The Audacity to Podcast®

This fundamental question that has been challenged and even abused: what is a podcast anymore? There's plenty of misinformation and disinformation out there about what a podcast is. My efforts to help set the definition straight may be fruitless, but there's more to consider here than only the meaning of the word. This is my 400th episode of The Audacity to Podcast, to to commemorate this milestone, I want to jump back to this fundamental question because how we answer it will affect the future of our content and even of the whole podcasting industry. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/definition The definition of a "podcast" https://whatsapodcast.com Other attempted definitions of a "podcast" What's wrong with redefining what a "podcast" is? True podcast distribution and consumption are unique Strict definition versus usage description Is the definition a "gatekeeper"? Should you really call your content a "podcast"? More about calling your content a "podcast" vs. a "show": https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-you-really-a-podcaster-and-should-you-really-be-podcasting-tap182/ Community corner Thanks to Bryan Entzminger, Dreb Scott, and Steve Webb for streaming support to The Audacity to Podcast totaling about 4,500 satoshis! Support The Audacity to Podcast through your modern Podcasting 2.0 app or at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ Send questions and feedback Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

Podcasting guesting is consistently the #1 way to grow your own podcast. This works because it gives you the opportunity to get in front of more ideal listeners, provide value and demonstrate your knowledge, and it's easy for them to follow you over to your podcast. But how do you find the first shows you should try getting on? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/firstguesting Understand how in-app podcast recommendations usually work Podcasting 2.0's "podroll" spec: https://podcasting2.org/tags/podroll How to Add Podcast Recommendations with Podroll: https://podcasting2.org/docs/guides/how-to-add-podcast-recommendations-with-podroll Look at your podcast's "outgoing" recommendations section Bonus: check Podgagement's "incoming" networking list https://podgagement.com Check the recommendations sections for other podcasts you think have your ideal audience How to approach these guest opportunities Example prompt with Gemini 2.5 Flash in Magai: https://app.magai.co/public/1752980668283x821243579549614100 Join Magai for the best AI toolbox (I earn through this link): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai This is only the first place to look! Be sure to join Podgagement to help you discover your podcast networking opportunities! https://podgagement.com Community corner Thanks to Bryan Entzminger from https://TopTierAudio.com for streaming 411 satoshis Thanks to Cameron Stack from https://PodLabs.org for interviewing me for his upcoming miniseries on podcast awards! ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ Send questions and feedback Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

I see podcasters often think that their podcast might grow faster if they switch podcast hosting providers, like from Blueberry to Captivate or vice versa. But is this true? Short answer, no. Now, of course, I'm going to give you more details about that. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/hostinggrow Short answer: no 1. Podcast stats may be measured differently Do IAB-Certified Stats Really Matter for Your Podcast? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/do-iab-certified-stats-matter-for-your-podcast/ 2. Included podcasting tools may be different Get the networking feature in Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/ How many podcasts are currently in Apple Podcasts: https://podcastindustryinsights.com/apple 3. Look at podcast-hosting providers as toolboxes 4. My 2025 recommendations for podcast-hosting providers Blubrry (WordPress-focused workflow): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/blubrry Buzzsprout (easiest to use): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/buzzsprout Captivate (everything else / powerhouse of tools): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/captivate Community corner 101§ + 47§ from Randy Black Thanks to Lyndsay Phillips for interviewing me on her show Leverage Your Podcast, talking about Podgagement and how to engage your audience: https://www.smoothbusinessgrowth.com/category/podcast/ Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ Send questions and feedback Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

Intentional growth requires regular evaluation and adjustment. That applies to so many areas of life and business, and your podcast is no different. I've put together five things I suggest you evaluate about your podcast every year so that you can make the changes necessary to keep growing your podcast. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/evaluateyearly Why You Should Put Podcasting P.R.O.F.I.T. First [episode 388] :https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-should-put-podcasting-profit-first/ 1. Your podcasting goals and PROFIT 2. Your episode structure and flow How Long Should Your Episode Closing Be? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-long-should-your-episode-closing-be-episode-396/ 3. Your podcasting workflow Magai, the powerful AI toolbox I use (affiliate link): https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai 4. A podcast trailer 15 Regrets from 15 Years of Professional Podcasting [episode 394]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/15-regrets-from-15-years-of-professional-podcasting-episode-394/ 5. Your podcast description Magai,: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai value4value Community Corner 150§ and 64§ from Randy Black 356§ from Bryan Entzminger A couple of 5-star ratings on my episodes in Goodpods from "Barnabas" If you love the Audacity to Podcast, would you consider giving back in value what you feel the show is worth to you? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ Send questions and feedback Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity Mailing address: The Audacity to Podcast, PO Box 739, Burlington, KY 41005

How long should your episode closing be? While your episode openings should be as short as possible, the length of your episode closings can be a bit more dynamic. The answer is actually a little different this time: as simple as possible. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/simpleclosing Answer: as simple as possible Spread out your calls to action Give your audience a reason to stay until the end Lead with value, leave with value™ value4value community corner 406§ from Bryan Entzminger ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

