Friendly Podcast Guide: Teaching Women How to Grow a Podcast (Without Burning Out)

Andi Smiley
  • 4.9 (37)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hey, I’m Andi Smiley, your Friendly Podcast Guide and podcast coach for women! After 6 years in the podcasting world, I know how to help you start a successful podcast as a woman and mom, grow your podcast audience, and actually enjoy the process. On this show, you’ll get podcasting for beginners made simple, podcast tips for women, and sustainable podcast marketing strategies—so you can build a podcast you love without the burnout.

  1. Grow Your Podcast with Email & Quizzes with Kylee Chandler

    4D AGO

    Grow Your Podcast with Email & Quizzes with Kylee Chandler

    If you've been putting off building your email list, this episode is your sign to finally make it happen! I'm sitting down with podcast strategist Kylee Chandler to talk about two of the most powerful (and underused) strategies for growing your email: curated lead magnets and personality quizzes. Kylee shares how podcasters can use these tools to turn casual listeners into superfans, and grow a podcast audience that actually sticks around. Kylee Chandler is a podcast growth strategist and the host of the Podcast Growth Tools podcast. She specializes in helping podcasters, especially women with established shows, grow their email lists and create quiz funnels that convert. Kylee has worked with big names like Amy Porterfield and Kathy Heller, and she brings a creative, podcast-first approach to email marketing that feels anything but boring. Topics Discussed in This Episode What a lead magnet is and why podcasters need one How to create a curated podcast bundle as a lead magnet Why quizzes are one of the most powerful tools for growing your email list How to use a quiz to deliver personalized podcast playlists to new listeners The data quizzes give you about your audience (this one is SO good!) How to write a lifestyle newsletter your subscribers actually want to open Real-life quiz funnel results, including a 77% revenue increase! Why nurturing your email list matters just as much as growing it How Pinterest can amplify your quiz and lead magnet strategy Key Takeaways A curated podcast bundle, episodes grouped around your listeners' biggest pain points or desires, makes a far more compelling lead magnet than a basic checklist, especially if you have a large back catalog. Quizzes work because people love to learn about themselves and when you pair quiz results with a personalized podcast playlist, you create an instant connection with new subscribers. The data from a quiz funnel tells you exactly who is in your audience and what they need, which makes your content and offers so much more targeted. You don't need a huge email list to start. Start nurturing now, so when you're ready to sell (or simply invite people to listen), they're already warm. A lifestyle-style newsletter, one that leads with a story before getting into podcast updates, can dramatically boost your open rates. Kylee's hovers around 60%! Quizzes are a long game, just like podcasting and Pinterest. Set it up, promote it, and let it work for you over time. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (00:38) Introducing Kylee Chandler (01:26) What is a lead magnet and why do podcasters need one? (02:32) Curated podcast bundles as lead magnets (04:25) Why your email list needs nurturing, not just growth (05:07) The lifestyle newsletter strategy and Kylee's 60% open rate (08:43) Why quizzes are a game-changer for podcast growth (12:25) The data quizzes give you about your audience (13:44) Where to host your quiz (Interact quiz platform) (14:57) Real results podcasters got from quizzes Links & Resources Kylee's podcast, Podcast Growth Tools Join Kylee's email newsletter Follow Kylee on Instagram Quiz platform mentioned, Interact Quiz Follow Friendly Podcast Guide on Pinterest Join the Friendly Podcast Guide email list

