Episodes

Interviews are at the heart of many great podcasts — but asking the right questions takes more than reading from a list. In this episode of Podcast Insider, MacKenzie and Dave share tips for crafting thoughtful, engaging conversations that draw out your guest’s best stories and insights. Whether you’re new to interviewing or looking to refine your technique, you’ll learn how to prepare with purpose, stay present in the moment, and guide discussions that truly connect with listeners. Today’s Hos...

Finding Your Voice & What Keeps Listeners Coming Back Every podcast has a voice, but the most memorable ones have a personality. In this episode of Podcast Insider, Mike, Dave, and MacKenzie break down how your voice, tone, and delivery shape your show’s identity. From finding your natural rhythm to maintaining authenticity without losing polish, we’ll help you understand what keeps listeners coming back — and how to make every episode sound like you. Today’s Hosts: Mike Dell, Dave Clements, &...

This was Todd’s last episode of Podcast Insider, recorded on September 4th. Todd poured his heart into Blubrry’s show and into serving the podcasting community, and we’re honored to share his final conversation here. We’ll be returning to the podcast most likely around mid-October. In the meantime, we want to thank all of our listeners for standing with us as we grieve, reflect, and decide the best way to move forward with the show. Today’s Hosts: Todd Cochrane and MacKenzie Bennett Planning Po...

Remembering Todd Cochrane, Podcast Hall of Famer and Blubrry CEO On this special tribute episode of Podcast Insider, we honor the life, legacy, and impact of Todd Cochrane — our co-host, Podcast Hall of Famer, founder of Blubrry and RawVoice, long-time host of Geek News Central, author of one of the very first podcasting books, creator of the People’s Choice Podcast Awards, and co-host of The New Media Show for more than 13 years. Todd’s contributions to podcasting were immeasurable. From laun...

What separates a casual podcast from a “professional” one—and does it really matter in 2025? In this episode of Podcast Insider, Todd, Mike, and MacKenzie break down what it means to be a professional podcaster, the different interpretations of the word “professional,” and how podcasters can level up their show without losing their authenticity. Whether you’re podcasting as a hobby or building a brand, we’ll help you understand the standards, expectations, and options available to you. Today’s H...

Promoting your podcast doesn’t have to feel awkward or salesy. In this episode of Podcast Insider, we share practical ways to talk about your show with confidence—whether you’re chatting with friends, posting on social media, or networking at events. You’ll learn how to highlight your purpose, use storytelling instead of pitches, and spark curiosity that leads people to want to listen—without ever sounding pushy. Today’s Hosts: Todd Cochrane and MacKenzie Bennett ✅ Lead With the Why, Not the Do...

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your setup, great audio is the foundation of a great podcast. In today’s episode of Podcast Insider, we share practical tips for getting professional-sounding results—covering mic choice, positioning, background noise reduction, recording formats, and techniques to boost your on-mic confidence. Follow these steps and you’ll sound clearer, warmer, and more engaging to your listeners. Today’s Hosts: Mike Dell and Todd Cochrane 🎧 Mic Tips for Your Best ...

In this episode of Podcast Insider, host Mike Dell talks with Vern Hume, creator of the long-running science fiction podcast Makeshift Stories. Since 2008, Vern has been crafting original, clean-rated audio stories that captivate listeners of all ages. Now releasing episodes monthly, Vern shares his passion for storytelling, the evolution of his show, and the technical craft behind creating immersive audio experiences. Today’s Host: Mike Dell Vern is our August Podcaster of the Month, where we ...

Guest Match Pro beta is now live! In this episode of Podcast Insider, we introduce Guest Match Pro, Blubrry’s new platform built to connect creators, guests, and agencies. Whether you’re a podcaster, coach, author, or media pro, Guest Match Pro helps streamline the process of finding and booking interviews across industries. We’re diving into what it does, who it’s for, and why now is the perfect time to join the beta—especially if you’re looking to grow your reach and collaborate more efficient...

As podcasting becomes more competitive, a dedicated website isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a vital tool. In today’s episode of Podcast Insider, Mike Dell and Todd Cochrane revisit why having a podcast website can help you grow your audience, strengthen your brand, and create monetization opportunities. In 2024 and beyond, a well-designed, functional website can set your show apart — but we’ll also cover reasons why you might not want one, depending on your goals and bandwidth. Today’s Hosts:...

You don’t need a big team or a huge ad budget to market your show—you just need the right plan. So today’s episode is divided into two paths: one for podcasters who are already publishing, and another for those who are still in the planning or pre-launch phase. Today’s Hosts: Todd Cochrane and MacKenzie Bennett ✅ If You’ve Already Launched Your Podcast These strategies help you understand where to invest, even if your budget is modest—and how to use Blubrry tools to amplify your results. 1. Star...

Ever wanted to learn how to switch podcast hosting providers or website hosts? Thinking about moving your podcast website from WordPress to another platform? Before you make the switch, there are some crucial things you need to know — especially about your RSS feed. In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most common (and frustrating) issues podcasters face when migrating their site: broken podcast feeds. We’ll walk you through how to protect your feed, handle media files, preserve your SEO, ...

