Hey, it’s Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting, and in this episode, I look into what podcasters can learn from Ace Frehley of Kiss—even though Ace wasn't the most technically brilliant guitarist, his unique approach made him a massive inspiration for millions. I share how Ace’s story relates to how we think about our own podcasting journey.

• Be Yourself: Just like Ace was always Ace, when you’re podcasting, lean into what makes you unique. Your “superpower” may be simply being authentic and relatable.
• You Don’t Have to Be the Best: Ace wasn’t the most technically gifted, but millions saw themselves in him because his style was accessible and inspiring. You don’t have to be the smartest or most polished podcaster to make an impact.
• Find What Sets You Apart: Ace created the iconic smoking guitar—a visual nobody else had. What can you do to stand out in the podcasting space? (it's a hard question)
• Continuous Improvement: Ace’s smoking guitar started as a basic smoke bomb and was improved again and again. Tweak, pivot, and keep making your show better.
• Know Your Role and Play for the Team: Ace knew his part in Kiss and played what was right for the song, not just what made him look good. As a podcaster, sometimes the best thing is to let your guest or co-host shine.
• Connect with Your Audience: Ace was famous for taking time with fans, speaking their language, and connecting through his style. Make sure you’re speaking your listeners’ language and not talking “above” or “below” them.
• Protect Your Rights: When it comes to business decisions, maintain ownership of your content whenever possible—like Ace leasing his makeup design to Kiss rather than selling it outright.
• Have Fun and Know When to Walk Away: Ace left Kiss and walked away from millions because it wasn’t fun anymore. If your podcast isn’t bringing you joy, consider your options.
• Overcome Setbacks: Ace faced business, creative, and personal struggles but kept moving forward. Don’t let challenges stop your podcast journey.
• Be Innovative and Audience-Focused: Innovation drew attention to Ace, and keeping your audience in mind helps you deliver a show people remember.

Today I use the analogy comparing AI-generated content to instant mashed potatoes out of a box. While it’s impressive how quickly and easily you can whip something up with AI—just like it’s convenient to make mashed potatoes from a box—the outcome usually isn’t that memorable. Most of the time, I find myself more amazed by the technology itself than by what it produces.

Growing up, my mom tried to make instant mashed potatoes edible by mixing in milk and lots of butter, but honestly, they still couldn’t compare to homemade mashed potatoes made from real potatoes, mashed by hand. When you taste those homemade mashed potatoes, it’s something you remember—they’re just better.

The point I wanted to make is that shortcuts like AI (or boxed potatoes) may save time, but when I put in the time to create something myself—from scratch—it always turns out more remarkable and worth sharing with my audience. That’s what I strive for in my podcasting: to create something people remember, not just something that’s quick and easy.

Josh Liston from Sake This had me thinking how I've never shared something created by AI because of the content (maybe because it was cool).

Recently, I made a change at the School of Podcasting—I’ve retired the “unlimited...

We're diving into the oh-so-fun world of podcast listening habits today, folks. Some people think most listeners are "Full." So how many podcasts are we actually cramming into our ears each week? And let me tell you, the answers are as varied as the podcasts themselves. From folks who binge a couple of episodes while commuting to some who claim they listen to 30-plus shows, it’s a wild ride. So grab your headphones and settle in as we break down the absurdity of our listening obsessions and peek behind the curtain of our podcasting lives.

Takeaways:

• Podcasting might feel saturated, but there's always room for new shows and ideas.
• Listeners subscribe to many shows, but they often only tune into a select few episodes weekly.
• The average podcast listener seems to juggle multiple shows, depending on their daily activities.
• Even seasoned podcasters have varied listening habits that shift over time and circumstances.
• Finding a good podcast is like finding a needle in a haystack, but hey, it's worth the search!
• People are still engaging with podcasts, despite claims of saturation in the market.

Contributors:

• thepharmacistsvoice.com
• perrysburgpodcast.com
• backlookcinema.com
• askralph.com
• schoolofpodcasting.com
• stevestewart.me
• practicalprepping.info
• theruckersedge.com
• welcometoearthstories.com
• schoolofpodcasting.com/pocketcasts
• podcasteditorsacademy.com

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Feeling overwhelmed by the world of podcasting? The School of Podcasting is your sanctuary of simplicity and support. We understand that navigating equipment choices, content planning, and audience growth can be daunting. That's why we've designed our courses to break down every aspect into manageable, clear steps, making it easy for you to focus on what truly...

I'm diving deep into the pros and cons of doing a live podcast, inspired by a question from Ralph over at askralph.com. If you’ve ever considered going live with your show—whether with video or audio—you’ll want to hear my honest take after years of experience.

I break down what it’s really like to start live streaming, especially if you’re new to podcasting or just thinking about expanding into video. From gear recommendations, background setups, and green screens to my latest waste-of-money purchase (ouch!), I share what works, what doesn’t, and what you should really consider before investing.

You’ll hear why consistency in scheduling is key and how I built a loyal live audience for Ask the Podcast Coach, which now feels like the new Saturday morning cartoons for my regulars. I talk candidly about realistic audience expectations—don’t be shocked when only a handful show up at first!—and why you shouldn’t start live if you're overwhelmed by tech.

I run through my favorite live streaming platforms, like Restream, eCamm Live, EVMux, and Streamyard, and why I personally steer clear of Riverside despite its flashy features. I talk camera options, from affordable 4K webcams to fancy DSLRs, and stress why you should practice, practice, practice before going live in front of folks.

You’ll also get my advice on handling live chat, co-host dynamics, the need for two monitors, and the occasional awkwardness of booting guests off gracefully. I share war stories about live mishaps, from surprise guests to technical gremlins, and why your audience is nearly always rooting for you.

If you’re weighing whether the extra expense, learning curve, and time spent prepping for live shows is worth it, I’ll walk you through how it’s brought me closer to my audience and generated great content for my main show. Spoiler: For me, the connection, fun, and instant feedback have made it worthwhile—even if those first few live shows felt like talking to a brick wall!

• Going live can totally change your podcast game, but it comes with a whole load of tech headaches.
• There are so many tools out there for live streaming, but honestly, they all have their quirks and bugs.
• You really need to be consistent with your live show schedule, or folks will forget about you faster than a sneeze in a windstorm.
• Interacting with your audience live can spark some killer ideas, so don't shy away from it!
• Don't overthink your video background; if they care more about your messy room than your words, that's a problem.
• Prepare like you're about to run a marathon, because going live isn't just 'turn it on and chat' - it's a whole production!

Neewer Keylight Kit

Obsbot Meet 4k Camera

Yolo 3 4K Camera

Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD 4K

Sony ZV-E10 II DSLR...