What is the first thing your audience hears when they play your latest episode? Are you providing value in your opening, or just keeping your audience from what they came to hear? Although the terms "intro"/"introduction" and "opening" are often used interchangeably, I'm going to be more specific to call the "opening" everything your audience hears before your episode's unique content. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/shortopening Answer: as short as possible What about audio branding? What about welcoming your new audience? • When to Use Trailer, Full, and Bonus Episode Types [episode 353]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-use-trailer-full-and-bonus-episode-types/ Consider your most important audience: the one you already have Bonus tip: use a unique cold open ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

As The Audacity to Podcast celebrates 15 years of professional podcasting, I invite you to take a critical look back at the biggest mistakes I've made and things I wish I did differently with my show. My hope is that this will inspire you to either fix these things early for yourself, or avoid them altogether! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/15regrets (As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through some of these following links. But I recommend things I truly believe in, regardless of earnings.) Hiatuses Not building an email list sooner • 13 Ways to Use an Email List for Your Podcast" [episode 198]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/13-ways-to-use-an-email-list-for-your-podcast-tap198/ Not promoting my episodes via email Pursuing the wrong business Not creating enough training products • SEO for Podcasters course: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/store/seo-for-podcasters/ • Zoom H6 for Podcasters course: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/store/zoom-h6-for-podcasters/ Waiting too long to register my trademark • Gordon Firemark: https://gfiremark.com Trying to do things cheaply • ID3 Editor: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/id3editor • Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/ Not publishing more through other channels, including video • Hollyland Lark M2S microphone: https://geni.us/6oS4OH Not reaching out to press about significant things Accepting sponsors Not creating value for value opportunities for you, my audience • More about Podcasting 2.0 micropayments and value4value [episode 371]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-podcasting-2-0-micropayments-worth-it/ • Support the show if The Audacity to Podcast provides value to you: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback • Get a modern Podcasting 2.0 podcast app: https://podcasting2.org/apps Working solo for too long • Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker: https://geni.us/rIloRAJ • Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://geni.us/yiGzM • Podgagement (formerly "My Podcast Reviews"): https://podgagement.com/ • Entrepeneur definition on Urban Dictionary: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=entrepodneur Using a cute and expensive domain Getting involved with the wrong people Not focusing more on relationships ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

Whether by choice or beyond your control, your podcast might have to go on a hiatus—and it could so long that the podcast seems dead! How do you come back from that and get back into your rhythm? It will take some work, but here are my recommendations (and what I'm practicing myself, too!). Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/revive Review your podcasting goals (your "why") Treat your podcast return like a launch Use a podcast trailer to promote the return Lower your expectations Don't apologize or explain in your regular episodes Make and follow a plan to keep going ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Supercharge your podcast engagement with Podgagement! https://podgagement.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

Redirects come in multiple types. When misused, they can cause some major problems, as even happened to me recently. Here are some warnings to watch for whenever you use redirects. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirectcautions “Redirects and How to Use Them in Podcasting”: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirects-and-how-to-use-them-in-podcasting-tap280/ Caution #1: 301 redirects are "permanent" and cached Caution #2: Your redirect destinations might change or disappear Contigo Ashland Chill Autospout Water Bottle with Flip Straw, Stainless Steel Thermal Drinking Bottle,Leakproof,Grey, BLue, 590 ml: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W5GRCZB?tag=theaudacitytopodcast-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 Contigo Autospout Straw Ashland Chill Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 20 oz., Monaco: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D67AB4I?tag=theaudacitytopodcast-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 Caution #3: Most redirects bypass content theaudacitytopodcast.com/captivate: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/captivate Caution #4: You might someday rename your redirect Why you should stop saying brand names in your podcast: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/stop-saying-brand-names-in-your-podcast-do-these-5-things-instead/ Caution #5: Correcting URLs you said in old episodes is practically impossible Caution #6: Reusing things you redirected from is a bad idea (my 2024 redirect mistake) Quick resources for making redirects 301 permanent versus 307/302 temporary WordPress plugins for making redirects Pretty Links Pro: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/prettylinkpro Redirection: https://wordpress.org/plugins/redirection/ Other ways to make redirects Please click here to learn more about redirects and how to use them!: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirects-and-how-to-use-them-in-podcasting-tap280/ Community corner ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Know, engage, and grow your audience with the power of podcast reviews! https://mypodcastreviews.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