    20 min
  2. 5 Pinterest Lessons That Helped Me Grow My Podcast 74%

    MAY 5

    5 Pinterest Lessons That Helped Me Grow My Podcast 74%

    If you've ever wondered whether you have to be on Instagram to grow your podcast, this episode is for you! I'm sharing five things I've learned from taking Pinterest seriously as my main podcast marketing strategy over the past year, and the results have blown me away. We're talking about a 74% increase in downloads and 200+ new email subscribers, all without stressing over Instagram trends. If you're looking for sustainable podcasting strategies that actually work, keep listening! Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I'm obsessed with helping you grow your podcast without letting it rule your life. I share strategies that actually work, the stuff I wish someone had told me sooner. This episode is straight from my own experience using Pinterest as my go-to podcast marketing strategy for the past year. Topics Discussed in This Episode Why finding the right platform is more important than being on every platform How Pinterest helped me grow my podcast 74% in one year without Instagram Why Pinterest SEO keywords are the foundation of a successful strategy How I figured out that Pinterest-specific keyword research is a game changer Why pins don't have to be pretty to perform well What sustainable consistency actually looks like (hint: it's NOT 15 pins a day!) Why Pinterest is a long game, and why that's actually great news for podcasters Key Takeaways Find your platform. Not every marketing platform is right for every podcast. Instagram wasn't working for me, Pinterest was. Give yourself permission to go where your people actually are. SEO is everything on Pinterest. Using Pinterest-specific keywords (not just Google keywords) made a huge difference in how my pins performed. Pretty pins are a bonus, not a requirement. Some of my best-performing pins are just text. Focus on clear, keyword-rich descriptions over beautiful graphics. Consistency is personal. I started with one pin a week and slowly worked up to one per day. Find what you can sustain — and stick with it. Pinterest is a long game. Expect to start seeing results around the 2–4 month mark. But unlike social media posts, pins keep working for months or even years. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (01:47) Lesson 1: Finding the right platform for you  (03:23) Lesson 2: Pinterest SEO is king  (05:01) Lesson 3: Pins don't have to be pretty  (06:23) Lesson 4: Consistency looks different for everyone  (08:58) Lesson 5: Nothing happens overnight  Links & Resources Free checklist: Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast? Connect with Andi on Threads Friendly Podcast Guide on Pinterest Last month's episode with Allea Grummert on email marketing for podcasters

    13 min
  3. How to Grow Your Podcast and Make Money in 2026

    APR 28

    How to Grow Your Podcast and Make Money in 2026

    If marketing jargon makes your eyes glaze over, this episode is for you! I'm breaking down the two types of marketing I use to grow my podcast and make money, no funnels, no KPIs, no marketing bro speak. Just real, simple strategies that actually work. Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I've spent the past year using Pinterest as my main growth strategy, and my podcast has grown by 74% and gained over 200 email subscribers…all without Instagram. I'm here to share what's actually working so you can grow your podcast sustainably too. Topics Discussed in This Episode The two types of marketing every podcaster needs to know about Why I deleted Instagram and didn't see a drop in downloads How Pinterest fits into my podcast marketing strategy My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools (Pinterest, Threads, podcast guesting, and SEO) Why my email list is where almost all of my business income comes from How my podcast serves my audience without being a hard sales tool How to grow a podcast without social media in 2026 Why you don't need to be everywhere, just strategic Key Takeaways You need at least two types of marketing: one to get people in the door and one to help them buy from you Pinterest is one of the most sustainable, low-effort ways to grow a podcast without showing up daily Your email list is your most powerful tool for actually making money You don't have to use every platform, pick what works for your audience and your life Sustainable podcasting strategies beat burnout-inducing ones every single time Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (00:49) How Pinterest fits into my growth strategy  (02:14) My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools  (03:02) Why my email list is where the money comes from  (03:44) How my podcast fits into the bigger picture  Links & Resources Free checklist, Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast? How I Grow My Podcast Without Instagram episode Follow Andi on Threads

    5 min
  4. They Opted In, So Email Them w/ Allea Grummert

    APR 21

    They Opted In, So Email Them w/ Allea Grummert

    If you've been avoiding your email list because you're not sure what to say, afraid to send too many emails, or convinced your subscribers don't want to hear from you… this episode is your sign to just start. Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist who works with small business owners and content creators, and she has a refreshingly no-pressure approach to building an email strategy that actually works. She also hosts the Happy Subscribers podcast, which is exactly what it sounds like. Time Stamps (00:00) Welcome (00:49) The fears podcasters have about email and why they're mostly unfounded (04:04) Why email gives you more control than podcast apps or social media (05:51) Should you grow your list first or start emailing first? (07:15) Leading vs. lagging metrics — and why the distinction changes everything (09:33) How many emails should you actually be sending per week? (12:18) Brainstorming your second email (it doesn't have to be a sales pitch) (17:50) What a welcome sequence is and what to put in it (20:33) Allea's top tip for making email feel less overwhelming every single week Links mentioned: Allea's welcome sequence freebie Andi's episode on the Happy Subscribers podcast Happy Subscribers podcast Connect with Allea: Instagram Allea’s website Connect with Andi: Threads Pinterest

