Podcast Answer Man

480 - Why Podcasting Conferences Still Matter. PodFest 2026

In this episode, I share why podcasting conferences still matter in 2026. Attending podcast-focused conferences has shaped my entire career. From the early days of missing the very first podcasting events to the way conferences eventually accelerated my growth, my relationships, and my income, this episode is a reflection on why rooms full of podcasters change everything. For the first few years of my podcasting journey, I was creating alongside others, but I was not yet connected to the larger community of podcasters who lived and breathed this medium the way I did. That changed the moment I started attending podcasting conferences. In this episode, I walk you through: Why missing the earliest podcasting events created some of the biggest regret in my career. How attending my first industry conference shifted the trajectory of my business. What actually happens when you get in rooms with other people who love podcasting. Why conferences collapse years of learning into just a few days. How events like BlogWorld, Podcast Movement, and PodFest shaped the podcasting industry. Why I am intentionally returning to podcast conferences in 2026 and beyond. I also share a recent conversation with Nick Pavlidis, CEO of PodFest Expo, where we talk about: How he got into podcasting through conversations with his kids. Why he bought PodFest and what he is trying to protect and grow. How PodFest is different from other podcasting conferences. Why the event is built around independent creators. The Podcast Hall of Fame and why it now lives at PodFest. The changing needs of podcasters and how in-person events meet those needs. Key ideas from this episode The highest value of podcasting conferences come from the in-person relationships. Being in the same room with other creators changes how you see yourself and your work. The best opportunities in this industry almost always come from conversations, not presentations. If you keep the same people around you, your life and business will look the same in five years. PodFest is designed to serve independent podcasters first, not corporate sponsors. Resources and links mentioned PodFest Expo https://podfestexpo.com Promo Code for PodFest Use PAM for 10 percent off your ticket Podcast Hall of Fame https://podcasthall.com Ready to stop doing this alone? If this episode reminded you that podcasting is better when you are in a room with other creators, then Podcasting A to Z might be exactly what you are looking for. Podcasting A to Z is my live, step-by-step coaching experience for people who are ready to launch, relaunch, or level up their podcast. It is a group of podcasters who are showing up, asking real questions, and building real momentum together. We meet for four weeks. We solve real problems. And we move your podcast forward with clarity and confidence. The next session begins January 26. Learn more and register at: PodcastingAtoZ.com

479 - How Long a Podcast Episode Should Be: Consistency, Habit, and the Truth About Video

One of the most common questions I get from podcasters is how long a podcast episode should be, and in this episode I go much deeper than just throwing out a number. Podcast Episode Length In the first half of this episode, I answer a SpeakPipe voicemail from Nate about episode length and whether it is okay to mix short and long episodes within the same show. I explain why episode length is about how your show fits into the daily habits and routines of your listeners. The Pressure To Add Video In the second half of the episode, I respond to a voicemail from Jim about video podcasting. I talk honestly about the current hype around YouTube, Spotify video, and the pressure some people feel to turn every podcast into a video show. A New Method of Audio Production I pull back the curtain and explain exactly how I am producing Podcast Answer Man today in a way I never have before. I am recording and editing in small segments inside Adobe Audition, building the episode piece by piece, cutting, refining, and reshaping as I go. PodPage Update I also share updates about Podpage, including new features they added in response to my feedback and the SEO scoring tools that help optimize episode pages for search. I explain why Podpage has replaced the WordPress and Pretty Links systems I used for years. Links and URLs Mentioned in This Episode Podcast Answer Man - https://PodcastAnswerMan.com SpeakPipe (Affiliate) - https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/speakpipe Podpage (Affiliate) - https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/podpage RV Podcast (Mike and Jennifer Wendland) - https://rvpodcast.com TheCliff Ravenscraft Show - https://TheCliffRavenscraftShow.com Podcasting A to Z - https://PodcastingAtoZ.com A Special Invitation to Podcasting A to Z If you have been thinking about starting a podcast in 2026, or if you already have a podcast and you know it is capable of so much more, I want to personally invite you to join me in Podcasting A to Z, which begins January 26. This is four weeks of direct access to me as your coach. You get to ask me an unlimited number of questions about podcasting, business strategy, content, audience growth, mindset, and anything else that stands between you and what you want to create. If you are ready to finally bring your voice into the world or take your existing efforts to the next level, I would love to walk with you through that journey. You can learn more and register right now at https://PodcastingAtoZ.com Let us make this the year you stop waiting and start creating.

