The Jag Show: Podcast Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

JAG (Jon Gay)

Podcast and radio veteran Jon "JAG" Gay provides tips, tricks, and best practices for you and your podcast. By day, JAG launches and improves podcasts for financial advisors, small businesses, nonprofits, and corporate communications departments. His company rebranded from JAG in Detroit Podcasts to JAG Podcast Productions in August, 2025. After 15 years as a radio DJ and program director, and now 8 as a podcast host and producer, he brings over two decades of audio experience and perspective to the podcasting world.

  1. 10/20/2025

    Protect Your Podcast From The Next YouTube Outage!

    If you're one of those people who only does your podcast on YouTube, last week you were in big trouble. Last week, YouTube had an outage, which is prone to happen in all these big tech companies. And if you only have your podcast on YouTube, not on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else, you can get it on audio or video. Your listeners couldn't consume your content and they went somewhere else. Take it as a really important lesson. Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. Similarly, today, Amazon Web Services AWS, they also had an outage which affected apps like, , Snapchat and others. I have a 15 and 20-year-old niece. Their primary method of communication isn't text. It's snap. Good thing they were in class today, otherwise they would've been in trouble. Here's the thing, we are very, very vulnerable as a country to cyber attacks. I'm sure there are bad actors all over the world licking their chops right now. Can't be a coincidence that YouTube had an outage. Amazon had an outage all within the span of a week. You never know what is going to go down when. So be sure to have your podcast in as many places as possible so that if something goes down, your content can be consumed somewhere else. Because if your listeners and viewers can't find your content,. They'll go elsewhere. Hopefully they'll come back. ​ Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 min
  2. 10/08/2025

    Know Your Team!

    Today I want to talk to you about who is on your team. I’ll use two examples from the NFL this past Sunday. They happen to be my two favorite teams. I started the afternoon with my adopted Detroit Lions. They were playing at Cincinnati and running back David Montgomery was having a homecoming. His family is there. He's from there and notably his sister is paralyzed after a car accident last year. So lots of pictures surfaced online of David meeting with his sister in a wheelchair before the game. Well, during the game, Dan Campbell wanted to give David Montgomery his moment. So he called a trick play and David Montgomery, the running back, threw a touchdown pass in addition to running one in later in the game. He knew that it was a special game for his star and he made him shine. I don't think David Montgomery is not going to run through a wall for Dan Campbell after a game like that. Then in the nightcap, my number one team, the team that I grew up rooting for, the Patriots, went into Buffalo as big underdogs. Nobody expected much out of them.    Well, head coach Mike Vrabel from the Patriots knew that it was a homecoming of sorts for wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, he'd been traded from Buffalo and he really had something to prove. was getting older, he's getting past surgery. So what did they do? They threw him the ball, a lot, and Diggs had his best game as a Patriot. He was emotional before the game. He was emotional after the game. The Patriots pulled a huge upset win. And it all came down to knowing, for both Diggs and Montgomery, about them and what makes them tick.    What does this have to do with podcasting? Well, for your podcast, if you're part of an ensemble, know what strengths your co-hosts have. Is someone really good at sports? Is someone really knowledgeable about food, current events, news? When something is going on in the podcast, you can tie back to your main topic, lean on those folks, make them feel like they are part of the team.    And in doing so, you will have a much more loyal team member. It'll feel like much more of a group effort. And your show will be that much better.    Know what makes each of your co-hosts tick, what they're good at and what motivates them, and it will make a better overall product.    Okay, onto other podcasting news this week. WNYC, the public media outfit in New York, is making all of their locally produced programming available for all national public radio affiliates. Now this is huge, regardless of how you lean politically, with the recent funding cuts to public radio and TV and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Folks need content. They don't have as much money to produce original content, so keeping them on the air is paramount. And if you aren't really feeling the tote bag and don't have a lot of money to donate to your public radio affiliate, listen to their podcasts. More and more public radio and TV affiliate revenue is coming from podcasting. Listen to their shows, give them the download numbers, they'll sell it, they will make money that way. So you don't have to participate in a telethon. Just listen to your local public radio podcast. The team at BuzzSprout, a popular podcast hosting service is releasing a name generator, or a name checker, we should call it. You don't have to be a paid BuzzSprout subscriber. You can simply go on their website and try it out. It will tell you that if the name you want for your podcast is taken anywhere else and will help you find the best ranking and best fitting title for your show. That is again linked in the show notes.    And finally, also linked in the show notes, if you missed Podcast Movement, you know I rave about it every year, all sessions from podcast movement, everything from production to monetization to industry tracks, everything done at Podcast Movement is now available for free on demand. Even if you didn't buy a ticket to the show, it's on YouTube and you can watch it at the link in the show notes. Finally, some big news this week. Chat GPT is integrating Spotify data. So if your show has good show notes, a good title and more, you may get your podcast to show up in chat GPT results. Always, spend time on your title and your show notes. Later. BuzzSprout Podcast Name Generator: https://www.buzzsprout.com/podcast-name-generator The Podcast Movement Archive on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastMovementArchive/featured   Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    4 min
  3. Chat-Based Editing?! Interview with Riverside's Kendall Breitman

