The How To Podcast Series - Podcast Co-Hosts, Practical Podcasting Tips, and Podcast Community

Dave Campbell - Podcast Coach, Cheerleader and Podcast Community Advocate
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Welcome to The How To Podcast Series — your guide to podcasting success! Join host Dave Campbell and rotating guest co-hosts for practical tips on podcasting. Learn podcasting SEO, audience growth, guest booking, audio setup, social media marketing, and hosting platform suggestions. Get real-world advice, Podcasting Tips, creative inspiration, and the confidence to build your podcast community. Podcast smarter — your journey starts here! Join our free Podcast Community on Meetup to meet fellow listeners and podcasters at all different levels - HowToPodcast.ca is your home for podcasting!

  1. 14h ago

    E842 - What If We Have Been Using A.I. Wrong As Podcasters - A Different Approach Than Other Podcasters

    Episode 842 - What If We Have Been Using A.I. Wrong As Podcasters - A Different Approach Than Other Podcasters AI and Podcast Content Creation AI can produce an answer quickly. That does not mean it produces an episode worth hearing. This episode challenges podcasters to stop treating AI as the source of their ideas and start using it to sharpen their own perspective. When you type an episode topic into an AI tool, it returns a blend of common answers. Anyone can enter the same prompt and receive similar information. If your episode simply repeats that result, listeners can get the same value from a search box. Your podcast needs to add what AI cannot supply: your experience, your opinion, and your point of view. Start With Your Own Ideas Before searching AI, write down the points you already want to make. Then ask the tool about your episode topic and compare the results. Remove anything that appears in both places. If AI repeats your planned points, those ideas may be too common. Build the episode around the material that remains yours. Offer a different angle, challenge the usual advice, or bring in a personal example that gives the topic real texture. A health podcast could ask AI for weight-loss advice and receive familiar guidance about food, sleep, and exercise. Rather than repeating those answers, the host could explore movement from a specific lived perspective, such as staying active with a busy schedule or rebuilding strength after years away from exercise. The core subject stays useful. The delivery becomes distinctive. Turn AI Into a Question Engine AI becomes more valuable when it questions you. Share your episode idea and main points, then ask it to challenge your thinking. Request tough questions, awkward objections, and gaps in your argument. Ask for one question at a time. This approach turns AI from an answer engine into a thinking partner. It can reveal assumptions you have not examined and help you prepare stronger explanations for listeners. You still decide what to believe, what to include, and what perspective your show will take. The episode also suggests using AI to identify a missing angle. You might bring two developed points to the tool and ask what else deserves consideration. Take the suggestion as a prompt for your own work, then develop it yourself rather than accepting a finished response. Be More Than Common Knowledge Listeners do not need another version of the same information. They need a reason to choose your show. When your content sounds like every other result from the same prompt, your audience has little reason to stay. Your advantage comes from specificity. Share what you have learned. Disagree where you have a reason. Tell the story only you can tell. Use AI to test, organize, and challenge your ideas, then bring the final perspective back to your own voice. Use AI to expose gaps and test your thinking, then create the episode from your own experience and viewpoint. Give listeners something they cannot generate with the same prompt. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  2. 1d ago