There comes a point in every podcast when it's necessary to say a URL. If for nothing else, at least your podcast's own home on the Internet. (And you should have a domain for your podcast!) Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/sharingurls 1. Speak as few URLs as possible (per episode) Pretty Links Pro: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/go/prettylinkpro 2. Defer to your chapters or episode notes Check out Knick Knack News for a great example of actionable episode notes: https://knickknacknews.com/ Captivate: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/captivate Buzzsprout: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/buzzsprout Blubrry: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/blubrry I'm pushing hard for Podcasting 2.0 to turn our current podcast chapters into “super chapters”: https://github.com/Podcastindex-org/podcast-namespace/discussions/469 3. Never say "https://" or "www." 4. Simplify your URLs Remove the third-party brand name completely and make it a generic URL: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/stop-saying-brand-names-in-your-podcast-do-these-5-things-instead/ Patreon: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/patreon 5. Make friendly URLs that make sense Episode numbers didn't actually matter: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-podcast-episode-numbers-really-necessary-in-podcasting-show-notes-tap175/ 6. Say "slash" not "forward slash" or "backslash" 7. Slow down and speak clearly Podcast transcripts: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-to-use-podcast-transcripts/ 8. Clarify or avoid ambiguity 9. Be careful with top-level domains that aren't .com That Story Show: http://thatstoryshow.com/ 10. Beware case-sensitivity 11. Always test your URLs before you share them Community corner ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Know, engage, and grow your audience with the power of podcast reviews! https://mypodcastreviews.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

AI has rapidly advanced for content creation. But should you actually trust it? With this potential comes some crucial warnings for using AI in podcasting.

Inside jokes can offer fun potential for your podcast, but also some potential costs. Here are some brief things for you to consider as you engage with your podcast audience. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/insidejokes Where inside jokes come from What about the new listeners? Turn inside jokes into swag Community Corner ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Know, engage, and grow your audience with the power of podcast reviews! https://mypodcastreviews.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

Monetization is not the only profit you can get from podcasting! Here's why I think you should put P.R.O.F.I.T. first in every aspect of your podcast.

Apple provides a portal for you to submit and manage your own podcast in Apple Podcasts. It's called Podcasts Connect. Plus, countless other podcast apps and podcasting tools rely on Apple's data through their free API. Whether your podcast has been in Apple Podcasts for years, or you're just starting out, I suggest you check these 8 things right away! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/checkapple 1. Check that you have agreed to Apple's terms of service podcastsconnect.apple.com: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/ There might be additional new terms you must agree to, or you might need to provide legal or financial information: https://podcasters.apple.com/support/883-agreements 2. Check that your podcast is in your Apple Podcasts Connect account Contact Apple through this form: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/contact-us?content_type=podcasts&topic=missing-podcast-s&locale=en This is crucial to do with all your podcasts, especially any duplicate podcast listings you might have: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-to-fix-duplicate-listings-in-apple-podcasts-or-other-podcast-apps/ 3. Check that your podcast information is correctly loaded in Apple Podcasts Connect Cast Feed Validator: https://www.castfeedvalidator.com/ Podbase Podcast Validator: https://podba.se/validate/ TrueFans Podcast Validator: https://validator.truefans.fm/ 4. Check the optional Apple Podcasts information fields 5. Check your Apple Podcasts distribution availability (affects other apps) 6. Switch the transcript default to use your provided transcripts using Podcasting 2.0 transcripts: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-to-use-podcast-transcripts/ 7. Check your Apple Podcasts ratings and reviews There is also a “Ratings and Reviews” page that lets you see your Apple Podcasts (and only Apple Podcasts) ratings and reviews: https://podgagement.com/how-to-check-all-your-podcast-reviews-and-ratings-in-apple-podcasts/ You should use Podgagement to engage your audience and grow your podcast: https://podgagement.com/ See your ratings and reviews from Apple Podcasts: https://podgagement.com/how-to-check-all-your-podcast-reviews-and-ratings-in-apple-podcasts/ 8. Check your Apple Podcasts analytics ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Know, engage, and grow your audience with the power of podcast reviews! https://mypodcastreviews.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

You might have heard people talk about IAB podcast stats, measurement guidelines, compliance, and certification. Here's what all of that means, and whether it even matters! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/iabstats Who is the IAB? What are IAB stats These IAB guidelines get updated every few years. As of March 2024, the latest version is 2.2 still in proposal stage for public comment.: https://iabtechlab.com/press-releases/iab-tech-labs-podcast-technical-working-group-announces-podcast-measurement-updates-for-public-comment/ IAB "compliance" versus "certification" You can see the list of certified podcasting companies here.: https://iabtechlab.com/compliance-programs/compliant-companies/# Why IAB-certified podcast stats are good But every standard will have loopholes Some podcast networks put ads in mobile games: https://time.com/6217261/podcasters-buying-listeners-mobile-game-ads/ In my past research for testing the fastest podcast hosting: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/who-offers-the-fastest-podcast-hosting-tap335/ Why you don't actually need IAB-certified podcast stats I've changed my mind about IAB certification New feature: The Community Corner Dave Jackson responded to my “mythinformation” line with a voicemail: https://castfeedback.com/6568ff490e90de09ac15f439/feedback/65e8bf6b409e6dd1d2c40a71 ——— Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ Know, engage, and grow your audience with the power of podcast reviews! https://mypodcastreviews.com/ FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a voice message from https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005