Unlike traditional broadcasting, there are no "show clocks," scheduled ad breaks, or rigid time slots for podcasts. So should you care about publishing episodes of different lengths?

While I think episodes don't have to be the same length, there are some considerations.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/consistentlength

• Thanks for the streaming support from Randy Black!
• I'll be speaking at Podcast Movement 2025 in Dallas, TX! Join my session "What You Need to Know About Podcasting 2.0."

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

• Call (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com
• Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity
• Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

This fundamental question that has been challenged and even abused: what is a podcast anymore? There's plenty of misinformation and disinformation out there about what a podcast is. My efforts to help set the definition straight may be fruitless, but there's more to consider here than only the meaning of the word.

This is my 400th episode of The Audacity to Podcast, to to commemorate this milestone, I want to jump back to this fundamental question because how we answer it will affect the future of our content and even of the whole podcasting industry.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/definition

• https://whatsapodcast.com

• More about calling your content a "podcast" vs. a "show": https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-you-really-a-podcaster-and-should-you-really-be-podcasting-tap182/

• Thanks to Bryan Entzminger, Dreb Scott, and Steve Webb for streaming support to The Audacity to Podcast totaling about 4,500 satoshis!
• Support The Audacity to Podcast through your modern Podcasting 2.0 app or at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

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Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

• Call (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com
• Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity
• Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

Podcasting guesting is consistently the #1 way to grow your own podcast. This works because it gives you the opportunity to get in front of more ideal listeners, provide value and demonstrate your knowledge, and it's easy for them to follow you over to your podcast.

But how do you find the first shows you should try getting on?

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/firstguesting

• Podcasting 2.0's "podroll" spec: https://podcasting2.org/tags/podroll
• How to Add Podcast Recommendations with Podroll: https://podcasting2.org/docs/guides/how-to-add-podcast-recommendations-with-podroll

• https://podgagement.com

• Example prompt with Gemini 2.5 Flash in Magai: https://app.magai.co/public/1752980668283x821243579549614100
• Join Magai for the best AI toolbox (I earn through this link): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai

• Be sure to join Podgagement to help you discover your podcast networking opportunities! https://podgagement.com

• Thanks to Bryan Entzminger from https://TopTierAudio.com for streaming 411 satoshis
• Thanks to Cameron Stack from https://PodLabs.org for interviewing me for his upcoming miniseries on podcast awards!

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Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

• Call (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com
• Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity
• Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

I see podcasters often think that their podcast might grow faster if they switch podcast hosting providers, like from Blueberry to Captivate or vice versa. But is this true? Short answer, no. Now, of course, I'm going to give you more details about that.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/hostinggrow

• Do IAB-Certified Stats Really Matter for Your Podcast? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/do-iab-certified-stats-matter-for-your-podcast/

• Get the networking feature in Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/
• How many podcasts are currently in Apple Podcasts: https://podcastindustryinsights.com/apple

• Blubrry (WordPress-focused workflow): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/blubrry
• Buzzsprout (easiest to use): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/buzzsprout
• Captivate (everything else / powerhouse of tools): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/captivate

• 101§ + 47§ from Randy Black
• Thanks to Lyndsay Phillips for interviewing me on her show Leverage Your Podcast, talking about Podgagement and how to engage your audience: https://www.smoothbusinessgrowth.com/category/podcast/

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

• Call (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com
• Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity
• Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

Intentional growth requires regular evaluation and adjustment. That applies to so many areas of life and business, and your podcast is no different. I've put together five things I suggest you evaluate about your podcast every year so that you can make the changes necessary to keep growing your podcast.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/evaluateyearly

• Why You Should Put Podcasting P.R.O.F.I.T. First [episode 388] :https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-should-put-podcasting-profit-first/

• How Long Should Your Episode Closing Be? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-long-should-your-episode-closing-be-episode-396/

• Magai, the powerful AI toolbox I use (affiliate link): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai

• 15 Regrets from 15 Years of Professional Podcasting [episode 394]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/15-regrets-from-15-years-of-professional-podcasting-episode-394/

• Magai,: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai

• 150§ and 64§ from Randy Black
• 356§ from Bryan Entzminger
• A couple of 5-star ratings on my episodes in Goodpods from "Barnabas"

If you love the Audacity to Podcast, would you consider giving back in value what you feel the show is worth to you? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

• Call (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com
• Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity
• Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

How long should your episode closing be? While your episode openings should be as short as possible, the length of your episode closings can be a bit more dynamic. The answer is actually a little different this time: as simple as possible.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/simpleclosing

• 406§ from Bryan Entzminger

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Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

What is the first thing your audience hears when they play your latest episode? Are you providing value in your opening, or just keeping your audience from what they came to hear? Although the terms "intro"/"introduction" and "opening" are often used interchangeably, I'm going to be more specific to call the "opening" everything your audience hears before your episode's unique content.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/shortopening

Answer: as short as possible

What about audio branding?

What about welcoming your new audience?

• When to Use Trailer, Full, and Bonus Episode Types [episode 353]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-use-trailer-full-and-bonus-episode-types/

Consider your most important audience: the one you already have

Bonus tip: use a unique cold open

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Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

As The Audacity to Podcast celebrates 15 years of professional podcasting, I invite you to take a critical look back at the biggest mistakes I've made and things I wish I did differently with my show. My hope is that this will inspire you to either fix these things early for yourself, or avoid them altogether!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/15regrets

(As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through some of these following links. But I recommend things I truly believe in, regardless of earnings.)

1. Hiatuses

2. Not building an email list sooner

• 13 Ways to Use an Email List for Your Podcast" [episode 198]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/13-ways-to-use-an-email-list-for-your-podcast-tap198/

1. Not promoting my episodes via email

2. Pursuing the wrong business

3. Not creating enough training products

• SEO for Podcasters course: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/store/seo-for-podcasters/ • Zoom H6 for Podcasters course: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/store/zoom-h6-for-podcasters/

1. Waiting too long to register my trademark

• Gordon Firemark: https://gfiremark.com

1. Trying to do things cheaply

• ID3 Editor: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/id3editor • Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/

1. Not publishing more through other channels, including video

• Hollyland Lark M2S microphone: https://geni.us/6oS4OH

1. Not reaching out to press about significant things

2. Accepting sponsors

3. Not creating value for value opportunities for you, my audience

• More about Podcasting 2.0 micropayments and value4value [episode 371]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-podcasting-2-0-micropayments-worth-it/ • Support the show if The Audacity to Podcast provides value to you: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback • Get a modern Podcasting 2.0 podcast app: https://podcasting2.org/apps

1. Working solo for too long

• Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker: https://geni.us/rIloRAJ • Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://geni.us/yiGzM • Podgagement (formerly "My Podcast Reviews"): https://podgagement.com/ • Entrepeneur definition on Urban Dictionary: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=entrepodneur

1. Using a cute and expensive domain

2. Getting involved with the wrong people

3. Not focusing more on relationships

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Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005