EPISODE 678 - Blinded By Fear - When You Get Hit So Hard You Might Just Give Up on Your Podcast

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest roadblocks for podcasters: fear.

Whether it’s the fear of the unknown, worrying about what others might think, or getting stuck over “what ifs,” these anxieties can keep us from hitting record, launching new ideas, or growing our shows.

We’ll explore why these fears are so common in podcasting, how they can sabotage our progress, and—most importantly—practical strategies to overcome them.

Tune in for real talk about building confidence, reframing self-doubt, and taking bold steps forward, even when you don’t have all the answers.

If fear has ever held you back, this episode is for you!

____

https://howtopodcast.ca/

EPISODE 677 - Introducing PodcastFeedback.ca - Limited Time - Donate to Charity and Get Feedback on Your Podcast

LOOKING FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK ON YOUR PODCAST, SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE AND NO THE SNARKY COMMENTS

Get in early with this special offer:

1 - Provide a link to the episode you wish to have reviewed

2 - Listen to my review first before it goes out as an episode - no surprises!

3 - Cost - for a limited time: Please donate financially to the charity of your choice

4 - Provide a link to the charity that you donated to so that we can promote them on your review episode

5 - Promote your podcast by having it reviewed on The How To Podcast Series

LIMITED TIME OFFER!

https://podcastfeedback.ca/

___

https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 676 - Voice-Over Artist and Former Radio Producer Shares The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice - With CO-HOST Mary Chan

The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice

https://pod.link/1521579706

https://www.organizedsound.ca/

____

Helping Podcasters Everyday!

https://howtopodcast.ca/
We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!

https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

EPISODE 675 - Narrative Podcasting - A Different Approach to Interviewing - Podcastin' in the free world

I recently had the priviledge to spend time with Neil Young's older brother Bob on my Living The Next Chapter Podcast. We talked about his new book, we shared stories of his brother Neil and the Young Family.

Our conversation was not framed like a typical interview so I thought I would try editing the interview in a different format. I am putting this out so you can see that there are other ways to edit your podcasts - be creative and don't be afraid to try new editing techniques.

Bob Young was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1942. He was a member of the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association for nearly three decades and first met Moe Norman in the early 1960s. Like Norman, Young has always been intrigued by metaphysics and has had access to the leading trance mediums. Young’s brother is Neil Young, the internationally recognized singer-songwriter.

https://www.bobyounggolf.com/

___

https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 674 - When Podcasters Say No To Video Podcasting - Will We See Creators Leave With the Peer Pressure to do Video Podcasts

In this episode of The How to Podcast Series, Dave pushes back on the growing pressure for podcasters to become video creators, reminding listeners that podcasting has always allowed room for different approaches. He reflects on the confusion surrounding Apple’s video podcasting direction, the mixed messages in the industry, and the way creators are being made to feel as though audio-only shows are somehow no longer enough. The heart of the episode is a strong defense of creator choice, community, and keeping podcasting open to people with different time, budget, comfort, and skill levels.

Dave shares his concern that this video-first push is causing real stress for podcasters who do not want to be on camera or do not have the capacity to add video to their workflow. He speaks candidly about the harm of gatekeeping and the way peer pressure can make creators question whether they belong in podcasting at all. He also points to examples of podcasters stepping back because of the pressure, using those stories to argue that the industry should not push people away from the medium they love.

The episode also touches on the importance of RSS, the limits of platform control, and the value of staying nimble as a creator. Dave contrasts the flexibility of audio podcasting with the risks of relying too heavily on closed platforms, while also emphasizing that no single format should be treated as the only professional path. He encourages podcasters to keep the humanity in their shows, avoid over-editing themselves into something unnatural, and make content that fits their life and their audience.

Dave closes with an invitation for listeners to reflect on what works best for them and to remember that audio podcasting still matters deeply. He also encourages feedback through the show survey and reinforces that the goal is to build a welcoming, supportive podcasting community.

Key takeaway: You do not have to do video to be a real podcaster. The best podcasting choice is the one that fits your skills, resources, and comfort, while still letting your voice be heard.