478 - Stephen Bartlett, Diary of a CEO, and The Myth of Six Simple Tips for Podcast Success

In this episode, I respond to a popular video from Stephen Bartlett, host of The Diary of a CEO, where he shares how his podcast generates seven figures a year and suggests that "anyone else can do it too" by following six simple tips for podcast success. Let me be clear. I respect Stephen immensely. He’s built something extraordinary, and much of the advice he shares is genuinely solid. Consistency matters. Quality matters. Reaching new audiences matters. But what I want to unpack in this episode is the part of the story that often gets lost. Stephen’s podcast success did not begin with a microphone, a YouTube channel, or six simple tips. It began years earlier with a decade of advantage building, brand recognition, media exposure, financial resources, a powerful network, and refined communication skills that most podcasters simply do not have when they launch their first show. When someone with that level of momentum says, “Here’s how you can do the same,” it’s easy for new and aspiring podcasters to underestimate the gap between where they are and where that kind of success actually starts. In this episode, I walk through Stephen’s advice point by point, sharing what I agree with, where I think context matters, and why “simple” does not mean transferable or repeatable for everyone. I also talk honestly about the risks of assuming that adding video, hiring a team, or booking big guests will automatically lead to growth or revenue. Most importantly, I share what I believe is missing from the conversation. Practical, realistic ways everyday podcasters can consistently get in front of new audiences without celebrity status, massive budgets, or full production teams. This episode is about clarity. It’s about protecting you from dangerous assumptions while still empowering you with strategies that actually work. How to Get Your Podcast in Front of a New Audience Often Here is the advice I shared for solving the real growth challenge most podcasters face: Be a guest on other podcasts that already serve your ideal listener. This remains the most effective way to gain new subscribers who already understand and value podcasts. Show up and serve in niche-specific communities such as Facebook groups, Reddit threads, Discord servers, Slack channels, and forums where your audience already gathers. Use strategic keyword targeting in podcast titles, episode titles, and descriptions so your show can be discovered through search inside podcast apps. The title of this episode alone will reach thousands of new potential listeners.. Create platform-native short-form content designed specifically for TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube. Focus on building influence on each platform, not just pushing people to your podcast. Build and nurture an email newsletter so you can consistently invite people into your episodes through story-driven recommendations. Cross-promote with other creators through newsletter swaps, content collaborations, and mutual mentions. Write guest articles and long-form content for blogs, Substack, LinkedIn, and industry publications that link back to your podcast episodes. Speak on stages and virtual events, including conferences, webinars, masterminds, and workshops where trust transfers quickly. Encourage listener referrals by explicitly inviting people to share episodes and recognizing those who do. Experiment with paid promotion in podcast apps or niche-targeted ads with small, intentional budgets. Niche down further so word of mouth, authority, and search all work in your favor faster. Podcast success is all about understanding your starting point and choosing strategies that actually match it. And that’s the conversation I share with you in this episode. Ready to Build a Podcast the Right Way? If you’re serious about launching a podcast or taking an existing one to the next level, Podcasting A to Z is where I work with you personally to build a show that fits your goals, your resources, and your real life. I do not focus on chasing algorithms, copying celebrity podcasters, or investing in gear you don’t need. Over four focused weeks, I’ll help you: Clarify your podcast concept and audience Create a sustainable production workflow you can actually maintain Launch or refine a podcast that sounds professional and earns trust Avoid the costly mistakes that slow most podcasters down for years You don’t need six or seven simple tips. You need a solid foundation, clear direction, and experienced guidance. That’s exactly what Podcasting A to Z provides. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building something real, visit PodcastingAtoZ.com and join me for the next session.

