Show Notes
It is unofficially the holiday season and today we’re here to discuss the ways in which podcasters can participate in any way they can. Giving back to the community around Thanksgiving is a meaningful way for a podcast to show appreciation to listeners, guests, and supporters.
Today’s Hosts: Mike Dell, Todd Cochrane and MacKenzie Bennett Here are some ideas to create a Thanksgiving Give-Back theme:
1. Charity Shoutouts and Partnerships:
Highlight Local or Relevant Charities: Dedicate an episode to featuring charities or organizations that resonate with your podcast’s niche. Share their stories, invite representatives to speak, and encourage listeners to donate or get involved.
Charity Sponsorship or Matching Donations: Pledge a portion of your podcast’s sponsorship revenue for the month to a chosen charity, or match listener donations up to a certain amount. Announce the initiative and encourage listeners to join in, creating a collective effort to make a difference.
Create a Donation Drive: Collaborate with your listeners to raise funds for a specific cause. Provide incentives, like shoutouts on the show, for those who donate, or set a community goal and celebrate together if it’s reached.
2. Give Back Through Special Listener Content:
Audience Appreciation Episodes: Host an episode dedicated to thanking your listeners. Include shoutouts, listener-submitted stories, or even “fan of the year” awards. Show your gratitude for the community that keeps your podcast going.
Listener Q&A or Story Submission Episode: Invite listeners to submit questions, stories, or ideas and feature them in a special episode. This could be stories of gratitude, memorable Thanksgiving moments, or reflections on your podcast’s theme.
Fan-Generated Content: Let listeners take part in the show by submitting their own clips, answering a question, or sharing a message. Compile these into a community-driven episode that highlights the diversity and voices of your audience.
3. Thanksgiving Giveaways and Contests:
Gratitude Giveaway: Run a giveaway for loyal listeners, featuring prizes that relate to your podcast’s niche or audience interests. This could be exclusive podcast merchandise, gift cards, or a chance to be a guest on your show.
“Nominate a Friend” Contest: Encourage listeners to nominate someone they think deserves a reward, whether it’s a small cash prize, a gift card, or a custom podcast shoutout. This promotes community spirit and allows listeners to support each other.
Share-the-Love Challenge: Set up a “pay it forward” challenge encouraging listeners to do something kind in their community. Have them share their acts of kindness on social media with a unique hashtag, and share some of the best on your show.
4. Host a Thanksgiving-Themed Livestream or Virtual Gathering:
Virtual Thanksgiving Meetup: Host a live-streamed Thanksgiving hangout where you and your listeners can chat, share stories, and express gratitude. Invite special guests, answer listener questions, and make it an interactive event.
Live Charity Stream: Set up a live charity stream where listeners can donate in real-time to a cause while enjoying a special Thanksgiving-themed podcast episode or Q&A. This is also a great chance to feature notable guests, making the event feel special.
Host a “Friendsgiving” Roundtable: Bring together past guests or members of your podcast community for a Friendsgiving episode. Each guest can share something they’re grateful for in podcasting, creating an atmosphere of appreciation and warmth.
5. Community Projects and Volunteering:
Organize a Local Volunteer Event: If your podcast has a strong local following, consider organizing a volunteer day where you and listeners can give back together, like a food drive, community cleanup, or charity event.
Encourage Volunteering Through the Show: If in-person events aren’t feasible, encourage listeners to participate in virtual or local volunteering. Share volunteer opportunities in you
More from Podcast Insider
In this episode of Podcast Insider, Mike Dell, Dave Clements and MacKenzie Bennett share how they’re currently using AI in podcast production—and where they think podcasters should draw the line.
Celebrity podcasts are everywhere — or at least, it can feel that way. But does having a built-in audience actually make someone a good podcaster? In this episode of Podcast Insider, Dave Clements, MacKenzie Bennett and Mike Dell discuss the rise and influence of celebrity podcasts, why some make the transition to podcasting successfully while others struggle, and how these shows can shape expectations for new podcasters.
How Do You Consume Podcasts? Podcast consumption looks different for everyone—and it continues to change as audio, video and short-form content become more connected.
Spring is a natural time to reset — and your podcast is no exception. If things have started to feel a little scattered, outdated, or harder to manage, you’re not alone. Most podcasts don’t struggle because of one major issue, but because of small things that quietly pile up over time. In this episode, we walk through how to “spring clean” your podcast — from refreshing your show details and fixing broken links to simplifying your workflow and setting yourself up for growth. These are practical, high-impact updates you can make right now to improve your listener experience, boost discoverability, and make your podcast easier (and more rewarding) to run.
Podcasting doesn’t stop at borders — and chances are, your audience doesn’t either.