    10/01/2025

    Chat-Based Editing?! Interview with Riverside's Kendall Breitman

    On September 30th., International Podcast Day, the Podcast Super Friends, welcomed Kendall Breitman, Community Lead at Riverside, with big news on a major product rollout: Riverside's launch of its new chat-based editing tool — the "AI Co-Creator," affectionately nicknamed “Coco” by the internal team.  Co-Creator introduces a major shift in how podcasters can handle post-production. Instead of manually editing timelines or transcripts, users can simply type what they want — like “make this episode more engaging” or “cut the part about watermelons” — and Riverside’s AI will handle the edits. The tool supports everything from layout changes, B-roll additions, branding overlays, to audio cleanup like EQ adjustments and filler word removal, all with user-guided flexibility.  Kendall walks us through the evolution of the tool — how it started as a way to generate show notes and blog posts directly from transcripts, and now powers full post-production editing, video layout automation, and audio enhancements like Magic Audio and Smart Mute. Co-Creator’s AI capabilities also include adding royalty-free music, removing background noise, and even dynamically changing video composition based on prompts. While you still have full control to fine-tune manually, the tool helps users speed up their editing dramatically.  We also discuss the importance of community feedback. Kendall emphasizes Riverside's commitment to implementing user suggestions quickly, with the Facebook group "Conversation Creators by Riverside" acting as a hub for ideas and feedback. In fact, several features — including the Editor Add-On that lets producers access client accounts — were born directly from community input.  The conversation touches on pricing barriers for small-scale producers, the benefits of using iPhones as high-quality second cameras, and the addition of Safari support — making the platform even more accessible.  We also explore Riverside’s live streaming capabilities, which let creators stream to multiple platforms including YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations — with multi-channel live chat support. Kendall suggests this is a great next step for creators looking to deepen audience engagement, especially as platforms reward live content in their algorithms.  Wrapping up, Kendall highlights Riverside’s free resources, like the Community Hub (riverside.com/community) and their live workshop series, which showcase workflows from everyday creators. She also teases future updates and encourages everyone to keep checking back — because the features keep rolling out fast.  More:  https://riverside.com/community  Riverside Users Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264571558188791  Superfriends' websites: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com ⁠⁠⁠ Jon Gay: Jag Podcast Productions ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagpodcastproductions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠⁠  00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests  01:02 Big Announcement: Chat-Based Editing  03:27 Evolution of Riverside's Editing Tools  04:45 Community Feedback and Feature Development  07:51 Introducing the AI Co-Creator: Coco  09:33 CoCreator's Journey and Marketing Assets  10:52 Editing with Coco: Enhancements and Control  12:00 Advanced Editing Features and AI Capabilities  14:03 Audio Enhancements and Magic Audio Features  16:42 Filler Word Removal and Audio Quality  18:54 Maintaining Creative Control with AI Tools  22:32 Exploring Media Board Functionality  23:44 Video Editing Techniques and AI Integration  25:02 Enhancing Video Quality with Creative Edits  26:57 Browser Compatibility and User Experience  27:12 Safari and Cross-Browser Functionality  29:01 Using Mobile Devices for Recording  30:10 Community Engagement and Feature Awareness  31:22 Community Resources and User Feedback  34:05 Understanding Podcaster Needs and Trends  36:42 Challenges in Podcast Promotion and Repurposing  39:10 The Importance of YouTube for Discoverability  42:56 Producer Tools and User Feedback  44:58 Navigating Technical Challenges in Podcasting  47:40 Enhancing Collaboration with Riverside's New Features  49:37 The Rise of Live Streaming in Podcasting  56:59 Riverside's Comprehensive Podcasting Solutions  58:19 Community Engagement and Resources for Podcasters Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr
  4. Podcast Crutches - What's Yours?