    E841 - How Podcast Listeners Judge A New Podcast - Podcast Recency and Relevance

    Episode 841 - How Podcast Listeners Judge A New Podcast - Podcast Recency and Relevance Podcast Recency and Relevance Podcast recency and relevance can decide whether a new listener presses play or moves on. Dave shares a recommendation for a podcast about podcast gear and technology, then explains why the show lost his interest before he heard a single episode. The podcast had not published new content since 2020. For a technology-focused show, that gap matters. Microphones, recording tools, software, apps, and artificial intelligence have changed dramatically since then. A listener searching for current advice may see the catalog as historical rather than useful today. What Listeners Check First When someone discovers your show through a recommendation, search, or social post, they often sort episodes from newest to oldest. They look for signs that the podcast is active and that the subject matter still speaks to their current needs. Recency answers a simple question: has the show released something lately? Relevance asks whether the information still applies now. A show can contain strong evergreen episodes, but a technology podcast without recent episodes may not meet the listener’s immediate need for up-to-date guidance. Why Relevance Changes Some topics age well. Stories, principles, interviews, and foundational skills can remain valuable for years. Other subjects change quickly, including product reviews, industry news, sports results, weather, and technology. Dave uses his Dad Space podcast as an example. Conversations about fatherhood and men’s mental health need to reflect what dads are facing now, not only what mattered years ago. A podcast grows when the host pays attention to the questions, challenges, and conversations happening within its audience. The Cost of Going Quiet Long breaks, abandoned seasons, and dormant feeds can make a podcast feel inactive. New listeners may assume the host has moved on, even when the older episodes still offer value. That assumption can cost the show attention, trust, and growth. Dave encourages podcasters to look at their episode page as a listener would. Sort the episodes by date. Read the titles. Ask whether the newest work shows activity and whether the topics still serve the audience. This is not a judgment on the podcaster. It is a practical way to spot an opportunity to improve. How to Fix the Gap The fix for recency is straightforward: create and publish the next episode. Relevance requires more attention. Listen to your audience, follow the conversations in your niche, and adjust your content as your topic evolves. You do not need to abandon your older episodes. You can build on them, revisit timely subjects, and create new material that reflects what your audience needs today. A recent, relevant episode gives both current listeners and newcomers a clear reason to stay. Check your podcast through the eyes of a new listener. Ask two questions: How recent are my episodes, and how relevant are they? Keep publishing, keep listening to your audience, and give people a current reason to press play. Your audience deserves your best. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  3. 2d ago

    E840 - Earn Your Podcast Audience - You Started A Podcast, Do You Deserve An Audience or Do You Earn One?

    Episode 840 - Earn Your Podcast Audience - You Started A Podcast, Do You Deserve An Audience or Do You Earn One? Earn Your Podcast Audience Dave explores the difference between believing you deserve listeners and doing the work to earn them. Starting a podcast gives you the right to speak. It does not guarantee that anyone will listen, follow, or return for another episode. A microphone, a publishing account, and a first episode are starting points. They do not create podcast audience growth on their own. An audience forms when a show becomes useful, reliable, and worth a listener’s limited attention. Deserving Versus Earning Deserving says, “I launched a show, so people should support it.” Earning says, “I will keep showing up in a way that improves someone’s life.” You may deserve respect as a person and encouragement for having the courage to begin. An audience is different. Listeners earn their place in your community by choosing to spend time with you, and you earn their continued attention by delivering value. Trust works the same way. It grows through kept promises, honest communication, and respect for the listener’s time. One careless comment, misleading title, or unfiltered rant can damage that trust quickly. Build Trust Through Value Every episode makes a promise through its title, description, and opening. Your job is to fulfill that promise. Length matters less than value. A focused five-minute episode can serve listeners better than a padded 30-minute one. Avoid clickbait, overpromising, and chasing trends that do not fit your show. Be honest about what you know, what you are learning, and what you do not know. Treat audience feedback as information that helps you connect more clearly. Become Easy to Recommend People do not wake up knowing who you are. You become known by being consistently present through episodes, social media, messages, email, and community spaces. Give listeners simple language to describe your podcast. For example, “Dad Space is a podcast for dads, by dads, that helps men grow in fatherhood and relationships.” When listeners can explain your show easily, they can recommend it confidently. Show up beyond the feed. Reply to comments, join conversations, meet your ideal listeners, and give generously without expecting an immediate return. Recognition grows when people see your show as worth recommending. Start With Your First Listeners Ten listeners are not failure. They are the foundation of your podcast community. Treat early listeners like founding members. Learn from them, support them, and build habits that can carry your show into a larger audience later. A stronger mindset asks better questions. Did the last episode give someone a reason to return? Did it deliver on its title? Would you recommend it to one specific person? Are you making trust easier to build? Replace “I deserve an audience” with “I am earning an audience.” Every future episode is another chance to earn attention, trust, and a lasting place in someone’s life. Launching a podcast gives you a voice. Earning an audience requires consistent value, honest communication, and genuine service to the people who choose to listen. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  4. 3d ago

