Podcast Cafe: Insights from Podcasters for Podcasters

Hayleigh Hayhurst, Podcast Producer & Strategist
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Podcast Café, where we serve up everything you need to know about podcasting—from tips to strategies, for podcasters by podcasters. Hosted by Hayleigh Hayhurst, founder of Espresso Podcast Production, this show covers the art and science of podcasting in a fun, relatable way from podcasters for podcasters. Join our community of creators and let’s make podcasting something you love—and that works for you. Learn more at espressopodcastproduction.com.

  1. 2d ago

    93. How One Podcast Became the Foundation of an Entire Business with Wendy Valentine

    Podcasting didn't just help Wendy Valentine grow her business—it helped her rebuild her life. After navigating divorce, chronic illness, financial hardship, and becoming an empty nester all at once, Wendy found herself asking a question so many women in midlife face: Now what? What started as a desire to share her story soon became The Midlife Makeover Show, a podcast that has grown into a global platform, a thriving business, and even led to a traditional book deal. In this episode of Podcast Café, I'm sitting down with Wendy Valentine to talk about building a podcast that grows alongside you. We dive into why she chose not to niche down despite all the conventional advice, how her podcast became the foundation of her business, and why treating your show as an ecosystem—not just a content channel—can completely change the opportunities it creates. If you're building a podcast—or dreaming about starting one—this conversation is packed with practical strategies and a refreshing reminder that there are no rules except creating a show you'll still love making years from now. JOIN: The Podcast Cafe Community a private, application-only community for podcasters who already have a show and are done guessing alone. Apply here: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/community About Wendy Wendy Valentine is the host of The Midlife Makeover Show, a top-ranked podcast inspiring women to embrace change and create their next chapter with confidence. After completely rebuilding her life following divorce, chronic illness, financial struggles, and major personal loss, Wendy turned her experiences into a platform dedicated to helping women navigate midlife with purpose. Today, she's also the author of Women Waking Up, a speaker, entrepreneur, and coach who uses her podcast as the centerpiece of a business that reaches listeners around the world—proving that your voice can become one of your most valuable business assets. Connect with Wendy: Website: https://wendyvalentine.com/ Podcast: https://wendyvalentine.com/podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellowendyvalentine/ Substack: https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction

  2. 4d ago

    92. My Mom Is My Biggest Fan (And a Podcaster Too) — with Diane Hayhurst, host of Promoting and Protecting Naturopathy

    This one's special. I bullied my mom into starting a podcast a few years ago, and now I'm turning the mic on her. Meet Diane Hayhurst!! My mom, my biggest supporter, and a podcaster herself. Diane co-hosts Promoting and Protecting Naturopathy with my Aunt Julie, an ANMA podcast I produce and edit, going on three years strong. She also flew up from Las Vegas for my Podcasters NW event and was, by far, the star of the show. So I made her sit down and talk podcasting with me. JOIN: The Podcast Cafe Community a private, application-only community for podcasters who already have a show and are done guessing alone. Apply here: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/community What we get into How I got my mom to start a podcast for its her businessA smart idea on how to promote your podcastThe time someone recognized her voice on the phone and she felt like a celebrity for a hot secondWhy guests who tell a story beat guests who pitch a product, every timeWhy every podcast host needs to actually listen to podcastsHow long an episode should be, and why "it depends" is the right answerHer biggest podcast pet peeve More about Podcasters NW! Learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/podcastersnw Listen to Promoting and Protecting Naturopathy: https://www.anma.org/podcast Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction

