The How To Podcast Series - Podcast Co-Hosts, Practical Podcasting Tips, and Podcast Community

Episode 855 - What Is Your Podcast Signature - The One Thing Unique to Your Show That Stands Out

Your Podcast Signature Makes Your Show Unmistakable

Dave challenges podcasters to identify and lean into their podcast signature, the personal perspective, voice, and point of view that makes their show different from every other podcast on the same topic. He celebrates passing 200,000 downloads on The How To Podcast Series and thanks listeners for helping the show reach that milestone. He also thanks Valerie, a guest from Living The Next Chapter, for sponsoring the show through Buy Me...

Episode 854 - Spotify Wrapped Video Opportunity - Don't Miss This, You Will Kick Yourself

Spotify Wrapped Video: A Free Way to Thank Your Podcast Audience

Dave urges podcasters to take advantage of Spotify’s year-end Wrapped opportunity by recording a short thank-you video for listeners. The message is simple: make the video today, upload it to Spotify for Creators, and use it to strengthen the connection with the people who already follow your show. He also thanks David Lomax for sponsoring the podcast through Buy Me a Coffee and reminds listeners that guests can become lo...

Episode 853 - When Podcaster's Lose Their Voice To A.I. - A Thought Leader Needs Their Own Thoughts if You Wish To Lead

AI can support your podcast, but it should not replace your perspective. Dave explores why listeners connect with a real person, how AI-generated scripts can flatten a host’s voice, and what it takes to remain a credible thought leader in your niche.The Problem With AI-Only Solo Episodes

Dave shares an observation from a podcast about podcasting. The host shines during interviews, yet the solo episodes feel generic and manufactured. The di...

Episode 852 - Three Questions That Will Be The Connective Tissue in Your Next Conversation - Behind The Mic Series

Give Your Guest More Space

Podcast interviews improve when the host gives the guest room to speak. A common habit can get in the way. You ask a question, hear the answer, then immediately jump into your own story.

That move can pull attention away from your guest. It can also cause you to miss the opportunity sitting right in front of you.

Ask Three More Questions

Dave shares a...

Episode 851 - How to Become a Better Listener During Podcast Interviews - Behind The Mic Series

Stop Planning, Start Listening

Podcast interviews can lose their energy when the interviewer focuses more on the next question than the person answering the current one. The question list sits in front of you, your brain jumps ahead, and you miss what your guest actually says.

Active listening requires a different focus. Dave shares a simple trick that forces the interviewer to stay present.

Use the Last Letter

Wait until your guest finishes...

Episode 850 - The Progress Principle - A Harvard Publication and a Podcaster’s Secret Weapon

Based on: The Progress Principle is a concept developed by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer in their Harvard Business Review Press book, The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work (2011).

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=40692Small Wins Keep Podcasters Moving

Podcasting can take a long time to produce meaningful results. The Progress Principle, a Harvard publication about small wins and creative work, offers a useful way to approach th...

Episode 849 - Pushing Back Against The Latest Podcast Gatekeeper - Video Podcasts Will Not Work For All

Video Podcasting Should Be a Choice

Video podcasting has become a growing source of pressure for creators. Podcasting experts increasingly suggest that audio alone no longer meets the standard, leaving new podcasters wondering whether they need cameras, professional lighting, editing software, and video strategies before they can launch a show.

Dave pushes back against this expectation. Podcasting opened the door for people from all backgrounds to share their voices without expensive equipment or professional production teams...

Episode 848 - Be Honest With Your Guest - Don't Lie, Be Truthful Instead of Shady

Why Honesty Matters in Podcast Interviews

When a podcast guest asks whether you know a particular author, have seen a movie, or listen to a musician, how do you respond if you have no idea what they are talking about?

Many podcasters instinctively say yes. They want to keep the conversation flowing, avoid awkwardness, and make a good impression. This people-pleasing habit can quietly damage an interview.

Dave shares a recent experience from Living The Next...

