Podcast Network Insights: Understanding the Business of Podcast "Networks"

Beyond Downloads: What Networks Really Want from Podcasters | NOVA Podcast Network

When podcast creators see themselves as true partners in the network, not just talent, but contributors to the business side, where does that really take both the creator and the network? This episode unpacks how the attitude and approach of podcast hosts can be a deciding factor in whether a podcast network helps them grow and monetize, or leaves their show flat. Rachel Corbett offers a clear-eyed view from years of operating at scale in Australia, showing why long-term success hinges as much on mindset as on metrics. Rachel Corbett draws on more than a decade in Australian radio and podcasting, including hands-on leadership roles at major networks. She has seen the evolution of the industry from its early days and currently manages the NOVA Podcast Network with hundreds of shows and millions of monthly downloads. Her background transitioning from traditional media to podcast network operations provides practical insight into how networks actually function behind the scenes, and how the Australian market operates, which, in some cases, isn’t too different from other markets. Listen for: 04:20 Defining a Network as a Partnership 20:02 What Nova Actually Offers Creators 22:42 Podcast marketing strategies 24:27 What Audience Size Gets You In the Door 27:08 Working with brand collaborations 34:31 Providing feedback to show creators 37:10 When a Creator Is Better Off Going Independent 42:16 Building an Independent Network 46:36 How Revenue Splits Work With Partner Networks 50:40 Partnering with successful creators 57:12 Why Audio Feels Different Than Video CONNECT WITH GUEST: RACHEL CORBETT, NETWORK DIRECTOR | NOVA PODCASTS Website [https://www.novaentertainment.com.au/novapodcasts] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/_rachelcorbett/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelcorbett1/] | Podcast [This%20is%20my%20current%20one%20-%20https:/open.spotify.com/show/5Cjq40mSCTCTSKtXF9zxtj] Podcast rec: Two Broke Chicks [https://pod.link/1587075307] Book rec: Babel by R.F. Kuang [https://amzn.to/4w5hlLc] CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]

Converting Articles into Downloads: The Intersection of Media and Podcasting | Charisma Podcast Network

How can a podcast network use its editorial engine to make individual shows more visible, and does this strategy offer a real solution to the discoverability problem? With podcasts often lost in the shuffle, The Charisma Podcast Network offers an opportunity to transform audience reach and podcast growth through content- and article-driven workflows. John Matarazzo is the Media Manager at Charisma Media, with experience spanning legacy media and digital audio. After starting as a TV producer and moving into podcasting, he’s helped scale a faith-oriented podcast network within a 50-year-old publishing company, juggling workflows for about 70 shows and leveraging article-driven discovery methods for his podcasters and readers. Listen For: 00:00 Understanding podcast discoverability 06:35 Charisma Media's early growth story 10:24 Improving podcast discoverability 15:23 Building a podcast network foundation 18:06 Improving podcast management 22:28 Joining the Charisma Podcast Network 27:31 Innovative podcast discoverability feature 29:40 Diversity within the podcast network 32:10 Increasing website content output 36:11 Expanding podcast reach with video 42:07 Finding purpose and making an impact 50:44 Discussing network systems and collaboration CONNECT WITH GUEST: JOHN MATARAZZO MEDIA MANAGER FOR CHARISMA MEDIA Charisma Podcast Network [https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/] | Charisma Magazine [https://mycharisma.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-matarazzo-19542732/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CharismaMedia] John's Podcast rec: No Dumb Questions - https://pod.link/1204701206 [https://pod.link/1204701206] | John's Book rec: The Power to Prosper by Cap Chatfield - https://amzn.to/4euwJdz [https://amzn.to/4euwJdz] CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman - https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com [http://rss.com/] Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]