In this special episode of Podcast Insider, we’re spotlighting Michelle Aronson, host of True Stories at Work and Blubrry’s Podcaster of the Month! Michelle joined Mike Dell to share her journey from a silent retreat to the world of podcasting, how her HR background fuels her unique storytelling format, and why workplace tales are often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Hear how podcasting unexpectedly opened doors in her coaching business, the value of audio storytelling in an increasingly di...

At Blubrry, we love independent podcasting. The heart of what makes podcasting so unique — independence. As corporate platforms grow louder in the space, it’s more important than ever for creators to understand how to retain control of their voice, content, and audience. From choosing the right tools and hosting partners to marketing yourself as a creator-owned brand, we explore what podcasting independence really means and how it benefits both your creativity and your business. Whether you’re j...

Welcome back to Podcast Insider, today we’re discuss how podcast consumption has changed in the post-pandemic world—especially as more people continue to work from home. The days of relying on commute-time listening are fading. With data from Edison Research and Jacobs Media, we’re exploring where podcast listening is happening now, how habits are shifting, and what it all means for creators looking to stay relevant. Whether you’re publishing weekly or still finding your audience, this episode...

Settling on your ideal listener is a little different depending on where you’re at in your podcasting so far – have you already started or looking to launch? We’ve divided today’s episode into before and after you’ve gotten your podcast on a roll already. Today’s Hosts: Todd Cochrane and Mike Dell Whether You’ve Launched Yet or Not (with Help from Blubrry) ✅ If You’ve Already Launched Your Podcast These strategies help you understand who’s already listening—and how to better serve and grow that ...

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. When you’re just getting started, the goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to do the right things well. Here’s what to focus on and how Blubrry supports you every step of the way. Today’s Hosts: Mike Dell and MacKenzie Bennett We think these strategies are the best use of your time as a new podcaster and of course how Blubrry helps you. 🥇 1. Create Consistently Good Episodes 🎧 Why it matters: No one sticks around for poor-quality content, no matter how well it’...

Use your podcast content to your advantage — and turn it into a book! If you’ve ever felt like your podcast could be more than just a weekly episode—maybe even the start of a book—you’re not alone. This week, we’re explaining how podcasters can transform their content into a published work. From identifying core themes and organizing episodes into chapters to leveraging transcripts and using your show to promote the final product, we’ll walk you through how your podcast can lay the groundwork fo...

Not every podcaster has a big budget—and that’s especially true for nonprofits. In this episode learn practical, low-cost strategies for nonprofit podcasters to grow their audience and expand their impact without breaking the bank. Whether you’re recording from a modest setup or working with a lean team, these tips will help you make the most of your existing resources and community connections. From tapping into your supporter base and creating shareable content to building partnerships and us...

Launching a podcast is only half the battle—making it easy to find, share, and binge is what really fuels growth. In this episode, we explore how Blubrry’s free podcast website transforms your audio feed into a fully branded, SEO‑ready home base, complete with episode pages, a built‑in player, and links to every major listening app. You’ll learn how this no‑cost perk of Blubrry hosting can boost discoverability, simplify sharing, and give new listeners the confidence to hit “subscribe or follow...

We hope you’ll find these ideas on how to grow a podcast from 50 listeners per episode helpful in your podcasting quest. Launching a podcast is exciting—but growing one from just a handful of listeners can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need thousands of followers or a marketing budget to build momentum. In this episode of Podcast Insider, MacKenzie and Mike share eight actionable tips to help new podcasters attract more listeners, build a loyal community, and make progress one epis...

When Lesa McDermott talks about camping, her enthusiasm lights up like a crackling campfire. A Nebraska native with a background as rich as the landscapes she explores — former golf pro, EMT, dive master, lawyer, and now the vice president of Girl Camper — Lesa embodies the spirit of adventure and empowerment that defines the Girl Camper community. “I kind of inherited the podcast,” explains our May Podcaster of the Month. Lesa recently spoke with Mike Dell, Blubrry VP of customer relations, abo...

Every podcaster, no matter how experienced, has made their fair share of mistakes — and that’s not just normal, it’s necessary for growth. In this episode we’re digging into the common slip-ups that happen behind the mic, why they’re nothing to be ashamed of, and how embracing mistakes can actually make your show stronger and more relatable. From technical glitches to guest mispronunciations, we’ll explore how these moments can lead to unexpected opportunities, audience connection, and long-term...

Let’s explore ways to create a more sustainable podcasting workflow, reduce waste, and inspire listeners to take eco-friendly action. As Earth Day approaches, it’s a perfect time for podcasters to reflect on their environmental impact and take actionable steps toward sustainability. While podcasting is largely a digital medium, it still consumes energy, data, and resources—and increasingly, AI tools like ChatGPT and other platforms also play a role in your workflow, using significant computing ...