Talk That Pod

Sebastian Arciszewski

Podcasters. They're an interesting bunch. On Talk That Pod, I have conversations with the most interesting podcasters in the world – what does it really take to build a podcast people can't stop listening to? Podcasters, storytellers, and the audio entrepreneurs behind the shows dominating your feed spill the secrets and stories about podcast growth, their podcasting journey, podcast marketing, content strategy, promotion tactics, and the cultural impact of podcasting in today's society. If you're passionate about the power of audio, as a creator, a listener, or both... this is your show. Want to be a guest on this podcast? Head to https://talkthatpod.net/be-on-the-show/ This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkthatpodshow And if you're looking for podcast recommendations head over to Find That Pod - https://findthatpod.com

  1. 15 Jul

    018 - Jason Rabinowitz - Proof of Concept

    Jason Rabinowitz of Proof of Concept --- SUMMARYIn this episode of Talk That Pod, Sebastian sits down with Jason Rabinowitz, co-host of Proof of Concept, a podcast that explores the world of beverage alcohol competitions through the stories of the founders and makers whose spirits have won at the highest level. Jason shares the personal origin story behind the show — rooted in his late father-in-law Anthony Dias Blue's founding of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — and explains how the podcast has evolved from a simple "why did this spirit win" premise into a broader exploration of subjectivity, objectivity, and the craftsmanship behind excellence. The two dig into building a branded podcast that doesn't feel like an advertisement, the shift toward video and short-form clips in podcast discovery, cross-promotion, and how a "gatekeeper" industry might become more accessible to a wider audience. Jason also opens up about his background as a three-time Grammy-nominated musician and audio professional, and how that experience shaped the show's production. They close with a conversation about generational shifts in alcohol consumption and a rapid-fire round of podcast recommendations. --- IN THIS EPISODE00:03 – Introduction and welcome to Jason Rabinowitz, co-host of Proof of Concept 00:34 – The origin story of Proof of Concept and the legacy of Anthony Dias Blue 02:11 – The evolution of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and its global expansion 04:23 – Clearing up a mix-up with another Jason Rabinowitz and correcting the record on his background 05:06 – How Jason's music and audio production career shaped the podcast's production 05:48 – Why the show focuses on founders behind award-winning spirits 06:58 – The rigor, blind tasting process, and volunteer culture behind the competition 09:13 – How guests are selected and the role of co-host Toby Blue 10:00 – The show's shift toward exploring subjectivity versus objectivity in judging 13:47 – What the Tasting Alliance is and how Proof of Concept fits as a branded show 14:39 – Keeping a branded podcast from feeling like an advertisement 17:38 – Video, YouTube discovery, and treating a video podcast like a television show 19:18 – Thinking (or not) about short-form, clip-friendly content 21:06 – Tapping into existing spirits communities as a distribution channel 22:40 – Cross-promotion and going on other podcasts to grow the audience 23:18 – Defining success for Proof of Concept in the next one to two years 25:23 – Dream guests, celebrity spirit brands, and the "white whale" question 28:08 – The generational decline in alcohol consumption and why it may be cyclical 30:45 – The rise of non-alcoholic spirits and how the same judging principles apply 31:18 – Alcohol's long history and its role as a social lubricant 32:30 – Addressing the perception of gatekeeping and snobbery in the spirits world 35:14 – Developing a palate and the parallels to audio engineering vocabulary 36:52 – What makes podcasting unique as a medium 39:12 – Jason's three podcast recommendations 41:19 – Where to find Proof of Concept online --- RESOURCES & LINKSProof of Concept PodcastThe Tasting Alliance (parent organization)San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionHistory of Rock and Roll in 500 Songs (podcast recommendation)Freakonomics Radio (podcast recommendation)Heavyweight (podcast recommendation)Death, Sex & Money (podcast recommendation)A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein (podcast recommendation)Wow in the World (podcast recommendation)Flip and Mozi (podcast recommendation)