Marv - Pods Like Us Podcast

https://pod.link/1534984629

Captivate.fm's Apple HLS Video Townhall

https://www.youtube.com/live/skzo4OcpTfk?si=1MifbVWPrHAOJ2hD

____

Helping Podcasters Everyday!

https://howtopodcast.ca/
We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!

https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

E673 - How To Get Listeners to Respond to Your Next Request - Listener Surveys and Calls To Action

In this episode of The How To Podcast Series, Dave talks about listener surveys, calls to action, and the challenge of getting audiences to actually respond. He shares his own experience with a survey that has received only a small number of replies, then uses that as a launch point for a broader conversation about why listener feedback matters and how podcasters can ask for it more effectively.

The core message is simple: great podcasts are built on understanding, not guessing. Dave explains that a survey should be short, clear, and focused on what listeners need, what they struggle with, and what they want more of, rather than questions that only satisfy the host’s curiosity. He also stresses that feedback has to lead to action, because if listeners take the time to respond and never see anything change, they stop believing their input matters.

Dave also connects the idea of surveys to the bigger world of podcast calls to action. He encourages hosts to lead by example, do the actions they ask of listeners, and make every request feel like a pathway to engagement rather than a demand. He outlines five practical principles for stronger CTAs: make it about the listener, give one clear action, place it where people will actually hear it, make it frictionless, and tie it directly to the moment in the episode.

The episode includes examples from his own show and references Tom Webster’s The Audience Is Listening, which Dave describes as an essential resource for podcasters who want to grow through listener insight. He also notes that even a small number of thoughtful responses can provide useful direction when they are reviewed carefully and used to guide real decisions.

Key takeaway: If you want listeners to respond, make the ask simple, relevant, and worthwhile, then prove that their voice changes the show.

The Audience is Listening - Know your audience to grow your audience

You’re a podcaster. You’ve nailed the tech and your topic, but you’re stuck when it comes to growing your audience. There isn’t a single, magical step you can take that will suddenly catapult your podcast into the waiting ears of eager listeners. Instead, you must know the humans you’re talking to on the other end of your microphone.

With three decades in the radio and podcast industries, audio expert and researcher Tom Webster knows what it takes to earn eager ears. In The Audience Is Listening, he lays it all out for you in an actionable, repeatable process. While providing you with the data-validated tools you need to pick apart your podcast and rebuild it, Webster helps you to understand the importance of creating entertainment for your specific listener. Webster’s techniques will have you earning an audience that not only listens but looks forward to tuning in to each episode. Because it isn’t just about grabbing attention—it’s about sustaining it.

https://audienceislisteningbook.com/

____

Helping Podcasters Everyday!

https://howtopodcast.ca/
We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!

https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 672 - Podcast For Free - Busting the Free is Flawed Myth - Your Free Podcaster Starter Kit

This episode challenges a growing narrative in the podcasting space that “free means flawed.” Dave pushes back on the idea that creators must spend money to be taken seriously, calling out the gatekeeping mindset that can discourage new and hobby podcasters before they even begin. With a mix of humor and honesty, he highlights how this belief often benefits those promoting paid tools rather than serving the needs of everyday creators.

Drawing from his own experience, Dave shares that many podcasters are building their shows in the margins of busy lives, balancing family, work, and financial responsibilities. For them, high monthly costs can become a barrier that stops creativity before it starts. He emphasizes that free tools are not only viable but powerful, pointing to platforms and resources that allow you to record, edit, host, and promote a podcast without spending anything.

At the center of this episode is his resource hub, podcastforfree.com, a curated and constantly updated list of genuinely free podcasting tools. These are not trial offers or limited-time gimmicks, but tools that remain accessible long term. The goal is simple: remove friction, increase accessibility, and give more people the opportunity to share their voice.

Dave also addresses the importance of firsthand experience. Rather than blindly following “guru” advice, he encourages podcasters to test tools themselves and make informed decisions based on what works for their workflow. Free platforms, he argues, often provide strong support, active communities, and everything needed to get started. Paid tools still have their place, especially for professionals and growing shows, but they should be a step forward, not a requirement to begin.

