Ask the Podcast Coach
Dave Jackson has been helping people launch podcasts since 2005 and every Saturday he is joined by Jim Collison to is runs the Average Guy Network. Together they have 20 years of podcasting experience and coaching.
How to Keep Your Podcast Creative, Authentic, and Free from Common Pitfalls
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Today I'm joined by Neal Veglio of Podmastery.co as Jim is in Brazil.
Are you struggling to find the sweet spot between harnessing the power of AI and keeping your creative voice front and center in your podcast? This week, we’re diving deep into how creators can use AI as a tool—without letting it take over—to save time, spark new ideas, and still deliver the authentic, engaging content your listeners crave. Join us for a conversation that will inspire you to work smarter, create boldly, and stand...
My Guest Is Ruining The Podcast Recording!
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What do you do when your mic won’t work, a guest keeps tapping the desk, or life throws a furnace breakdown into your podcast plans? This week, Dave, Jim, and Randy share practical ways to handle live-show hiccups, explore audio tools and podcast workflows, and get real about juggling multiple shows—and knowing when it might be time to move on. Press play for useful ideas, honest stories, and a reminder that every podcaster needs a backup plan.
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Upon Further Review: Taking a Second Look at Your Past Episodes
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This week Dave and Jim dig into the messy, human side of podcasting — Jim debuts a brand-new recurring segment where he calls out his own mistakes from past episodes (yes, really), a listener spirals over editing software and begs for a faster workflow, and the guys argue over whether $9 a month is worth switching streaming platforms. Throw in a deep dive on why YouTube Shorts and clips might be the secret weapon you’re ignoring, a surprisingly practical lesson on matching your website colors to your show art, and some hard trut...
Is Podcast Advertising Doomed?
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Adam Curry asked an AI agent to download the latest episode of a popular podcast and remove the ads. Eight minutes later it was done, and it turned out half the file was ads. Dave and Jim react to the clip and ask whether this is the end of podcast advertising or just the next round of an ad-blocking arms race that YouTube has already survived. Then they get practical. Why "cap it at 10%" might be the smartest ad strategy around. Why a $12 book sale beats 2,400 downloads. And how a 42-second...
Auphonic's New Studio Voice Beta
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Dave is back from Podcast Movement in New York City with a full report on the new venue, the split business and indie days, and the $1.50 pizza. He and Jim cover a lot this week.Â
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Randy Black plays a before-and-after demo of Auphonic's new Studio Voice beta that turns an echoey 8-year-old Skype call into something that sounds like it came from a treated studio. A new industry stat puts Netflix at number three for podcast consumption, ahead of Apple, which leads to a d...
Embedding Live Streams to Reinforce Your Brand
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What do you do when YouTube dies mid-livestream, a fire alarm goes off in your office, and a guest sits frozen on screen for seven awkward minutes? Dave and Jim tackle real live-show disasters this week, plus how to embed your own live stream on your website without touching an RTMP link, why AI keeps butchering your guests' last names, and whether those "automatic clip maker" tools are actually saving you any time (spoiler: maybe not). They also dig into resurrecting old blog content with ChatGPT, the real conversion rate on 60...
Hobbies Cost Money - Quit Wasting Your Time
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It's Labor Day weekend, but Dave and Jim aren't taking one off from the AI rabbit hole — this episode covers everything from free (and not-so-free) transcription services to the moment ChatGPT started recommending third-party apps mid-workflow, plus a candid gut-check for the podcaster who's 89 episodes in and wondering if it's time to quit. Throw in Audacity 4's big redesign, a debate over how often you really need to disclose affiliate links, and a war story about paying influencers gone wrong, and you've got a jam-packed hour of practical advice, real talk, an...
Conferences and Communities: Why Go? How to Build?
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Dave and Jim spent most of the show riffing on conferences and community, sparked by Dave's recent trip to the Empowered Podcasting Conference. He recapped the small-but-mighty vibe of the event, a "woo-woo" keynote that split the room (a good reminder that not every talk is for every audience), and reconnecting in person. We also talk about:
The new Supporter Ralph and Julia on Becoming Financially Confident
How to get feedback?
Jim's 20 minute fail.
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Zero to Sixty Podcast
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Everyone wants the 10,000-download podcast, but almost nobody wants to talk about how you actually get there. In this episode of Ask the Podcast Coach, Dave Jackson and Jim Collison dig into a listener's question that stops most podcasters cold: can you really study a podcast's rise from zero to sixty the way a business school studies a company? The answer gets messy fast. Copying what worked for someone else, chasing burger-chain nostalgia, and mistaking a microphone for a financial plan all come up before Dave and Jim land on what...
How Do I Get People To Fill Out My Survey
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One way to grow your show is to make sure people like your show. So you put out a survey, but nobody provided any feedback. How do you get people to fill out your survey?
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From Recorded to Live: Should You Switch?
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Today we help Ralph who does a daily show that he records, and is switching to a daily show recorded live. What are the pros and cons of doing a live show? Which leads us to talking about what makes a good co-host? Should I ask my best friend to join me?