    E839 - Podcast Stats - A Seven-Day Break From the Numbers

    Episode 839 - Podcast Stats - A Seven-Day Break From the Numbers Podcast Stats: A Seven-Day Break From the Numbers Podcast stats can inform your decisions, but obsessing over downloads can pull your attention away from the people who actually listen. Dave challenges podcasters to stop checking their analytics for seven days and refocus on creating a show that serves a real community. Why Stats Become a Distraction Dave opens with a little Canadian Thanksgiving talk and a strong opinion about pumpkin pie before turning to a habit many podcasters share: checking downloads, listens, and YouTube numbers far too often. Stats are useful because they reveal who is listening, where they listen, and how long they stay. The trouble starts when those numbers become the main measure of a show’s value. He points out that big claims about audience growth and “top percent” rankings often come from marketing-driven messages. Those emails may look flattering, but they usually exist to sell something. A guest story illustrates the point: a new podcaster committed to avoiding her stats for a full year so she could build skills, find her voice, and create consistently. Someone then sent her an email that revealed her download totals and spoiled the experiment. The Seven-Day No-Stats Challenge Dave invites listeners to join a Meetup challenge from November 21 to November 28, 2026. Participants will avoid intentionally checking podcast stats for seven days, then return to discuss what the experience felt like. Did they last an hour, a day, or the full week? Did stepping away change how they felt about their show? The goal is not to ignore feedback forever. It is to break the reflex of measuring success by how many people press play. Dave suggests that a new podcaster could even benefit from a much longer break, because consistent reps build skill and confidence faster than constant number-checking. Connection Beats Download Counts Dave shares a personal example from Dad Space. After recording an episode about the loss of his dog, Burton, he received a voice message from a listener who connected deeply with the conversation. Dave does not know how many people heard that episode, but he knows it helped at least one person through grief. That listener response matters more than a download total. Stats offer a snapshot, not the full truth. They shift as platforms change what counts as a listen, and a lower-performing episode may simply reflect a busy week, a different topic, or recording conditions rather than the quality of the host. Focus on Who Is Listening Instead of asking how many people listened, Dave encourages podcasters to ask who is listening. Make it easy for audience members to reply, leave a message, or support the show. Those conversations create a clearer picture of impact than any dashboard. His challenge is simple: go seven days without looking at your stats, then notice whether your show, mindset, and creative energy improve. Visit howtopodcast.ca to join the Meetup, send Dave a message, and tell him what kind of pie you love while you are there. Use podcast stats as guidance, not judgment. A meaningful connection with one listener can prove more about your show’s value than a large download number.https://www.meetup.com/how-to-podcast-community/ ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  5. 4d ago

    E838 - Curiosity in Podcasting, What A Psychiatrist and a Dentist Have in Common

    Episode 838 - Curiosity in Podcasting, What A Psychiatrist and a Dentist Have in Common Podcast Curiosity Beats Expertise You do not need to be an expert to host a great podcast interview. This episode explores why curiosity, listener perspective, and genuine discovery often create stronger conversations than deep technical knowledge or a perfectly prepared script. Dave shares the example of Living The Next Chapter, his author interview podcast. He is not an author, has never written or published a book, and does not claim expertise in writing. That gap becomes an advantage. He represents listeners who love books and authors but may never write one themselves, so he asks the questions they would ask and stays open to learning alongside them. The Dentist Comparison A conversation with a psychiatrist about mental health shows how a non-expert can still offer meaningful insight. Dave compares her work to dentistry. A dentist can care for everyone else, yet cannot easily examine or treat their own teeth. They need another dentist for perspective and care. The psychiatrist recognized the comparison immediately. She realized she needed to return to counseling and care for her own mental health. Dave did not need psychiatric training to help create that moment. He needed curiosity and a willingness to listen. Leave Room for Discovery Over-preparation can make an interview feel controlled, predictable, and distant. Dave encourages podcasters to prepare, but also to leave space for surprise. A guest may share something unexpected. A question may lead somewhere unplanned. Those moments help listeners feel present in the conversation. When a host already knows every answer, the audience can feel left behind. Thinking like a listener keeps the discussion accessible and engaging. Curiosity creates connection. It helps guests open up and helps audiences feel like part of something special, even when they listen months after recording. Bring curiosity to your next episode. You do not need every answer before you press record. Ask real questions, listen closely, and let the conversation teach you something. Your audience will feel the difference.Dave's Author Podcast - Living The Next Chapter https://livingthenextchapter.com/ ___ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  6. 5d ago

