School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

20 Books for Content Creators Recommended by My Audience

What if one book could change the way you tell stories, connect with your audience, or even see your own podcast? In this episode of the School of Podcasting, I asked a simple question: “If you found out someone was a content creator, what book would you recommend?” — and the responses were pure gold.You’ll hear from working podcasters, educators, business owners, and storytellers sharing the books that sharpened their craft, grew their communities, and kept them going when numbers and algorithms tried to wear them down. Along the way, I share my own must‑reads and pay tribute to a podcasting legend whose work shaped an entire generation of creators. If you’re ready to level up your show — not with more gear, but with better thinking, storytelling, and heart — this is the episode you’ll want to queue up next.ParticipantsKim NewloveThe Pharmacist Voice PodcastThe Perrysburg PodcastRalph Estep Jr.The Content Creators Accountanthttps://ralphestepjr.comChris NessiHouse of EdTechMark LawleyPractical Prepping PodcastNancy May (with co‑host Sylvia France)Family Tree Food Stories PodcastDave CohenThe Shakespeare MindsetTom HaleyBluegrass Region Voices and ViewsBooks MentionedFind Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas - Tamsen WebsterThe Audience Is Listening: A Little Guide to Building a Big Podcast – Tom WebsterHow to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale CarnegieSacred Cows Make the Best Burgers – Robert J. Kriegel, David Brandt12 and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success – Gary VaynerchukAcres of Diamonds – Jentezen FranklinHello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick – Alexandra WatkinsInto the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story – John YorkeBuild a Strong Podcast: From Creation to Captivated Audience – Jennifer LongworthMake Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling – Eric NuzumStoryworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling – Matthew DicksPlatform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World – A Step-by-Step Guide for Anyone with Something to Say or Sell – Michael HyattBig Podcast: Grow Your Podcast Audience, Build Listener Loyalty, and Get Everybody Talking About Your Show – David HooperSo You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen – Kristen MeinzerOut on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio – Jessica AbelBeyond Powerful Radio: A Communicator’s Guide to the Internet Age – Valerie GellerSecrets of Dynamic Communication: Prepare with Focus, Deliver with Clarity, Speak with Power – Ken DavisSponsor Magnet – Justin MooreProfit from Your Podcast: Turn Your Listeners into a Livelihood – Dave JacksonLooking for more books on podcasting? Check hereIn Honor of John C. DvorakThe Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses (20th Anniversary Expanded Edition) – John W. James, Russell FriedmanJohn was an amazing broadcaster. More thoughts on John's Impact.Mentioned in this episode:Build the Website You Want with PodpagePodpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/previewPodpagePodcasting Six WeeksReady to start your podcast? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives aspiring podcasters a proven, step-by-step system to launch with confidence. Stop overthinking and start publishing. Enroll today and your podcast could be live in just six weeks. Classes start August 19thPodcasting in Six WeeksQuestion of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)School of PodcastingLive AppearancesI love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacntWhere Will I Be?

Stop Chasing CPMs: How Community, Feedback, and Newsletters Future‑Proof Your Podcast

