When I decided to launch a podcast, I had absolutely zero intention of editing it myself. Like, I cannot think of anything worse for someone with ADHD than planning, recording, editing, AND promoting a whole-ass show.

Enter Adrienne Cruz, who cold-pitched me so perfectly I wanted to kiss her on the mouth.

In this episode, I sit down with the woman who makes Point of the Story possible — my podcast editor, emo-Swiftie friend, and the reason I can just show up and yap while she handles literally everything else.

We're diving into the psychology of listener engagement, the three stages every podcast listener goes through, and why your marketing efforts mean absolutely nothing if your show is boring as hell.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Pattern interruption and why your brain loves surprises

— How to hook people in the first 60 seconds of your episode

— Me saying the only phrase I know how to say in Spanish and how I plan to use it against Side Character someday

— Why editing your podcast doesn't make it less authentic

— Adrienne not being able to find her mirror neurons

— Episode titles that actually make people click

— Adrienne audits her clients’ podcasts

— Season three planning happening live on the podcast

POINT OF THE STORY

Marketing can bring people to your show, but only your show can make them stay. Focus on that second stage (engagement) that everyone ignores, and you'll turn casual listeners into superfans who never miss an episode.

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Adrienne @adriennecruzpod on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

ADRIENNE LINKS

— Follow Adrienne on Instagram and Threads

— Check out her website and services

— Subscribe to her newsletter Sounds Like Brunch

— Adrienne’s walkout songs: girly pop option + emo option

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS (all podcasts, of course!)

— 6 Degrees of Cats

— Good Hang with Amy Poehler

— The Freak Show

— Modern Agent Marketing Girls

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:23 Meet Adrienne, My Podcast Manager!

08:02 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

20:19 Marketing Can't Make People Love Your Show

26:02 Why Your Brain Loooves Being Surprised

30:14 Your Listeners Should Want to Hang Out With You

40:29 Mirror Neurons and Why Enthusiasm Is Contagious

42:41 Keeping People on the Edge of Their Seats

48:19 Vulnerability Without Trauma-Dumping Your Audience

52:52 Honoring the Squirrel Brain (Why Editing Matters)

57:49 What to Do Outside Your Episodes to Keep People Listening

01:05:20 Point of the Story Season Three Planning Session

01:08:48 Closing

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.