Throughout the episode, there’s a consistent reminder that podcasting should be inclusive. Free resources help level the playing field, allowing more diverse voices to be heard without financial pressure. Whether it’s using Audacity for editing, Canva for artwork, or free hosting options, creators can build real skills and meaningful content before ever considering an upgrade.

Key takeaway: Free podcasting tools are not a compromise. They are a legitimate and empowering starting point that remove barriers, build confidence, and allow anyone to begin podcasting without financial strain.

https://podcastforfree.com/

____

Helping Podcasters Everyday!

https://howtopodcast.ca/
We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!

https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 671 - Podcast Haven - Podcast Intelligence Report - A Free Look At Where Your Show is Thriving and Where The Gaps Are

FIND TOPICS TO GROW YOUR SHOW - Stop publishing into the void. Get a full content strategy — gaps and episode ideas sourced from real Google search demand, cross-referenced against your archive — so every recommendation is backed by data, not guesswork.Step 1 - Paste Your RSS Feed

Drop in your podcast RSS feed URL — works with every major hosting platform including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, Anchor, Simplecast, Podbean, and Transistor. Not sure where to find it? It's usually in your podcast host's settings under "RSS Feed" or "Distribution."

Step 2 - AI Analyzes Your Archive

Our engine reads every episode in your feed, then cross-references your archive against live Google search data. It identifies what your audience is actively searching for that you haven't covered yet — every content gap and episode idea is sourced from real marketplace demand, not AI inference.

Step 3 -

Get Your Strategy Report

You receive a 7-module intelligence report covering topic distribution, marketplace-verified content gaps, 8 search-driven episode ideas (each backed by real monthly search volume and keyword difficulty), repurposing opportunities, guest suggestions, growth insights, and a 90-day content roadmap. Download it as a branded PDF or share a link with your team.

WHAT YOU GET

Eight intelligence modules, each designed to give you a different strategic lens on your podcast.

Topic Distribution

Visual breakdown of your most-covered themes across your entire archive — see what you talk about most and least.

Episode Ideas

Every idea is sourced from real Google search demand — DataForSEO identifies high-volume uncovered keywords in your niche, then the AI turns each one into a fully formed episode concept with title, angle, and format. No guessing.

Repurposing Engine

Turn existing episodes into blog posts, clips, newsletters, carousels, and social content automatically.

Guest Opportunities

Discover which guest categories are missing from your lineup and get specific suggestions for who to invite next.

Growth Insights

Publishing frequency analysis, topic balance scoring, and strategic recommendations to grow your audience — grounded in what your archive actually contains, not surface-level metadata.

90-Day Roadmap

A prioritized content plan for your next 10 episodes with publishing schedule and topic sequencing.

PDF Reports

Download a professional branded report for any analysis — perfect for sharing with sponsors or co-hosts.

The Podcast Haven “Podcast Intelligence Report” analyzes your podcast through your RSS feed and delivers a clear picture of what’s working, what’s missing, and where opportunities exist for growth.

Using his own show as a case study, Dave walks through how the tool evaluates key metrics like episode length, publishing frequency, and the balance between solo and guest episodes. It also breaks content down into topic categories, helping you see what themes dominate your show and how consistently you’re serving your audience in each area.

Where things get especially valuable is in identifying content gaps. By comparing your existing episodes against real search data, the report highlights topics your audience is actively looking for but you have not yet covered. This creates a practical roadmap for future episodes that are aligned with listener demand, not guesswork.

The tool goes even further by suggesting specific episode ideas based on search volume and competition, offering formats like solo, guest, or roundtable discussions.

Guest recommendations and growth insights round out the report, helping you identify who to invite onto your show and how to strengthen your content strategy moving forward.

https://analyze.thepodcasthaven.com/

____⁠

https://podcastforfree.com

https://howtopodcast.ca/

Our listener survey!

https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6