Connecting cats and the creator economy!

This time Claire Waite Brown chats with Amanda B, AKA Captain Kitty, the creator and host of the brilliantly inventive and award-winning 6 Degrees of Cats, the podcast that explores deep, cat-themed questions such as 'Are cats cuter than babies?' and 'Did Sir Isaac Newton really create the cat door?'.

Amanda shares the frustration of the industry devaluing 'human, handcrafted work', but offers a powerful, optimistic theory that the rise of AI-generated content is pushing the industry toward a new economy requiring 'proof of humanity': advertisers will ultimately demand host-read ads and genuine human interaction because 'nobody wants to pay for a bunch of robots listening to their stuff'.

We also contemplate a fun new way to use the Podcasting 2.0 Person tag and give Binky, Snuggles and Peanut the credit they deserve!

In this episode you'll discover how TrueFans is driving interactivity by teaching people 'that there are different ways to help listeners become fans'. Sam reveals how creators can use a marketing budget to incentivize listener engagement with small sats payments that show podcasters value the listener's time and attention.

Plus, learn about new TrueFans discovery features, including a dedicated Awards page that turns winners and nominees into dynamic playlists.

We also cover critical industry news, including a warning about rising production costs from hosting platforms, and the positive prediction that podcast advertising is expected to top $3 billion in 2025!

Listen to 6 Degrees of Cats here

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback: TrueFans Support

Read: Creators Blog

Recommendations: Creators Podroll

Podcasters perplexed at how to turn their passion into profit.

Norma Jean Belenky and John Kiernan search out answers to the question, "Where's the money in podcasting?" with their new show PodBiz, dedicated to transparent conversations about podcast monetization across the industry.

In this episode of Creators, Norma Jean joins us to discuss how PodBiz explores diverse revenue streams through conversations with platform executives, adtech specialists and independent creators.

We explore the value-for-value model, where listeners can directly support creators based on the perceived worth of the content they consume, an approach that eliminates intermediaries and fosters a unique connection between the podcaster and their audience.

Sam introduces the new TrueFans wallet page, which makes it easier for creators to track all incoming and outgoing transactions. Listeners benefit too, with their own wallet tab showing payments to podcasters and earnings from engagement activities.

Sam highlights some of the ways that listeners can earn these micropayments, from becoming a superfan to listening to Fanzone from TrueFans or commenting on this show.

We also explore exciting industry developments including Podcasthon in March 2026, where podcasters dedicate episodes to charities, and potential global music licensing that could transform podcasting into "the new radio."

Discover how both creators and listeners can benefit from the evolving podcast monetization landscape. Leave us a comment to join the conversation – we'll even pay you a small amount for your thoughts!

Listen to PodBiz here

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback: TrueFans Support

Read: Creators Blog

Recommendations: Creators Podroll

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:

• Why some podcasts don't show up on TrueFans – make sure your show is listed at Podcast Index
• How to connect with Creators From TrueFans – we'd love to hear from you
• David John Clark's take on Podcasting 2.0 features
• How TrueFans plans to promote award-winning podcasts
• TrueFans' new podcast promotion feature allows creators to request promotion on other shows
• Upcoming events include London Podcast Festival, Podcast Days in Spain, and various awards opportunities

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

Send us a text

Find TrueFans here

Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music

Feedback: TrueFans Support

Read: Creators Blog

Recommendations: Creators Podroll