Podcasting offers a distinctive advantage in today's AI-saturated digital landscape, creating an authentic connection between businesses and their audience that algorithms can't replicate. We explore how this medium transforms cold outreach into warm leads while establishing you as an authority in your field.

• Building trust and authority by consistently sharing valuable insights about your industry
• Transforming traditional sales funnels by creating warm leads through podcasting
• Learning from brands like Four Sigmatic and Backblaze that grew through strategic podcast marketing
• Aligning your podcast with specific business goals rather than trying to appeal to everyone
• Creating high-value relationships with guests, listeners, and industry partners
• Maintaining consistency without getting derailed by perfectionism
• Approaching podcasting as a long-term strategy rather than expecting immediate results
• Focusing on providing value rather than excessive self-promotion
• Using AI tools to enhance your podcast strategy without losing authenticity

Ready to see how podcasting can help grow your business? Start by defining your audience and goals, then either launch your own show or reach out to be a guest on podcasts in your niche. Remember that consistency and authority are your most powerful marketing tools.

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

I share my journey exploring AI tools to automate cold calling and appointment setting for business development while maintaining personal connection with clients. The quest to multiply my sales efforts across multiple counties without hiring additional staff has led to testing innovative solutions that could revolutionize how small businesses approach growth.

• The continuing importance of cold calling for business development despite networking efforts
• Testing Callin.io AI appointment setting system that integrates with Google Calendar
• How AI can pre-qualify prospects and automatically schedule appointments
• Technical challenges and programming considerations when implementing AI calling systems
• Potential cost savings of $30 for 3.5 hours of call time versus hiring staff
• The ultimate goal of expanding business reach across s

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

Trader Stu explores the challenges of post-layoff entrepreneurship and shares exciting news about being featured in an upcoming apocalyptic survival video game called "Get Prepped."

• Being featured as a trader character in "Get Prepped," an apocalyptic survival video game releasing this winter
• Average gamer today is in their 30s with disposable income - not just teenagers
• The Michigan Renaissance Festival sponsorship and themed weekend events
• Post-layoff entrepreneurship challenges and unrealistic expectations
• Most new business owners after layoffs rely on unemployment benefits for startup capital
• Without proper advertising and marketing budget, new businesses struggle to survive
• The three biggest challenges for post-layoff entrepreneurs: cash flow, marketing, and time management
• Approximately 45% of small busines

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We explore how to transform your yard from a money drain into an income-generating asset through innovative gardening approaches and direct sales to restaurant chefs.

• Modern properties now cost money rather than generate income, from expensive driveways to high-maintenance lawns
• Microgreens business proved unprofitable at farmers markets due to hidden labor costs and time commitment
• "Cut-and-come-again" garden model allows chefs to harvest their own produce, paying by weight with an honor system
• Raised bed hugelkultur gardening offers an ergonomic solution for growing that repurposes yard waste
• Suburban self-sufficiency isn't realistic, but even small-scale food production can offset rising grocery costs
• Victory gardens provide resilience against supply chain disruptions while keeping you close to home and family

Check out the Michigan Renaissance Festival this summer!

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

I've landed my first podcast sponsorship with the Michigan Renaissance Festival and will be recording commercials for them through September. This milestone comes while I'm still recording from my car and figuring out audio settings.

• Received VIP/media passes for August 13th networking event before the festival opens
• Might conduct my first podcast interviews with Renaissance Festival performers
• Planning to give away festival tickets to followers and listeners
• Shared story of attending the festival dressed as Jack Sparrow during post-COVID crowds
• Found myself entertaining people stuck in traffic, which was more fun than the festival itself
• Recently helped two people set up their own podcasts on different topics
• Emphasized that starting a podcast requires time, commitment and just hitting record

Be good or be good at it.

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

A decade-long dream finally materializes! After years of creating content and navigating the ups and downs of podcasting, the Trading Post podcast has secured its first official sponsorship deal. This unexpected milestone arrived suddenly, catching me off guard despite having uploaded only 11-12 episodes total with sometimes months between releases.

The sponsorship opportunity involves exchanging airtime or mentions for tickets, opening exciting possibilities but also raising numerous questions. I'm now working with a consultant to navigate the business side of content creation—exploring everything from legal disclosures to potential tax implications and whether establishing an LLC makes sense. What started as a passion project about trading and bartering has suddenly transformed into what I jokingly call a "side come"—where opportunities come your way through consistent effort.

Recording challenges remain a fascinating part of my podcasting journey. Despite having access to workspace facilities, my car provides the environment where I feel most authentic and animated. I've experimented with various GarageBand settings from "narrator" to "radio ready" to find the right sound quality. Looking ahead, I'm considering using professional recording spaces for guest interviews while dreaming of an ultimate mobile podcast studio—perhaps a customized RV that embodies the rugged Trading Post brand. The lesson for fellow podcasters? Stay consistent, create content that excites you, and view sponsorships as a welcome bonus rather than the primary goal. Subscribe to follow this exciting new chapter and discover how persistence eventually pays off, even when the path feels slow and unpredictable.

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

The Trading Post podcast explores how to leverage AI tools like Perplexity to transform business networking follow-ups and stand out from competitors who rarely capitalize on their business card collections. We demonstrate a systematic approach to turn networking connections into meaningful business relationships through strategic AI utilization.

• Using Perplexity AI to research businesses from collected business cards
• Creating personalized follow-up emails with AI that match your authentic speaking tone
• Building custom AI personas to streamline repetitive business explanations
• How AI is changing SEO and potentially reducing direct website traffic
• Strategies for using AI in cold email campaigns while avoiding spam flags
• Challenges of geographic coverage when networking across multiple metropolitan areas
• Using LinkedIn Sales Navigator and other tools to target businesses by location

Whatever you do, be good or be good at it.

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

The podcast downloads quadrupled after experimenting with posting twice weekly, proving that consistency is key to building an audience. Finding the right recording environment is crucial for maintaining authenticity and quality.

• Car recording provides surprisingly good acoustics with all the soft surfaces absorbing sound
• Holding off on podcast marketing during early experimental phase allows freedom to try different approaches
• The vision of a "mobile trading post" concept aligns with modernizing traditional trading practices
• Content creation takes substantial time investment with slow returns - video editing requires 15-60 minutes per finished minute
• 38-42 of the top 50 podcasts don't incorporate video components
• 23 minutes is the optimal podcast length according to Buzzsprout, aligning with average commute times
• AI helps with podcast planning and structure, but authentic human voices remain essential for connection

Whatever you do, be good or be good at it.

Send us a text

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform, always rocking the cowboy hat. The track is protected under U.S. Copyright rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.

contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

The thoughts and views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of Metro Trading Association. Although the host is an employee of Metro Trading, this podcast is intended to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of professional trading, regardless of their location. Additionally, the host reviews various pieces of camping gear due to the association of trade, barter, and prepping.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.