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Promotions May Need a Longer Runway
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Today Dave and Jim talk about the examples movies are providing by releasing trailers months in advance. We also talk about the loss of John C. Dvorak from the No Agenda Show.
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What's one piece of podcasting advice that turned out to be completely wrong for you?
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Today I'm joined by Jennifer Longworth from Bourbon Barrel Podcasting (she's an editor who has been doing this for 10 years). We talk about advice that people give that may not work for you. We also talk podcast events, series and more.
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Picking the Right Streaming Platform: Streamyard, Ecamm, EVMux, and OBS Compared
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Dave and Jim share their thoughts and experiences with streaming platforms like Streamyard, Ecamm, EVMux, and OBS—breaking down the pros, cons, and learning curves for podcasters of all skill levels.
The hosts dive into some great listener questions, from strategies for discovering the right audience for niche content, to tackling podcast burnout and knowing when—or if—it’s time to take a break. They get real about what it takes to pay a co-host for a daily show, discuss the ups and downs of local podcast audiences, and offe...
A Podcast Launch Doesn't Start Until You Tell Someone
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Today we talk about how your show can be in all the directories, but until you start telling everyone you know, your show isn't launched.
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Are You Confusing Your Audience with Split Tests?
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Dave Jackson and Jim Collison are back with another lively Saturday morning, ready to answer all your podcasting questions live. In this episode, the hosts dig into a range of hot topics from the evolving landscape of YouTube podcast uploads and title changes, to the pitfalls and promises of utilizing AI in your podcast workflow. You'll hear practical discussions about launching a show with or without video, monetizing with sponsors or affiliates, the frustrations of streaming platforms, and even a touch of podcast-related sphincter humor. Plus, they talk about backing up...
Pressure Free Podcasting
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So we are still playing with EVMux (which locked up on me 4 minutes into the show) and we explored why validation matters, the importance of understanding your tech platforms, and how to balance podcasting as a hobby versus a business. Whether you’re starting with passion or planning for profit, remember: focus on great content, know your numbers, and never stop learning from your own journey.Â
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Experimenting with EvMux
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I like Ecamm. When I bought it, I was will to pay for a tool that helped me make lessons for the School of Podcasting and it did live streaming with TONS of options. I now use Tella to make screenshare videos for the School of Podcasting, and I don't really need the features in Ecamm so I'm CONSIDERING moving to Evmux. The problem is I didn't practice enough so this episode is a bit rough at times as I run into areas where I...
AMP Measurement: Does Anyone Care?
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Today we start of talking about the new AMP measurements that were unveiled. Do we care? Will anyone implement this?
We also talk podcast monetization, and Jim has a new Coffee Pot (exciting!).
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Is Video a Fad?
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Today Dave is join by guest co-host Marc Ronick from iRonick Media, and the founder of the Empowered Podcasting Conference. They talk about a post from Hall of Fame Podcaster and Head of Community at Captivate Elise Escobar stating that the gold rush to video may be a passing fad.
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What Exactly is AI Slop?
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Today we got a question from Kenny from the CuzWilson Show (not a typo). "I'm Kenny Wilson and my new podcast is The Cuz Wilson Show and I talk about people, places, and things named Wilson. I created a YouTube show to supplement the podcast with topic visuals and showcase personalized merch with Wilson in the graphics to support non-profits named Wilson. My concern is about AI Potslop because I hate it like you guys do, however I love Notebook LM. My YouTube show is half my real recorded text invoice...
Best Practices for Podcast Co-Hosts, Cloud Storage, and Avoiding Website Fiascos
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Today we start with the basics (quit saying "New Episode Out" and for Pete's sake, have a domain for your website even if you don't have one).
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Are You Ready for the Shift from RSS to API in Podcasting?
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In this episode we talk about the following: sharing stories about our moms for Mother’s Day, discussing the latest changes with Spotify’s video podcast distribution and the shift from RSS to API models, reflecting on how these changes could impact podcasting’s open ecosystem, and worrying about being locked into certain platforms. We also dive into the increasing use of AI in content creation, how to stand out in a world filled with “AI slop,” and what it means for trust and originality. We tackle questions about the future of website...
Why All In One Podcast Platforms Usually Disappoint
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All-in-one podcast platforms are everywhere again, and they’re selling the same dream: one login, one bill, one magical dashboard that handles hosting, editing, video, email, websites, and growth. We slow down and ask the uncomfortable question: if a tool does everything, what corners did it cut and what will that cost you in time, quality, or control? We also unpack the bigger industry trend behind it all: consolidation, rising prices, and why “free” tools (especially AI) rarely stay free forever.
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Hobbies are Not Free and That Includes Podcasting
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The fastest way to burn out in podcasting is believing you can build a professional show on “free” forever. We get honest about the real cost of remote interviews, why Zoom at $20 a month is not the villain, and how the market always moves from free to paid once tools have to support real users at scale.
