1 · Episode 2

Monday, May 5, 2025 • Duration 38:29

Introducing "Creators" - a podcast built specifically for independent content makers looking to break through the noise. Hosted by independent podcaster Claire Waite Brown and TrueFans CEO Sam Sethi, this podcast tackles the three essential challenges every creator faces: discovery, interactivity, and monetisation.

The launch episode establishes the show's format by featuring Claire's own podcast "Creativity Found" as the inaugural "Podcast of the Week." With nearly five years and over 120 episodes under her belt, Claire shares candid insights about her podcasting journey. Her refreshingly honest advice to "don't listen to other people's advice" cuts through the noise of podcasting conventional wisdom, emphasizing that creators should find their own sustainable rhythm rather than following rigid formulas about consistency or metrics.

Beyond showcasing independent podcasts, "Creators" also introduces a "Music of the Week" segment featuring Joe Martin's track "Can't Promise You the World." This highlights TrueFans' commitment to supporting independent musicians alongside podcasters, providing exposure through both the show and the platform's carousel features.

What truly sets this podcast apart is its focus on direct creator monetisation through value-for-value payments. The hosts explain "programmable money" – an innovative approach allowing automatic splitting of micropayments between hosts, guests, and featured creators. This wallet-to-wallet system eliminates the need for traditional advertising models or third-party sponsors, putting power back in the hands of both creators and audiences.

Whether you're a podcaster, musician, or any type of independent creator looking to build meaningful connections with your audience, "Creators" offers both practical advice and potential pathways to discovery and sustainable monetisation. Subscribe now and join a community that believes in the power of direct creator-to-audience relationships.

Listen to Creativity Found here

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Authenticity Over Auto-Downloads

Season 1 · Episode 11

Monday, September 8, 2025 • Duration 40:11

Discoverability and interactivity are significant challenges faced by independent podcasters, as highlighted in this episode's interview with David John Clark of The Late Bloomer Actor podcast, which explores David's creative journey and experiences in podcasting.

In this chat David challenges conventional wisdom about podcast metrics. 'Download numbers do not mean they are listeners', he points out, sharing a revealing anecdote about a TikTok video with 746 plays but only 0.2 seconds average watch time. This stark reality highlights why podcasters need more sophisticated data to truly understand their audience engagement – something platforms like TrueFans are addressing with metrics that measure actual listening time and completion rates.

Sam and Claire also explore the critical importance of your podcast's opening moments, with data suggesting that the first 60 seconds determine whether listeners will return. The advice is clear: avoid meaningless chatter and immediately deliver value.

The episode also unveils TrueFans' new podcast promotion feature, allowing creators to request promotion on other relevant shows – a more targeted and less intrusive alternative to feed drops. This creator-friendly approach gives both requesting and hosting podcasters control over the cross-promotion process, addressing the perennial challenge of discoverability.

Points discussed in this episode include:

Why some podcasts don't show up on TrueFans – make sure your show is listed at Podcast Index
How to connect with Creators From TrueFans – we'd love to hear from you
David John Clark's take on Podcasting 2.0 features
How TrueFans plans to promote award-winning podcasts
TrueFans' new podcast promotion feature allows creators to request promotion on other shows
Upcoming events include London Podcast Festival, Podcast Days in Spain, and various awards opportunities

By providing valuable metrics and features that enhance listener engagement, TrueFans empowers podcasters to better understand their audience and foster meaningful connections. The journey of an independent podcaster is filled with ups and downs, but with the right tools and strategies, creators can navigate these challenges and find success in their podcasting endeavours.

Creative Energy in Independent Podcasting

Season 1 · Episode 10

Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 48:08

Independent podcasting is where the industry's creative energy truly thrives, bringing fresh ideas and unique voices to the forefront.

The discussion around this energy takes centre stage in our conversation with Frank Racioppi, founder of Ear Worthy – a publication dedicated to championing indie podcasts in an increasingly corporate landscape. Frank shares his fascinating journey from longtime podcast listener to passionate advocate, explaining why he made the deliberate choice to focus on independent creators rather than network shows.

'It's at the independent podcasting level that there's the greatest creative energy within the industry,' Frank explains, contrasting the formulaic approach of network podcasts with the genre-defying innovation of independent creators. He reveals how removing all paywalls from his content led to a 200% increase in readership – a decision that aligned perfectly with his mission to connect listeners with exceptional indie shows they might otherwise never discover.

