Podcast Bestie, the Podcast

Courtney Kocak

Podcast Bestie is a best friend to podcasters trying to grow and monetize their shows. First, a popular Substack, now also a podcast! Hosted by Podcast Bestie founder Courtney Kocak. www.podcastbestie.com

  1. Sep 18

    So You Want to Sign With a Podcast Network? with Locatora Radio

    Hey Besties! For episode three of season two, I’m joined by Diosa Femme and Mala Muñoz, the co-hosts and co-founders of Locatora Radio, a podcast they started as an indie passion project in 2016 and eventually grew into a full-fledged production company and a deal with iHeartRadio’s My Cultura Podcast Network. And this one is a juicy peek behind the scenes because, while signing with a major network helped Diosa and Mala turn podcasting into their full-time careers (hell yes!), they also learned that landing your dream podcast deal doesn’t necessarily solve all your problems. In this episode, Diosa and Mala take us all the way back to recording with a $30 mic in a borrowed space and explain how community building, a distinct point of view, and a strong visual identity helped Locatora attract listeners, speaking gigs, and major press—all before they ever had a network behind them. Then we get into what changed once they signed with iHeart: a production budget, a team, better resources… and a few things that weren’t quite as expected. We also talk about the less glamorous side of network deals, including losing control over which brands appear on your show, exclusivity clauses, protecting your IP, negotiating renewals, and the very real question of what happens if your network relationship ends. Plus, Diosa and Mala share the questions they wish more indie podcasters knew to ask before signing on the dotted line—and why they now think of their network as a client rather than a home. If signing with a podcast network is one of your dream milestones, this episode will help you think beyond the shiny announcement and figure out what you actually want that deal to do for you. * Follow Locatora Radio @locatora_radio on Instagram. * Listen to Locatora Radio. * Stay tuned for the bonus segment next Friday—Diosa and Mala’s juiciest podcasting tips and more, exclusively for paid subscribers. Upgrade here. If you missed the last episode, check out Ashley Hamer Pritchard’s Low-Lift Strategy for 10x-ing Her Podcast Audience on YouTube. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://www.podcastbestie.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. Follow me @courtneykocak on Instagram. My debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild, is available now from Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 Would you sign with a podcast network if the opportunity came along—or are you committed to staying indie? And if you’ve worked with a network before, spill the tea: what did you love, and what do you wish you’d known before signing? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  2. Aug 21

    Ashley Hamer Pritchard's Low-Lift Strategy for 10x-ing Her Podcast Audience on YouTube

    Hey Besties! For episode two of season two, I’m joined by Taboo Science host Ashley Hamer Pritchard, an indie podcaster who went from basically ignoring YouTube to building a burgeoning monetized channel with over 15K subscribers. And the best part? She started without a fancy studio, a ton of gear, or a complicated video production workload. In this episode, Ashley breaks down exactly how she made the leap from audio to video—and how her first low-lift experiment helped 10x her audience from 400 to 4,000! We get into her surprisingly simple production workflow, why titles and thumbnails were the real unlock for growth, what she’s learned from YouTube analytics, and how those game-changing insights have actually altered how she edits the audio version of her podcast, too. Ashley also shares how she gradually leveled up her video production, why she prioritizes long-form over Shorts, how much she made when she crossed the YouTube monetization threshold, and the highest-leverage thing podcasters can do on YouTube—even if they’re not ready to embrace video yet. If you’ve been sitting on the YouTube fence for your podcast because it feels expensive, intimidating, or like way too much work, this episode might finally convince you to give it a shot. * Follow Ashley @smashleyhamer on Instagram. * Listen to Ashley’s podcast Taboo Science. * Watch Ashley’s podcast Taboo Science on YouTube. * Stay tuned for the bonus segment next Friday—Ashley’s juiciest podcasting tip and more, exclusively for paid subscribers. Upgrade here. If you missed the last episode, check out How Carole Zimmer Books A-List Celebrity Guests Like Jane Fonda & Ethan Hawke. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://www.podcastbestie.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. Follow me @courtneykocak on Instagram. My debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild, is available now from Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. A big thanks to our BFFs for sponsoring this episode: * SHOOT YOUR SHOT CHALLENGE from friend of the podcast, Chelsea Riffe August 25th–27th (plus VIP call August 28th). Life bends for people who ask. 3 days to find your angle, craft a pitch that lands, and hit send! VIP gets an extra day of feedback + hype. Noon–1:30pm EST daily. Ready to shoot your shot?! 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 What’s your current relationship status with YouTube—committed, casually dating, or ghosting it entirely? If you’ve got any tips, share ‘em in the comments! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  3. Jul 17

