My Podcast Story

Podcast Growth After 300 Episodes: What I Wish I Knew Starting Out"— Nicola Beer | Ep 118

If you want to know how a long-standing podcast can evolve with you and fuel a thriving business, this episode is for you. I sat down with Nicola Beer, who’s been running her show for eight years—yes, eight! In this conversation, we dig into what it takes to stay consistent even when life gets messy, and how podcasting can continue to spark your creativity.You’ll find out why having the right episode titles (and podcast name) makes all the difference in getting found, plus how you can use listener questions to create episodes your audience actually wants. Nicola also gets real about the early hurdles, like struggling with equipment and even getting that dreaded one-star review—and she shares her practical way to handle criticism without taking it personally.Whether you’re new to podcasting or you want to keep your show going for the long haul, you’ll get inspiration around sustainable production, growing an audience with solo episodes, and why you don’t have to be everywhere on social media for your podcast to succeed.Connect With Nicola BeerWebsite: https://nicolabeer.comIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Starting With a Healing Mission00:42 What Is Relationship Trauma?02:05 Childhood Experiences and Patterns03:31 Why Podcasting for Healing04:07 How the Podcast Began05:10 Deleting Old Episodes and Evolving06:15 Journey as a Solo Podcaster07:02 Treating Podcasting Like a Marathon08:12 From Coaching to Podcasting09:06 Episode Volume and Deleting Content10:21 Endless Relationship Topics11:25 Latest Episode Inspiration11:48 Tech Troubles and Early Hurdles13:13 Handling Tough Podcast Feedback15:04 Learning and Improving With Feedback16:58 How Podcasting Grows a Global Business18:43 Managing Gear While Traveling19:37 Surveying Listeners for Episode Ideas20:20 Using Podpage for Podcast Websites22:32 Behind-the-Scenes Workflow23:20 Using Audacity for Simple Edits25:29 Launching a Second Podcast26:31 Time Investment Per Episode27:31 Why Solo Episodes Work29:03 Busting Podcasting Myths30:17 Audience Growth and Title Strategy31:53 Staying Focused for Listeners33:47 Retaining Listeners With Value34:50 Picking a Searchable Podcast Name35:37 Strategy for Nicola’s Second Show36:18 SEO Strategies for Podcasters37:13 Checking What Drives Podcast Growth39:55 Smart Episode Naming and Keywords40:12 Finding Clients Through the Podcast41:22 Knowing Your Marketing Channels42:50 Focusing on What Works43:26 Wisdom’s Marketing Preferences45:51 Podcast SEO Is Still Untapped47:01 What’s Next for the Podcast48:05 Considering Audience Q&A Episodes50:05 How Listener Questions Could Work54:15 Getting Speaking Gigs From Your Show56:22 Where to Listen and Connect

Battling Perfectionism: My Podcast Struggles and the Freedom I Finally Found"— Faith Clarke | Ep 117

If you’re a podcaster who’s wrestled with perfectionism or questioned whether your show needs a “big” audience, this episode is for you. I sat down with Faith Clarke to pick apart what really goes into growing a podcast, giving yourself permission to experiment, and showing up for your audience—no matter the size. Faith shares how changing podcast formats helped her beat creative blocks, and why solo episodes became crucial for finding and sharing her own point of view (not just her guests’ stories). We talk honestly about the myth that success relies on huge numbers and the importance of serving the listeners who truly value your voice.Listen in to learn:Why consistency and intentional sharing matter more than frequency or “expensive” production.How giving yourself permission to break the rules (like hosting conversations on your website, not just on typical podcast platforms) can spark growth and creativity.The practical, low-pressure ways Faith now gets podcast content out the door without letting perfectionism hold her back.Connect With Faith ClarkeWebsite: https://faithclark.comFeminist Founders: https://feministfounders.comWork Ecosystems: https://workecosystems.comIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Welcome & Introductions00:23 Faith’s Work and Team Design00:48 From Book Idea to Podcast02:02 Podcast Beginnings: Parenting & Disrupt and Lead03:33 Evolving Podcast Streams & Names04:18 Experimenting with Mini-Series and Website Hosting05:45 Perfectionism and Informal Formats06:09 Active Podcasts & Substack Community07:04 Planning Future Podcasts on Belonging08:47 Joining Feminist Founders as Co-Host10:39 Defining the Podcast’s Audience and Mission12:40 Roles, Content Creation, and Collaboration14:22 Finding and Preparing Guests16:02 Joining Feminist Founders & Podcast Age18:34 Growth Levers: Consistency and Intentional Sharing22:10 Podcasting’s Impact on Professional Life24:21 Bringing Your Own Story to the Mic26:32 Website-Hosted Series and Lead Generation27:57 Last Episodes and Guesting Focus28:27 Struggles with Production and Visibility30:19 Biggest Podcast Mistake: Hiding Behind Guests33:23 Overcoming Procrastination and Busywork35:14 Debunking Podcast Myths: Audience Size37:24 Showing Up for Yourself First38:32 Connecting Faith’s Work to Feminist Founders40:31 Upcoming Project: When We Belong42:12 Legacy: How Faith Wants To Be Remembered43:03 Podcasting’s Future in Smaller Communities44:33 Lightning Round: Dream Guests45:53 Favorite Podcasts Faith Listens To47:05 Unexpected Skills Learned48:56 Advice to Past Self49:19 Where to Find Faith Clarke49:23 Wrap Up and Listener Reminder

