Explore every episode of the podcast Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to Creators | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:01:36 | |
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. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| From Wallets to Withdrawals: The Creator Economy Breakthrough | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:21:37 | |
Clare Waite Brown and Sam Sethi kick off their brand-new podcast "Creators" with a deep dive into the evolving landscape of creator monetization. The groundbreaking news? TrueFans has just launched a much-requested feature allowing creators to withdraw micropayments directly to their bank accounts through Stripe integration. Gone are the days when fan appreciation was merely symbolic – now creators can convert those tiny payments into real, spendable currency. The episode also spotlights independent creators, featuring UK indie rock band Two Weeks in Nashville, and extends an invitation to independent podcasters seeking greater visibility to submit their shows for potential featuring in the future. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Independent Voices: Why TrueFans Matters for Creators | 05 May 2025 | 00:38:29 | |
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 Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Authenticity Over Auto-Downloads | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:40:11 | |
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:
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. Listen to The Late Bloomer Actor here Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Creative Energy in Independent Podcasting | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:48:08 | |
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:
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this episode offers valuable perspective on navigating the complex landscape of independent podcast creation, promotion, and monetization. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Crafting Credibility Through Podcasts | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:45:21 | |
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." 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:
Discover how podcasting offers unparalleled creative freedom while building your professional credibility, and learn about new opportunities for independent creators to boost their visibility through TrueFans' featured placements. Listen to Let's Talk About Brand here Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Screens, Stereotypes and Standards | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:43:17 | |
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 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 Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Time to Plan | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:30:35 | |
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 Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Podcasting Payday | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:43:17 | |
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:
Listen to The Cashflow Show here Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Funding Storytelling | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:51:56 | |
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:
Discover how TrueFans can help your independent podcast thrive through improved discovery, direct monetization, and enhanced listener engagement. And if you'd like to chat with us about your independent podcast or music, send a comment or super comment in TrueFans to any Creators episode by clicking on the speech bubble icon or on the comments tab. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Variety and Value within Independent Podcasting | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:49:05 | |
The lived experience of independent podcasters is one of both liberating freedom and unique challenges. How can the TrueFans listening platform address those challenges and help indie creators keep creating? Through an interview with Joana PR Neves, host of Exhibitionistas podcast, and conversations between Sam and Claire, this episode of Creators discusses:
Discover how TrueFans can help your independent podcast thrive through improved discovery, direct monetization, and enhanced listener engagement. And if you'd like to chat with us about your independent podcast or music, send a comment or super comment in TrueFans to any Creators episode by clicking on the speech bubble icon or on the comments tab. Listen to Exhibitionistas here. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||
| Top Picks and Pauses | 19 May 2025 | 00:08:29 | |
Claire and Sam announce a brief hiatus until June 16th, sharing podcast recommendations and answering listener questions about the TrueFans platform to tide listeners over during the break. • Sam suggests "The Snap," featuring two Nashville artists navigating Bitcoin and value for value to monetize their music • Sam explains how to add TrueFans to your phone's home screen using the browser's "share" function • We reiterate that streaming sats to unclaimed shows is worthwhile as funds are held until creators claim their profiles • We hear what our listeners have been telling us this week • As usual we invite independent podcasters to be featured on the show by sending comments through TrueFans. Want to support the show or get featured? Simply leave a comment or super comment through TrueFans, and join this growing community of forward-thinking creators and their supporters. Find TrueFans here Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music Feedback: TrueFans Support Read: Creators Blog Recommendations: Creators Podroll | |||