What happens when you get a 15-minute phone call from Joe Rogan asking for help with his struggling podcast? Rob Walch found out in the early 2000s when the future king of podcasting was just another comedian whose hosting couldn't handle the traffic. As VP of Podcaster Relations at Libsyn and creator of the first podcast about podcasting (Podcast 411), Rob Walch has spent over 20 years watching the industry evolve from hand-coded RSS feeds to billion-download juggernauts. In this episode, he shares the behind-the-scenes stories and battle-tested strategies that shaped modern podcasting. Rob's journey from customer to employee at Libsyn gives him a unique perspective on what actually works versus what sounds good in theory. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize an existing show, his 20+ years of hands-on experience offer actionable insights you won't find anywhere else.

Connect with Rob Walch:

Email: rob@libsyn.com

The Feed Podcast (with Elsie Escobar): thefeed.libsyn.com

Try Libsyn hosting: libsyn.com

Meet Rhea Wong, who transformed her "accidental fundraiser" background into one of the top voices in nonprofit podcasting through "Nonprofit Lowdown." Starting her podcast as an excuse to hang out with impressive friends in New York City, Rhea has built a loyal audience in her niche by delivering no-BS, tactical advice grounded in real trenches experience. She reveals why choosing a small pond over competing with Joe Rogan has made her a recognized authority, how podcasting became her secret weapon for opening doors with foundations and major donors, and the mistakes she wishes she'd avoided around monetization. Discover how consistency beats perfection, why being real about the struggles of running nonprofits resonates with audiences, and how Rhea mines her podcast content for her book, keynotes, and consulting sales. Her journey shows that sometimes the best podcasting strategy is simply being yourself while serving your community with practical solutions they can actually use.

JJ Peterson holds a PhD in storytelling and has transformed marketing for companies from Microsoft to small bakeries using a simple seven-element story formula. In this episode, JJ reveals why most podcasters position themselves as the hero when they should make their audience the star of the story. He breaks down the exact framework that helped Tempur-Sealy become the world's largest mattress company and explains how your brain processes 35,000 decisions daily while filtering out anything that burns too many mental calories. JJ exposes the fatal mistake that causes audiences to tune out within seconds and shares his "empathy plus authority" method for becoming the guide your listeners desperately need. This isn't abstract theory—it's the battle-tested blueprint that turns confused audiences into devoted followers who take action.

Silicon Valley tech executive Chris Christensen reveals how he built a six-figure podcasting business while working 60+ hour weeks at companies like Apple and eBay. Learn how his "stupid idea" for a travel show launched in 2005 grew to 4 million annual downloads and unlocked adventures to 75 countries, including press credentials alongside the Pope. Chris shares his counter-intuitive interview approach that radio consultants hated but listeners loved, his ruthless content standards that protect audience trust, and the exact revenue breakdown of his $100K business. Discover why consistency trumps talent, how 47 episodes per year created a retirement dream job, and why Chris believes podcasting is a marathon, not a sprint - with 97% of shows never reaching his download numbers.

John Biewen transformed from a small-town Minnesota basketball player to a documentary podcaster with 18 million downloads and two Peabody nominations. His counterintuitive approach? Tackle the biggest, most controversial topics other hosts avoid. When John launched his series on whiteness and racism, he expected to lose half his audience -instead, his downloads exploded 20-fold and changed his podcast's entire trajectory. He reveals why asking audacious questions about history's thorniest subjects builds massive audiences while safe topics fail. John's university-backed model eliminates revenue pressure, letting him spend 12+ months researching single seasons that deliver life-changing content. This episode breaks down his proven formula for turning complex historical deep-dives into podcast gold without chasing trends or sacrificing editorial freedom.

Lindsay McMahon turned a DIY launch into a global English‑learning phenomenon - and she's sharing every twist in the journey. In this episode you'll hear how a humbling moment around a Colombian campfire inspired her trademark "connection, not perfection" approach and why a bright yellow cover and two‑host format cut through the noise in 2013. Lindsay gets real about the year her original co‑host quit, the contracts she wishes she'd had in place, and the legal lessons every podcaster needs up front. You'll learn her exact guest‑appearance blueprint that unlocked 10, 000 downloads in the first months, plus how she balances four distinct revenue streams - from online courses and licensing to a premium app and big‑brand sponsorships. Finally, get Lindsay's advice on scaling live events without burning out and the key hires she's bringing on to take All Ears English past 3 000 episodes.

Ready to apply these podcast growth tactics to your own show? Hit play now and start building your six‑figure podcast brand!

Connect with Lindsay:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymcmahon

All Ears English:

Website - www.allearsenglish.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCajKaiBJSwYcDFbfMICpSpA

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qXldSz1Ulq1Nvj2JK5kSR
Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-ears-english-podcast/id751574016

Meet Brent Thomas, the former corrections officer and self-described "late bloomer" who transformed his paranormal fascination into a podcast reaching 100,000 monthly downloads. Brent shares his journey from panic-reading three hours of material in twenty minutes during his first broadcast to developing the energetic presentation style that now defines his show. You'll discover why Bigfoot sightings from doctors and judges might deserve a second look, and how Brent structures his content differently across YouTube and podcast platforms to maximize audience engagement. His advice on monetization focuses on becoming "brand friendly" while his growth strategy emphasizes personality over equipment. For anyone curious about UFOs, time slips, or the mysterious Mandela Effect, Brent offers both paranormal insights and practical podcasting wisdom.

Jason Fitzgerald traded elite running competitions for a digital media career while raising three kids under 12. His surprising discovery? Famous Olympians on his show delivered zero audience growth. Instead, Jason reveals his hidden SEO hack that landed New York Times backlinks without spending marketing dollars. His counterintuitive YouTube strategy and 20% download boost technique work while other running podcasts flatline. This episode exposes why traditional podcast growth tactics fail and delivers Jason's tested blueprint for building authority in your niche without sacrificing family life or authenticity.