Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, shares his journey from starting a podcast about Saigon in 2019 to running a successful, end-to-end podcast production agency.

Niall discusses the evolution of his podcast, including rebranding it to focus on Vietnam as a whole, and how he navigated significant challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

He emphasizes the importance of setting specific goals, learning to say no, and focusing on one's primary objective for achieving success.

Niall also shares insights on the most effective social media platforms and strategies for monetizing a podcast production business.

00:00 Introduction and Beginnings in Saigon
00:00 Rebranding and Expanding Beyond Saigon
00:00 Challenges and Pivotal Decisions During COVID
00:00 Refocusing and Setting Goals
00:00 Achievements and Recognition
00:00 Q&A: Social Media and Monetization
00:00 Q&A: Income and Final Thoughts

Send us a text

Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcasts Facebook or Instagram to book your free Podcast Audit!

Thanks to James Mastroianni from The Wrong Side Of Hollywood for the endorsement!

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“The reason I’m putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don’t want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay

This episode is easily one of my favorites — not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time.

Listening to her describe how she chooses podcasts, where she listens, and what makes her switch off reminded me that every podcaster needs to think more like a listener. This conversation changed the way I look at intros, ads, and even how people interact with Spotify. If you want to know how your audience really experiences your show — this is the episode to listen to.

5 Key Talking Points

1. Listeners crave connection. They tune in to people, not just topics.
2. Bad audio kills interest instantly — even more than weak content.
3. The first two minutes decide everything. Get to the point fast.
4. Titles and artwork matter more than show notes. Most people never read them.
5. Podcast habits are personal. Where, when, and how people listen shapes what they love — and what they skip.

Chapters and Timestamps

• 00:00 — Why People Listen
• 03:00 — From Talk Radio to True Crime
• 09:00 — What Makes Listeners Switch Off
• 17:00 — Should You Repeat Your Intro Every Episode?
• 25:00 — How Listeners Discover New Podcasts
• 35:00 — Lessons for Podcasters

Send us a text

Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcasts Facebook or Instagram to book your free Podcast Audit!

Thanks to James Mastroianni from The Wrong Side Of Hollywood for the endorsement!

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Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
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I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!

I'm opening up about my podcasting journey and the blunders I've encountered along the way. Join me as I share some valuable lessons learned from my experiences so that you can avoid these pitfalls and create a smoother path to podcasting success.

Key Times to Listen:

00:01:00 - The Importance of Hitting Record

00:02:00 - The Power of Headphones

00:04:30 - Communicating with Guests for Video

00:06:00 - Embracing Dynamic Microphones

00:08:30 - Eliminating Interruptions and Disturbances

Key Takeaways:

1. Hit Record and Have a Checklist: Always press that record button and create a checklist to prevent the dreaded missed recording.
2. Wear Headphones for Quality Monitoring: Headphones are your allies in capturing and improving audio quality by catching unwanted sounds.
3. Select the Right Microphone and Settings: Double-check your microphone selection and settings to avoid ending up with unexpected recordings.
4. Prep Your Guests for Video: Communicate clearly with your guests about video recordings to maintain professionalism and prevent surprises.
5. Invest in Quality Equipment: Opt for dynamic microphones with cardioid patterns to enhance your sound and eliminate background noise.

I encourage you to join the conversation! Share your own podcasting mishaps and experiences by leaving a voice message here.

Send us a text

Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcasts Facebook or Instagram to book your free Podcast Audit!

Thanks to James Mastroianni from The Wrong Side Of Hollywood for the endorsement!

Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!