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Are You Building A Podcast Or Just Adding Work
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Today we talk about artwork for Dave's new show, and look at why people aren't using clubhouse like they use to?
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Apple Video Podcasts Reality Check
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We dig into Apple’s upcoming video podcast changes and why pulling audio straight from a video file can wreck a careful audio-first edit. Then we shift to what actually helps creators right now: show notes that serve listeners and search, plus AI workflows that save time without handing your laptop the keys.Â
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OpenClaw Isn’t Magic
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Let an AI agent loose on your computer and you may learn a lesson the hard way: “automation” isn’t the same thing as “safe.” We dig into OpenClaw and the sudden shift from AI that only chats to AI that can act, locally, with access to your files, your scripts, and whatever permissions you hand over. If that sounds like Zapier with a rocket booster, you’re not wrong and that’s exactly why we talk guardrails, sandboxing, approvals, and why you should never treat a beta tool like it’s magic.
Sync Is Not Backup: Saving Your Podcast Files (and Your Sanity)
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In this episode of Ask the Podcast Coach, Dave and Jim dive deep into one of the least sexy—but most critical—parts of podcasting: how you store, sync, and back up your files without losing your mind (or your episodes). They talk through practical strategies for using local drives and cloud services like Dropbox, iCloud, iDrive, Backblaze, and more; the crucial difference between sync and backup; and how to design a file workflow that actually fits how you podcast. Along the way, they veer into...
From Podcaster to Seller: The School of Podcasting Acquisition Story
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In this episode of "Ask the Podcast Coach," Dave Jackson and Jim Collison kick off a jam-packed Saturday morning with some major news—the School of Podcasting has been acquired by Podpage! They dive into what this means for members, reminisce about the journey with Brendan Mulligan, and share insights on podcast branding, community engagement, handling feedback, and the ups and downs of podcast monetization. It's a lively mix of industry updates, podcasting tips, and a dash of nostalgia, all served with their signature humor and authenticity.
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The Real Time Cost of Podcasting: Editing, Publishing, and Promotion Breakdown
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In today’s jam-packed episode, we break down what really goes into producing a podcast—spoiler alert, it’s way more than just hitting record for an hour! I share and reflect on a listener’s detailed time-tracking for their weekly show, and Jim Collison and I offer strategies for streamlining both editing and promotion (without sacrificing quality or your sanity).
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Why Your Podcast Chair Matters More Than Your Microphone
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This episode spent a good chunk of time exploring the importance of having a supportive, comfortable chair for podcasters, with both Dave Jackson and Jim Collison sharing their experiences with back pain, various chair types, and why investing in quality seating pays off for anyone spending hours behind the mic. We also devoted significant attention to troubleshooting podcast recording setups—comparing platforms like Zoom, StreamYard, Boomcaster, and Riverside, along with the pros and cons of “all-in-one” podcast solutions versus a tailored workflow of specialized tools. Throughout, we highlighted the value of carefu...
From Airwaves to RSS: Is Podcasting the New Radio?
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Hey there, Dave Jackson here! In this episode, Jim Collison and I dove deep into some hot topics in podcasting and audio media. We kicked things off with a look at the latest Edison Research findings showing that, for the first time, more time is spent listening to podcasts than to AM/FM radio for spoken word audio. We reminisced about the evolution of radio, the challenges of finding a working radio today, the shift of talk and sports content to podcasts, and how technology keeps changing the game.
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The Truth About Podcast Ads: Creativity, CPMs, and Audience Impact
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Hey friends, welcome to another episode of Ask the Podcast Coach! I’m Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting, joined by my buddy Jim Collison from Home Gadget Geeks. This week’s show was packed with tons of insights from my trip to Nashville for the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) conference, navigating the quirks of networking, and battling a post-conference cold.
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Monetize Your Audience, Not Your Podcast
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Jim is back and he and dave talk about Rob and Elsie going to work for Captivate, Jim's new Samson Q2U microphone, and monetization when you fist start podcasting
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Don’t Be Boring: Performance, Coaching, and Community in Podcasting
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Dave gets to hang with Glenn "The Geek" Hebert from the Horse Radio Network and talk about using your voice, building communities, Networks, and more
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Should You Join a Podcast Network: The $300 Question
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Dave is back from Podfest with some insights and stories and Ralph has a question about joining a network.
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Is Organic Growth Dead? Is RSS losing it's Power?
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To we talk about the power of RSS (and is it diminishing)? Is Organic search (word of mouth) dead? and the importance of backing things up.
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Computer Gear Talk, Plugins, and 13 Years of ATPC
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To we talk about Dave needing another montitor (and no Jim doesn't have a problem using 11 monitors) along with plugins to make things sound better, using switchy for link shortening, and some plugins to clean up audio.Â
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Today Jim is back and we are looking at 2026 and what podcasters may be considering to improve their show.Â
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Getting Real About Podcast Improvement: Audio, AI, and Authenticity
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Today Jim is back and we are looking at 2026 and what podcasters may be considering to improve their show.Â
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Home Gadget Geeks
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