Episode 847 - Shout Out Your Listeners On Your Podcast - It Is Great When You Are Called Out on Your Favourite Podcast

Shout Out Your Listeners On Your Podcast

Podcasters often ask for listener feedback, reviews, comments, and feature requests. Dave explains why acknowledging those people matters, using his own experience of having an idea recognized by Buzzsprout.

Dave had repeatedly asked Buzzsprout to make the column headings on its episode page sortable. After support told him the feature was not possible, he shared the request through Buzz Cast, the company’s podcast. Mo...

Episode 846 - Your Podcast Space Matters - Create a Podcast Space You Want to Enter

Your podcast space shapes whether you want to record. Dave reflects on losing his dedicated setup after floods and explains how podcasters can create an environment that supports consistency, comfort, and creativity.Your Podcast Space Matters

Dave opens the episode on a frosty October morning, recording outside because his basement podcast space remains unavailable after two floods damaged his home in August. The experience highlights a practical truth for creators: where you record affects how you feel about showing up.<...

Episode 845 - Procrastination Proof By Jon Acuff - Build Momentum for Tomorrow, The Future You Will Thank You

Procrastination Proof: Build Momentum for Tomorrow

Dave shares a timely recommendation for podcasters who struggle to start, finish, or return to the work in front of them. He highlights Procrastination Proof by Jon Acuff, a book that reframes procrastination as more than poor time management. Acuff connects it to ego, identity, performance, and the pressure people place on themselves to succeed.

Dave discovered the book through Alex Sanfilippo’s Podcasting Made Simple interview with Jon Ac...

Episode 844 - You Are Not Bad at Podcasting, You Are New at It - Lessons From A Student Driver

You Are Not Bad at Podcasting, You Are New at It

Changing one word can change how you see yourself as a podcaster. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at podcasting,” try saying, “I’m new at podcasting.” That small shift removes pressure, creates room to learn, and helps you give yourself the same patience you would offer a new driver.

A Better Way to Describe Your Skills

Many new podcasters judge their...

Episode 843 - Joe Rogan, Mel Robbins and Theo Von Are Not The Best Podcast Gurus - What Works For Them Might Not Work For Your Podcast

Joe Rogan, Mel Robbins and Theo Von Are Not the Best Podcast Gurus

Big podcasts can make podcast growth look simple. Joe Rogan, Mel Robbins, and Theo Von appear to succeed by talking into a microphone, publishing clips, and attracting a huge audience. Dave Campbell explains why copying their approach can frustrate new podcasters and why your podcast audience needs a show built around its own needs.

...

Episode 842 - What If We Have Been Using A.I. Wrong As Podcasters - A Different Approach Than Other Podcasters

AI and Podcast Content Creation

AI can produce an answer quickly. That does not mean it produces an episode worth hearing. This episode challenges podcasters to stop treating AI as the source of their ideas and start using it to sharpen their own perspective.

When you type an episode topic into an AI tool, it returns a blend of common answers. Anyone can enter the same prompt and receive similar information. If your...

Episode 841 - How Podcast Listeners Judge A New Podcast - Podcast Recency and Relevance

Podcast Recency and Relevance

Podcast recency and relevance can decide whether a new listener presses play or moves on. Dave shares a recommendation for a podcast about podcast gear and technology, then explains why the show lost his interest before he heard a single episode.

The podcast had not published new content since 2020. For a technology-focused show, that gap matters. Microphones, recording tools, software, apps, and artificial intelligence have changed dramatically since then. A listener searching for current advice...

Episode 840 - Earn Your Podcast Audience - You Started A Podcast, Do You Deserve An Audience or Do You Earn One?

Earn Your Podcast Audience

Dave explores the difference between believing you deserve listeners and doing the work to earn them. Starting a podcast gives you the right to speak. It does not guarantee that anyone will listen, follow, or return for another episode.

A microphone, a publishing account, and a first episode are starting points. They do not create podcast audience growth on their own. An audience forms when a show becomes...