    24 min
  5. Your Summer Podcast Strategy

    APR 14

    Your Summer Podcast Strategy

    Summer is coming fast, and if you're a podcaster, that means your strategy probably needs a little seasonal refresh! In this episode, I'm sharing my best tips for marketing your podcast and creating episodes this summer — without burning yourself out. Whether you want to keep things light, try something new, or give yourself full permission to take a break, this one's for you. Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and the host of Friendly Podcast Guide. I'm passionate about helping you grow your podcast without letting it run your life. I've been using Pinterest to grow my show for the past year, and the results have honestly blown me away…74% podcast growth and 200+ new email subscribers, all without Instagram. Topics Discussed in This Episode Why Pinterest is one of the best podcast marketing strategies for summer What podcast swaps are and how to use them to grow your podcast audience How to create shorter, bite-sized episodes that work for summer schedules Bringing back your most popular episodes as "best of" content How to take a podcast break without losing your listeners How to communicate your break across your episode, email list, and social media Why sustainable podcasting strategies matter more than rigid consistency Key Takeaways Pinterest is evergreen, which makes it one of the smartest podcast marketing strategies, batch your pins once and your marketing keeps working while you're on vacation. Podcast swaps are a two-for-one win: they help you reach a new audience and fill your feed without creating brand-new content. Shorter episodes can be a gift to both you and your listeners during the summer months, don't be afraid to experiment with the format. "Best of" episodes are an underrated tool. Your newer listeners probably haven't heard your older hits, so bring them back! Taking a break is not a cop-out, it's a sustainable podcasting strategy. Burning out helps no one. If you're stepping away, tell your people! Share it in your last episode, in an email, and on social media, and always let them know when you'll be back. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (00:27) How Pinterest helps you grow a podcast without social media  (02:09) Marketing your podcast during the summer (04:21) Creating podcast episodes in the summer (07:29) What I'm doing with my podcast this summer Links & Resources “Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?” Free Checklist Pinterest for Podcasters episode Podcast Swaps episode Follow me on Threads

    11 min
  6. How I Grow My Podcast Without Instagram

    APR 7

    How I Grow My Podcast Without Instagram

    I deleted Instagram off my phone and my podcast downloads didn't drop a single bit. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly why I walked away from Instagram and the podcast marketing strategies I use instead to keep growing my show sustainably. Hi, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I help women grow their podcasts without letting them take over their lives. I've grown my own show by 74% in the past year and gained over 200 email subscribers, all without relying on Instagram. Topics Discussed in This Episode Why I deleted Instagram and how it was affecting my mental health How I realized Instagram wasn't driving my podcast growth Why Pinterest is my favorite podcast marketing strategy How to use Threads to build real connections and grow your audience The power of podcast guesting for networking and new listeners How email marketing closes almost all of my sales Why sustainable podcasting strategies matter more than being everywhere at once Key Takeaways You don't need Instagram to grow your podcast…there are better, more sustainable options out there Pinterest works like a search engine, which means your content keeps working for you long after you post it Threads is a low-lift platform where real conversations (and real connections) actually happen Podcast guesting is a slow burn, but the networking and referrals are incredibly valuable Email marketing is where the sales magic happens, it's the strategy that closes almost all of my offers Timestamps (00:00) Intro  (01:58) Why Instagram wasn't working for my podcast marketing  (03:08) Pinterest as a podcast growth strategy  (03:39) Why I love using Threads  (04:43) Podcast guesting and the power of networking  (07:07) Email marketing and how it closes my sales  Links & Resources Free "Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?" checklist About Progress episode, The Practice of Attention My Pinterest episode My podcast guesting episode My episode with Whitney about podcast experiments Follow Andi on Threads

