If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that we can't predict the future — not even the future of podcasting.   But today’s guest believes that podcasting is more vital than ever as we think about how we can connect in the era of covid-19, and beyond.   Rob Greenlee is a pioneer of the podcast space.   He got his start in podcasting in 2004 with the first nationally syndicated radio show "WebTalk World Radio Show and was inducted into the the Podcasters Hall of Fame in 2017.    Rob’s been podcasting for over 15 years and today he serves as the vice president of Content and Partnerships at LIBSYN. He currently co-hosts the "New Media Show", a weekly audio and video podcast that streams LIVE on NewMediaShow.com/live.   I brought Rob onto Podcast Ally to speak to the trends to be aware of as we look to the future of podcasting. He chats about: What it was like being a pioneer in the podcast space The key differences between podcasts and radio The benefits -- and the risks -- of the influx of advertising into the podcast space Why he believes comedians completely changed the trajectory of podcasts Why podcasters should create content that they're passionate about rather than focusing so heavily on what they think their audience wants How podcasts are an important medium for connection, especially during the pandemic   Please check out Rob’s podcast New Media Show for more commentary on the podcast industry. You can find the New Media Show at https://newmediashow.com/ or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hosted by Dr. Michelle Mazur, the Rebel Uprising podcast helps passionate business owners, coaches and consultants become recognized leaders who make more money and impact the world by turning their messy, complicated ideas into thriving thought leadership businesses   As a quick note before you listen to the episode, you may notice we call the show, "Rebel Rising." Michelle has since renamed the podcast, but she assures me the interview is otherwise as relevant as ever!   Check out this Podcast Ally minisode to learn how you can become a guest on The Rebel Uprising podcast!   And don’t forget to listen to Rebel Uprising before you pitch Michelle!

What do you do when the podcast you built doesn't excite you anymore?   When you haven't resonated with your own content in a while, and you just can't muster up the energy to push through the disconnect anymore?   You could always rebrand your podcast and pivot to a topic that's more aligned with who you are now, but that would mean losing the audience you worked so hard to grow!   .... Or does it?   Dr. Michelle Mazur has proven that rebranding isn't the kiss of death for your podcast and can reignite your passion for podcasting.   As a brand messaging coach, Michelle teaches that having a clear and captivating message is the key to reaching the people you could help the most, in a way that is powerful and feels effortless.   And yet, she reached a crossroads with her podcast, where she knew that she had to rename and rebrand her show.   In today's conversation, Michelle walks us through her decision to make the change — as well as the response she got from her audience.   I also got her to share her tips with dealing with the pressure of feeling like your podcast has to be perfectly scripted in order to be successful.

Tanya Geisler’s Ready Enough Podcast explores not only how the Imposter Complex gets in the way of achieving your dreams, but also how lived experiences of racism, sexism, colonialism, fat-phobia, micro-aggression, trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, alcoholism, and more leave you questioning your capacity to move forward.   Listen to this Podcast Ally minisode to find out how you can join Tanya on the Ready Enough Podcast.   And don’t forget to listen to the Ready Enough Podcast before you pitch Tanya.

Starting a podcast is hard enough, without intentionally pushing yourself well beyond the limits of your comfort zone.   But that’s exactly what Tanya Geisler did when she launched the Ready Enough Podcast.   As a certified Leadership Coach, TEDxWomen speaker and writer, Tanya is the pre-eminent authority on the Imposter Complex. Her clients include best-selling authors, public speakers, and rockstar motivators.   With credentials like those, it might be hard to believe that Tanya's podcast grew out of some tough questions she didn't feel ready to answer.    Instead of shying away from those questions, Tanya turned them into a learning opportunity for herself and her audience.   In this episode of Podcast Ally, I talked to her to find out what it was like hosting a podcast, when you know going into each conversation that you were going to be learning from your guests -- and possibly getting things wrong.   In our conversation, Tanya shares: The tough realization that led her to start the Ready Enough podcast Why she felt the need to step up as a coach and a leader to better understand at the intersectional identities that impact a person's experience with her subject matter What to do when you realize that you don't have the expertise to adequately help someone who approaches you Navigating sensitive topics, and getting comfortable with the fact that you WILL make mistakes   Please check out the Ready Enough Podcast at tanyageisler.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On The Get Paid Podcast, Claire Pelletreau gives you an honest look at the reality of running an online business! She interviews entrepreneurs to find out how they get paid and what it costs them to bring in the money.    Learn how to land a guest spot on The Get Paid Podcast in this Podcast Ally minisode!   And don’t forget to listen to The Get Paid Podcast podcast before you pitch Claire.