Episode 839 - Podcast Stats - A Seven-Day Break From the Numbers

Podcast Stats: A Seven-Day Break From the Numbers

Podcast stats can inform your decisions, but obsessing over downloads can pull your attention away from the people who actually listen. Dave challenges podcasters to stop checking their analytics for seven days and refocus on creating a show that serves a real community.

Why Stats Become a Distraction

Dave opens with a little Canadian Thanksgiving talk and a strong opinion about pumpkin pie before turning to a habit many podcasters share: checking...

Episode 838 - Curiosity in Podcasting, What A Psychiatrist and a Dentist Have in Common

Podcast Curiosity Beats Expertise

You do not need to be an expert to host a great podcast interview. This episode explores why curiosity, listener perspective, and genuine discovery often create stronger conversations than deep technical knowledge or a perfectly prepared script.

Dave shares the example of Living The Next Chapter, his author interview podcast. He is not an author, has never written or published a book, and does not claim expertise in writing. That gap becomes an advantage. He...

Episode 837 - Podcasters Fear 3 Things - Have You Faced Your Fears in Podcasting

Podcast Fears: Failure, Success, and Judgment

Dave opens with a Canadian Thanksgiving celebration and a story about his grandmother’s handwritten pumpkin pie recipe. He explains how learning to bake from scratch at age 16 later helped him connect with his wife’s family, then thanks listener and supporter Bill Monty before turning to the main topic: the fears that hold podcasters back.

Fear of Failure

Many new podcasters overprepare because they want flawless audio, polished delivery, and a perf...

Episode 836 - How To Handle Being Nervous When Recording Your Podcast, Use What You Have

Nervous Before You Record? Use What You Have

Podcast nerves can show up the moment the record light turns on. Dave answers a listener question about whether he still gets nervous before recording, then demonstrates how a phone, free tools, and a willingness to show up can carry a podcast.

Why Podcast Nerves Happen

Dave admits he felt awkward when he started podcasting. His delivery sounded stiff and overly structured. After recording thousands of episodes, he...

Episode 835 - World Mental Health Day October 10 - Who Cares For The Podcaster and Our Mental Health

World Mental Health Day, October 10

Podcast mental health deserves the same attention as downloads, growth, and monetization. On World Mental Health Day, Dave reflects on the pressure podcasters carry while creating for others and asks a direct question: who cares for the podcaster?

The Hidden Weight Behind the Mic

Podcasters give constantly. They prepare interviews, edit episodes, promote shows, answer messages, and show up for audiences, often outside work hours and family time. Listeners...

Episode 834 - A Digital Magazine Can Help Your Podcast Stand Out - Canadian Podcaster Online Magazine

A Digital Magazine Can Help Your Podcast Stand Out

Dave explains how Canadian Podcaster, his free online magazine, gives Canadian podcast creators a visual, interactive way to promote their shows, events, and resources. He also shares how the same magazine concept can help any podcaster organize episodes, spotlight guests, and give listeners a stronger reason to return.

Why Dave Created Canadian Podcaster

Dave saw a need for a Canadian-focused publication that celebrates Canadian podcasters and...

Episode 833 - It's Not About The Money, Money - What Podcasting Has Afforded Me Over The Years

The Real Rewards of Podcasting

Podcasting can create income, but money does not define every successful show. For Dave, the greatest reward comes from meaningful conversations, personal connection, and the opportunity to spend time with people he might never meet through ordinary circumstances.

Over the years, podcasting has introduced him to Hollywood performers, musicians, first responders, military personnel, judges, lawyers, police officers, and experts from many fields. His curiosity helps him ask thoughtful questions, even when...

Episode 832 - Why I Am Not Pod Famous, The Audience of One and Go Pan Some Gold Already

Why You Do Not Need to Be Pod Famous

Podcast success does not always come from fame, awards, massive download numbers, or a large social media following. Dave explains why he continues creating the How to Podcast Series and supporting podcasters through a simple purpose: serving one listener at a time.

His work focuses on practical podcast support, community, encouragement, and helping creators move from an idea to a published show. He does not present...