When your CPMs start shrinking and programmatic ads feel like a losing game, it’s easy to wonder if podcasting is still worth it. In this episode, I want to show you a different path—one that doesn’t depend on ad tech behaving itself. I’m going to walk you through why community beats downloads, how smart feedback (like what Jack Rhysider does) can radically improve your show before it ever launches, and how simple tools like newsletters and Podpage can help you build a deeper relationship with your audience so your podcast is future‑proof, no matter what happens to ad rates.Don't Take My Word For ItI heard it from on the Podbiz Show. Hall of Famer Leo Laporte shares a bit of history with ads, and Podfather Adam Curry explains how to future-proof your podcast. Brian Barletta explains how we need to move on from trying to get stats that are not possible, and focus on growing the industry.Get Your Head StraightI also talk about how I was inspired by writer Talyor Sheridan cold care less about the critics. He write the way he wants to write, about what he wants to write about and now his audience has found him and he is making a killing.Get Your Content StraightGeddy Lee has been performing in the band Rush for 50+ years and yet he still takes time to evaluate his playing. When we try to market "Meh" content we are wasting our time.The Podcast Atlas ReportSounds Profitable has released the Podcast Atlas Report which approaches the industry from the creators point of view. Some great insights into clips, newsletters, and more.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!Takeaways:If you're feeling stuck with your podcast due to falling ad revenues, listen up!Forget chasing ad dollars; focus on building a loyal community that supports your podcasting journey.The real gold in podcasting isn’t just downloads; it’s about creating genuine connections with your listeners.Ads might be declining, but trust me, building a community will make your podcast thrive in the long run.The future of podcasting is all about community and trust, not just numbers on a screen.If you want to grow your podcast, start by picking one simple thing to engage with your audience.Also Mentioned:Sponsor Magnet BookPodpage - Podcast Website BuilderRay Arnott Interview - Around the LayoutCommunity ResourcesHeartbeat (We use this for the School of Podcasting)CircleSkool (affordable, simple community)Newsletter ToolsKit (formerly Convertkit)MailerliteBeehiiv(and many more)Mentioned in this episode:Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)School of PodcastingLive AppearancesI love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacntWhere Will I Be?Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!Podcasting ObservationsWhat Does Worry Free Podcasting Look Like?It means not having to worry about buying the wrong equipment. It means not worrying about wasting your money - you can cancel anytime during your first 30 days and get your money back. It means getting one-on-one coaching with a TEACHER who wants you to learn and grow and not upsell you on 20 more products. You can do this. I help podcasters. It's what I do, and I can't wait to see what we do together.School of Podcasting