"The Unexpected Lessons From Podcast Growth Nobody Warned Me About" — Franky Corcoran | Ep 116

If you’ve ever wondered how creative backgrounds in theater can spark new life into a podcast, this episode is for you. I sit down with Franky Corcoran, the host of the Corcoran Entertainment Show, to talk about taking a local arts brand online when the world shut down. You’ll hear about building a podcasting workflow from scratch, and how to let the audio shine without getting lost in video production. You’ll also hear about Franky’s candid approach to learning as you go—sharing why he kept his early “rough” episodes online, and how he steadily improved the show’s quality. We also discuss the real payoff of listener engagement in a crowded podcast landscape.A few takeaways podcasters will get from this episode:How to decide between focusing on audio-only versus video podcasting, and why simplicity can win out for solo hosts.The importance of quality over quantity, and how to continuously improve without erasing your early work.Creative ways to keep your podcast and other projects connected—like turning theater shows into behind-the-scenes episodes.Connect With Franky CorcoranInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/corcoranentertainmentTwitter: https://twitter.com/frankycorcoranIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Meet Franky Corcoran and His Journey01:46 Launching the Corcoran Entertainment Show02:42 From Theater to Podcasting During COVID04:12 Choosing Audio Over Video05:52 Inside a Typical Podcast Episode08:13 Tools, Workflow, and Getting Better12:39 The Many Roles Franky Balances14:42 Grant Support and Setting Up the Studio18:36 Blending Theater and Podcasting22:03 How Affiliates and Sponsors Work26:09 Growing the Show and Standout Episodes30:42 Upcoming Projects and Playwriting33:33 Biggest Personal Benefits of Podcasting35:17 Overcoming Creative Doubts36:25 Advice to the Three-Years-Ago Host37:41 Where to Listen and Final Thoughts

How Podcasting Through Doubt Taught Me Lessons I Didn’t Expect — Brad Groux | Ep 115

If you’re a podcaster or creator looking for practical ways to grow your show and make content easier, you’ll get plenty out of this episode with Brad Groux. Brad shares how he built an AI-focused business podcast from scratch, what’s working right now to attract listeners, and how he uses simple automation and AI tools to save time on editing, descriptions, and promotion. Plus, we dig into the real-life workflow behind podcast production — the exact apps, tools, and systems Brad uses, and why keeping things consistent matters a lot more than being perfect.You’ll walk away with smart tips for growing your podcast audience with consistent releases and short social clips (even if you don’t love TikTok), plus creative ways to repurpose every episode across newsletters, blogs, and social. Listen in to hear how Brad deals with last-minute guest cancellations, why he recommends having a co-host or support, and the everyday AI hacks that are making podcasting smoother for him and his team.Connect With Brad GrouxWebsite: https://linktree.com/digitalmeldTwitter:https://x.com/digitalmeldIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Welcome and About Brad00:26 Why Start Small, Think Big?01:15 The Podcast’s Origin and Mission02:04 Growth, Guests, and Release Schedule02:46 The Inspiration to Finally Start03:24 Technology as an Equalizer03:55 Early Consistency and Growth04:36 Biggest Challenges with Fast News Cycles05:17 Staying Consistent Despite Busy Weeks06:05 AI Podcasting Workflow and Systems06:38 Planning, Notes, and Guest Process07:20 Changing Format for Guest Perspectives08:21 Guest Pre-Calls and Release Timeline09:26 Handling Last-Minute Cancellations09:53 Flying Solo and Staying Nimble10:45 Behind-the-Scenes: Tools and Workflow11:35 Editing, Riverside, and Content Perfection13:31 AI Tools for Titles and Show Notes14:39 Why Riverside Enterprise?16:01 Automation and Processes Before/After Episodes17:22 Podcast Experience and Lessons Learned19:33 Podcast Discovery and Legacy Content20:43 Listener Feedback and Live Events22:04 Growth Levers — Consistency & Clips25:11 Social Media Tools and Scheduling26:49 Platform Reach: LinkedIn, TikTok, Newsletter29:08 How Newsletter Drives Engagement31:03 LinkedIn Algorithm and Video Performance34:07 Speaking Events and Exposure Boost36:31 Repurposing and Promotion Strategies41:24 Blog Posts and Back-Catalog Growth43:17 Local Engagement and Podcast Branding44:33 Event Interviews and Content Breakouts47:02 Episode Length Versus Quality48:58 Projects and What’s Next51:24 Final Advice for Podcasters52:44 Where to Find Brad and Digital Meld54:01 Wrap-Up and Newsletter CTA