    How Carole Zimmer Books A-List Celebrity Guests Like Jane Fonda & Ethan Hawke

    Hey Besties! For the first episode of season two, I’m joined by veteran journalist and Now What? host Carole Zimmer, whose guest list includes Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, Ethan Hawke, Joe and Jill Biden, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Lear, and dozens of other fascinating, world-famous people. In this episode, Carole pulls back the curtain on how she consistently lands high-profile guests as an indie podcaster. We get into her outreach strategy, how she leverages publisher relationships, what she puts in her pitch emails, and her rejection batting average. Carole also shares her interview philosophy, research process, and how she prepares conversations that uncover stories listeners haven’t heard before. Whether you’re dreaming of booking bigger guests or trying to become a stronger interviewer, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using today. * Follow Carole @carolezimmer on Instagram. * Listen to Carole’s podcast Now What? * Stay tuned for the bonus segment next Friday—Carole's juiciest podcasting tip and more, exclusively for paid subscribers. Upgrade here. Please take a second to vote for my proposed Podcast Movement sessions below. If they get picked, I promise to bring all the big lessons back to the Besties, as always. » Substack as a Podcaster’s Swiss Army Knife: Build Your Email List, Grow Your Show & Revenue » The Indie Podcasting Playbook: Growing a Great Show on Your Own Terms If you missed the last episode, check out From Podcast to Page: Cara McGoogan on Turning Bed of Lies Into Blood Farm. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://www.podcastbestie.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. Follow me @courtneykocak on Instagram. My debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild, is available now from Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 Who's the biggest guest you've landed so far? And who's your dream guest? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  4. Season 2 Trailer

    Podcast Bestie Is Back! Season 2: Deconstructing Major Podcasting Milestones

    Hey Besties! I’m so excited to announce that Podcast Bestie is officially back for Season 2, and this season has one mission: deconstructing the major milestones that change the trajectory of a show. I’m sitting down with creators who’ve reached milestones most of us aspire to—booking A-list guests, hitting 10K+ downloads per episode, landing major sponsors, going full-time, signing with a network, creating viral clips, building thriving membership communities, growing massive YouTube audiences, monetizing their channels, turning podcasts into books, TV shows, and more—and they’re taking us behind the scenes to share how they got there. We’re talking real numbers, actionable strategies, unexpected mistakes, mindset shifts, revenue, workflows, tradeoffs, and the lessons that only come from actually doing the work. Season 2 is packed with practical advice you can put to work immediately. I hope these conversations help you reach your next milestone a little faster. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, subscribe to the Podcast Bestie newsletter on Substack, and get ready for a season of honest, inspiring conversations about what it really takes to build a successful podcast. Let’s do this. XO,Courtney P.S. My So You Want to Start a Podcast? seminar via WritingWorkshops.com is this Sunday! Whether you're starting from scratch or trying to uplevel your process and promotion, I'll walk you through everything you need to create, launch, and grow a successful podcast. You'll also learn how to test the waters on Substack before making a bigger commitment. If you've been podcast-curious, I'd love to see you there! Learn more and register here. Also, vote for my proposed Podcast Movement sessions here. If they get picked, I promise to bring all the big lessons back to the Besties, per usual. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 What podcasting milestones do you want deconstructed? Any podcasters you'd love to hear from in Season 2? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

