I’ve seen a lot of change in the podcasting industry over the last decade. For business owners especially, these changes have created greater opportunities for your podcast to support your business. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the most significant changes from the past decade, plus what it means for your podcast in 2026 and beyond.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

The gear and barrier to entry (2:48)

From “content” to “asset” (7:05)

Discovery has completely flipped (11:02)

The rise of AI (14:29)

What hasn’t changed (19:14)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcast Launch Kit: gaffincreative.com/podcast-launch-kit

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Podcasting Gear List: gaffincreative.com/podcast-gear-list-for-clocking-in-with-haylee-gaffin

Episode 170: Why I’m Not Scared of AI as a Podcast Producer: gaffincreative.com/170-why-im-not-scared-of-ai-as-a-podcast-producer

Episode 124: An Introduction to Private Podcasts: gaffincreative.com/124-an-introduction-to-private-podcasts

Connect with Haylee:

Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboard

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I don’t want to guess what you want from this show—I want to hear it directly from you. While attending the Empowered Podcasting Conference, I had a realization: I don’t actually know who all of you are. I might know the listeners who DM me on Instagram, respond to an episode, or regularly share feedback, but there are so many of you listening quietly behind the scenes. And if I’m going to make this show as useful and relevant as possible, I want to change that.

So, I created a quick listener survey that should take about five minutes to complete. I want to know who you are, how you fit into the podcast industry, what you love about the show, what you’d like more (or less!) of, and which episodes have really stuck with you.

Take the Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbfDpAbG9o8yZ53mm-gXSVDNzUvtZply2UGhfo2T_ddxmRlA/viewform?usp=header

Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/6PdpRpc5xVU

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know if your podcast is actually helping your business? There are a handful of signs that tell me almost immediately whether a podcast is supporting the business behind it, or just simply existing as another task alongside it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 7 signs that your podcast is out of alignment with your business.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

Your podcast feels like another marketing task instead of an asset (1:28)

Your episodes don’t support your current business goals (3:03)

Someone could binge your show and still have no idea how to work with you (5:10)

Your content attracts listeners, but not your ideal client (6:56)

Your calls to action don’t match the journey you’re trying to create (8:14)

You’re measuring success with the wrong scoreboard (9:16)

You’re making podcast decisions before business decisions (11:04)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's one thing to talk about what strategic podcast decisions look like in theory. It's another thing entirely to watch someone actually make them—and see the results play out in real numbers, real sponsorships, and a real business.

That's exactly what happened with Ali Haney, host of the Brand & Market podcast and a Podcasting for Business alumna. Over the last year, Ali went from a podcast pulling in 25 to 30 downloads per episode to one that's landed a paying sponsor, far more than doubled its download average, and become a genuine lead generator for her business. This is a look at how she got there—and what it reveals about what strategic podcasting actually requires.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

Before the program (5:53)

Making real connections with listeners (13:16)

The impact of niching down and choosing her ideal audience (15:00)

The value of entertaining, fun episodes (16:55)

Rebuilding the content strategy (19:05)

Podcast search optimization and keyword strategy (22:01)

The first podcast sponsorship opportunity (26:31)

Running podcast ADs (30:03)

Ali’s biggest podcast challenge before and after the program (35:16)

The biggest mindset shift (35:53)

Ali’s proudest accomplishment (37:08)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/SdnQn6zH2Tj

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your podcast disappeared tomorrow, would your business feel it? Or would it just be one less thing on your to-do list? That question gets at the heart of what separates a podcast that's content from a podcast that's a business asset. If your show isn't intentionally connected to how you attract, nurture, and convert your audience, it's not really functioning as part of your business—it's just something you're creating alongside it.

This is a continuation of a bigger idea: your business strategy should drive your podcast, not the other way around. That's the philosophy. Join me in today's episode to hear all about the behind the scenes of podcasting for business. Our program for podcasters looking to leverage their show to drive more revenue in their business.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

It didn’t start with podcasting (3:06)

The coaching conversations (4:24)

Something starts to shift (6:11)

The strategy became personal (7:40)

The data told a bigger story (10:43)

The transformation I was most excited about (12:27)

It’s your turn (14:50)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

224: Your Business Strategy Should Be Driving Your Podcast—Not the Other Way Around: gaffincreative.com/224-your-business-strategy-should-be-driving-your-podcast-not-the-other-way-around

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/qBYFQQXzg7e

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time you made a business decision before you made a podcast decision? In today’s episode, I’m talking about how your podcast should support your business - not the other way around. Plus, how I’ve seen clarity in business help my coaching clients make better decisions for their podcasts.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

What I’ve learned in the first official round of Podcasting for Business (3:22)

The mistake I see most podcasters making (5:40)

3 questions to help create aligned content (8:23)

Why I’m sharing this now (9:58)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/RP5zipeApb6

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the thing you're known for is actually limiting the impact you're meant to make? For a long time, I believed my business was about podcast production. And while podcasting will always be at the heart of what I do, I've realized something much bigger: I've never just been helping people launch podcasts—I've been helping them build authority.

In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that's been reshaping my business and why I've stopped thinking of podcasting as the destination. Instead, I now see it as one of the most powerful tools business owners can use to become more visible, more trusted, and more profitable.

If you've ever felt boxed in by the reputation you've built or worried about evolving your messaging because people expect you to stay the same, this conversation is for you.

• Why being known for one thing can unintentionally limit your growth.
• The difference between the service you provide and the transformation you actually create.
• How to confidently evolve your business without abandoning the work that built your reputation.

Whether you're a podcaster, coach, creative, or service provider, I hope this episode gives you permission to embrace the next season of your business with clarity and confidence.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

You know me as “the podcast expert” (0:56)

When your professional identity changes (6:01)

Growth doesn't mean abandoning what you're known for (7:54)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/27qYKFPPeDG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you still need to podcast when your business is at capacity? In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I think you should continue to podcast even when that is the case. Plus, why I’m still sitting down to record despite the fact that Gaffin Creative is currently operating on a waitlist.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Find It Quickly:

Your Podcast Is Bigger Than This Month's Revenue (5:03)

Most of Your Listeners Are A Long-Term Investment (7:24)

What You Should Create When You Don't Need More Clients (10:26)

What This Season Has Taught Me (13:56)

Your Podcast Is Building Future Relationships (19:38)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching

Connect with Haylee:

Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Website: gaffincreative.com

Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/xdLzej6NrMe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.