    8 min
  7. How to Grow a Podcast Using Experiments w/ Whitney Archibald

    MAR 31

    How to Grow a Podcast Using Experiments w/ Whitney Archibald

    What if the secret to growing your podcast wasn't doing more, but experimenting more? In this episode, I'm chatting with my friend Whitney, the queen of experiments herself, about how an experimental mindset can completely transform the way you podcast. From hiring contractors and rethinking email strategy to rerunning archive episodes and ditching bonus content, we're sharing the real experiments we're currently trying (and what we've learned from the ones that didn't quite pan out). Meet the Expert Whitney is the host of The Family Lab, a podcast where she literally experiments with her family to figure out what works in parenting and home life. She brings that same curious, low-pressure approach to podcasting, which makes her one of my absolute favorite people to think out loud with about sustainable podcasting strategies. Topics Discussed in This Episode Whitney's experience hiring her first contractor to help launch a video podcast How delegating podcast tasks (and thinking of it as an experiment) takes the pressure off My experiment with splitting weekly emails into two focused sends Growing a small but mighty email list and actually making money from it Using Threads as a surprisingly fun way to grow a podcast audience Why "reliability" might matter more than "consistency" in podcasting What Whitney is doing with her podcast archive to build out a self-reliance series My experiment with skipping bonus episodes between seasons, and what I'm learning Key Takeaways Calling something an experiment completely changes how you relate to it…especially when it doesn't go perfectly. It takes the failure personally out of the equation and turns your analytics into data rather than a verdict on your worth as a podcaster. You don't need a massive email list to support podcast growth or sell your offers. Starting small (even with 7 subscribers!) and staying consistent is what builds momentum over time. Outsourcing doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Whitney and I both talked about the ongoing process of figuring out what to hand off and what to keep and how that balance shifts as skills and needs evolve. Reliability over consistency is a reframe worth considering. Your listeners want to be able to count on you to come back and show up with quality, not necessarily on a rigid weekly schedule. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (00:31) Introducing Whitney and her experimental approach to podcasting (01:25) Whitney's experience hiring contractors and going video (05:53) My email list experiment: splitting sends and growing sustainably (09:38) Using Threads to grow a podcast audience without social media stress (11:58) Benefits of podcast experiments (15:59) The Open Lab experiment: building community one listener at a time (20:09) Some of our current podcast experiments (27:14) Reliability vs. consistency in podcasting (and parenting!) Links & Resources Whitney's podcast, The Family LabPinterest VIP Setup offerFriendly Podcast Guide on ThreadsThe Family Lab on Instagram

    31 min
  8. Podcast Marketing Strategies I Tested on My Break

    MAR 24

    Podcast Marketing Strategies I Tested on My Break

    Ever wonder what a podcast coach actually does during a seasonal break? Spoiler: it's not resting! In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on all the podcast marketing strategies and Pinterest experiments I tested during my off-season… the wins, the messy moments, and the ones I'm still not sure about. Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women who want to grow their shows without letting podcasting take over their lives. I share sustainable podcasting strategies, Pinterest marketing tips, and what actually works. I've been podcasting for four years, and last summer I used Pinterest to double my monthly downloads and land my most successful revenue month ever. Topics Discussed in This Episode Launching Pinterest VIP setups and what I learned from filling all five spots Cleaning up and refreshing my own Pinterest profile and boards Pinning past episodes during a content break (and why it actually works) Creating a custom link page on my website instead of using Linktree Completing Pinterest Academy and earning my skills badges Joining Simple Pin Media's Pinterest strategy group Skipping bonus episodes this season and why I'm nervous about it Being a podcast guest and doing workshops to grow downloads and email subscribers Key Takeaways Pinterest is a powerful, evergreen platform for podcast growth. Pins from months ago are still bringing in new listeners You don't need new episodes to keep pinning! Fresh pin images for older episodes keep your content working for you Sending traffic to your own website (instead of Linktree) is a simple win for SEO and visibility Investing in your own education (like Pinterest Academy) pays off in a big way Podcast guesting and workshops are reliable ways to boost downloads and grow your email list Every experiment, whether it works or flops, teaches you something valuable about how to grow your podcast without social media burnout Timestamps (00:00) Intro & welcome back (00:26) Why Pinterest changed everything for my podcast growth (01:57) Experiment #1: Launching Pinterest VIP setups (02:52) Experiment #2: Cleaning up my Pinterest profile and boards (04:32) Experiment #3: Pinning past episodes during the break (05:41) Experiment #4: Building a custom link page on my website (06:27) Experiment #5: Completing Pinterest Academy (07:40) Experiment #6: Joining Simple Pin Media's Pinterest strategy group (08:36) Experiment #7: Skipping bonus episodes…the scariest experiment (10:26) Experiment #8: Podcast guesting and workshops (11:26) Your challenge: What experiment will YOU try? Links & Resources - Free "Is Pinterest Right for Your Podcast?" checklist - Simple Pin Media Pinterest strategy group - Follow Andi on Pinterest - Follow Andi on Threads

    12 min
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Hey, I’m Andi Smiley, your Friendly Podcast Guide and podcast coach for women! After 6 years in the podcasting world, I know how to help you start a successful podcast as a woman and mom, grow your podcast audience, and actually enjoy the process. On this show, you’ll get podcasting for beginners made simple, podcast tips for women, and sustainable podcast marketing strategies—so you can build a podcast you love without the burnout.

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