Podcasting Insights: podcast growth advice for indie creators

Podknows Podcasting

Are you a brand or individual who's looking to improve and grow your podcast? You're in the right place. Together, we'll help you attain 'podmastery'. I'm Neal Veglio, a veteran podcaster who first started dabbling with RSS in the early 2000s. Podcasting is such a complex medium, with so many factors that can impact your success. It's my goal to cover all these topics with you, and help you maximise the results you're getting from your efforts. And while my shows now enjoy thousands of listeners every single week, it wasn't always easy. When I took a career break from radio for a few years in 2007, I had to learn how to build audience without the lift of an FM frequency. I learned a lot from that experience. I now help other podcasters to achieve their goals. Each episode, I'll be offering you some insights into what I've done and what I've helped my podcasting agency clients to do with all our podcasts in the hope we can help YOU increase your podcast's chances of becoming more successful! And ensuring you can avoid the dreaded 'podfade'! Take one step closer to Podmastery. Click follow in your favourite podcast app, and let's grow together.

  1. When Tools Make Bad Audio Sound 'Good', Who Loses?

    2 DAYS AGO

    When Tools Make Bad Audio Sound 'Good', Who Loses?

    A lot of people are excited about AI tools that promise instant, studio-quality podcast audio. Record on your phone. Click a button. Sound professional. But that story deserves a closer look. Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting and the Podmastery community. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I unpack what happens when technology starts erasing the difference between effort and outcome — and ask what podcasting quietly loses when “good sound” becomes a default instead of a craft. This isn’t an anti-AI rant. And it’s not about gatekeeping beginners. It’s about incentives. Standards. And what we’re rewarding at scale. You’ll learn: • Why AI audio tools raise standards and lower effort at the same time • How one-click fixes create a podcasting “house sound” • The difference between accessibility and erasing craft • Why effort still matters, even when listeners can’t hear it • The question creators should be asking before relying on AI cleanup Links: Waves Voice Regen: https://www.waves.com/voice-regen I’d love YOUR feedback: https://www.podmastery.co/survey I’ve been doing this for 20+ years and run a successful podcast marketing agency. Want me to audit your podcast? https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/

    10 min
  2. Is Edison Research Correct? Is Video Podcasting Creating New Podcast LISTENERS?

    5 DAYS AGO

    Is Edison Research Correct? Is Video Podcasting Creating New Podcast LISTENERS?

    A lot of people are saying video is the future of podcasting. That video is the gateway drug — the thing that creates new podcast listeners. But that story deserves a closer look. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I question the growing narrative around video podcasting, discovery, and conversion — and ask whether we’re confusing reach with commitment, and visibility with attention. This isn’t about dismissing the data. It’s about questioning the story we’re telling around it. You’ll learn: • Why “discovery” is an incomplete metric • The difference between conversion and gravity • Why video often benefits from defaults, not desire • What podcasting’s real strength has always been • The question creators should be asking instead of “Should I do video?” Links: Podnews story on charting clips based podcast: https://podnews.net/update/complete-rankers Edison Research – The Evolving Ear: https://www.edisonresearch.com/how-new-consumers-are-shaping-podcastings-next-chapter-the-evolving-ear-webinar/ I’d love YOUR feedback: https://www.podmastery.co/survey I've been doing this 20+ years and run a successful podcast marketing agency. Want me to audit your podcast? https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/

    7 min
  3. Podcast Feedback vs Strategy: Rebrand? Or Just Ask?

    6 DAYS AGO

    Podcast Feedback vs Strategy: Rebrand? Or Just Ask?

    A lot of podcasters don’t actually need any kind of new strategy. They just need honest podcast feedback that tells them what it actually feels like to listen. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I explain why so many shows stall at “fine,” why polite feedback keeps podcasts forgettable, and how growth usually comes from being braver with what already exists. You’ll learn: • Why “competent” podcasts struggle to grow • The real question listeners ask in the first 30 seconds • Why delivery matters more than structure • How feedback beats endless strategy tweaks Links: I'd love YOUR feedback: https://www.podmastery.co/survey https://podmastery.co https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/

    5 min
  4. 'Evergreen' podcast content is a total myth!

    23 JAN

    'Evergreen' podcast content is a total myth!

    Seriously. It's become a buzzword of basic b*tch podcast coaching. Evergreen podcast content is definitely not timeless. It is just content you have not looked at in ages. If your back catalogue feels a bit… awkward, this episode is for you. Not because you need more episodes. Because you probably need to stop pretending. Hi, I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of Podcasting Insights, I’m breaking down why “evergreen” became a polite way of saying “I’m never thinking about this again”, and what to do instead. In this episode, I cover: What evergreen was supposed to mean, and what it turned intoWhy podcasters stop sharing old episodes (it gets weirdly emotional)How to reintroduce older episodes without pretending they’re newHow to update the context without rewriting historyWhen to let an episode die, on purposeA practical idea using Captivate or Buzzsprout to dynamically inject fresh audio into old episodes If you have episodes you avoid because they make you cringe a bit, or because you mentioned a tool that no longer exists, you’re not broken. You’ve just progressed. Now treat the work you already did with a bit more honesty. Links: 🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co 🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/

    8 min
  5. Your Podcast Doesn't HAVE To Be Weekly, Ya Know!

