Podcasting in 2025: What actually mattered (and what matters next year)

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast next year, this episode is about slowing down before you press record. I share the key questions you need to ask yourself before launching, why success in podcasting looks very different depending on your goals, and why a thoughtful, well-crafted show will always outperform something rushed or trend-chasing. This episode is for anyone who wants to create a podcast they’re proud of, not just something they “give a crack” and abandon six months later. In this episode, I cover: Why success in podcasting isn’t one-size-fits-all How to define success metrics that actually work for your life and goals Why high-quality, well-considered shows are more important than ever Whether it’s “too late” to start a podcast (spoiler: it’s not) The questions every new podcaster should answer before they begin

Should you release all your podcast episodes at once or drip them out weekly? Binge-dropping feels efficient but it can seriously stunt your podcast audience growth. In this episode, I break down why releasing everything in one go almost always performs worse than a steady weekly rollout and the rare situations where a binge drop does make sense. What you’ll learn: Why binge releases kill your biggest growth engine: consistency How weekly drops boost discoverability, auto-downloads and listener trust Why “Why now?” matters when promoting your show When it’s actually fine to release everything at once The question to ask yourself before choosing a release strategy

Can paid ads grow your podcast audience? A year ago I would’ve said “no, don't bother.” But after seeing a few campaigns actually convert this year, I’ve changed my answer to… a little. In this episode, I break down why paid ads usually flop, when they can work, and the one thing you absolutely must track before spending a cent. What You’ll Learn Why paid ads rarely convert for podcasters When they can work (and the 3 conditions that matter most) The biggest mistake people make with podcast ads How targeting, creative and tracking make or break your results Why you should never run ads until your podcast foundations are rock solid

If you’re used to traditional media like TV or radio, it’s easy to assume your podcast will only reach local listeners but that’s not how it works. In this episode, I share how podcasting instantly makes you a global creator, what limits (if any) exist when it comes to reach and why monetisation is usually still local even if your audience isn’t. What you’ll learn: Why your podcast is automatically international the moment you hit publish The difference between radio/TV and podcast distribution How Apple Podcasts and other storefronts curate their local content Why ad monetisation still tends to happen within your home market The mindset shift you need when you realise your audience can come from anywhere

When you’re recording a podcast you need to think about your audience as individual people, rather than a collective, if you want to connect with them In this episode, I explain why this is one of the most powerful ways to build connection, sound more natural and keep people coming back for more. What you’ll learn: Why using collective language e.g. "You guys," "Ladies and Gentlemen" can disconnect you from your audience The words you need to use to make sure your audience feel you're speaking directly to them A simple trick to make solo recording feel more natural How to balance audience connection in solo vs. co-hosted shows