    018 - Jason Rabinowitz - Proof of Concept

  2. 8 Jul

    017 - Kurt Sasso - Two Geeks Talking

    Kurt Sasso of Two Geeks Talking --- SUMMARYSebastian sits down with Kurt Sasso, host of Two Geeks Talking, a pop-culture interview show that has racked up over 1,200 conversations across comics, TV, film, music, and video games over the past 18 years. The two swap stories about an unexpected overlap from Sebastian's old merchandise business before digging into Kurt's interviewing philosophy, his research process, and how the show evolved from a two-hour live call-in on TalkShoe into a full video production. Kurt walks through the growth strategies that actually moved the needle for his show, how he built a paid interview service after 15 years of doing it for free, and what he'd do differently if he launched from zero in 2026. The conversation closes with a wider-lens discussion on why long-form podcasts keep thriving in a short-attention-span world, podcasting's growing political influence, and Kurt's firm stance on AI — both in his own research process and in creative work more broadly. --- IN THIS EPISODE00:20 — Introduction to Kurt Sasso and Two Geeks Talking 01:27 — How Kurt stumbled into podcasting through a friend's webcomics database 02:51 — An unexpected overlap: Sebastian's old merch business and Kurt's webcomic guests 04:30 — Kurt's technique for drawing stories out of shy or reluctant guests 06:58 — Kurt's research process: socials, past interviews, and avoiding repeat questions 10:20 — Looking back at early cringe-worthy interviews and lessons learned 14:21 — Has interviewing led to business or networking opportunities? 17:14 — Common traits among successful creative guests 19:55 — The moment Two Geeks Talking started to take off 23:11 — Pitching and structuring the paid interview service 25:38 — The two or three growth strategies that produced the best results (the 2010 shift to video) 33:43 — Hypothetical: launching Two Geeks Talking from scratch in 2026 39:22 — Which metrics actually matter to Kurt (and why downloads aren't one of them) 42:40 — Outdated podcasting advice Kurt and Sebastian still hear too often 49:35 — Why long-form podcasts thrive despite short-attention-span platforms 52:56 — Podcasting's growing influence on politics and culture 56:16 — AI, creativity, and why Kurt doesn't use AI in his research process 1:00:44 — Staying a fan while still asking challenging questions 1:02:54 — Kurt's podcast recommendations 1:04:22 — Where to find Kurt and Two Geeks Talking --- RESOURCES & LINKSTwo Geeks TalkingYouTube: youtube.com/TGTMediaWebsite: tgtmedia.comSocial: @KurtSasso Mentioned in this episode: Webcomics.comCyanide and Happiness (Explosm)Ctrl+Alt+Del (Tim Buckley)C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo)TalkShoe (early live call-in platform)Cliff Ravenscraft, "The Podcast Answer Man"The Tim Ferriss ShowGary Vaynerchuk (content/YouTube)James Cridland, Pod NewsMarshall McLuhan, "the medium is the message" --- TALK THAT PODAre you a podcaster or podcast industry figure and you want to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us: Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    017 - Kurt Sasso - Two Geeks Talking