    E837 - Podcasters Fear 3 Things - Have You Faced Your Fears in Podcasting

    Episode 837 - Podcasters Fear 3 Things - Have You Faced Your Fears in Podcasting Podcast Fears: Failure, Success, and Judgment Dave opens with a Canadian Thanksgiving celebration and a story about his grandmother’s handwritten pumpkin pie recipe. He explains how learning to bake from scratch at age 16 later helped him connect with his wife’s family, then thanks listener and supporter Bill Monty before turning to the main topic: the fears that hold podcasters back. Fear of Failure Many new podcasters overprepare because they want flawless audio, polished delivery, and a perfect first impression. Dave encourages creators to reframe failure as feedback. A quiet episode, a slow download day, or an imperfect recording gives you information you can use to improve. He compares podcasting to baseball. Every swing will not produce a home run. Some attempts become walks, strikeouts, or learning moments. His advice is to publish before you feel perfect and treat your first 10 episodes as a training ground. Dave shares that he published with whatever time, tools, and experience he had, and he kept going. More than 2,500 episodes later, consistency still matters more than perfection. Fear of Success Success can feel intimidating because it brings attention, expectations, and change. Dave asks podcasters to define success personally before chasing downloads, trends, platforms, or monetization. He uses the image of opening a bakery on day one and finding 10,000 people waiting outside. Without systems, supplies, and a plan, that crowd would quickly become overwhelming. Podcasters can prepare by serving a small group of listeners well, building simple workflows, and letting growth expand gradually. You do not need a top ranking or a viral moment to build something meaningful. Fear of Judgment Podcasting means being heard, and being heard invites opinions. Dave acknowledges that negative reviews, critical comments, and misunderstandings can sting. He encourages podcasters to separate one person’s reaction from their identity and worth. Instead of obsessing over how you sound, focus on who needs your message today. Dave reminds creators that mixed reactions are normal. Some listeners will love the show, others will leave, and neither response defines the entire podcast. He also urges podcasters to protect themselves from harsh self criticism and to remember why they started. Do not podcast alone. Fear loses power when you keep showing up, define success on your own terms, and surround yourself with people who support your growth. Your voice matters, and your podcast can help someone who needs to hear it. Thanks again Bill for supporting the podcast with coffee The Dusty Longbox - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUInfn56e8xW6-P7tTqJ-J3jGx1UtF-qd&si=SGX9ONOzyiEdoaCi https://talesfromsouthflorida.com/ https://billmontysguide.buzzsprout.com/ _____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  7. 6d ago

    E836 - How To Handle Being Nervous When Recording Your Podcast, Use What You Have