How To Deal With Online Trolls

If you’ve ever thought, ‘I want feedback, but I’m terrified of the internet,’ stay tuned—I’ll show you how to get useful criticism without letting trolls live rent-free in your head.Two Types of FeedbackI’m sharing how I handle trolls, reviews, and feedback—and how you can turn all of that into fuel to grow your show instead of reasons to quit. I’ll walk you through when to ignore, when to engage, and how to build a trusted focus group that helps you make your podcast better without letting anonymous strangers live rent‑free in your head.Trolls, Critics and Focus GroupsI break down the difference between true trolls, genuine critics, and helpful focus groups—and how each one fits (or doesn’t) into your growth as a podcaster. I share real stories about nitpicky typo trolls, cyberbullying from years ago, people who send you two and a half pages of “do a different show,” and how other podcasters are using their audience—and even Snapchat—to get honest, constructive criticism.By the end, you’ll see why I say feedback is the “breakfast of champions,” and why your fear of judgment shouldn’t keep your show stuck on your hard drive.What You’ll LearnTrolls vs. Focus GroupsHow I define a troll: unsolicited, emotionally charged feedback that’s mostly about getting a reaction.How I define a focus group: people who actually want to help shape and improve your show.Why some “trolls” are really just frustrated fans who want attention.Classic Troll Bait TopicsThe three topics that almost guarantee you’ll attract trolls:PoliticsNews / current eventsReligionWhy I’m okay with pushback when I brush up against these—and why you should expect it if your show leans into them.My Rules for Dealing with TrollsRule #1: Don’t feed the trolls.I talk about why I always try to wait before responding.How I “kill them with kindness” when I choose to reply.Why I often simply say, “Thanks for the feedback,” and move on.How I remind myself that sometimes people are just having a bad day, and I happened to be standing in front of them.Turning Feedback into a Tool for GrowthThe key question I always ask: “Do they have a point?”An example: being told, “You interrupt your guests too much,” and how I go back, listen, and honestly assess if they’re right.How I respond when someone clearly just wants me to do a completely different show than the one I want to make.How I Engage Without Losing My CoolWhy I sometimes ask, “How could I have done this better?” to separate useful advice from empty criticism.How I ask for evidence or sources in a non-defensive way:“I’m interested in digging into this—can you share a link?”When I’ll share my sources and politely stand my ground.When I decide it’s time to block, report, and move on, especially on platforms like YouTube.Knowing My Audience (and My Why)How knowing who my show is for makes it easier to ignore the wrong people.Why I consider the nastiest haters as “not my target audience.”The math I look at: out of hundreds of reviews, only a tiny percentage are negative—but they love to hog my attention if I let them.Stories and Examples I ShareMark Maron on Trolls as “Frustrated Love”A clip from Mark Maron talking about trolls who keep coming back.How he describes repeat trolls as people who are weirdly in love with you and just want you to get mad so they feel seen.The Typo TrollThe listener who went absolutely ballistic over typos and sent me 5–6 paragraph rants.How I handled it when the comments got personal.How I eventually “trolled the troll” with humor and kindness and watched him disappear (and reappear…and disappear again).Madame Strangeways & Fear of FeedbackA conversation with Madame Strangeways who was reluctant to ask for feedback because of a cyberbullying incident 20 years ago.How I encourage her (and you) to start with trusted fans and patrons as a safe focus group.My “too much salt in the bread” analogy: people who love what you’re making will still tell you if something’s off, because they have to consume it.Jr. Sparrow & Building a Focus GroupHow Jr. Sparrow used Snapchat’s Snap Map to find brutally honest listeners.How he turned “this show is crap” comments into a small group that now:Helps him curate which episodes to release.Shapes themes and content months in advance.Why he says you need “skin like Shrek” (thick skin, many layers) if you want to attach dollar signs to your show.Using Feedback Before You PublishHow experienced podcasters (including me) use feedback on topics, guests, and angles before episodes ever hit the feed.Why I’d rather kill an episode early than spend years promoting something that doesn’t resonate with my audience.SnapChat's Snap Map FeatureSnapchat’s Snap Mapshttps://youtu.be/l4R-wu42gZk?si=BVhAiDeB_Tq6anoOGetting Data From Snap Maphttps://youtu.be/qGxblSXvEbU?si=KoeDP8aI32uKvKjSMy Key Takeaways for YouYou are already being judged—at Home Depot, in the grocery line, everywhere—so a few online comments shouldn’t paralyze you.A tiny slice of reviews will be negative; they don’t outweigh the huge percentage of people who get value from your show.Feedback is how you get better. You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.Learn to separate:Trolls – don’t feed them, or reply calmly and briefly.Constructive critics – look for the truth in what they’re saying.True fans / focus groups – invite them in and let them help you refine the show.If someone hates your show and clearly isn’t who you’re trying to reach, there’s a simple name for them: not your audience.Mentioned in This EpisodeSchool of Podcasting – Where I help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast, including listener parties to get safe, constructive feedback.Ask the Podcast Coach – My live call-in/chat show for free podcast consulting.Podpage – Website platform for podcasters (I’m the Head of Podcasting there).Madame Strangeways – True strange stories at madamestrangeways.com.Jr. Sparrow – WVU Uncommon Place – Society and culture in West Virginia.Call to ActionTell me what you think:Let me know one thing you love and one thing you’d change about this show at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact or schoolofpodcasting.com/voicemail.Need help with your podcast?If you want a safe place to get honest feedback and improve your show, join me at SchoolOfPodcasting.com and use the coupon code LISTENER for a discount. It comes with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee.Mentioned in this episode:Give Your Podcast A HomeWhen you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.PodpageGet Some Feedback On Your Show“Want honest, helpful feedback on your podcast? At the School of Podcasting, we host ‘Listening Parties’ where members share short clips and get constructive, encouraging critiques from fellow podcasters and myself. It’s a safe, supportive way to hear what’s working, fix what’s not, and make your show stronger fast.” School of PodcastingLive AppearancesI love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacntWhere Will I Be?Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)School of Podcasting

How Long Should Your Podcast Be? (and where to find the answer)