Why Owning Every Show Drives Quality, Consistency, and Profits | OGGN

What happens when a podcast network isn't just a loose collection of shows, but an operational system with complete ownership, direct host management, and monetization strategies that begin before a single episode is released? This conversation examines a distinctive “own everything, sell before launch” approach, offering a pragmatic look at why full control might create better sponsor relationships and higher margins. Mark LaCour draws on a decade-plus of experience building a podcast network from a single niche show into an international portfolio of 30+ in-house productions, the Oil and Gas Global Network, all within the oil and gas sector. Before starting his first podcast in 2011, he spent years in sales and technology, bringing a practical, industry-rooted perspective to every decision about network structure and growth. Listen For: 00:00 Exploring Podcast Networks 6:15 Finding the right podcast host 11:34 Starting the first podcast 20:07 Managing podcast sponsorships 25:10 Making money from conferences 29:31 AI and augmented reality threats 33:15 Blocking AI spiders on content 40:04 Leveraging loyal listeners for growth 42:03 Measuring podcast value beyond downloads 49:47 Future of Video Content Creation 1:00:52 Hire an editor to improve podcast 1:04:12 Staying Creative and Engaging Fans CONNECT WITH GUEST: MARK LACOUR, FOUNDER, OIL AND GAS GLOBAL NETWORK (OGGN) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oil-and-gas-expert-speaker/] | Website [https://oggn.com/] | Podcast [https://oggn.com/ogtw/] | X [https://x.com/Mark_LaCour] Book rec: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Podcast rec: Marketing Over Coffee - https://pod.link/251299460 [https://pod.link/251299460] CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] by Ryan Berman - https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com [http://RSS.com] Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]

Why Most Networks Miss the Mark on Creator Experience | BE Podcast Network

What does it look like to build a podcast network revenue model that actually respects the diversity of its shows? Jethro Jones offers a candid view into how value, sponsorship, and compensation flow within a network, especially when not every show fits the sponsorship mold. His approach challenges common assumptions about monetization, showing what’s possible when incentives are designed to align with real operational and creative dynamics. As a former school administrator who moved from running a single education podcast to launching the BE Podcast Network with 30+ shows, Jethro Jones has seen firsthand what it takes to help podcasters grow, learn, and discover the hidden challenges of network operations. His hands-on approach to onboarding creators, refining support systems, and structuring the business side is shaped by experience in both education and podcasting. Listen For: 8:27 Starting a podcast for self-improvement 21:06 Coordinating podcast production details 24:05 Perception of podcast advertising 27:31 Making ad reads authentic 33:36 Exploring niche podcast opportunities 37:53 Joining the BE Podcast Network 48:08 Delegating tasks for efficiency 51:35 Finding your podcast community 59:00 Sampling content and leveraging SEO 1:01:04 Reflections on productivity and focus 1:06:25 Rethinking network value and content CONNECT WITH GUEST: JETHRO JONES, FOUNDER, BE PODCAST NETWORK LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/jethrojones] | Website [https://bepodcastnetwork.com/] | Podcast [https://transformativeprincipal.org/] | X [https://x.com/jethrojones] Jethro’s book rec: The Courage to be Disliked - https://amzn.to/4cIqOPL [https://amzn.to/4cIqOPL] Jethro’s Podcast rec: Transformative Principal- https://pod.link/770942472 [https://pod.link/770942472] Jethro’s Podcast rec: Great Houses - https://pod.link/1885728664 [https://pod.link/1885728664] CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] by Ryan Berman - https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com [http://RSS.com] Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]

Protecting Small Podcasts: Networks for Indie Voices, Not Profit | Feminist Podcast Collective

What happens when a podcast network is built around support instead of scale? Becky Mollenkamp created the Feminist Podcast Collective in 2024 after growing frustrated with how often podcasting rewards visibility, monetization, and industry status over community, accessibility, and overlooked voices. Instead of waiting for traditional networks to create space for different creators, she built a membership-based network centered on collaboration, shared values, and long-term sustainability. From flexible membership dues based on financial circumstances to a values-alignment application process, Becky’s approach challenges many of the assumptions behind how podcast networks traditionally operate. The network has already grown to more than 50 member shows, prioritizing support and equity over aggressive growth or advertising pressure. The conversation explores what it takes to build a mission-driven podcast network, the tension between sustainability and monetization, and why Becky believes independent creators deserve communities designed around mutual support rather than competition. For podcasters questioning whether success must always be measured by downloads, ad revenue, or scale, Becky offers a very different vision for what a network can be. Listen For: 00:00 Membership Pricing and Values 09:38 Intersectional Feminism Goals 19:52 Promoting Member Shows 20:48 A Unique Podcast Model 30:13 Resource Library Overview 37:41 Managing a Community 43:33 Member Retention 51:20 Celebrity Fatigue in Podcasting 59:53 Balancing Growth and Sustainability CONNECT WITH GUEST: BECKY MOLLENKAMP, FEMINIST BUSINESS COACH LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/beckymollenkamp] | Website [https://feministpodcasterscollective.com/] | Podcast [https://messyliberation.com/%20Messy%20Liberation] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@beckymollenkamp/] Podcast rec: Off the Grid [https://pod.link/1610399726] Book rec: Liberate Your Business [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMXK8967/] by Becky Mollenkamp CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com [http://RSS.com] Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]