  3. 1 Jul

    016 - Chris Stewart - The History of China

    Christ Stewart of The History of China --- SUMMARYChris Stewart is the creator and host of The History of China podcast, a show he launched in 2013 while living in Shanghai that now spans over 330 episodes covering 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. In this conversation, Chris talks about how seventeen years living and teaching in China shaped his approach to the podcast, the challenges of working with ancient and often contradictory historical sources, and how his background as an educator informs the way he scaffolds complex history for new listeners. He also discusses joining the Airwave Media network while staying fully independent creatively, his low-key approach to Patreon monetization, and his thoughts on the democratization of history podcasting and the risks of misinformation in the space. The episode wraps with his podcast recommendations and where to find his show. --- IN THIS EPISODE00:19 — Introduction to Chris Stewart and The History of China podcast 01:15 — Chris's background, seventeen years living in China, and the show's origin story 02:07 — How his understanding of China evolved over 330+ episodes 06:05 — Living in China while podcasting: technical hurdles and internet censorship 08:15 — Navigating historical sources and deciding what to trust 13:19 — Chinese pride in 5,000 years of continuous civilization, and its nuances 15:23 — Balancing academic rigor with entertaining storytelling 21:50 — Episodes Chris would recommend for understanding modern China (the Opium War and Taiping Rebellion) 25:13 — Joining the Airwave Media network and staying creatively independent 27:37 — Collaborating with other history podcasters and the Intelligent Speech event 28:20 — Bringing new listeners into a 330-episode back catalog 31:55 — Using "scaffolding" techniques from his teaching background to make episodes accessible 34:00 — Tracking audience growth and the early lucky break that boosted listenership 37:25 — Patreon, listener support, and his philosophy on monetization 42:39 — What makes podcasting uniquely suited for teaching history 47:05 — The democratization of podcasting and the risk of misinformation 56:31 — Chris's three podcast recommendations 58:03 — Where to find Chris and The History of China online --- RESOURCES & LINKSThe History of China podcast.Show email: thocpodcast@gmail.comAirwave Media NetworkRevolutions podcast (Mike Duncan) - other podcasts like RevolutionsPseudoPodThe NoSleep Podcast - best episodes of The NoSleep PodcastCtext.org (Chinese Text Project)Internet Archive --- TALK THAT PODAre you a podcaster or podcast industry figure and you want to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us: Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    016 - Chris Stewart - The History of China

  4. 24 Jun

    015 - Joni Deutsch - Podglomerate

    Joni Deutsch of Podglomerate --- SUMMARYSebastian sits down with Joni Deutsch, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development at the Podglomerate, an award-winning podcast agency whose clients include PBS, NPR, Netflix, Harvard, and New Hampshire Public Radio. With fifteen years in media, audio, and communications, Joni breaks down how the Podglomerate approaches podcast growth, walking through the agency's six core pillars of marketing work: publicity, marketing, cross-promotions, podcast app relationships, paid advertising, and data management. The conversation moves from practical, low-budget tactics for podcasters starting from zero to the bigger forces reshaping discovery, including the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven "GEO" search and Google's move to surface Gemini results above the old ten blue links. Joni and Sebastian also dig into the tensions facing the industry, including the