Nobody shares a video they didn't watch. Nobody shares a podcast they didn't listen to, so how do we get people to listen? This week we follow up form last week's episode about measuring success without downloads and today I talk about completion percentage in Apple, Spotify, as well as Google Analytics. Josh Liston explains how he and his co-host from the SAKÉ THIS show.How Long Should My Podcast Be?The stand ard answer is "as long as it needs to be an not a minute longer." However, another way of looking at this is to ask, "How long can you hold someone's attention?"You Can See How Far People Listen to Your ShowThe Apple Dashboard: https://podcastsconnect.apple.comThe Spotify Dashboard: https://creators.spotify.comQuestion of the Month Audio ToolsLast week I had a ton of replies to the Question of the Month. The issue is some of you have a ton of bass. Some of you are so clear it's almost shrill. Other have lots of background noise. This use to take me FOREVER to deal with until I started using tools from Accentize. I use a tool called DXRevive Pro cleans up the audio. Their Dialogue Enhance helps adjust the tone and remove noise. Then they have a free plugin called DXLevel that adjusts the volume levels (and it's free).Takeaways:How Dave thinks about episode length (and why “as long as it needs to be” actually works in practice)How to use Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify for Podcasters to measure completion percentage and attention, not just downloadsWhy video and YouTube completion rates look so much worse than audio—and how not to let that crush your egoHow to use Google Analytics or Fathom to see which episodes and pages really resonateA behind-the-scenes look at the audio tools Dave uses (Accentize DX Revive, Dialog Enhance, and the free DX Level plugin) to make listener submissions sound more consistentAn update on the “free version” experiment of the School of Podcasting and why future focus is shifting to live cohort-style classesDave also shares a listener contribution from Josh Liston of the SAKÉ THIS podcast, with two non-download ways he measures success for his Japan-focused comedy show.Mentioned in this episode:Podpage is Now Included with Blubrry HostingBlubrry Podcasting — one of the longest-running podcast hosting platforms in the industry — has chosen Podpage to replace their built-in website tool entirely. That means every Blubrry hosting customer gets a professional, automatically updated podcast website powered by Podpage, included with their hosting plan. For Podpage, this is more than a partnership announcement. It’s validation that podcast websites deserve dedicated website tools built specifically for podcasters.PodpageHelp When You Don't Know Where To StartI get it. I talk to people looking to launch or grow their podcast. "“There’s too much gear/software — I don’t know what I need.” Microphones, mixers, hosting platforms, editing software — it’s easy to get lost. Analysis paralysis kicks in fast. I help podcasters. I've been doing it 20 years. Let me help. Dave Jackson schoolofpodcasting.com/joinSchool of PodcastingCheck Out Dave's Newsletter With Behind the Scenes ContentIn each issue of Podcasting Observations, I share my thoughts on what is happening in the podcasting space, my latest content, and things that have caught my eye. I also may ask for your opinion. Join the free communityPodcasting ObservationsQuestion of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)School of Podcasting

How do you measure the success of your podcast that is NOT downloads

How do you measure the success of your podcast that is NOT downloads?You’ll hear from a wide range of podcasters in different niches—storytelling, history, prepping, finance, faith, recovery, TV rewatch shows, local podcasts, health, creativity, and more—sharing how they really gauge success. Their answers include:Direct listener feedback & real‑life impact (behavior change, decisions, staying sober, safer driving, adopting, spending time with Jesus, handling conversations differently)Engagement & community (emails, voicemails, social comments, active groups, email lists, live events, guest offers, collaborations)Actions taken (lead magnet signups, newsletter growth, memberships, classes, affiliate links, donations and financial support)Enjoyment, fun, and personal growth (being excited about the next episode, getting better on the mic, becoming more confident and creative)Alignment with purpose & service (sticking to your “why,” serving a niche community, “who many” vs. “how many,” “one life at a time”)Legacy & memory (building an audio/video archive for family, preserving loved ones’ stories, creating a personal record you can revisit)Along the way, Dave adds commentary on why downloads alone are a poor North Star, how to re‑center on who you serve and why you podcast, and how podcasting can be a tool for service, community, and legacy—not just stats.Participants In This EpisodeScott from What Was That Like?Kate from Drafting in the PastMark from Practical PreppingNancy from Family Food StoriesBuckRalph From Content Creator's AccountantSteve from Podcast Editor's MastermindTrip From Home Brewed Christianity Podcast Spencer from The Recovery Show Travis from Bestie ApprovedAshriel from Called and Curious PodcastDave Interviewed JesusZo from Back Look CinemaJen from Women in PodcastingMarc from Solo Talk and Podcast BrandingChris from Cool Cars with Chris Howard from AA Recovery Interviews Ray from Around the LayoutYork from Welcome to Earth StoriesRob from Softball CentralDan from Based on a True StoryTim from Create Art and My Solo MS JourneyKim from the Pharmacist's Voice and the Perrysburg PodcastDave from Fix My PodcastMentioned in this episode:You Have A Message That Needs to Be HeardYou have a message that needs to be shared. Discover the art of podcasting at the School of Podcasting. We teach you to shine a light on your stories, inspiring others one episode at a time. Let your voice be your legacy. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinSchool of PodcastingBuild the Website You Want with PodpagePodpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/previewPodpageQuestion of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)School of PodcastingLive AppearancesI love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC Podcast Movement in NYC Podindy in Indianapolis In. For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacntWhere Will I Be?