    09/25/2025

    Podcast Crutches - What's Yours?

    What is your podcast crutch? We all have them. So I was sitting at a  Detroit Tigers game with a friend the other day. Sadly, we were at a Detroit Tigers game. And we were talking about the WJPZ at 50 podcast that I had done. And he was teasing me that the "whispered wow" is what he called the hallmark of any JAG podcast. When somebody says something compelling or interesting, I tend to sit back and say, "Woooow." And I thought about it. He was probably right. And then he joked that other people have stolen it from me. I don't think it's original to me. That said, I was recording a podcast the very next day and I caught myself saying, "Wow," when somebody said something interesting. Now, there's nothing wrong with occasionally using a crutch or occasionally having a trademark of your podcast. And my friend wasn't criticizing me, but it got me thinking. We all have verbal crutches. I know one podcaster that as she gets ready for her next question, she says, "aaaaand," until she thinks of what she wants to look for. Some people say, um, uh, you know, like- those words that we all use in regular conversation. And this is not something that you are going to know off the top of your head what it is. My challenge to you, once you're 10, 15 episodes deep in your podcast, go back and listen to yourself. Now, I know this is something that's difficult for a lot of people because physiologically, your voice does not sound the same on a recording as it does inside the bones conducting inside your skull. Nobody likes how they sound recorded. But go back and listen to yourself and see if you can find certain crutch words you use and be aware of them. That way you can sort of...try to avoid using them, or at least overusing them in the future. It's okay to have crutch words, but as with everything in podcasting, all things in balance. Okay, one pet peeve for this week before we wrap up. The lavalier mic. These guys here. If you're a podcast or especially on YouTube, I see this all the time on YouTube. Do not use a clip on tiny lavalier mic as your interview mic. I can't tell you how many times he somebody on YouTube go back and forth, hey, quick, quick, let's do this. These mics are designed to clip on to a lapel and be "this far" from somebody's mouth, not right up here. It's going to sound distorted. It's not going to sound good. Then that goes for these old school lapel mics, lav mics and these new school mics that clip on. And Rode makes these, this is a knockoff version of a those. They're designed to clip on and be a certain distance from your mouth. You risk having the audio distort and clip and be too loud if you don't use mics as they're designed. If you're going to interview somebody, have a handheld mic and do it the old school way. Use mics the way in which they're designed. If you need me, I'll be telling the neighborhood kids to get off my lawn and their music is too loud. Lata! Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    3 min
  5. Taylor Swift and The Future of Podcast Movement

    09/10/2025

    Taylor Swift and The Future of Podcast Movement

    This year’s Podcast Movement convention marked a clear turning point in the evolution of the podcasting industry. I’ve been attending this event since 2018, and it has always been a valuable space for independent creators like us. But now, the shift toward corporate interests is more evident than ever. With the merger of Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable, and the major announcement that the 2026 event will move from its usual summer schedule to New York City in September, it’s clear the focus is shifting toward advertisers and industry execs. While this move might serve the broader industry well, it raises valid concerns for independent creators who may be priced out or feel sidelined. In a candid conversation with Tom Webster and James Cridland, I asked for clarity on where indie podcasters stand. Tom acknowledged that not everyone will fit into the new model, but there will still be space carved out for us. So while we’re keeping an eye on how this transition plays out, we’re also considering events like Podfest, which may better cater to creators. One of the most actionable takeaways came from producer Jay Yow, who stressed the importance of wearing headphones while recording. It’s not just a technical recommendation—it’s essential for clean audio. Poor sound can sabotage a good show, especially on remote platforms like Riverside or Squadcast. His argument? If Taylor Swift can wear headphones on camera, so can we. We also revisited the ongoing debate between video and audio podcasting. While video is great for discovery—especially on YouTube—audio remains the foundation. As Johnny Podcasts puts it: audio is your shoes, video is your socks. You can skip socks, but you can’t skip shoes. Resources should go to audio first, especially since many YouTube “viewers” are actually just listening in the background. The biggest research insight came from Hal Rood and Tim Bronsil's "The Podcast Study," who revealed that most listeners focus on just three main podcasts, spending 75% of their time with their favorite. To stand out, we need to avoid wasting those critical first 30 seconds of our show. Open strong, skip the fluff, and immediately give listeners a reason to stick around. It’s what separates a casual listener from a loyal one. Rob Walch of Libsyn reminded us again that shortcuts like “buying downloads” are scams. Real growth takes time, and authenticity matters more than inflated numbers. Despite claims of 4.6 million podcasts, only around 354,000 are active. The space is wide open if we’re consistent and committed. Finally, we dove into SEO and PSO strategies. SEO helps our episodes show up in search results, while PSO focuses on discoverability within platforms like Apple and Spotify. To win at both, we need smart titling, backlinking, frequent publishing, and full show notes on our websites. All in all, the industry is changing fast—but with the right tools and mindset, there’s still room for independent voices like ours to thrive. Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