pivot to video and a shrinking podcast "middle class," the role of awards, when paid acquisition is worth it, and the heavier questions raised by the "2024 podcast election," parasocial influence, AI-generated shows, and who bears responsibility for fact-checking in an open media system. Joni closes with three podcast recommendations and where to find her work. --- IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Intro to Joni Deutsch and the Podglomerate (00:38) Is there a universal playbook, or a custom plan for every show? (01:01) The six pillars: publicity, marketing, cross-promotions, podcast apps, paid advertising, and data management (04:16) Why industry relationships are central to executing client work (06:17) Where the data comes from: Apple Podcasts Connect, Spotify for Creators, hosting platforms, and YouTube (with a cameo from Joni's dog) (08:53) Using completion rates and consumption data to inform production, not just marketing (09:26) Evaluating a new client's growth potential and the agency's three service lines (11:05) Award recognition (The Thirteenth Step, Bearbrook) and how accolades feed the publicity funnel (15:04) Joni's take on awards that charge for entry (21:49) Whether every show should be on video, and rethinking what "video" can look like (23:01) The real tension of video: extra editing work, AI tools, and the shrinking podcast "middle class" (24:55) Starting from zero: define your audience, then cross-promo where that audience already is (27:57) Pitching local media, newsletters, and Substacks (and podcast newsletters like Find That Pod) (28:28) How podcast SEO is changing, GEO, and Google surfacing Gemini at the top of search (30:36) Optimizing metadata: listicles, podcast titles, episode titles, and YouTube thumbnails (32:45) The "death of ten blue links" and what it means for publisher traffic (34:06) Marketing the Podglomerate itself, plus the dedicated AI page on their website (36:05) Is the AI optimization actually working? What inquiry data shows (38:06) When should a podcaster invest in paid acquisition, and the risk of vanity metrics (40:55) Podcasting's place in society and the "2024 podcast election" (42:32) AI-generated podcasts, fake "experts," and the proliferation discussed at The Podcast Show London (44:43) Parasocial influence, young voters, and "with great power comes great responsibility" (45:12) Authenticity as podcasting's structural advantage against AI slop (46:12) AI as an assistant, not a full-time employee, and always fact-checking the output (47:59) The one thing Joni would change: automated fact-checking through the platforms (50:07) Whose job is fact-checking, platforms, hosts, or publishers? (51:28) Could podcasting's growing influence invite FCC regulation? (53:44) Three podcast recommendations: The Town with Matt Belloni, The Ankler Podcast, and the Seth Meyers / Lonely Island podcast (55:45) Where to find Joni and the Podglomerate online --- RESOURCES & LINKSPodglomeratePodglomerate blogBest podcast newsletters listWork with the Podglomerate (inquiries)Joni Deutsch on LinkedInPodglomerate newsletter — free, sent every other week with resources, events, and episodes Shows mentioned Bear Brook (New Hampshire Public Radio)The Thirteenth Step (New Hampshire Public Radio)The Town with Matt Belloni (The Ringer / Spotify)The Ankler PodcastThe Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast People mentioned Janine Wright (AI podcast company executive, speaking at The Podcast Show London)James Cridland (Podnews)Arielle Nissenblatt (on paid advertising for podcasters)Ashley Carmen (Bloomberg podcast reporter) --- TALK THAT PODAre you a podcaster or podcast industry figure and you want to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us: Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    015 - Joni Deutsch - Podglomerate

