Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic

Riverside.Fm

Most podcasts fail to grow because they focus too much on the host—and not enough on the listener. In this episode, learn why centering your show around personal updates, casual chatter, or off-topic rambles is a fast way to lose new listeners before they even get to the good stuff.

Discover the mindset shift every indie podcaster needs to make: you're the host, not the star. From using content structure that hooks and holds attention, to understanding how and when to bring personal stories into the mix, this episode breaks down the strategies that actually drive audience growth.

✅ What you’ll learn:

• Why most new podcasts struggle to keep listeners
• The difference between personal content and valuable content
• How to structure your episodes for engagement and retention
• Why modeling celebrity-style podcasts can backfire
• The simple format that helps grow loyal, returning listeners

If you're serious about podcast growth, engagement, and building a loyal audience, this episode is your roadmap.

The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast

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Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!

Podgagement Link

Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter

• The Kris and Kristine Show
• Podtastic Audio
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• Instagram
• LInkedIn
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• Blue Sky

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Why no one cares about your podcast (yet)

00:41 – Intro + sponsored shoutout to Riverside.fm

01:23 – The two mindsets new podcasters fall into

02:53 – Content-first vs. personality-first shows

04:16 – Why personal stories don’t work for beginners

06:42 – Modeling big radio shows: the trap indie podcasters fall into

08:27 – Why famous podcasters can "get away with it"

09:31 – Just because you can make a podcast doesn’t mean people will care

10:44 – Example: Gavin Newsom’s podcast and audience building

12:23 – What makes podcasting content truly unique

14:14 – You’re the host, not the star (and that’s okay)

15:19 – Telling personal stories with purpose

16:35 – Quick content format you can use every episode

17:05 – Why this format actually drives growth

18:31 – Retention is the real growth strategy

20:33 – How and why people share valuable shows

21:39 – Value-first podcasting: what it really means

22:14 – Standing out in a sea of podcasts

23:14 – The listener-first mindset shift

24:52 – Wrapping up + how to audit your own show

25:58 – The Podtastic Playbook reviews & shoutouts

#PodcastTips #PodcastGrowth #PodcastMarketing #IndiePodcaster #PodcastStrategy #GrowYourPodcast #PodcastSuccess #PodcastAdvice #PodcastHost #PodcastLife #ContentCreation #ValueDrivenContent #PodcastJourney #Podcasting101 #PodcastSupport #PodcastEngagement #PodcastCommunity #PodcastPlanning #PodcastListeners #PodcastBranding #StartAPodcast #PodcastSEO #PodcastStructure #HookYourAudience #PodcastContent

Podcasting is supposed to be fun—so why does it sometimes feel like a grind?

This episode dives into the real reasons why podcasting can start to feel more like a job than a joy, and more importantly, what you can do to turn that around. If you've lost your spark behind the mic, feel like you're just phoning it in, or you're one bad episode away from quitting, you're not alone—and you're not out of options.

Through personal insight and hard-earned lessons, you'll learn how to avoid podcast burnout, reconnect with your original purpose, and bring creativity and energy back into your show.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why podcast burnout happens—and how to recognize it early
• The sneaky ways perfectionism kills creativity
• How over-focusing on podcast downloads can drain your motivation
• Real tips to reignite your passion for podcasting
• Ways to make solo podcasting fun again
• How to refresh your podcast format without losing your audience
• Simple mindset shifts to avoid podfade and keep showing up consistently

Whether you’re an indie podcaster, hobbyist, or even a seasoned creator hitting a wall, this episode offers honest, practical podcasting tips to help you get back to what made podcasting exciting in the first place. No fluff—just real advice from someone who's been there.

Podcasting should feel like play—not pressure.

📚 Free Book Alert I’m giving away free copies of The Podtastic Playbook! Want in? Head to PodtasticAudio.com, hit the Contact page, and just say “I want the book.” I’ll put your name in the drawing.

👍 If this episode helps you, pass it along to another podcaster who needs a reset.

And if you're feeling it, leave a review—it helps other indie creators find their way back to podcasting fun, too.

The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast

• Amazon Kindle
• Apple Books
• Barnes and Noble
• Other Bookstores

Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!

Podgagement Link

Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter

• The Kris and Kristine Show
• Podtastic Audio
• Twitter X
• Instagram
• LInkedIn
• Threads
• Blue Sky

#podcasttips #podcasterlife #indiepodcast #podcastburnout #podfade #podcastingmotivation #creativepodcasting #podcastingcommunity #funpodcasting #howtopodcast #podcastgrowth #podcastersofinstagram #audioproduction #podcastediting #hobbypodcaster #podcastmarketing #podcastsuccess #podcastingadvice #podcastinspiration #podcastjourney

Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic

Riverside.Fm

Hey, do you still think that landing a big-name guest will skyrocket your podcast downloads? Think again. In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I sit down with Brianna Ansaldo of Bambi Media, a podcast production and marketing expert, to break down the biggest podcasting myths and the real strategies that help podcasts grow.

We cover: 🎙️ Why solo episodes might actually be the best way to build your audience

• The biggest mistakes podcasters make and how to avoid them
• How to improve your podcast audio without spending a fortune
• Podcast marketing strategies that actually work
• The truth about guest interviews – and why they won’t always grow your show
• How to repurpose your podcast content for social media, blogs, and more

If you're an indie podcaster looking to create a high-quality podcast and grow your audience, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

📌 Plus, I’m giving away a FREE copy of the Podtastic Playbook – my guide to making an amazing podcast. Head over to podtasticaudio.com to enter!

🎧 Listen now and start making your podcast sound better than ever!

🔗 Links & Resources: Connect with Brianna at BambiMedia.com

Follow Brianna on YouTube for podcasting tips

Get your FREE Podtastic Playbook at podtasticaudio.com

The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast

• Amazon Kindle
• Apple Books
• Barnes and Noble
• Other Bookstores

Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!

Podgagement Link

Show Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Are Big Guests Really Worth It?

01:00 – Welcome & Sponsor Message (Riverside.fm)

03:00 – Meet Brianna of Bambi Media

04:20 – Podcasting in Australia vs. the U.S.

06:30 – Audio Editing Struggles & Solutions

10:00 – The Power of Good Podcast Editing

13:30 – Why Big Guests Won’t Grow Your Podcast

16:00 – Solo Episodes vs. Interviews – What Works Best?

22:00 – How to Market Your Podcast Like a Pro

27:00 – Podcast Growth Strategies That Actually Work

31:00 – Repurposing Content: The Smart Way to Get More Listeners

38:00 – The Importance of a Strong Podcast Hook

44:00 – Audio Quality Tips & Common Mistakes

51:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Brianna

55:00 – Closing & Free Podtastic Playbook Giveaway

#PodcastingTips #PodcastGrowth #PodcastMarketing #IndiePodcaster #PodcastEditing #PodcastProduction #ContentRepurposing #SoloPodcasting #PodcastAudio #MarketingStrategies #PodcastSEO #PodcastingForBeginners #GrowYourPodcast #PodcastInterview #PodcastHost #HowToPodcast #PodcastSuccess #AudioEditingTips #BambiMedia #PodtasticAudio