    13 min
  6. 10 Questions to Ask Your Podcast Listeners

    12/05/2024

    10 Questions to Ask Your Podcast Listeners

    In this episode, we explore the significant impact listener surveys can have on a podcast's success, especially during the holiday season. Listener surveys allow us to connect directly with our audience and understand their preferences, making it easier to create content that resonates. In the radio world, we called this “Hugging your P1s”—a term for our most loyal listeners. Providing incentives, like gift cards, can increase participation, especially during this time of year when engagement may naturally decline. Listener surveys also serve as valuable content. By dedicating an episode to discussing survey questions and linking a Google form in the show notes, we can keep our audience engaged and gather data simultaneously. Credit for many of these survey strategies goes to Melissa Joy Dobbins of the Sound Bites podcast. Here are the ten questions we recommend asking: How long have you been listening? This helps us gauge listener loyalty and the effectiveness of outreach over time.How did you discover the show? Knowing whether it was through social media, a search engine, or word of mouth can refine our marketing strategies.Where do you follow or subscribe? Asking this not only provides insight but also reminds listeners to follow or subscribe on platforms like Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.How do you consume the show? Identifying whether listeners prefer audio, video, or both informs future production plans.What topics or guests should we cover more? This ensures our content aligns with audience interests.What topics should we cover less? Feedback on what isn’t working is just as valuable.Have you shared an episode? Understanding how listeners share the show helps us improve its reach.Would you leave a review? While not a primary call to action, reviews offer social proof and strengthen credibility.Would you support the show financially? Options like listening to ads, Patreon subscriptions, or buying merchandise can diversify our revenue streams.Demographic insights: Gathering age, gender, and other details respectfully helps us better understand our audience.By using these questions, we gain actionable insights to refine our content, marketing, and engagement strategies for 2025 Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    5 min
  7. What the Tyson-Paul Fight Can Teach Us About Content

    11/16/2024

    What the Tyson-Paul Fight Can Teach Us About Content

    In this episode of The Jag Show, we dive into the lessons learned from the highly anticipated Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight and how these insights can be applied to podcasting and content creation. Join us as we explore the essential elements of creating buzz, the unpredictability of viral moments, and the critical importance of technology in delivering a seamless experience. Create Buzz and FOMO: Learn how to generate excitement and the fear of missing out to make your content irresistible, just like the buzz surrounding the Tyson vs. Paul fight.  Embrace Viral Moments: Discover why you can't plan for virality but can prepare your content to seize the moment when it arises, illustrated by the unexpected viral moment from the fight.  Ensure Reliable Technology: Understand why having robust tech is non-negotiable in 2024 and beyond, as seen with Netflix's buffering issues during the fight.  Build Up vs. Payoff: Find out why the payoff must match the buildup, and how a lackluster main event can leave audiences disappointed, drawing parallels to the fight's outcome.Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, these insights will help you create compelling content that keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more. If you have questions about content creation, especially in the podcast realm, reach out to us at jagindetroit.com.   Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    5 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Podcast and radio veteran Jon "JAG" Gay provides tips, tricks, and best practices for you and your podcast. By day, JAG launches and improves podcasts for financial advisors, small businesses, nonprofits, and corporate communications departments. His company rebranded from JAG in Detroit Podcasts to JAG Podcast Productions in August, 2025. After 15 years as a radio DJ and program director, and now 8 as a podcast host and producer, he brings over two decades of audio experience and perspective to the podcasting world.