    Podcast Bestie Is Back! Season 2: Deconstructing Major Podcasting Milestones
  5. 09/09/2024

    From Podcast to Page: Cara McGoogan on Turning Bed of Lies Into Blood Farm

    Hey Besties! Today we've got a special bonus episode featuring Cara McGoogan, who ticked off a major item on my bucket list when she successfully transformed the second season of her podcast Bed of Lies into her book Blood Farm (The Poison Line in the UK). In this episode, Cara breaks down the process of adapting a podcast into a book and the opportunities and challenges that come along with it. This conversation explores how podcast writing differs from book writing, how to structure a compelling narrative in each format, the research and fact-checking processes, IP considerations, and so much more. * Connect with Cara @cjmcgoogan on Twitter. * Follow Cara @cjmcgoogan on Instagram. * Listen to Cara’s podcast Bed of Lies. * Buy Cara’s book Blood Farm. * Sign up for my upcoming class, Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast. Here’s a link to the TRANSCRIPT. If you missed the last episode, check out What Is V4V? A Primer on Value4Value Monetization for Indie Podcasters with Kyrin Down. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://podcastbestie.substack.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. A big thanks to our BFFs for sponsoring this episode: * Ready to claim your time back? Outsource your editing and social media with Edit Pods. We are your one stop shop for podcast audio/video editing and social media management. We make it easy for you! The Best Podcast Editors If you want to sponsor a future newsletter AND episode, you can purchase your ad spot here. I’ve also got a FREE promo opportunity for the Besties: Leave a five-star rating with a review on Apple Podcasts, email me a screenshot with your name and the name of your podcast, and you’ll get a free shout-out on the next episode. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 Have you considered turning your podcast into a book? Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  6. 01/12/2024

    What Is V4V? A Primer on Value4Value Monetization for Indie Podcasters with Kyrin Down

    Hi Besties! For the season finale, Kyrin Down, co-host of the Mere Mortals Podcast, is here to give us a primer on V4V, or Value4Value, which is a new way to think about value in podcasting. Basically, V4V enables payment directly from podcast listener to podcaster using Bitcoin, making it easy to support your favorite podcasters, no matter where in the world they are based. Value4Value is a good option for pretty much every indie podcaster's monetization strategy, and in this episode, Kyrin explains why. * Connect with Kyrin @meremortalspod on Twitter. * Follow Kyrin @meremortalspodcast on Instagram. * Listen to Kyrin’s podcast Value 4 Value. * Download the Fountain app and get started now! * Sign up for my upcoming class, Creating Your Podcast. * Sign up for my upcoming workshop, Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network & Business. Here’s a link to the TRANSCRIPT. Watch the video version of Kyrin’s interview on YouTube. If you missed the last episode, check out How to Rebrand Your Podcast with Angie Griffith of Podfluencer Society. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://podcastbestie.substack.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. And thank you to Matt Gilhooly for fine-tuning the video and creating the social media assets for this episode. Follow him on Twitter @theliftshiftpod. A big thanks to our BFFs for sponsoring this episode: * Being successful with podcasts and video is a full-time job that most people don’t have the time or experience to do. Momento is an end-to-end AI video marketing tool that finds your shareable moments, creates beautiful shorts, and even schedules straight to social. Can it do more? Yes! Momento can write high-quality show notes, social posts, tweets, and even jokes from your content. Your first upload is FREE, go see what AI can do with your video! https://trymomento.ai?via=podcastbestie * mowPod is an effective, targeted way to promote your show. It's already trusted by industry giants like Conde Nast, iHeartMedia, and HubSpot Podcast Network, and that's because it works. But mowPod isn’t just for the big guys — mowPod Boost is perfect for indie podcasters. It’s actually been my favorite paid advertising experiment to date, and you can try it for just $100. Plus, if you are a Bestie, you get 10% off with this link: https://boost.mowpod.com/?referrer=podcastbestie. Try it, and let me know what you think! * The Life Shift podcast recently celebrated 100 episodes! Tune in to hear host Matt Gilhooly bring candid conversations about life-changing moments. The 100th episode features Justin Moore's inspiring journey. Listen to The Life Shift! If you want to sponsor a future newsletter AND episode, you can purchase your ad spot here. I’ve also got a FREE promo opportunity for the Besties: Leave a five-star rating with a review on Apple Podcasts, email me a screenshot with your name and the name of your podcast, and you’ll get a free shout-out on the next episode. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 Do you use V4V as a monetization strategy for your podcast? If so, how do you make the pitch to your listeners? Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  7. 11/26/2023