Episode 831 - Perfection Vs. Progress in Podcasting - What Are We Building and Are We Focused on The Right Things

Build the Podcast Before You Perfect It

Perfectionism can keep a podcast stuck on the drawing board. Progress moves it forward. The How To Podcast Series explores podcasting, taking action, and the value of community support for creators who want to build their shows.

Progress Creates Better Work

A TikTok clip featuring two people building ladders provides the central image. One person spends time measuring materials and trying to create the...

Episode 830 - What John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls Can Teach Podcasters About AI and Authenticity

What John Rzeznik Can Teach Podcasters About AI and Authenticity

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls offers a powerful perspective on AI, creativity, and the value of human experience. His comments about AI-generated music apply directly to podcasting, where creators increasingly use tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude to write scripts, generate ideas, and produce content.

AI and Derivative Content

AI rearranges patterns, phrases, structures, and ideas that already exist. It can...

Episode 829 - What is One Thing You Wished Podcasting Was and One Thing You Wished it Was Not

Podcasting With Freedom

Podcasting gives creators the freedom to record and publish without waiting for permission. Dave reflects on creating an episode outdoors with nothing more than an Android phone, a recorder app, and free editing software. He encourages podcasters to use what they have, record where they are, and improve through practice instead of feeling pressured to buy expensive equipment.

He also thanks Mark Romanek from Empowered Podcasting and the Podcasting Morning Show for...

Episode 828 - Why You Need A Podcasting Accountability Buddy - Don't Podcast Alone

Why Every Podcaster Needs an Accountability Buddy

Podcasting alone can slowly drain your motivation. Dave explores why an accountability buddy, a podcasting meetup, and regular peer feedback help solo creators stay consistent, confident, and connected.

The Problem With Podcasting Alone

A solo podcaster works with a microphone, a screen, and their own internal motivation. There are no cohosts to bounce ideas off, no guests to create momentum, and often no visible audience. Analytics show numbers, but they do...

Episode 827 - Celebrate With Purpose - Why Podcast Anniversaries Deserve Your Attention

Podcast anniversaries offer a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your purpose. Whether your show reaches episode ten, one hundred, or eight hundred and twenty seven, celebrating a podcast milestone can strengthen your relationship with listeners and remind you of the work behind every published episode.Why Podcast Anniversaries Matter

Podcasting often creates a constant cycle of recording, editing, publishing, and planning the next episode. That pace can make important achievements pass unnoticed. A podcast anniversary gives you time to recognize...

Episode 826 - Help, My Podcast Guest Won't Stop Rambling On and On - How To Corral A Wandering Podcast Guest

Keeping Control When Guests Ramble

You own the podcast. That truth matters when a guest talks in circles, ignores your questions, or turns a simple answer into a monologue. This episode breaks down how to prevent interview hijacks before recording and how to reclaim your show in the edit if things go off the rails.

Do your homework before you hit record

Research your guest on other podcasts. Listen to at...

Episode 825 - Happy International Podcast Day - September 30 - #InternationalPodcastDay - Go Podcast

Celebrate International Podcast Day and grow your podcast community

International Podcast Day lands on September 30 and gives creators a global stage to celebrate podcasting, strengthen their podcast community, and support fellow shows. This episode marks the date with a personal milestone and offers three clear actions you can take today to lift the medium and help other podcasters grow

Why this day matters for creators

Podcasters often record alone in closets, spare rooms, kitchen tables, or porches while...

Episode 824 - These 2 Things Could Help Your Podcast and You Should Do These At The End Of Every Month

End of month podcast hosting tips to maximize upload limits and grow your audience

Podcast hosting limits reset every month and many creators leave paid minutes on the table. This show notes overview shares two practical podcast growth strategies you can use before the calendar flips. Use every minute you pay for and breathe new life into old episodes so new listeners discover your best content

Use every minute of your paid hosting plan<...