  3. Jul 30

    91. What Podcasting Can Teach You About Friendship, Connection, and Community with Alex Alexander

    Alex Alexander never planned to become a friendship expert. She was a luxury wedding planner. Then a food blogger. Then, somewhere between hosting friends on the floor of her tiny apartment and answering questions about how she had built such a strong community, she realized people weren't asking about the food....they were asking about friendship. In this episode of Podcast Café, I'm sitting down with Alex Alexander, host of Friendship IRL, to talk about the podcast she never expected to create and the body of work that has grown from simply following the conversations people kept asking her to have. We talk about why friendship might not actually be as hard as we've been told, how her podcast led to an unexpected book deal just days before she planned to self-publish, and why you truly never know who is listening. We also get into the pressure to be an "expert," the surprising impact of publishing consistently even when life forces everything else to slow down, and why the person in your headphones might be more accessible than you think. If you've ever wondered whether your voice, your ideas, or your podcast are reaching anyone, this one's for you. JOIN: The Podcast Cafe Community a private, application-only community for podcasters who already have a show and are done guessing alone. Apply here: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/community About Alex Alex Alexander is the host of Friendship IRL, a podcast exploring the realities of friendship, connection, and community. After burning out from a career as a luxury wedding planner, Alex began sharing her thoughts on bringing people together—and quickly realized the conversations people wanted most weren't about entertaining, but about how to build and maintain meaningful friendships. Today, through her podcast, writing, and speaking, Alex shares frameworks, stories, and conversations that challenge the way we've been taught to think about friendship. Her work reaches listeners around the world and has even led to an unexpected traditional book deal after an editor discovered her podcast and listened to 30 episodes before reaching out. Connect with Alex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsalexalexander/ Website: https://alexalexander.com/ Podcast: https://alexalexander.com/friendship-irl-podcast-home/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 JOIN: The Podcast Cafe Community a private, application-only community for podcasters who already have a show and are done guessing alone. Apply here: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/community Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction

  4. Jun 25

    90. Storytelling & Interviewing: A Live Panel at Podcasters NW with Erica C. Barnett and Ronit Plank

    This is a live recording from Podcasters NW, the largest networking group for podcasters in Seattle. About this episode: A journalist who never sends questions in advance. A memoirist who reads your entire book before she'll talk to you. And me, who shows up with curiosity and basically no prep because I'm also producing 25 other shows. I put these three approaches in a room together on purpose. Because podcasting is not one size fits all. We got into interview techniques, how to tell a story in every podcast episode, and how we roll with the punches during interviews (even the ones that don't go the way we imagined)/ This one was recorded live at Podcasters NW — the largest in-person podcasting and creator networking community in the Pacific Northwest. If you've ever wanted a room full of people who actually get what it's like to make a show, this is it. In this episode: Three completely different interview philosophies — journalist, memoirist, and "curiosity-first" What to do live, in the moment, when a guest goes off-script or shuts down on youThe exact moment that makes a podcast host say "I love my job"The awkward reality of an interview going not the way you were hopingHow to actually land a dream guest (it took one of us a full year and a second ask)The line we each have for when an interview just doesn't make the cut Join us at the next Podcasters NW event on July 22. It's free to join! https://july22podcastersnw.eventbrite.com This month's event was sponsored by Armoire — use code PODCAST2026 for a free month of clothing rental. Connect with Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Connect with Erica: https://publicola.com Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  5. Jun 25

    89. Kit Craft + Commerce Recap: Conference Takeaways, Podcasting Levels, and Why AI Content Needs a Strategy

    This week I'm bringing you part one of a two-part conversation, recorded live in Boise at Kit's Craft + Commerce conference. I sat down with my business bestie Jillian Minter, a business and money coach, to break down our biggest takeaways from the weekend. Listen to part 2 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quantum-wealth-money-mindset-manifestation-business/id1871569964?i=1000774154738 In this episode, we get into: What it was like being surrounded by every kind of creator imaginable — podcasters, YouTubers, authors, food bloggers, and moreWhy "it all works" when it comes to picking your content avenue, and how energy and belief play into thatThe podcast monetization workshop that taught me a hard lesson about knowing your audience's level (and meeting people where they actually are, not where you assume they are)Why AI tools are genuinely useful — but only if you're using them with a plan, not just to push out more contentThe "act like a client in your own business" exercise that every business owner needs to tryJillian and I see this conference through two completely different lenses — podcasting and money/mindset — so we decided to split the conversation across both of our shows. Catch part two over on Jillian's podcast, Quantum Wealth, where we get into confidence, networking styles, and the new Kit features we're both obsessed with. 🎧 Listen to part two on Quantum Wealth: https://jillianminter.com/quantum-wealth-manifestation-podcast/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  6. Jun 11

    88. How to Create a Podcast Website in 20 Minutes with Jamie from Julip

    Most podcasters treat their online presence like an afterthought—a Linktree here, a Spotify link there. But if you're serious about growing your podcast, you need more than a wall of links. You need a website that actually tells your story, showcases your episodes, and opens doors to monetization. In this episode, I sit down with Jamie, the founder of Julip, to talk about why podcasters need a website (not just social media links), how to organize your episodes so listeners can actually find what they're looking for, and creative ways to monetize your podcast beyond traditional sponsorships. What You'll Learn: Why a Linktree isn't enough for serious podcastersHow Julip makes it easy to create a beautiful, mobile-friendly website in just 20 minutesThe importance of categorizing your episodes—especially once you hit 100+ episodesCreative monetization strategies: selling ad real estate on your website, not just in episodesHow to leverage guest appearances on other podcasts to grow your own showThe benefits of being a podcast guest before launching your own showJamie's journey from marketing to higher ed to launching three businesses I met Jamie in The Entreprenista League, a business and community membership where founders like you can access top-tier resources, media opportunities, and a community that will be there to support you as you grow your business. Join here: https://refer.entreprenista.com/2bvagj2con4u Try Julip: https://myjulip.com/julip Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myjulip/ Julipers using Julips for their podcast: suzyaisha Resources mentioned:  To sell a new service to your podcast clients, website in a day.Lucy being interviewed for Mayor of NYChttps://www.trupanion.com/ - pet insurance company Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  7. Jun 4

    87. Standing Out in a Crowded Niche: Lessons from Wellness Podcaster Brandee Hommerding

    Want to start a podcast but worried your niche is too crowded? In this episode of the Podcast Café, I interview Brandee Hommerding, host of the Healthy Buzz Podcast, about how to stand out in the competitive wellness podcasting space. If you're wondering how to launch a podcast when there are already shows in your industry, this conversation will change your perspective. Brandee shares her journey from thinking about podcasting for years to launching a successful wellness podcast that's approaching 50 episodes, and how she differentiates herself in an oversaturated market. What You'll Learn About Starting a Podcast in a Crowded Niche: - How to start a podcast when your niche feels saturated with competition - Why knowing your target audience is essential for podcast success - The importance of planning listener takeaways before hitting record - How to research podcast guests to maintain credibility and brand alignment - Why conducting research for solo podcast episodes builds trust with listeners - How to overcome perfectionism and actually launch your podcast - Using your podcast as a client resource and business tool - The mindset shift from "podcast planning" to "podcast launching" - How to create anti-diet culture wellness content that stands out - Building a podcast audience when you're not mainstream Key Podcasting Tips for Beginners: Before you record your next episode (or your first episode), ask yourself: What will my listener take away from this? Entertainment? Education? Inspiration? Having a clear goal for every episode is what separates successful podcasts from those that fade away. Don't just record to record—record with purpose and your listener in mind. Connect with Brandee: Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-meal-plan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  8. May 30

    86. The Art of Collaboration: Live from Podcasters NW with Carla Marie & Anthony

    This episode is different from every other Podcast Cafe episode because it's the live recording from the very first Podcasters NW event held on May 18th in Seattle. After six years of podcasting in the Pacific Northwest, I realized I didn't know many podcasters here, so I created the only dedicated space for podcasters to connect in person. I call it Podcasters NW. In this special recording, you'll hear a fireside chat with Carla Marie and Anthony, Seattle-based multi-platform creators who have been building content together for 17 years. They host The Morning Show Podcast (approaching its 1,000th episode!) and live stream on Twitch. Between the two of them, they've launched eight podcasts total and have incredible insights about what it takes to collaborate successfully—with each other, with other creators, and with their audience. To come to the next Podcasters NW event on June 18, register here. https://PodcastsNWJune18.eventbrite.com This will be a monthly series, so make sure you follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn to see when the next one will be: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/ Thank you to Carla Marie and Anthony for joining. Join them on Twitch every Tuesdays and Thursday at 8am PT twitch.tv/CarlaMarieandAnthony Connect with them here: https://www.flow.page/carlamarieandanthony Email them: hello@carlamarieandanthony.com Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

See All (94)

Trailer

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Podcast Café, where we serve up everything you need to know about podcasting—from tips to strategies, for podcasters by podcasters. Hosted by Hayleigh Hayhurst, founder of Espresso Podcast Production, this show covers the art and science of podcasting in a fun, relatable way from podcasters for podcasters. Join our community of creators and let’s make podcasting something you love—and that works for you. Learn more at espressopodcastproduction.com.

Information