  5. 17 Jun

    014 - Dave Chapman - Real Organic Podcast

    Dave Chapman of Real Organic Podcast --- SUMMARYSebastian sits down with Dave Chapman, a lifelong organic vegetable farmer from Vermont and creator/host of the Real Organic Podcast. Dave shares the origin story of the Real Organic Project, founded in 2018 as a response to what he sees as regulatory failures and corporate corruption within the National Organic Program. He explains how the podcast emerged almost by accident during COVID, evolving from a virtual conference into a long-running interview series that now spans over 280 episodes. The conversation explores the philosophy behind organic and "real organic" certification, the difference between organic and the increasingly popular but loosely defined "regenerative" label, and the regulatory capture that allows large corporations to influence food policy. Dave and Sebastian also discuss building an audience through grassroots community-building and email newsletters, the role of YouTube and video in podcast growth, balancing hope with realism when fighting systemic issues, and the importance of trust between podcasters and their audiences in an increasingly fractured media landscape. --- IN THIS EPISODE 0:12 – Introduction to Dave Chapman and the Real Organic Podcast 00:54 – Dave's background as an organic farmer and the founding of the Real Organic Project in 2018 03:10 – How the podcast started almost by accident during COVID, inspired by a virtual conference project 05:36 – How the show evolved from a farming-focused podcast into broader conversations about community, civilization, and integrity 08:24 – Discussion of regulatory capture and corporate influence on organic certification standards 11:46 – Dave's approach to choosing guests and topics for the podcast 13:02 – The connection between healthy soil and healthy communities, and Dave's personal history as a young organic farmer in the 1970s 15:11 – What "real organic" certification requires and the three core issues with the National Organic Program (hydroponics, animal welfare, and fraud in imported crops) 18:16 – Why organic food costs more and how institutional support for chemical agriculture distorts pricing 22:02 – Guests and interviews that have changed Dave's own thinking, including Zephyr Teachout, Seth Godin, Michael Pollan, and Paul Hawken 23:12 – Generational differences in how people view organic food, and the rise of "regenerative" as a competing term 28:00 – How Dave built his podcast audience through years of community organizing and a weekly newsletter 33:01 – The tension between sensationalism and integrity in podcast growth 34:21 – Video production, equipment setup, and why the Real Organic Podcast has always included a YouTube component 35:31 – Unexpectedly popular episodes, including an interview with Vandana Shiva and a baker from Stone Barns 38:06 – Helping farmers find and tell their stories on the podcast 39:33 – Advice for starting a mission-driven podcast without a big marketing budget 42:09 – Trust, distrust of institutions, and how that connects to podcasting's growth 46:41 – Navigating disagreements with guests and Dave's approach to "hostile" interviews 49:48 – Hope versus optimism, and an experiment illustrating the power of speaking the truth 54:18 – How future generations might view the fight for real organic agriculture 56:08 – Dave's podcast recommendations 57:14 – Where to find Dave and the Real Organic Project online --- RESOURCES & LINKSReal Organic ProjectReal Organic Podcast Guests and figures mentioned: Zephyr TeachoutSeth GodinMichael PollanPaul HawkenVandana ShivaEli Pitkin / Stone Barns CenterDan BarberLindley Dixon: co-host, Real Organic Podcast Podcasts recommended by Dave Chapman: The Market Gardener PodcastScene on RadioRevisionist History --- TALK THAT PODAre you a podcaster or podcast industry figure and you want to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us: Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    014 - Dave Chapman - Real Organic Podcast