Remember when you got that perm that you'd been dreaming of and strutted around town proudly, even though it had more of a rat's nest vibe than a Madonna vibe?   Or even better, remember when you got those parachute pants that you'd been eyeing at the mall and saved up all your babysitting money for?   That hair and those pants were SO COOL to you at the time, but now you look back at the old pictures of yourself and can't help but laugh at yourself and wonder, What was I thinking?   All of us grow and change every year — not just in our style preferences, but in every aspect of life.   So if our tastes are constantly evolving, why do so many of us expect the same podcasting style and business model to work for us forever?   On Podcast Ally, we invited Claire Pelletreau of The Get Paid Podcast to talk about how she changed her podcast after a brutally honest conversation she had with a friend about her show and content.   Claire goes in detail about: Why she pressed pause on her podcast How it felt to come back 2 years later The difficult conversation that sparked changes that made her podcast and business stronger than ever The steps she took to make her podcast more impactful and intentional after her hiatus Where the idea for her show came from How she gets her guests comfortable with opening up about their finances.   Please check out The Get Paid Podcast at www.clairepells.com/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.   And if you’re interested about Claire’s work as a Facebook and Instagram ads consultant, you can watch her masterclass, the 5 ad formula for selling online courses on autopilot, at www.clairepells.com/5ads/.

Hosted by Tara McMullin, the What Works podcast goes behind the scenes with small business owners to discover what really works. In each interview, she deep dives with a small business owner and asks about how they manage their marketing, money, operations, team-building, growth, or personal leadership.   Find out how you can become a guest on the What Works podcast in this Podcast Ally minisode!   And don’t forget to listen to What Works before you pitch Tara.

When podcasters decide to monetize their shows, usually they opt between advertising or community support models.   Brand partnership is the road less traveled, but working with an established company who can support the podcast financially, provide production assistance and promote your content could be a dream-come-true for a podcaster looking for more stability and to grow their own platform.   Today, on Podcast Ally, we’re exploring the question of what it’s like to partner up with an established company to produce your podcast with the help of Tara McMullin.   Tara originally launched the What Works podcast under the name Profit.Power.Pursuit in partnership with CreativeLive. She joined me to talk about how she pitched the idea of a podcast to CreativeLive, her experiences working with them, and why she ultimately decided to become an independent podcaster.   Tara shares the nuts-and-bolts on: How she approached CreativeLive with the idea of starting a podcast together Her advice for finding a brand to partner with The major benefits of co-producing a podcast with the help of an established company Why Tara decided to end the partnership with CreativeLive, and how she approached them to ask for full control of the podcast How she managed the transition to indie podcaster The  way she plans content themes for What Works Why Tara believes you should consider your podcast a product you’re providing to customers How she developed her own skills as a podcast host and producer   Please check out What Works at www.explorewhatworks.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!   I also highly recommend Tara’s podcast production company, Yellow House Media, for anyone who wants help with their own content strategy.

The Indie Hackers Podcast features raw conversations with the founders behind profitable online businesses. The vast majority of listeners are themselves indie hackers, who are turning their ideas and side projects into profitable online businesses.   Find out what it takes to stand out among the 10 guest submissions Courtland gets each day.   And don’t forget to listen to The Indie Hackers Podcast before you pitch Courtland.