Starting a Podcast From Scratch: Lessons I Learned the Hard Way— Larry G Dix Ii | Ep 114

If you've ever asked yourself, “Am I born or made to be a podcaster?” this episode is for you. In my conversation with Larry G. Dix II, bestselling author and host of the Born or Made Podcast, you'll get honest, behind-the-scenes insight into what it really takes to grow — not just a podcast, but as a person in the process. Larry shares the ups and downs of his unconventional journey, from starting out with zero podcasting experience to building a show that explores how top leaders think and operate.In this episode, you'll find out:Why embracing flexibility and being open to change can unlock opportunities for your show, even if your original plan starts to shift.How focusing on storytelling, genuine curiosity, and careful listening (instead of canned questions) will help you create deeper connections and standout interviews.Whether you’re just getting started or feeling stuck, Larry’s perspective will remind you it’s normal to learn as you go, and that your growth as host is just as important as your show’s growth. Dive in for a relaxed, real talk that might just help you get unstuck, too.Connect With Larry G. Dix IIWebsite: https://bornormadepodcast.comWebsite: https://larrygdix.comIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Meet Larry G. Dix II01:19 The Story Behind “Born or Made”02:52 Asking Guests: Born, Made, or Built?03:19 How Long the Podcast Has Been Running03:51 Larry’s First Podcasting Experiences04:23 Comfortable Conversations & Loosening Up05:33 Surprising Backstories Guests Reveal05:53 Biggest Challenges Starting Out06:36 The Power of Listening as Host07:12 Podcasting Habits That Spill Into Life07:47 Why Larry Loves People’s Stories09:06 Behind-the-Scenes: Episode Production10:08 Who’s On the Podcast Team10:50 Balancing AI With the Human Touch12:09 Recording in Different Studios13:06 In-Person vs. Remote Conversations14:53 Lessons from Marathon Interview Days15:57 Knowing Your Limits as a Host17:00 Why In-Person Feels Different17:58 Evolving Growth Strategies18:26 Launching With a Book, Pivoting to a Podcast19:17 Keeping the Format Flexible20:16 Building Brand Around Your Name21:24 Testing, Pivoting, and Social Content Ideas22:51 Letting Listeners (and the Market) Decide24:07 The Podcast’s Personal Impact25:25 Why Guests Aren’t So Different After All26:53 Overcoming Fear and Mental Hurdles29:36 Honest Conversations About Failure30:02 The Real Value for Listeners31:30 No Such Thing As Overnight Success32:15 Sharing the Full Journey, Not Just the Highs33:41 Feedback From Guests and Listeners35:10 Interviewing as a Two-Way Street36:10 Podcasting’s Finances and Reality Check37:13 Costs, Investments, and Long-Term Bets39:20 The Bare Essentials for Gear41:45 Getting the Setup Right, Not Fancy43:14 Leveraging Your Unique Strengths46:42 Focusing on the Gain, Not the Gap48:17 Big Projects: New Book and Framework49:18 Where to Find Larry and His Resources50:41 Final Reflections and Thanks