  6. 10 Jun

    013 - Kelly Pollock - Unsung History

    Kelly Pollock of Unsung History --- SUMMARYIn this episode of Talk That Pod, Sebastian sits down with Kelly Pollock, creator and host of Unsung History, a podcast spotlighting American history through the lives of women, people of color, immigrants, laborers, religious minorities, enslaved people, and Indigenous communities. Kelly traces her path from a religious studies master's program and a long-running politics podcast to building a history show centered on the people conventional narratives leave out. Along the way, she unpacks her distinctive narrative-plus-interview format, her preparation process, how she balances production with a full-time job, and her candid take on what podcasting does (and doesn't) do for how society understands history. --- IN THIS EPISODE (01:21) How a religious studies background and a 50th-anniversary interview with her parents about the Kent State shootings sparked the idea for a history podcast (03:39) Why Kelly deliberately centers marginalized stories and turns down pitches about "rich white men" and presidents (04:34) The two-part format—narrative intro followed by an expert interview—and why writing the intro is the most time-consuming part of every episode (07:16) How she decides what becomes an episode, and breaking her own rules for guests like Lucy Worsley (10:24) Her interview prep: reading each guest's book cover to cover while deliberately avoiding their other interviews to keep her questions fresh (12:02) What makes a great guest, and why historians often outshine politicians as interview subjects (15:25) The episode that reshaped her thinking: how school desegregation after Brown v. Board cost Black teachers their jobs, with a parallel in the decline of the Negro Leagues after MLB integration (18:31) Differentiating in a crowded history-podcast space by acting as a "history communicator" rather than a historian, and citing sources (20:26) Why evergreen content drove faster, more organic growth than her earlier politics podcast, Two Broads Talking Politics (23:36) Promotion that works: guesting elsewhere, big-name guests resharing episodes, and her "tell me what you like and I'll recommend an episode" social experiment (25:40) Social media strategy and why she misses old Twitter, with Bluesky now her closest analog (27:47) A realistic look at her weekly production workflow and the move from weekly to biweekly episodes for the sake of quality and mental health (31:08) The dream production tool she'd actually pay for: an "on this day in history" matcher that auto-promotes relevant past episodes (32:27) Her perspective on podcasting, misinformation, and historical access in a politically fraught moment (37:01) What she hopes listeners take away—more nuance, empathy, and curiosity to seek out further research (39:41) Kelly's three podcast recommendations and where to find her online --- RESOURCES & LINKSUnsung History podcast — Kelly's show on American historyKelly's website Bluesky — @feministkelly (Kelly's most active platform)Two Broads Talking Politics — Kelly's earlier politics podcast Podcast recommendations from Kelly: Dig — a history podcast produced by four women historians (PhDs) using primary and academic sources, with full source lists in the show notesScience Friday (NPR) — expert interviews that break down science for everyday listenersFake the Nation with Negin Farsad — sharp, funny news-and-politics panel show Also mentioned: Kent State shootings (50th anniversary, 2020)Brown v. Board of Education and its impact on Black teachersThe Negro Leagues and MLB integrationLucy Worsley / Agatha Christie episodeKevin Kruse, Princeton historian (Bluesky repost driving episode downloads)Will Becton, lead engineer on Conan O'Brien's podcast (referenced by Sebastian) --- TALK THAT PODWant to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    013 - Kelly Pollock - Unsung History

