Pivot Ball Change: Podcast Growth for Entrepreneurial Moms

69. Mastering Podcast Pitching: How to Get Featured and Grow Your Business

Wondering how to get booked on podcasts and turn those appearances into real business growth? In this episode, guest Lauren Najar breaks down her proven approach to crafting pitches that actually land, building genuine relationships through DMs, and leveraging every conversation into a client opportunity without feeling salesy. In this episode, you'll learn: * How to craft a compelling podcast pitch that highlights your story and audience value * Authentic DM strategies that nurture relationships and convert followers into clients * Why batch recording is a game-changer for staying consistent * How local stories can make your podcast episodes more impactful Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurennajar/ [https://www.instagram.com/laurennajar/] Visit Lauren’s Website: https://laurennajar.com/ [https://laurennajar.com/] Let’s Connect! Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/ [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/ [https://www.pivotballchange.com/]

68. When to Outsource Your Podcast (and Why It Changed Everything) ft. Suken Jain

I sat down with Suken Jain, leadership coach, marketing consultant, and host of The Sync Leadership Lab podcast, to talk about one of the most relatable pivots out there: leaving a 20-year corporate career to bet on yourself. Suken shares how burnout, a layoff, and a mindset shift led him to launch his coaching business at 42, and how he's used his podcast as a long-game brand-building tool rather than a quick revenue stream. We also dig into the power of "humble confidence," what it means to plant seeds in business and actually be patient enough to water them, the value of working with our podcast production team, and how awareness of different communication styles, especially across gender, can make you a better leader, interviewer, and human.  Key Topics: * Suken's 20-year corporate career and what led to his burnout moment in 2021. * Making the midlife pivot at 42 and why 40 is often a turning point for career reinvention. * How a layoff became the unexpected catalyst for launching his coaching and consulting business. * The financial realities of entrepreneurship and the 3–5 year runway most don't want to hear about. * Why Suken started The Sync Leadership Lab podcast and how it serves as a brand-building tool for his business. * "Planting seeds" - the long game of business development, referrals, and showing up consistently. * When and why he decided to hand off podcast editing and production - and what to look for in a production partner. * The value of editing your own podcast first before outsourcing it. * Gender-aware communication: how Suken developed sensitivity to different communication styles and why it matters in leadership and interviews. * The concept of "humble confidence" - balancing what you know with openness to what you don't. * What's next for The Sync Leadership Lab: bigger guests, broader reach, and a former USC quarterback's story. Follow Suken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/] Follow Suken on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachsuken/ [https://www.instagram.com/coachsuken/] Email Suken: suken@synergysyncsolutions.com [suken@synergysyncsolutions.com] Let’s Connect! Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/ [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/ [https://www.pivotballchange.com/]

67. How to Optimize Your Podcast for Social Media: 5 Essential Strategies

In this episode, Meredith Sibley, a social media marketing expert and founder of Flux Creative Solutions, shares valuable insights on how podcasters can leverage social media and content creation to grow their audience. Topics include social media strategies, ad campaigns, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Key Topics Covered: * On-site content creation for clients. * Social media platform strategies for podcasters. * Effective use of ads and boosting posts. * Building community and listener engagement. * Overcoming imposter syndrome in content creation. Follow Meredith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flux_creativesolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/flux_creativesolutions/] Follow Meredith on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=flux%20creative%20solutions [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=flux%20creative%20solutions] Meredith's Website:https://www.fluxcreativesolutions.com/ [https://www.fluxcreativesolutions.com/] Let’s Connect! Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/ [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/ [https://www.pivotballchange.com/]

66. How She Grew a 1M Download Podcast and Turned It Into a Book Deal

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, host of The Paring Down Podcast, who has built a top-performing show with over one million downloads, a 700,000+ audience across platforms, and a book deal with Penguin Random House releasing in Spring 2027. Shannon shares a refreshingly honest look at what it really takes to grow a podcast into a business asset, without overcomplicating the process. We talk about building momentum from scratch, the long game of consistency, and how strategic visibility can open doors you never expected. If you are a business owner who wants your podcast to do more than just exist, this conversation will show you what is actually possible when you treat it like a growth tool. Key topics covered in this episode: • The mindset shift that separates hobby podcasters from growth-focused CEOs • How her pageant background shaped her confidence, presence, and communication style • What it looked like to create content when no one was watching • The exact moment she realized her podcast had real business potential • How she approached pitching herself before opportunities came to her • What a podcast network actually handles and why it matters • The behind-the-scenes structure required to sustain a high-volume release schedule • The role long-term vision played in turning content into a multi-platform brand Links & Resources: Listen to Shannon’s Podcast: https://shannonleyko.com/paring-down-podcast [https://shannonleyko.com/paring-down-podcast] Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonleyko/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonleyko/] Visit Shannon’s Website: https://shannonleyko.com/ [https://shannonleyko.com/] Orzo Recipe: https://www.tiktok.com/@saltandsagenutrition/video/7542966188297456909?_r=1&_t=ZP-95vFBLCYu7z [https://www.tiktok.com/@saltandsagenutrition/video/7542966188297456909?_r=1&_t=ZP-95vFBLCYu7z] Quince Discount Code: https://www.quince.com/women/best-sellers?utm_source=veritone&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=paring [https://www.quince.com/women/best-sellers?utm_source=veritone&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=paring] Let’s Connect! Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/ [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/ [https://www.pivotballchange.com/]

65. The Podcast Growth Strategy No One Is Talking About

Fresh off the Sister Circle Summit in La Crosse, where I had the opportunity to be a featured panelist, I’m breaking down the biggest takeaways for podcasters who want real growth. This episode highlights why attending live, in-person events is one of the most effective ways to build meaningful connections, attract aligned listeners, and create tangible momentum for your show. From meeting potential guests who are far more likely to say yes, to connecting with past guests like Stephanie Ross in real life, the impact goes far beyond what can happen online. I’m also sharing how I approached the event strategically so I could see a return on my investment before even leaving, along with the behind-the-scenes strategies that made this event so successful and how it’s inspiring me to think bigger about hosting my own. Topics Covered: * Why in-person events make it easier to book high-quality podcast guests. * How live events help you attract aligned, engaged followers. * The value of meeting past podcast guests face-to-face. * How to connect with event hosts without taking up too much of their time. * The exact prep work that helped generate ROI before leaving the event. * Behind-the-scenes strategies used to sell tickets and book speakers. * Why pre-event calls can elevate your entire experience. * A fresh perspective shift on podcast growth after attending live events. * A hot take on why attending events alone can be more impactful. Let’s Connect! Book Your Podcast Consultation Today: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Launch Your Podcast with Pivot Ball Change: https://www.pivotballchange.com/services [https://www.pivotballchange.com/services] Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/ [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/ [https://www.pivotballchange.com/]