Sam explains more about TrueFans' new promotional features designed specifically for independent creators. With a pay-per-action model, podcasters can purchase visibility on the home page header and in category carousels, and pay only for actual engagement – views, clicks, and plays. We also unveil plans for a creator-to-creator promotion system that will enable podcasters to host promotions on their own show pages, creating revenue opportunities while helping fellow indies gain visibility.

Here's some more of what you'll hear in this episode:

Discoverability remains a significant challenge for independent podcasters, highlighting the importance of platforms dedicated to showcasing their work
Engagement with audiences through listener support and monetization options can positively impact independent creators' sustainability in the podcasting landscape
Networking with other independent creators can lead to innovative collaborations and new ideas that benefit everyone involved in the podcasting community
How to start a promotion on TrueFans
How TrueFans promotions reporting will work
Sam and Claire's plan for a new carousel on the TrueFans home page
Research shows that most podcast listeners only make room for three shows in their weekly routine, emphasizing the importance of consistent publishing

Crafting Credibility Through Podcasts

Season 1 · Episode 9

Monday, August 4, 2025 • Duration 45:21

How can podcasting help you to establish credibility and craft an authentic personal brand?

Our guest podcaster is Christine Gritmon, host of Let's Talk About Brand.

After building "a fantastic audience of peers" who weren't hiring her for social media strategy but wanted to develop their own personal brands, Christine pivoted her focus—a decision that transformed her business.

With a journalist's curiosity she now delves into the stories behind successful personal brands, particularly fascinated by "the person before the person I see before me today."

Christine talks about how podcasting can build your reputation even when nobody's listening. "People do look at the fact that you have a podcast, even if they don't listen to it," she explains. The medium provides proof that you can engage in unscripted, intelligent conversation about your area of expertise—a powerful demonstration of knowledge that written content alone can't provide. For independent creators struggling with the feeling of "shouting into the void," this perspective offers a refreshing reframe.

The episode also introduces the concept of "value exchange" as a new framework for understanding creator–audience relationships beyond simple transactions. Through platforms like TrueFans, creators deliver content value while audiences reciprocate with both financial support (micropayments, subscriptions) and engagement (comments, sharing).

In the wider world, we touch on the Ear Worthy Awards for independent podcasters, what Spotify do with your show art, Secure RSS and three simple ways to get your podcast featured on the TrueFans home page.

Here's some of what you'll hear in this episode:

Even when download numbers aren't impressive, having a podcast builds credibility and associates your name with your area of expertise
Podcasting demonstrates your ability to have intelligent, unscripted conversations that showcase your knowledge
Podcasting offers creative freedom that allows creators to experiment and evolve their content according to their own vision
Using tools like Descript can streamline the editing process while preserving the natural character of conversations

Screens, Stereotypes and Standards

Season 1 · Episode 8

Monday, July 14, 2025 • Duration 43:17

Your digital world is uniquely yours – a personalized reality shaped by the mysterious forces of algorithms that decide what you see online. But have you ever wondered why your feed looks nothing like your friend's, despite similar interests?

Matt Watts' fascinating podcast Watts On Your Screen explores this digital divergence through conversations with people navigating their own algorithmic experiences.

For independent creators like Matt, platforms supporting Podcasting 2.0 features offer exciting possibilities. The discussion explores how features like chapters, transcripts, comments, and the upcoming Alternate Enclosure tag for video create richer listening experiences while keeping content within the open podcasting ecosystem. We also examine publisher feeds within TrueFans that help independent creators with multiple shows increase discoverability without sacrificing their independence.

Also discussed in this episode:

What is an independent creator? Claire shares her criteria.
How podcasters can use the Podroll feature and Publisher Feeds to aid discovery.
What is the Alternate Enclosure and how can it be used?
What does Podcast Standards Project certification actually mean?
Wider support for the Funding tag.

What strange rabbit holes has your algorithm sent you down? We'd love to know what unique content appears on your screen that others might never see. Share your experiences in the comments on TrueFans.

Listen to Watts on Your Screen here

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback:

Time to Plan

Monday, July 7, 2025 • Duration 30:35

Highlighting the ways independent creators can connect with audiences and potentially monetize their work while maintaining creative control, join us this week for inspiration and practical guidance for envisioning – and manifesting – your creative potential over the next decade.

In this episode, award-winning podcaster Tricia Duffy reveals how long-term planning can transform your creative life right now.