BONUS Rewind - Listener Message from Eric Seemann - Co-Host of the REAL Siblings, It Ain't Easy Podcast

A Speak Pipe Message came in today from Eric - Co-Host of the Real Siblings, It Ain't Easy Podcast! So, I thought I would create an episode featuring Eric's Message and a short clip from their podcast!

Donna Reed and Eric Seemann are both professional Realtors®. Donna lives and works in Tucson Arizona with Keller Williams Southern Arizona while Eric lives and works in San Antonio Texas with Keller Williams Heritage. They are also s...

Episode 823 - Reflections on Podcast Movement New York from Someone That Didn't Attend the Event

Podcast Movement 2026 recap for creators who stayed home

Podcast Movement wrapped in New York City last week and the organizers have been uploading workshops and talks to YouTube. This show notes piece gives you a high level overview of the event from a non attendee perspective, highlights sessions worth watching, and offers a clear key takeaway you can use to grow your show and strengthen your podcast community

What the recordings reveal about the conference

The...

Episode 822 - Your Podcast Does Not Need To Sound Like Everyone Else - What a Lighthouse and a Podcast Have in Common

Your Podcast Does Not Need To Sound Like Everyone Else

Most podcasters chase the same tools, titles, and trends, then wonder why they blend into the noise. This episode argues that your strongest advantage is not another hack. It is your personality, your point of view, and your willingness to be recognizably you. That is how you become a lighthouse instead of one more boat in a crowded harbour

The Lighthouse...

Episode 821 - If I Hosted A Podcast Conference - My Conference Would Rival Those Other Conferences In This WayLocation and Vibe

The setting matters. Picture Niagara Falls. Close to the US border. Easy for Americans and Canadians to reach. Hotels, food, and activities within walking distance. A partner who isn’t into podcasting still has plenty to do. The conference name leans into the location: Fall for Podcasting Weekend.

No suits. This isn’t a marketing conference with podcasting tacked on. It’s a podcasting conference, period. Casual dress. Warm tone. Encouraging energy. The promise is sim...

Episode 820 - Podcast Spotlight - The Creator's Log with host Krloz Ruben - A Challenge for You To Do The Same on Your Show

Recording from the backyard

Dave hosts this episode of The How To Podcast Series from his backyard in Ontario, Canada. Two back to back floods destroyed his home and podcast studio in August, so he records under a tree to keep his 365 episode streak alive. He wants listeners to hear planes, dogs, and neighbors because perfection should never stop you from publishing. You can start with what you have, where you...

Episode 819 - November is National Podcast Post Month NaPodPoMo - A Podcaster's Challenge to Release 30 Episodes in 30 Days - Are You In?

NaPodPoMo: 30 Episodes in 30 Days

National Podcast Post Month, known as NaPodPoMo, invites podcasters to release one episode every day in November. This challenge builds publishing discipline, strengthens your podcast voice, and deepens listener connection through consistent daily content.

Why Join the Challenge

Daily publishing removes the friction of perfectionism. You learn to create without overthinking. An episode does not need to be your most polished work. It needs to...

Episode 818 - Podcasting Doesn’t Need a Suit and Tie - Not Every Garage Band Needs a Record Deal

Podcasting Doesn’t Need a Suit and Tie

Podcasting thrives because it resists corporate polish and gatekeepers. This episode pushes back hard against the idea that podcasting must become “professional” to survive or be taken seriously. Host Dave argues that the medium’s rebellious, low-barrier roots are its greatest strength, not a flaw to fix.

The False Choice Between Hobby and Business

The episode responds to an article claiming podcasting needs to get profes...

Episode 817 - Virtual Podcast Meetups versus Live Events - What is the Better Choice For The Majoirty of Podcasters

Virtual Podcast Meetups Versus Live Events

Virtual podcast meetups give independent creators a practical way to build community, get support, and keep learning without the high cost of travel. Live events can create memorable connections, yet many podcasters manage full-time work, family responsibilities, limited budgets, and the daily demands of producing a show.

Podcast conferences often require far more than the ticket price. Travel, hotels, meals, childcare, time away from work, and lost production...