477 - Why I Moved the Podcast Answer Man Website to Podpage

Podpage Features For Podcasts: In this episode, I share the full story behind why I’ve rebuilt the Podcast Answer Man website using Podpage and why I now believe it’s an excellent turn-key solution for podcasters who don’t want to deal with custom design, WordPress architecture, CSS, plug-ins, developers, maintenance, or the expense and complexity of building a fully customized site. For three decades, I've used everything from WordPress to managed VPS hosting to Kajabi to power my online presence. Recently, I discovered Podpage and decided to rebuild my PodcastAnswerMan.com site on their platform. Today’s conversation walks you through: Why I moved away from WordPress and external hosting The limitations I ran into inside Kajabi for podcast website needs How Podpage works as a complete website builder for podcasters The features that immediately sold me on switching How Podpage integrates with podcast feeds automatically Why Podpage is now the home of PodcastAnswerMan.com Practical reasons Podpage may be a good fit for your show too If you’re a podcaster looking to build a professional presence online, without spending years managing plugins, code, hosting, updates, backups, and design headaches, Podpage is the solution I recommend you to try out. Try Podpage Using My Affiliate Link You can begin testing Podpage instantly by importing your RSS feed and seeing a live preview of your show website: https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/podpage This is my affiliate link. If you sign up using it, I will earn a commission. Links Mentioned In This Episode Podpage: https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/podpage Kajabi: https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/kajabi Kit (Formerly ConvertKit): https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/kit My Podcast Reviews: - http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/reviews Ready To Launch Your Podcast? If you want to launch a podcast but feel stuck, unsure where to start, or overwhelmed by the tech, Podcasting A to Z was created for you. This is a live, four-week guided experience where I personally help you launch a great-sounding podcast with clarity and confidence. Learn more and see if Podcasting A to Z is right for you at PodcastingAtoZ.com.

476 - Twenty Years In and We’re Still Arguing About This - The Real Definition of a Podcast

The Real Definition of a Podcast Podcasting has been around for more than two decades. You would think the definition would be settled by now. Yet here we are in 2025, and people are still confidently giving advice in large Facebook groups while misunderstanding what actually makes a podcast a podcast. In this episode, I walk you through a recent thread inside a group, devoted to the topic of podcasting, with more than 103,000 members. Someone asked a simple question about whether video is required for podcasting. I explain how after reading the answers that followed, I felt compelled to jump in. I also share the exact comments I made, along with the misinformation that prompted them. You’ll hear the real definition of a podcast. Not the internet myth. The accurate definition that has been true since the beginning. A podcast is episodic media content (Audio, Video, and/or Even PDF) that is delivered through a media enclosure in an RSS feed. That is the foundation this entire industry was built on. I also talk about why this matters. When tens of thousands of newer creators are watching these conversations, I want them to understand the medium they are working with. I want them to know why audio only is still a powerful choice. I want them to see that video can play a role, but it isn’t required. And I want them to understand the technical heart of podcasting so they can make informed decisions rather than follow trends. Inside this episode, you’ll hear: Why the debate about “audio only” versus “video podcasts” keeps resurfacing. How misinformation spreads inside creator communities. The real, technical definition of a podcast. When video files can, in fact, can be a podcast. Why audio first is still my personal preference. A mention of two podcast episodes from 2024 where I have shared thoughts on the role of video in your content strategy. A reminder that Podcasting A to Z is officially back for a new session starting January 26. Links Mentioned In The Show Episode 469 - Is It Worth Having A Video Version of Your Audio Podcast? Episode 473 - The Magic of Audio First Content Production You can submit them through SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/podcastanswerman Podcasting A to Z If you are ready to launch a podcast with clarity, confidence, and a proven step-by-step workflow, my next session of Podcasting A to Z begins soon. I will personally coach you through every stage of the process so your show is live by the end of our four weeks together. Register today at PodcastingAtoZ.com