Tricia tells Claire how her podcast, In Ten Years Time: How to Live a Creative Life, grew from personal voice recordings into a research-driven show that's garnered two awards in its first year. She explains her commitment to making creativity accessible to everyone through free planning templates, rejection trackers, and other practical tools that help listeners reimagine their creative futures.

We discuss Tricia's meticulous production process – from rigorous research of psychological journals and academic studies to working with a producer who challenges her thinking. Rather than producing weekly content, she focuses on three high-quality seasonal series per year, each exploring different aspects of creative living, such as overcoming challenges, amplifying creativity, and maintaining creative momentum.

In this episode Sam and Claire also explore practical aspects of podcast monetization, with Sam highlighting how Podcasting 2.0 features in TrueFans allow for streamlined listener support and event promotion, and discuss Netflix's entry into the podcast space, contemplating what this might mean for independent creators.

Listen to In Ten Years Time here

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback: TrueFans Support

Read:

Podcasting Payday

Episode 6

Monday, June 30, 2025 • Duration 43:17

What makes a podcast valuable? Is it immediate popularity, or something deeper? "Every podcast you create will exist for many years to come," observes Clayton M. Coke of The Cashflow Show podcast, highlighting the lasting significance of podcasting as a medium that creates permanent records of our conversations and ideas.

Clayton reveals how he uses his platform to interview business owners about their successes, failures, and personal interests, but his most compelling point centres on creator compensation – why should podcasters provide their platforms as free promotional vehicles when PR teams are being paid to pitch guests? This conversation challenges the status quo and advocates for proper valuation of podcasters' work.

We also look at some of the practical aspects of the TrueFans platform, with Sam explaining how the funding tag works to create sustainable income streams for independent creators. This feature allows listeners to set monthly budgets that automatically distribute micropayments to their favourite podcasters with each new episode – creating a fair exchange of value between creator and audience.

In this episode Sam and Claire highlight a number of valuable resources for independent podcasters including newsletters like Eurowaves, Ear Worthy, and Podnews.

We also spotlight AMPD Studios in Cape Town, South Africa – a remarkable free podcasting hub founded by Jon Savage that provides recording facilities, equipment, and support to podcasters of all experience levels. This community-focused initiative now faces potential closure after losing a major sponsor, highlighting both the power and fragility of creator support systems.

Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just getting started, this episode offers insights into creating lasting content while building sustainable creator-audience relationships.

This episode discusses:

Why podcasters should be paid for their work, especially when providing promotional value to guests
The funding tag and the TrueFans support mechanism that allows podcasters to receive micropayments from listeners
How comments and feedback create meaningful connections between podcasters and listeners

Funding Storytelling

Season 1 · Episode 5

Monday, June 23, 2025 • Duration 51:56

The true cost of quality storytelling.

In this episode, Claire chats with Fariba Nawa, the award-winning investigative journalist behind the On Spec podcast.

Fariba trains journalists worldwide to tell the stories they are personally connected to through sound, ultimately producing documentary journalism that rivals that of major broadcasters.

Since launching in 2019 with Kickstarter funding, On Spec has evolved through six seasons, each with a distinct theme, including disinformation, how borders define us, and a two-year investigation into Iran's targeting of dissidents abroad. The On Spec production process involves extensive collaboration with local journalists, providing them professional development while ensuring stories maintain deep personal connections to the communities they portray.

Meanwhile, the podcasting landscape continues to evolve toward more direct creator support. TrueFans features make it easy for listeners to financially support creators with one-off or continued payments, and offer creators options to divide those payments among their contributors with payment splits – allowing teams like On Spec's to automatically divide listener contribution among hosts, producers, and contributors.

Plus, as the industry debates moving content behind paywalls, what does this mean for accessibility, discovery and sustainability?

This episode discusses:

Funding options for podcasters: from grants and individual donors to listener support
TrueFans will soon launch as a native iOS and Android app
How to use payment splits to automatically divide listener payments among team members
What do paywalls mean for advertisers, and does secure RSS offer a more favourable option for independent creators?
Spotify now supports transcripts from the Podcasting 2.0 standard
Who Claire met and which indie podcasts won at the International Women's Podcast Awards
How TrueFans showcases independent creators on the app's home page

Discover how TrueFans can help your independent podcast thrive through improved discovery, direct monetization, and enhanced listener engagement.

Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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Apple Podcasts

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Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other14

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other14

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