The Podcast Superfriends

The Friends welcome Kendall Breitman on International Podcast Day. Kendall is Riverside's community lead, who announces the launch of chat-based editing, a new AI feature that allows users to make edits via text, enhancing video engagement. The feature, named "AI Co-Creator," and baptized as "Coco" unofficially, complements existing transcript and timeline editing. Breitman also discusses the importance of community feedback and the evolving nature of Riverside's tools, including live streaming capabilities and audio enhancements. The team also addresses the challenges of balancing creative work with AI tools and the importance of staying updated with platform features. Kendall is encouraging Riverside users to join the Facebook Community Group or the Riverside Community Hub. Chapters: (00:00:07) Intro & Host Roll Call (00:01:19) Guest: Kendall Breitman (Riverside) (00:01:31) Riverside’s Big Announcement (00:03:09) Podcast Movement & Competition (00:04:39) Origins of Chat-Based Editing (00:08:07) Naming the AI: “Coco” (00:08:56) Coco’s Early Journey (00:11:09) AI for Show Notes & Summaries (00:12:54) Advanced Editing with Coco (00:15:10) Magic Audio Features (00:20:27) Visual Enhancements & Feedback (00:23:09) Video Editing Tools (00:27:20) Browser Tips & Compatibility (00:31:12) Feature Rollouts & Adoption (00:34:21) Community Resources & Workshops (00:37:16) Repurposing Podcast Content (00:40:40) YouTube & Discoverability (00:43:14) Producer Link Feedback (00:47:37) Live Streaming on Riverside (00:55:00) Hosting on Riverside (00:56:53) Final Thoughts & Sign-Offs Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Podcast Super Friends discussed Jag's experiences at Podcast Movement 2025. For most of this episode you will hear a takeaway from Jag followed by the group discussing and debating the issue at hand. We talked about Podcast Movement’s shift toward serving larger, corporate entities and its upcoming move to New York, raising concerns about the event’s accessibility and relevance for independent creators. The hosts debate the impact of this change, the corporatization of podcasting conferences, and suggested alternative events like Podfest for indie podcasters. Jag reminded us about the importance of optimizing podcasts for SEO and platform search, and the growing role of AI in podcast production. We also went in on social media and word-of-mouth for discoverability, the need for high-quality content, and the value of networking at conferences. The episode closes with practical tips for podcasters and plans to attend future industry events, emphasizing adaptability in the evolving podcast landscape. Chapters: (likely affected by Dynamic Audio Insertion) (00:00) – Intro & Host Intros (03:00) – Podcast Movement Recap (08:00) – Indie Creators vs. Corporates (14:30) – Podcast Movement in New York (19:30) – AI in Podcasting (23:30) – Exhibitors & Vendors (28:00) – First Impressions & Retention (38:00) – Reach: Video vs. Audio (48:00) – SEO & Search Optimization (54:00) – Discoverability & Social Media (59:00) – Final Thoughts & Events Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lively “Show and Tell” episode of Podcast Super Friends, five podcast producers from across North America—Catherine O’Brien, Johnny Podcasts, Matt Cundill, Jon Gay (Jag), and David Yas—gather to share their latest insights, tools, and strategies for podcasting success. The group kicks off with a roundtable on podcasting hardware, comparing microphones like the Shure SM7B and the RØDECaster Duo, and offering practical advice for both new and seasoned podcasters. The conversation shifts to the power of AI in podcast production, with detailed discussions on using ChatGPT and Descript for editing, show notes, and creative brainstorming. The hosts share their favorite AI-driven workflows, tips for interview prep, and the importance of human review in the editing process. Monetization is also on the agenda, as Matt explains how RedCircle’s programmatic ads can generate passive income, even for shows not hosted on their platform. Johnny and Jag had a few helpful plugins for those who want to go beyond Adobe Enhance. Check out: DXRevive Waves AQ Izotope RX11 Chapters (0:00) – Introduction & Host Roundtable (0:17) – Summer Podcasting & Rebranding Updates (3:07) – Podcast Microphone Show & Tell (5:19) – New Hardware Experiences (6:34) – Rodecaster Duo & Audio Equipment Deep Dive (14:40) – AI Tools for Podcasting: ChatGPT, Descript, and More (28:46) – Editing Workflows & AI-Driven Audio Cleanup (40:45) – Newsletters, Substack, and Beehive (53:46) – Monetization: RedCircle & Programmatic Ads (56:42) – Looking Ahead: Hopes for the Rest of the Year (59:14) – Final Thoughts & Sign-Offs Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arielle Nissenblatt, founder of Earbuds Podcast Collective, discussed her journey from Squad Cast and Descript to her current role at Autoly, where she manages the Pinwheel project. She emphasized the importance of newsletters, recommending tools like Substack, Beehive, and MailChimp for email capture and engagement. Arielle highlighted the value of community feedback and collaboration, suggesting podcasters integrate marketing into their content. She also explored the use of AI for organizing tasks and analyzing data, and stressed the need for podcasters to balance creativity with effective marketing strategies. Resources mentioned: You heard the name Lauren Passell and her newsletter Podcast Marketing Magic is stellar. Also if you are looking for Promo and Guest swaps - this free service is very helpful. Sign up for Arielle's Earbuds Collective Newsletter. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a podcast in 2025? We called in Rob Greenlee to provide insights into the evolving landscape of podcasting, focusing on the rise of video podcasting. He discusses how platforms like YouTube and Spotify are reshaping the industry, challenging traditional RSS-based distribution. We tried to land on the definition of a podcast, emphasizing content over distribution method. We talked metrics, monetization, and content creation for new podcasters. Rob highlighted the importance of personal branding and adapting to technological changes, including the potential impact of AI on media. The group debates the future of local podcasting and the difficulties creators face in generating revenue. Things are changing. Fast. ⁠A full transcription of the episode is available on our website.⁠ Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Podcast Super Friends discussed the importance of and evaluating podcasts. We focused on technical quality, content, and promotion. Johnny got us started with microphones, managing echo, and maintaining consistent loudness levels (LUFS -15). For video, using high-quality cameras and proper lighting was emphasized. Jag shifted us over to content, stressing the importance of engaging introductions, avoiding overly long episodes, and asking hard questions respectfully. The friends were complimentary of Valerie Geller's recent appearacne on the Sound Off Podcast with Matt Cundill, where she spoke about her book and offered up OODLES of excellent podcast related tactcis on creative content. YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT HERE. Matt is all about the packaging of a show; including the artwork, metadata and how you show looks and appears in places like Apple, Spotify and Amazon. Catherine got us going on promotion strategies like sharing episode links, using visual cues on YouTube, and leveraging guest networks. The conversation also touched on the importance of making podcasts about the audience and being involved in relevant communities. Catherine also suggests using those subtle warm calls to engage existing customers or fans when promoting a podcast, especially for branded podcasts with built-in audiences. We missed David Yas on the show today but Johnny managed to promote his show called Past 10's Top 10 Time Machine. We are 5 Podcast Producers who make podcasts for People and Companies. Reach out to any one of us if you would like a show. Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.com Catherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs  https://www.branchoutprograms.com/  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.com David Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/ Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The SuperFriends dissect Edison Research's 2025 Infinite Dial, The Amplii Media and Coleman Insights' State of Video Podcasting study, and Jacobs Media's Tech Survey, revealing key insights into podcast consumption trends. The group explores the rising popularity of video podcasts, the dominance of platforms like YouTube and Spotify, and the evolving media landscape. Discover how Gen Z consumes content, why metadata matters, and the challenges podcasters face when transitioning to video. With candid discussions about social media, podcast discovery, and the intersection of radio and podcasting, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the current state of podcasting. Whether you're a content creator or podcast enthusiast, this conversation provides valuable insights into the medium's future. Get The Survey's at each of the company's website, linked above. A full transcription of the episode is available on our website. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠ ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠ Catherine O’Brien -⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠ ⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠ ⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠ ⁠https://soundoff.network⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast Super Friends discussed various insights and challenges in the podcasting industry. David Yas shared some stats from a recent stdy from Podmatch. Johnny Podcasts highlighted the smoke and mirrors of creating AI agents for efficient podcast production. Catherine O'Brien emphasized the value of email for direct audience engagement with what she learned from the latest Sounds Profitable piece along with Jar Audio. The group also discussed the challenges of copyright issues on platforms like Spotify and the potential of Pocket Casts' web player for better listener access. A Transcript and video of this episode can be found on our network page. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt - The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With David and Johnny away this week... something a little different this time around. Danny Brown is the Head of Podcaster Support & Experience at Captivate Audio. He joins as a guest Super Friend to share what he knows. The friends discuss the state of podcasting, including the use of live streaming platforms like Boomcaster, Descript and Riverside, and the challenges of adapting to new technologies like Spotify's video push. They also explore the importance of community management and the value of offering multiple monetization options, such as one-off tips and memberships. The Friends highlight the need for podcast hosting compaies to cater to specific audience segments effectively and the potential impact of platform-specific features on content creators. Finally, they touched on the importance of consistent content and the role of events in fostering community and education. Connect with Danny Brown's podcasts and everything else Danny. In and Around Podcasting 5 Random Questions One Minute Podcast Tips A Transcript and video of this episode can be found on our network page. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Podcast Superfriends bring in 2025 with an episode all about sounding better in 2025! Matt's idea for sounding better was thought to be about the hardware and the tools, but sounding great on a podcast is so much more. It's about how you organize your content, prepare for the show and all those little extras that David Yas always brings... sound effects. Catherine O'Brien springs a round of "What's Worse" on the Superfriends... as they try to figure out which bad sounding podcast habits are worse. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast discussion covered various predictions for 2025 in the podcasting industry. Key points included the impact of politicians using podcasts to connect with voters, with mixed opinions on their effectiveness. The decline of mainstream media and the rise of local podcasts were debated, with a consensus that local podcasts are gaining traction. The conversation also touched on the integration of AI in podcasting, with concerns about authenticity and human connection. Subscription models and contextual targeting in advertising were discussed, highlighting the potential for personalized content and the challenge of subscription fatigue. The group also explored the future of local radio and the importance of human insight in content creation. A Transcript and video of this episode can be found on our network page. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

say Happy Halloween! David Yas highlighted the Descript app's features, including its stock sounds and multi-track exporting. Matt Cundill introduced Descript Rooms, a new beta tool for remote recording. Johnny Podcasts emphasized the importance of pre-recording checklists and suggested internal episodes during guest booking challenges. Catherine O'Brien noted the mainstreaming of podcasts in elections, citing unexpected guest appearances. Matt Cundill discussed alternatives to Chartable for download tracking, with Op3 and Podder App as top recommendations. Finally, they shared their Halloween plans and encouraged listeners to follow the podcast on various platforms. Dan Misener wrote a nice piece about alternatives to Chartable. A Transcript and video of this episode can be found on our network page. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Podcast Superfriends discussed the significance of International Podcast Day and shared best practices in podcasting. David Yas highlighted the "Three Up, Three Down" segment from the Base Path Podcast, which engages guests in fun baseball-related questions. Johnny Podcasts shared insights on improving podcast engagement by shortening ad intros and using interactive elements. Matt Cundill highlighted a clip from the New Media Show featuring Adam Curry who says the opportunity in Podcasting is going to be local... Catherine O'Brien emphasized the value of localized content, citing the "Living Love It" podcast featuring Mary Louise Kelly. The group also discussed the potential of hyper-local podcasts and the importance of regular self-evaluation to improve hosting skills. A Transcript and video of this episode can be found on our network page. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Podcast Superfriends discussed their origins at Podcast Movement, highlighting the conference's role in their networking. Matt and Jag were attendees at the show and had a very good dinner together with old radio friends. Overall, the friends discussed the importance of Podcast Movement - the likes and the dislikes. Were there really less creators at the event and is that a problem? Matt called out companies like Spotify and ESPN for not have booths on the Exhibit floor while companies like Sirius XM did. In the back half of the show - Johnny Podcasts pulled out the latest Sounds Profitable Podcast Lanscape research piece and highlighted some of his favourite slides. You can see Tom Webster's keynote speech from Podcast Movement here. You can access the study here. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Superfriends discussed the challenges of monetizing podcasts in a downturn, with a focus on creating extra value for paid members. They shared insights on how to effectively monetize podcasts through advertising, including building relationships with advertisers and targeting the right audience. The speakers also explored the potential of podcast paywalls, their effectiveness, and the challenges of implementing them. Overall, the conversation highlighted the need for podcasters to diversify their revenue streams and find innovative ways to monetize their shows in a competitive market. Programming Note: David Yas was travelling and sorrily missed. If you have any questions - please reach out to any of the Superfriends. We would love to help you podcast better! Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thinking of upgrading your podcast equipment? This episode, the Podcast Superfriends dissect the 2024 Podcast Equipment Survey. From debunking the Blue Yeti myth to the nuances of choosing between USB and XLR microphones, this episode is packed with actionable tips. Learn why audio interfaces are a game-changer and get to grips with the best recording software on the market. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The episode has been a long time coming. But it's well worth the wait. AI is everywhere and today we broke out our best production skills and have decided to share all our secrets. The Podcast Superfriends get together to review their favourite AI-powered tools. We reviewed the following. David showed us a jingle/song tool called Suno. Cost: nil. Matt Reviewed Vocal Remover which is free and separates the music from the vocal leaving you with two files to play with. (Thanks to James Cridland who shared this idea at Radiodays North America last week) Catherine shared one of her favorite tools from CoSchedule - which is their Headline writing feature. There is a cost to it but it takes out all the mystery out of SEO. Johnny gave us a tour of Adobe's Enhanced audio tool which turns your crappy echoey mess of a podcast and makes it sound like it was recorded in a studio. It is free but will only do 30 minutes at a time at the free level. A paid version of Adobe willl give you full access. Finally, Jag in Detroit, Jon Gay gave us some serious updates on Descript's Underlord, Riverside's forthcoming updates, and a non-AI hack to get rid of echo using RX-11 from Izotope. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dig into some spring cleaning. The Superfriends discussed ways to improve podcast content, production, and distribution. Johnny Podcasts is out on reels and shorts for his creators. Matt Cundill emphasized the importance of purging podcasts that are taking up space on the network. David Yas aimed to bring a fresh approach to podcast housekeeping by making more effective interviews. Catherine O'Brien emphasized the importance of purging social media accounts to avoid echo chambers, and Jag in Detroit stressed the importance of consistency during the summer break. (Regardless of whether you take a break or not) The 4 producers also shared their insights on how to optimize podcast content, production, and distribution to reach a wider audience, and utilize AI tools for show notes. They discussed the benefits of using AI tools, including efficiency and accuracy in creating summaries, keywords, and suggested titles. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Superfriends get together to discuss all things podcasts... including how to improve their shows with segments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 5 Podcast Producers get together to critique one another's shows. We offer feedback to both the producers and the performers from the following shows: That's Business The Distribution by Juniper The 905er Smidgen Sports Card Madness In this episode you will hear some of the feedback offered amongst the Podcast Superfriends. Things like: How to make your show more conversational, why you should or should not swear in your episode, whether or not you should be using artwork and/or episode artwork, and why you should get into the show quickly. We also touched on some of the opportunities to create a preview clip at the beginning of your show. (And all that was just in the first 20 minutes of this epic episode. Would you like us to review and critique your show? Go to our website and fill out a form and submit your podcast elevator pitch along with the episode you want us to review. (It'll be up shortly) You can access a transcript of the podcast here. You can watch the show on YouTube here. If you want to listen to the episodes we were talking about - click on the show title. You will be taken to the episode page. That's Business The Distribution by Juniper The 905er Smidgen Sports Card Madness Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Detroit Podcasts Catherine - Branch Out Programs Matt- The Soundoff Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices