Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth

Courtney Elmer | PodLaunchHQ.com
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This isn’t another “share great content and stay consistent” podcast about podcasting. We’re breaking down 15,000+ hours of study into what top hosts do differently to create bingeworthy podcasts that convert.        Hosted by Forbes- and Rolling Stone-featured podcast psychology expert and Webby Awards judge Courtney Elmer—who’s helped over 70+ hosts launch Top 100 shows—you’ll get the tools and strategies other shows won’t dare to share. Expect unfiltered coaching, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and the kind of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!” advice to help you build a podcast your future clients can’t stop bingeing (and buying from).        So if you’re ready to break out of “less-than-200-download-per-episode” jail and stop settling for downloads that don’t reflect your effort—or you want to launch a podcast that positions you as an authority in your niche and drives real revenue—welcome to the podcast that’s about to change the game for you. Hit play and let’s dive in.          Popular Guests Include: Jordan Harbinger, John Lee Dumas, James Cridland, Tom Rossi, Jeremy Enns, Kevin Chemidlin, Dave Jackson, Alex Sanfilippo, Seth Silvers, Stacy Tuschl, Kate Erickson, Grant Baldwin, Hal Elrod, Gay Hendricks, Brandon Lucero, James Wedmore, and more.          Popular Episode Topics Include: Podcasting for Business Growth, Starting a Podcast, Podcast Audience Growth, Podcasting for Profit, Podcasting Psychology, Increasing Listener Engagement, Creating Bingeworthy Podcast Content, Lead Generation Through Podcasting,  Business Podcasting, Ranking Your Podcast in The Top 100, Podcast Launch Strategy, Podcast Monetization Strategies, Podcast Messaging, Podcast Positioning

  1. 4D AGO

    Fix My Pod | Why Your Podcast Gets Seen but Not Clicked (And How to Fix It)

    Your podcast isn’t stuck at the same download count each week because you “need more marketing.” In most cases, it’s because when marketing does send people your way, new listeners don’t see a reason to click, and scroll right past. In this episode, we fix that. In this Fix My Pod coaching session, I’m sitting down with estate planning attorney Sara Ecklein to pinpoint what her show is accidentally communicating to new listeners, identify where her cover art and show title are keeping people from clicking, and show what you can change on your show today so the right person knows in seconds, "Holy cow, this IS for me!" So if you keep checking your stats and you’re tired of seeing the same download numbers staring back at you week in and week out, hit play and let’s dive in. 1:45 – What a New Listener Decides About Your Show in 0.5 Seconds 3:20 – The One Question Listeners Need Answered Before They’ll Click Play 7:05 – What “Great Episode!” Feedback Really Signals About Your Messaging 10:30 – The 5 Things Listeners Scan Before They Click Play—or Scroll Past 14:40 – The Hidden Metric That Tells You If Your Cover Art Earns the Click 19:10 – The Low-Lift Way to Turn Someone Else’s Audience Into New Listeners Episode Links: Listen to Sara’s Podcast: The Legacy of LoveOther Episodes You’ll Love:  4 Signs It's Time to Rebrand Your PodcastHow to Choose a Bingeworthy Name for Your Podcast3 Podcast Cover Art Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    33 min

  2. JAN 28

    Out of Podcast Ideas? Watch Me Build Today’s Episode From Listener Emails

    If you’ve ever opened your content calendar, stared at a blank doc, and wondered whether skipping a week would really be *that* bad, this one’s for you.  But instead of forcing an idea or recycling something old, I’m giving you five stealth moves you can use when episode topic ideas run dry and showing you (in real time) how I decide what to record when my brain is empty and an episode needs to go out in less than 24 hours.  So if you need a way out of the panic spiral when an episode is due and you’ve got nothing ready, hit play and let's dive in. 1:05 – The Fastest Way Out of the “What Should I Record?” Spiral 4:10 – The 3 Questions That Pull Episode Topics Out of Thin Air 7:30 – Why Following Audience Signals Beats Waiting for Inspiration 11:45 – Rapid-Fire Listener Q&A Built in Real Time 17:50 – How to Decide What to Record When You’ve Got Nothing Ready Episode Links: Looking for podcast guests (or to be a podcast guest)? Sign Up at PodMatch.comOther Episodes You’ll Love:  Steal My High Converting Episode FrameworkNot Sure What to Talk About Next on Your Podcast? Try This. How to Make a Bold Comeback After Hitting Pause on Your PodcastSteal This Episode Planning Framework to Cut Your Prep Time in Half → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    20 min

  3. JAN 21

    What New Listeners Decide About Your Podcast Before They Ever Hit Play | Anthony Craiker

    Most podcasters are convinced their show is “clear enough,” that listeners will eventually find them, and that growth is just a matter of time and consistency. Anthony thought the same, until he realized his “clear enough” message was actually confusing people and the listeners he wanted were scrolling straight past his show. So he rebuilt his show from the inside out, transformed it into something listeners actually wanted to click on, and earned an Apple Top 100 spot during his relaunch. And in this episode, you’ll find out the blind spots that were costing him listeners every week (and how to fix them fast) so your show becomes the obvious choice over the competition. So if you're done feeling like the “best-kept secret” and want your podcast to actually get found and followed, hit play and let’s dive in.  Episode Links: Meet Anthony: ParentsMakingTime.com | LinkedInListen to Anthony’s Podcast | Parents Making TimeCheck out this mind-blowing BEFORE & AFTER! 🤯 Anthony’s Cover ArtWant your podcast to look like a top show? Get a Cover Art Makeover  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Is Your Audience Too Broad to Grow? Here’s How to Tell    → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    18 min

  4. JAN 14

    What to Say in the First 15 Seconds to Keep Listeners Listening

    Most podcasts lose listeners in the first 15 seconds. Not after the first ad. Not halfway into the episode. Right at the start. In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in your listener’s brain the moment they hit play, and why top podcasts obsess over their opening lines like the rest of the episode depends on it (because it does). You’ll hear the five most common episode openings that make listeners click out of your show (even when your content is really good), see the difference between boring intros and openings that actually work, and learn how to structure your first lines to grab and keep attention. So if you’re ready to turn your first 15 seconds into a reason to stay instead of a reason to leave, hit play and let’s dive in. 1:02 – Why Most Podcasts Lose Listeners in the First 15 Seconds 4:48 – Five Common Episode Openings That Make Listeners Tune Out 7:37 – 4 Things Your Opening Lines Must Do to Earn a Listener’s Attention 11:49 – The C.A.T.S. Framework for Structuring a Bingeworthy Episode Opener 20:14 – How to Rework Your Episode Hooks to Improve Long-Term Retention  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  How to Diagnose Exactly Where Your Podcast is Losing Listeners    → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    22 min

  5. JAN 8

    Podcast Network Red Flags to Watch For | Stephen Perlstein

    Some podcast networks promise exposure and end up limiting how you monetize and how much you control your content. This episode will help you spot those red flags and figure out whether a network even belongs on your radar. Stephen Perlstein from Libsyn is back to break down how podcast networks make money, what they’re actually looking for in a show, and how to tell the difference between a partnership that genuinely supports growth and one that comes with strings attached so you know when joining a network makes sense and when it doesn’t. So if you’re unsure whether a podcast network is something you should be thinking about and you want to protect your show, your revenue, and your creative control before saying yes to anything, hit play and let’s dive in. 3:10 – How Podcast Networks Actually Make Money 7:17 – Why No Network Can “Send You Listeners” 9:30 – Red Flags Most Podcasters Miss When Considering Networks 12:48 – What Networks Expect From You In Return 14:48 – When A Network Deal Is Actually Worth It  Episode Links: Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedInRead Stephen’s take on where podcasting is headed: Building the Future of Podcasting  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  How to Know If a Podcast Network Is Right for You    → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    24 min

  6. JAN 7

    How to Know If a Podcast Network Is Right for You | Stephen Perlstein

    If you think getting picked up by a podcast network is the fast track to podcast growth, this episode will save you from disappointment (and probably a bad contract). Stephen Perlstein, Senior VP of Business Development at Libsyn, joins me to break down how podcast networks actually work (and when the right one can be a smart move for your show). We’re unpacking what networks do well, what they don’t do, and the biggest red flags to watch for when evaluating a potential deal. So if you’ve been curious about podcast networks and want to know how to spot the signs of a partnership that can support long-term growth, hit play and let’s dive in. 1:02 – Why Getting “Picked Up by a Network” Won’t Magically Grow Your Show 3:26 – What a Podcast Network Actually Is (And What It’s Not) 10:08 – Major Red Flags to Watch for in Network Deals 12:41 – Should You Ever Pay to Join a Podcast Network? 13:12 – What Realistic Monetization Timelines Actually Look Like  Episode Links: Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedInRead Stephen’s take on where podcasting is headed: Building the Future of Podcasting  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Podcast Network Red Flags to Watch For   → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    19 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    5 Experts Predict the Future of Podcasting

    Podcast platforms are changing what gets seen and what gets shared, and if your show is still built for how podcasting *used* to work, it’ll get skipped, buried, or replaced.  That’s why I brought together five industry experts to break down what’s actually shifting inside podcasting right now, and why creators who adapt early have a real advantage. Because this next era won’t reward the biggest shows. It’ll reward the ones built for how listeners behave today, which is great news for independent hosts with something meaningful to say. So if you want to stay visible as podcasting enters its next era, hit play and let’s dive in. 1:04 – Why Podcasting Doesn’t Work the Way It Used To 7:42 – Why “Word of Mouth” Isn’t How New Listeners Find Shows Anymore 15:36 – Why Big Download Numbers Matter Less Than Listener Attention 24:18 – How AI Content Puts Listener Trust (and Creators) at Risk 33:51 – Why More Podcasters Are Moving Away From Ad Revenue  Very Special Thanks to This Episode’s Guest Experts: Jennifer Han:  Ausha | LinkedIn | PodWarsAlex Sanfilippo: PodMatch.com | LinkedIn | Podcasting Made SimpleTom Rossi; Buzzsprout | LinkedIn | BuzzcastEllie Puckett: Resonate Recordings | LinkedIn | Renegade VenturesLauren Passell: Tink Media | LinkedIn | Podcast The Newsletter  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  The State of Podcasting Today and Where It’s HeadedSupport the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    11 min

  8. 12/24/2025

    How to Turn a ‘Nice’ Podcast Into a Must-Listen Show | Lauren Penna

    Your podcast might be fine. People listen. They say it’s “nice.” And then… nothing happens. You’re 30, 50, maybe 100 episodes in, and the show looks more or less the same as it did at episode 5. In this episode, I sit down with PodLaunch grad Lauren Penna to unpack why smart, consistent hosts still struggle to grow, and how a simple positioning shift can turn your podcast into a show listeners actively seek out and share. Lauren breaks down what went wrong with her first show, what changed during her relaunch, and how that shift helped her break the Top 100 in four countries (including #4 in the U.S.), and what that shift looks like when you apply it to your own show. So if you’re done spending hours recording and editing just to hear “love the show” and nothing else, hit play and let’s dive in. 2:03 – Why Some Podcasts Get Played but Never Shared 2:10 – What Listeners Do When They Can’t Tell Who Your Show Is For 6:47 – Why Overthinking Your Podcast Makes It Harder to Grow 8:58 – The Outreach Strategy Behind a 1,000-Download Relaunch 11:56 – What Changes When Your Podcast Becomes a Weekly Non-Negotiable  Episode Links: Listen to Lauren’s Podcast | Intentionally Single  Other Episodes You’ll Love:  3 Types of Podcasting Advice You Can Totally IgnoreThe Difference Between Hitting Publish vs. Launching a Podcast    → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U Support the show Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

    18 min
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About

This isn’t another “share great content and stay consistent” podcast about podcasting. We’re breaking down 15,000+ hours of study into what top hosts do differently to create bingeworthy podcasts that convert.        Hosted by Forbes- and Rolling Stone-featured podcast psychology expert and Webby Awards judge Courtney Elmer—who’s helped over 70+ hosts launch Top 100 shows—you’ll get the tools and strategies other shows won’t dare to share. Expect unfiltered coaching, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and the kind of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!” advice to help you build a podcast your future clients can’t stop bingeing (and buying from).        So if you’re ready to break out of “less-than-200-download-per-episode” jail and stop settling for downloads that don’t reflect your effort—or you want to launch a podcast that positions you as an authority in your niche and drives real revenue—welcome to the podcast that’s about to change the game for you. Hit play and let’s dive in.          Popular Guests Include: Jordan Harbinger, John Lee Dumas, James Cridland, Tom Rossi, Jeremy Enns, Kevin Chemidlin, Dave Jackson, Alex Sanfilippo, Seth Silvers, Stacy Tuschl, Kate Erickson, Grant Baldwin, Hal Elrod, Gay Hendricks, Brandon Lucero, James Wedmore, and more.          Popular Episode Topics Include: Podcasting for Business Growth, Starting a Podcast, Podcast Audience Growth, Podcasting for Profit, Podcasting Psychology, Increasing Listener Engagement, Creating Bingeworthy Podcast Content, Lead Generation Through Podcasting,  Business Podcasting, Ranking Your Podcast in The Top 100, Podcast Launch Strategy, Podcast Monetization Strategies, Podcast Messaging, Podcast Positioning

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