    Episode 836 - How To Handle Being Nervous When Recording Your Podcast, Use What You Have Nervous Before You Record? Use What You Have Podcast nerves can show up the moment the record light turns on. Dave answers a listener question about whether he still gets nervous before recording, then demonstrates how a phone, free tools, and a willingness to show up can carry a podcast. Why Podcast Nerves Happen Dave admits he felt awkward when he started podcasting. His delivery sounded stiff and overly structured. After recording thousands of episodes, he found a natural rhythm that sounds like the way he talks in real life. The nerves have disappeared completely. He still wants every episode to go well, especially when a well-known guest joins the show. Experience has taught him that missed attempts are part of the process. Each recording gives him another chance to improve. Record With What You Have Dave records this episode outside on his Android phone. He has no external microphone, no sound-treated room, and no control over birds, dogs, or passing vehicles. He could skip the episode. Instead, he keeps a commitment to publish every day in 2026. His message is practical. If you can afford strong audio equipment and a quiet space, invest in them. If you cannot, start anyway. A phone recording can become the beginning of a real podcast. A Simple Free Workflow After recording, Dave brings the audio into Audacity for basic cleanup. He then uses Adobe Podcast to create a transcript. That transcript becomes the basis for the episode show notes through Perplexity. The entire workflow relies on tools that cost little or nothing. His phone is already in his hand. Audacity is free. The process proves that podcast production can begin without an expensive studio setup. Your Voice Still Matters Dave encourages new podcasters to stop waiting for perfect conditions. People want to hear real stories, real laughter, and a real human voice. In a world filled with artificial content, authenticity gives listeners a reason to connect. Do your best with the equipment, space, and time you have today. Show up, record, publish, and improve through repetition. Your voice matters more than a perfect setup. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  8. Oct 10

    E835 - World Mental Health Day October 10 - Who Cares For The Podcaster and Our Mental Health

    Episode 835 - World Mental Health Day October 10 - Who Cares For The Podcaster and Our Mental Health World Mental Health Day, October 10 Podcast mental health deserves the same attention as downloads, growth, and monetization. On World Mental Health Day, Dave reflects on the pressure podcasters carry while creating for others and asks a direct question: who cares for the podcaster? The Hidden Weight Behind the Mic Podcasters give constantly. They prepare interviews, edit episodes, promote shows, answer messages, and show up for audiences, often outside work hours and family time. Listeners may benefit deeply from that work, but the creator behind the microphone can feel isolated, depleted, or unable to ask for help. Dave draws on conversations with Danny Brown, a longtime podcaster who speaks openly about his own mental health journey. Danny points out that podcasting can be rewarding and creative, yet lonely. Creators may worry about their show, compare themselves to others, or struggle privately while appearing confident online. A Missing Conversation Podcast conferences often feature sessions on AI, YouTube, audience growth, and making money. Dave argues that podcaster wellbeing belongs on those stages too. Mental health may not fill seats like a growth hack, but it addresses a real need in a community built on connection. Danny’s message is clear. Open conversations reduce stigma and make it easier for someone to say the first word: “I need help.” A podcasting community can become a safer place when creators acknowledge the invisible labor and emotional pressure behind publishing. Send a Real Check-In Dave challenges listeners to contact one fellow podcaster today. Send a personal, no-strings-attached message. Ask how they are really doing, both with their show and with life outside it. Do not pitch a collaboration, request feedback, or ask for promotion. Acknowledge the workload. Let them know it is okay to pause, postpone, or simply talk. Then listen. You do not need to fix anything. Presence and genuine care matter more than quick advice. Your Worth Is Not Your Numbers Download counts do not measure your value as a person. If creating feels heavy, step away from the microphone. Take a break. Reach out to someone you trust. Build space for your own care instead of burying your struggles in busyness. Dave also invites podcasters who need someone to talk with to reach him through HowToPodcast.ca. He is not a mental health professional, but he offers a human conversation and encouragement. Care for the person behind the podcast. Check on a fellow creator, speak honestly about your own struggles, and remember that podcaster wellbeing matters more than any metric. Danny's article mentioned in the episode https://beabetterpodcaster.com/lets-talk-about-mental-health-in-podcasting/ https://www.dannybrown.me/ ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

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Welcome to The How To Podcast Series — your guide to podcasting success! Join host Dave Campbell and rotating guest co-hosts for practical tips on podcasting. Learn podcasting SEO, audience growth, guest booking, audio setup, social media marketing, and hosting platform suggestions. Get real-world advice, Podcasting Tips, creative inspiration, and the confidence to build your podcast community. Podcast smarter — your journey starts here! Join our free Podcast Community on Meetup to meet fellow listeners and podcasters at all different levels - HowToPodcast.ca is your home for podcasting!

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