    16 JAN

    Your Podcast Doesn't HAVE To Be Weekly, Ya Know!

    Most podcasts don’t struggle because the ideas aren’t good. They struggle because the release schedule quietly starts to drain the energy out of them. Somewhere early on, a lot of podcasters decide they probably 'should' be weekly. Not because it makes sense. Because it feels serious. In this episode, I talk about why recording less can actually make your podcast better. I also share a simple way to decide your schedule based on intent, not pressure, and explain why consistency isn’t about never missing a release day. It's about something far deeper. If your podcast is starting to feel heavy, rushed, or obligation-driven, this episode will help you reset without disappearing. Chapters 00:00 – You Probably Overcommitted (And You Know It) 00:53 – Why Weekly Feels “Serious” (But Usually Isn’t Thought Through) 01:36 – The Guilt Loop That Quietly Ruins Podcasts 02:12 – Recording From Obligation vs Recording With Intent 02:47 – What Actually Happened When I Missed Episodes 03:19 – The Spotlight Effect (And Why No One’s Watching You That Closely) 03:53 – Frequency Doesn’t Build Trust. Intent Does 04:15 – What Listeners Really Respond To 05:07 – Consistency vs Frequency (They’re Not the Same Thing) 05:50 – Recording Less Without Disappearing 06:46 – Choosing a Schedule That Actually Fits You 07:27 – Why People Forget Podcasts (And It’s Not Because You Missed a Week) Links: 🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co 🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: Chapters This podcast uses chapters on apps that support them. A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/ Book your Podmaster audit Wanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster audit

    9 min
  6. Why Podcasts Lose Listeners (How to Stop Breaking the 'Quiet Agreement')

    9 JAN

    Why Podcasts Lose Listeners (How to Stop Breaking the 'Quiet Agreement')

    Most podcasts don’t lose listeners because the content is bad — they lose them because trust gets broken quietly. Every time someone presses play, they’re making a small agreement with you. And most podcasts break it without even realising. In this episode, I unpack the idea of the “quiet agreement” — and why most if not all small podcasts break it, at least at first. I also share a simple test you can run on yourself to check whether your episodes earn the next listen. If you want your podcast to feel intentional, human, and worth sticking with — this episode will change how you think about every minute you record. Links: 🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co 🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: Book your Podmaster audit Wanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster audit A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/ Chapters This podcast uses chapters on apps that support them.

    10 min
  7. Why most podcasts sound the same (and how to fix yours)

    12/12/2025

    Why most podcasts sound the same (and how to fix yours)

    Most podcasts sound the same — and it's killing your growth. If your show blends into the feed, this episode breaks down exactly why… and what to change. In this episode you’ll learn: Why copying “successful” shows usually backfires The #1 format mistake (hint: your guest intro) How to build episodes around pain points Why packaging matters more than you think The simple rule for titles, intros and structure Links: 🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co 🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite Mentioned in this episode: Chapters This podcast uses chapters on apps that support them. A Podknows Production Podknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/ Save hours on your editing Want to cut hours out of your production workflow? Whether you're a podcaster, YouTuber or even a professional content creator, this tool will get you back your life! (Note - although this is an affiliate, I don't recommend any tools I don't use myself. And I use this DAILY) Simplify your editing Book your Podmaster audit Wanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster audit

    15 min

  8. 14/11/2025

    This BS advice is consistently peddled by gurus

    Consistency. The word that sends podcasting “gurus” into fits of self-righteous joy as they pedal their courses and services. Think about it—how many times have you been told you have to publish your podcast on the same day, every week, at the exact same time? Some of you are still clutching your calendar and sweating because you’ve missed a Thursday morning release and assume your show’s doomed. Today, I’m slapping the nonsense out of that belief.

    14 min
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About

Are you a brand or individual who's looking to improve and grow your podcast? You're in the right place. Together, we'll help you attain 'podmastery'. I'm Neal Veglio, a veteran podcaster who first started dabbling with RSS in the early 2000s. Podcasting is such a complex medium, with so many factors that can impact your success. It's my goal to cover all these topics with you, and help you maximise the results you're getting from your efforts. And while my shows now enjoy thousands of listeners every single week, it wasn't always easy. When I took a career break from radio for a few years in 2007, I had to learn how to build audience without the lift of an FM frequency. I learned a lot from that experience. I now help other podcasters to achieve their goals. Each episode, I'll be offering you some insights into what I've done and what I've helped my podcasting agency clients to do with all our podcasts in the hope we can help YOU increase your podcast's chances of becoming more successful! And ensuring you can avoid the dreaded 'podfade'! Take one step closer to Podmastery. Click follow in your favourite podcast app, and let's grow together.

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