  7. 3 Jun

    012 - Will Becton - Jett Road Studios

    Will Becton of Jett Road Studios --- SUMMARYWill Becton spent 12 years at Team Coco, where he served as videographer, editor, and eventually the engineer who built and ran the studio for Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend from its 2018 launch through 2022. In this conversation with Sebastian, Will traces his path from shooting Clueless Gamer segments to engineering one of the most downloaded comedy podcasts in history — and then walking away from a steady job to launch Jett Road Studios, the independent production company and network he runs with his wife and executive producer, Amber Becton, out of Studio City. It's a candid look at the craft and business of podcasting: the technical learning curve of going from video to audio, why three voices like Conan, Sona, and Matt Gourley "sit well in the mix," what it felt like when SiriusXM acquired the operation, and why he eventually took the leap to build his own thing. Will also digs into the realities indie podcasters face today — discoverability in a four-and-a-half-million-podcast marketplace, the pilot-as-development-slate model behind Jett Road Studios Presents, the YouTube tension, and his belief that podcasting, done with good intentions, may be the medium with the best shot at actually changing minds. --- IN THIS EPISODE (01:12) The origins of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend — the in-house approval process at Team Coco where Conan owned the show, early experiments like Serious Jibber Jabber and writer-led test recordings, and how Adam Sachs (from Earwolf/Midroll) helped make the case as the TV show wound down. (05:21) Shooting Clueless Gamer and the Super Bowl segment with Marshawn Lynch and Rob Gronkowski — the kind of "constant state of readiness" backstage work that made Conan comfortable working with Will. (06:41) How Sona was set as co-host from the start, and how Matt Gourley went from veteran producer to on-mic third co-host almost immediately. (09:59) Building the first studio — cobbling together gear from the defunct Super Deluxe and the old basic cable band dressing room, and learning the Earwolf workflow from lead engineer Brett Morris. (10:51) The audio signature of three distinct voices — why Conan is the most challenging to mix for dynamic range, and the debate over compressing on the way in versus recording clean. (13:12) Memorable early sessions — Will Ferrell recording before the studio was finished, Marc Maron questioning the borrowed mics, Jeff Goldblum, Timothy Olyphant, and Ben Stiller being the first to ask to come on. (16:30) Whether Conan became more vulnerable and human on the podcast — the looseness versus the time pressure of TV tapings, the bananas Mila Kunis episode, and the David Sedaris session Will calls his favorite of the 2018–2022 run. (21:13) Will's surprise jump from video to audio engineering — the humbling compression learning curve and the lesson that there's "no default compression for the human voice." (24:18) How improv shaped his editing — his UCB years (2000–2004 in New York), the "yes, and" ethos, the Chicago influence on Conan's writing staff, and a love of editing "structured improv." (29:00) Leaving Team Coco after 12 years — the "Irish goodbye" during COVID, engineering three shows at once out of the sunroom, the move to Largo, and the Larchmont studio build-out. (32:21) Mixed feelings about the SiriusXM acquisition — the engineer role becoming narrower and "less playful," and losing the "lunatics running the asylum" vibe. (37:17) The 2 a.m. moment at June Lake when Amber told him they were starting their own studio, and building a home studio that mirrors his professional workflow. (41:19) The origin of the name "Jett Road" — his childhood street in Atlanta, the open-door "collection of misfits" environment, and the house later being sold to Andre 3000. (43:13) The Jett Road Studios Presents model — a podcast where every episode is a pilot for a different show, functioning as an "outward-facing development slate" or "sushi menu" of activatable concepts. Includes Mixed Generation, Three Day Champion, and the award-winning pilots. (56:20) What he looks for in a host or concept — chemistry, avoiding the "too many cooks" overcooking he saw at Team Coco, and getting the "pure distillation" of what the host has in mind. (59:43) The business of getting picked up — why "nobody's developing shows right now, they're acquiring shows," the 50,000-downloads-a-month threshold, and how making 12 pilots expanded his network. (01:02:04) The Bad Elizabeth success story — a Guardian write-up and Apple carousel placements, and the sense-memory of the download difference being on versus off the carousel. (01:04:10) What success looks like for Jet Road over five years — staying lean versus staffing up as a full network, a season two of Presents, and exploring TV/IP avenues (with Hulu in the conversation). (01:08:11) Podcast marketing for indies — the slow burn, getting on the Apple carousel, and being "all the places you can be," including Podnews. (01:09:18) The YouTube tension — why he sees video as the "next frontier" and a non-negotiable discovery platform, even as it multiplies editing workload, plus his measured take on AI tools. (01:16:14) Cross-promotion, feed swaps, and email — why he needs to "templatize" promotion, and his thinking on Substack versus Patreon as monetizable audience-retention tools. (01:22:58) Podcasting and public discourse — the Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan episodes (including the blind rock climber that inspired Conan's travel show), the echo-chamber problem, and why podcasting has the best shot at changing minds. (01:26:46) Will's three podcast recommendations and where to find him online. --- RESOURCES & LINKSWill Becton & Jett Road Studios WebsiteYouTubeInstagramSubstack Shows mentioned Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend (Team Coco / Earwolf) - Best episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a FriendJett Road Studios Presents — the pilot-per-episode development slateBad Elizabeth, Mixed Generation, Three Day Champion — Jett Road pilots/showsSerious Jibber Jabber with Conan O'BrienClueless Gamer (Team Coco)Never Not Funny (Jimmy Pardo)Superego and I Was There Too (Matt Gourley)Comedy Bang Bang / Bang Bang World (Scott Aukerman)May I Elaborate? (JB Smoove & Miles Gross, Team Coco) Will's three podcast recommendations Wrong Turns with Jameela JamilPast Due with Ana Marie Cox & Open Mike EagleOrigin Stories with Matt Shaer (Campside Media) People &...