    How to Rebrand Your Podcast with Angie Griffith of Podfluencer Society

    Hello Besties! I’m back with another episode all about rebranding, which is something a lot of podcasters have to navigate as their podcasts evolve, including myself. Today’s guest also has first-hand experience. Angie Griffith started in the music industry as an artist manager before her pivot to podcasting and becoming the talent herself. Angie now hosts a podcast called Podfluencer Society, which recently underwent a rebrand. In this episode, she shares the strategy for how she relaunched her show — which included buying a billboard in downtown Nashville! — and, of course, her tips for executing a successful rebrand. * Connect with Angie @theangiegriff on Twitter. * Follow Angie @theangiegriffith and Podfluencer Society @podfluencersociety on Instagram. * Listen to Podfluencer Society on your preferred podcast listening app. * For Angie’s Podcast Rebrand Checklist, go to podfluencerproducts.com/rebrand. * Sign up for my upcoming class, Creating Your Podcast. Here’s a link to the TRANSCRIPT. Watch the video version of Angie’s interview on YouTube. If you missed the last episode, check out Your Indie Podcast Tune-Up with Andreea Coscai of Tink Media. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://podcastbestie.substack.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. And thank you to Matt Gilhooly for fine-tuning the video and creating the social media assets for this episode. Follow him on Twitter @theliftshiftpod. A big thanks to our BFFs for sponsoring this episode: * Being successful with podcasts and video is a full-time job that most people don’t have the time or experience to do. Momento is an end-to-end AI video marketing tool that finds your shareable moments, creates beautiful shorts, and even schedules straight to social. Can it do more? Yes! Momento can write high-quality show notes, social posts, tweets, and even jokes from your content. Your first upload is FREE, go see what AI can do with your video! https://trymomento.ai?via=podcastbestie * mowPod is an effective, targeted way to promote your show. It's already trusted by industry giants like Conde Nast, iHeartMedia, and HubSpot Podcast Network, and that's because it works. But mowPod isn’t just for the big guys — mowPod Boost is perfect for indie podcasters. It’s actually been my favorite paid advertising experiment to date, and you can try it for just $100. Plus, if you are a Bestie, you get 10% off with this link: https://boost.mowpod.com/?referrer=podcastbestie. Try it, and let me know what you think! If you want to sponsor a future newsletter AND episode, you can purchase your ad spot here. I’ve also got a FREE promo opportunity for the Besties: Leave a five-star rating with a review on Apple Podcasts, email me a screenshot with your name and the name of your podcast, and you’ll get a free shout-out on the next episode. Big thanks to the following Besties for their reviews. Make sure to check out their shows: * Better Call Daddy is for people who love stories. Each episode, host Reena Friedman Watts will interview a person of interest, and her father will chime in with his advice afterwards. “My dad has been my guiding force my whole life, there's nothing that he doesn't know and I want to share that with the world.” * 2 Lives is hosted and written by Laurel Morales. Stories of people who have faced darkness and how those moments transformed them. "We all have two lives. The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.” * Secret Mom Hacks - Krista Dykes is someone who was previously terrified of childbirth, parenthood, and all that follows, but she's here to help you pull back the curtain on all of it. Her goal is that you’ll leave every episode feeling refreshed, inspired, and hopeful, knowing you’re not on this mom journey alone.  So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 Have you rebranded your podcast? Any big takeaways from the process? Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

  8. 10/11/2023

    Your Indie Podcast Tune-Up with Andreea Coscai of Tink Media

    Hi Besties! I’m excited to be back with Andreea Coscai, another babe from the Tink Media team. Josh Taylor from The Wild West Extravaganza tweeted: “Every time i find out that @courtneykocak has interviewed someone from @tinkmediaco my ears perk up. They're like the Navy Seals of podcast marketing.” That is both hilarious and very true. In this episode, Andreea shares some great perspective on podcasting marketing, collaboration, community, sustainability, social media, and more for indie podcasters — plus, a few awesome podcast recommendations. * Connect with Andreea @andreeacoscai on Twitter. * Follow Andreea @andreeacoscai on Instagram. * Sign up for my upcoming workshop, How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought. Here’s a link to the TRANSCRIPT. Watch the video version of Andreea’s interview on YouTube. If you missed the last episode, check out Growing Queens Podcast to 100K Downloads Per Month & a Thriving Patreon Community with Katy Hearne-Church. Sign up for the Podcast Bestie newsletter here: https://podcastbestie.substack.com/welcome Thanks to Michael Castañeda for mixing and mastering this episode. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @plasticaudio. And thank you to Matt Gilhooly for fine-tuning the video and creating the social media assets for this episode. Follow him on Twitter @theliftshiftpod. A big thanks to our BFFs for sponsoring this episode: * Being successful with podcasts and video is a full-time job that most people don’t have the time or experience to do. Momento is an end-to-end AI video marketing tool that finds your shareable moments, creates beautiful shorts, and even schedules straight to social. Can it do more? Yes! Momento can write high-quality show notes, social posts, tweets, and even jokes from your content. Your first upload is FREE, go see what AI can do with your video! https://trymomento.ai?via=podcastbestie * Step into the world of Multitudes by Nicole Carter. Filled with beautiful conversations with diverse guests sharing their journeys, passions, and transformative insights. Season 2 is coming soon! Check out multitudespodcast.com and subscribe to Multitudes wherever you listen to podcasts. * mowPod is an effective, targeted way to promote your show. It's already trusted by industry giants like Conde Nast, iHeartMedia, and HubSpot Podcast Network, and that's because it works. But mowPod isn’t just for the big guys — mowPod Boost is perfect for indie podcasters. It’s actually been my favorite paid advertising experiment to date, and you can try it for just $100. Plus, if you are a Bestie, you get 10% off with this link: https://boost.mowpod.com/?referrer=podcastbestie. Try it, and let me know what you think! If you want to sponsor a future newsletter AND episode, you can purchase your ad spot here. I’ve also got a FREE promo opportunity for the Besties: Leave a five-star rating with a review on Apple Podcasts, email me a screenshot with your name and the name of your podcast, and you’ll get a free shout-out on the next episode. Big thanks to the following Besties for their reviews. Make sure to check out their shows: * A Cada Paso is a hybrid Spanish-English podcast in which host Gabrielena Alcala interviews people who are not famous but she considers to be fascinating. * The 2 Lives Podcast, hosted by Laurel Morales, features stories of people who have faced darkness and how those moments transformed them. * Sound Judgment takes listeners into the studios — and the minds — of your favorite audio storytellers. In each episode, lifelong journalist Elaine Appleton Grant and a top audio creator deconstruct one of their episodes. So… ROLL CALL! 🗣 What’s your number one priority for your podcast right now? Are you trying to collab more, reformat, next level your guest booking, etc.? I’d love to learn what Besties are focused on improving for their shows. Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com. 💸 Wanna advertise on Podcast Bestie? Visit podcastbestie.com/advertise for info about offerings and rates. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.podcastbestie.com/subscribe

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About

Podcast Bestie is a best friend to podcasters trying to grow and monetize their shows. First, a popular Substack, now also a podcast! Hosted by Podcast Bestie founder Courtney Kocak. www.podcastbestie.com

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