What does it take to make compassion and human connection a true operational thread inside a podcast network, rather than just a slogan? This conversation asks how centering real relationships and creative freedom can shape not only who joins a network, but also how shows are supported, grown, and amplified. Guest Amy Lynn Durham draws from her personal journey in both corporate leadership and podcasting to share how a values-driven approach influences day-to-day decisions.

Amy Lynn Durham left a corporate executive role to pursue her mission of infusing heart and connection into the workplace. After hundreds of guest spots and several years running her own show, she launched her podcast network at the end of 2025 with six shows. Her experience straddles independent podcast production, prior network participation, and now building a network from the ground up. Six months into building her own podcast network, she offers a practical window into shaping culture, structure, and opportunities for independent voices.

Listen For:

5:44 Why she built the network

9:17 The creative freedom she wanted

15:31 Questions to ask a network

23:48 Under-promising on purpose

25:24 The two production lanes

28:49 Who the network is for

35:30 Building the network feed

47:21 Card decks as revenue

52:16 Cost to join and the lift

CONNECT WITH GUEST: AMY LYNN DURHAM, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | MAGIC THREAD MEDIA

Website | LinkedIn

Podcast rec: Circle’s Edges

Book rec: The Quantum Leader by Dana Zohar | EdgeWalker Card Deck by Dr. Judy Neal

CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM

Website | LinkedIn

Book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman

Systems, Sponsors, and Partners:

Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting

Produced by Stories & Strategies

Content Repurposed with Castmagic

Podcast Project Management with Northflow

What happens when a podcast network is built around storytelling as the organizing principle—not just as a buzzword or content strategy? That’s the lens this conversation explores: how prioritizing story and narrative coherence over ad inventory or content volume shapes not only production, but the listener’s entire experience. Joining to discuss, Jeremy Westphal explains why approaching everything—from show selection to advertising to surveys—with a story-first mindset creates a distinct identity and audience relationship.

Jeremy Westphal draws on hands-on experience from building audio projects at major brands like Comedy Central and Nickelodeon to now running a 30+ show network, GZM, focused on original scripted fiction for kids, families, and young adults. With more than a decade of operational roles across production, ad sales, and partnerships, he brings unique perspective on how a podcast network can balance original storytelling with business realities.

Listen For:

09:29 Creating Podcasts

13:41 Understanding Media Business Models

18:09 Challenges of original content creation

25:49 Understanding the audience demographics

29:33 Improving audience experience

32:57 Reaching your podcast audience

38:14 Importance of network and scale

48:52 Independent scripted productions success

50:24 The evolution of podcast production

01:00:00 Licensing books for podcasts

01:07:41 Building an Authentic Audience

01:11:37 Producing and sustaining a podcast

CONNECT WITH GUEST: JEREMY WESTPHAL, DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AT GZM SHOWS

Website | LinkedIn

Podcast rec: Sherlock & Co. | Earth Rangers

Book rec: Dragonships series by Scott Reintgen

CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM

Website | LinkedIn

Systems, Sponsors, and Partners:

Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting

Produced by Stories & Strategies

Content Repurposed with Castmagic

Podcast Project Management with Northflow

When podcast creators see themselves as true partners in the network, not just talent, but contributors to the business side, where does that really take both the creator and the network? This episode unpacks how the attitude and approach of podcast hosts can be a deciding factor in whether a podcast network helps them grow and monetize, or leaves their show flat. Rachel Corbett offers a clear-eyed view from years of operating at scale in Australia, showing why long-term success hinges as much on mindset as on metrics.

Rachel Corbett draws on more than a decade in Australian radio and podcasting, including hands-on leadership roles at major networks. She has seen the evolution of the industry from its early days and currently manages the NOVA Podcast Network with hundreds of shows and millions of monthly downloads. Her background transitioning from traditional media to podcast network operations provides practical insight into how networks actually function behind the scenes, and how the Australian market operates, which, in some cases, isn’t too different from other markets.

Listen for:

04:20 Defining a Network as a Partnership

20:02 What Nova Actually Offers Creators

22:42 Podcast marketing strategies

24:27 What Audience Size Gets You In the Door

27:08 Working with brand collaborations

34:31 Providing feedback to show creators

37:10 When a Creator Is Better Off Going Independent

42:16 Building an Independent Network

46:36 How Revenue Splits Work With Partner Networks

50:40 Partnering with successful creators

57:12 Why Audio Feels Different Than Video

CONNECT WITH GUEST: RACHEL CORBETT, NETWORK DIRECTOR | NOVA PODCASTS

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Podcast rec: Two Broke Chicks

Book rec: Babel by R.F. Kuang

CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM

Website | LinkedIn

Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman

Systems, Sponsors, and Partners:

Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting

Produced by Stories & Strategies

Content Repurposed with Castmagic

Podcast Project Management with Northflow