    012 - Will Becton - Jett Road Studios

  8. 27 May

    011 - Abigail Vacca - Global Treasures

    Abigail Vacca of Global Treasures --- SUMMARYSebastian sits down with Abigail Vacca, creator and host of Global Treasures — a podcast exploring the history, legends, and culture behind UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Abigail shares how a childhood bucket list rediscovered during pandemic stress-cleaning led her to fill a surprising gap in the podcasting world. She opens up about her meticulous research process, how the show has reshaped her worldview (including her eating habits), and what it really means to be a responsible storyteller when covering places as fragile as they are fascinating. The conversation also touches on content strategy, the video-vs-audio podcasting debate, parasocial relationships with listeners, and what Abigail wishes someone would invent to make her one-woman operation a little easier. --- IN THIS EPISODE00:08 — Introduction: Sebastian introduces Abigail Vacca and the Global Treasures podcast 00:40 — Origin story: how a childhood bucket list found during pandemic cleaning sparked the show 03:22 — Season structure: how Abigail selects sites by following UNESCO's chronological designation years 04:36 — Research process: 4–6 hours per episode on average, and why Rome nearly became a two-parter 05:48 — Personal growth: how the podcast made Abigail more humble, open-minded, and adventurous at the dinner table 08:33 — Serving all listeners: balancing "armchair travelers" with active trip planners, and handling dangerous or off-limits sites like Garamba National Park 10:31 — Audience insights: shorter episodes win, and listeners want the why behind a destination, not just where to eat 11:37 — Underrated sites: why Independence Hall in Philadelphia deserves more credit than it gets 12:41 — Best mythology: the Yeti, Kathmandu Valley, and why Abigail loves that Nepal leans into the legend (including Yeti Airlines) 14:12 — Content strategy: running a podcast, blog, and mailing list as a one-woman show 15:41 — Standing out: what separates Global Treasures from the crowded travel podcast space 17:05 — Surprise hit: the unexpectedly popular episode on Ouro Preto, Brazil's gold rush capital 17:59 — Marketing tactics: TikTok, Facebook, local news outreach, and pitching to cultural centers 19:22 — Word of mouth: the women's book club that accidentally discovered the show and became devoted listeners 21:20 — Dream tool: the software Abigail wishes existed to automate video editing and SEO 22:15 — Ethical responsibility: conservation, over-tourism, and why Abigail sounds like a "broken record" about leaving no trace 23:55 — Podcasting's unique role: why long-form audio demands more active engagement than short-form scrolling 25:14 — Parasocial bonds: the intimacy between podcast host and listener, and where Abigail has had to draw boundaries 26:39 — The future of podcasting: saturation, the Golden Globes, and the video vs. audio tug-of-war 29:09 — The video dilemma: why Abigail hasn't made the leap yet (triple-editing her audio in Audacity, Auphonic, and Descript is already a lot) 29:48 — Podcast recommendations: Abigail's three picks 30:37 — Where to find Global Treasures --- RESOURCES & LINKSGuestGlobal Treasures Blog & Website — globaltreasurestravel.com Sites & Places MentionedUNESCO World Heritage Sites — Full list of all 1,248+ designated sitesStonehenge — Wiltshire, EnglandHistoric Centre of Rome — ItalyIndependence Hall — Philadelphia, USAKathmandu Valley — Nepal (and home of Yeti lore)Ouro Preto — Brazil's gold rush historic centerGaramba National Park — Democratic Republic of CongoAbu Mena — EgyptThe Vatican — Vatican City Podcasts Recommended by AbigailCrime Junkie - Discover the best episodes of Crime Junkie, and other podcasts like Crime Junkie.If Books Could Kill — hosted by Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri. Discover the best episodes of If Books Could Kill.Stuff You Should Know — hosted by Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant. Discover the best episodes of Stuff You Should Know, and other podcasts like Stuff You Should Know. Tools MentionedAudacity — Free, open-source audio editorAuphonic — Automated audio post-productionDescript — Audio/video editing via transcript --- TALK THAT PODWant to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. --- FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

    011 - Abigail Vacca - Global Treasures
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Podcasters. They're an interesting bunch. On Talk That Pod, I have conversations with the most interesting podcasters in the world – what does it really take to build a podcast people can't stop listening to? Podcasters, storytellers, and the audio entrepreneurs behind the shows dominating your feed spill the secrets and stories about podcast growth, their podcasting journey, podcast marketing, content strategy, promotion tactics, and the cultural impact of podcasting in today's society. If you're passionate about the power of audio, as a creator, a listener, or both... this is your show. Want to be a guest on this podcast? Head to https://talkthatpod.net/be-on-the-show/ This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkthatpodshow And if you're looking for podcast recommendations head over to Find That Pod - https://findthatpod.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sebastian Arciszewski
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Talk That Pod
  • Show Website
    Talk That Pod