Podcast Cafe: Insights from Podcasters for Podcasters

87. Standing Out in a Crowded Niche: Lessons from Wellness Podcaster Brandee Hommerding

Want to start a podcast but worried your niche is too crowded? In this episode of the Podcast Café, I interview Brandee Hommerding, host of the Healthy Buzz Podcast, about how to stand out in the competitive wellness podcasting space. If you're wondering how to launch a podcast when there are already shows in your industry, this conversation will change your perspective. Brandee shares her journey from thinking about podcasting for years to launching a successful wellness podcast that's approaching 50 episodes, and how she differentiates herself in an oversaturated market. What You'll Learn About Starting a Podcast in a Crowded Niche: How to start a podcast when your niche feels saturated with competition Why knowing your target audience is essential for podcast success The importance of planning listener takeaways before hitting record How to research podcast guests to maintain credibility and brand alignment Why conducting research for solo podcast episodes builds trust with listeners How to overcome perfectionism and actually launch your podcast Using your podcast as a client resource and business tool The mindset shift from "podcast planning" to "podcast launching" How to create anti-diet culture wellness content that stands out Building a podcast audience when you're not mainstream Key Podcasting Tips for Beginners: Before you record your next episode (or your first episode), ask yourself: What will my listener take away from this? Entertainment? Education? Inspiration? Having a clear goal for every episode is what separates successful podcasts from those that fade away. Don't just record to record—record with purpose and your listener in mind. Connect with Brandee: Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-meal-plan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

86. The Art of Collaboration: Live from Podcasters NW with Carla Marie & Anthony

This episode is different from every other Podcast Cafe episode because it's the live recording from the very first Podcasters NW event held on May 18th in Seattle. After six years of podcasting in the Pacific Northwest, I realized I didn't know many podcasters here, so I created the only dedicated space for podcasters to connect in person. I call it Podcasters NW. In this special recording, you'll hear a fireside chat with Carla Marie and Anthony, Seattle-based multi-platform creators who have been building content together for 17 years. They host The Morning Show Podcast (approaching its 1,000th episode!) and live stream on Twitch. Between the two of them, they've launched eight podcasts total and have incredible insights about what it takes to collaborate successfully—with each other, with other creators, and with their audience. To come to the next Podcasters NW event on June 18, register here. https://PodcastsNWJune18.eventbrite.com This will be a monthly series, so make sure you follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn to see when the next one will be: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/ Thank you to Carla Marie and Anthony for joining. Join them on Twitch every Tuesdays and Thursday at 8am PT twitch.tv/CarlaMarieandAnthony Connect with them here: https://www.flow.page/carlamarieandanthony Email them: hello@carlamarieandanthony.com Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction ⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

85. How to Brand Your Podcast with Morgan from Six Figure Brand

Don't neglect your podcast branding! In this episode of the Podcast Café, I sit down with Morgan Specht, host of the Six Figure Brand podcast and agency owner, to discuss what it really takes to create a strategically branded podcast. We talk about what it looks like to build a 6 figure brand, why she trademarked her podcast, the difference between branding and brand strategy, why you shouldn't start a podcast before doing foundational brand work, and how to audit your podcast to ensure clarity and consistency. If you're thinking about starting a podcast or want to make sure your existing show is strategically positioned, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * The foundational brand work you need to do before launching a podcast * Why Morgan trademarked her podcast name * Morgan's marketing strategies that are working (including a clever approach to sharing episodes on Threads) * How to audit your brand and podcast for clarity and consistency * The importance of launch strategy over perfecting your first episodes Connect with Morgan: https://www.instagram.com/spechtand.co/ Listen to her podcast: https://www.instagram.com/sixfigurebrandpodcast/ Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

84. From Weekly Episodes to Intentional Growth with Katherine Phillips, Faithful Flourish Podcast

The real growth from podcasting isn’t what you see on the surface. Katherine Phillips is almost one year into her podcasting journey—and what started as a simple idea has grown into something much bigger. In this episode, she shares the real behind-the-scenes of launching Faithful Flourish, a podcast created for Orthodox Christian women navigating modern life. From figuring out her voice to building a community (without even liking social media), Katherine breaks down what it actually takes to start and sustain a podcast with purpose. We talk about the evolution of her strategy—from posting weekly episodes to shifting into a more intentional, quality-first approach—and how that decision is changing everything. Katherine also opens up about: Creating content that reflects your values (not just trends) Navigating social media when it doesn’t come naturally Building confidence as a new podcaster The power of curiosity and continuous learning Why podcasting is more time-intensive than people think What it looks like to grow a show and yourself at the same time If you’ve been feeling the pressure to “do more” with your podcast—or wondering if your voice actually matters—this conversation will bring you back to what’s important. Because sometimes, the most meaningful growth happens when you slow down and get intentional. Listen to Faithful Flourish Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faithful-flourish-a-podcast-for-the-modern/id1798544576 Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

83. How This Podcaster Sold Her Show & Built Two More with Anjel B. Hartwell

What happens when you approach podcasting like a business asset instead of just a creative project? Angel rebuilt from a $7 month to creating award-winning podcast brands—and eventually selling one. In this episode of the Podcast Café, Anjel shares her unique journey of starting, growing, and selling her first podcast, Men on Purpose. Whether monetization is your goal or not, her strategic approach to podcasting offers valuable lessons about intentionality, guest relationships, and building something that truly serves your bigger vision.  In This Episode, You'll Learn: * Anjel's story: from business collapse to launching a top-200 podcast in 6 weeks * The strategic decisions she made that helped her podcast serve her business goals * The exact process of selling a podcast (co-hosted transition episodes, IP transfer, 90-day timeline) * How she maintains relationships with hundreds of guests over time * Why she focuses on conversions over vanity metrics (and why that matters for her goals) * Her experience applying for and winning 21 podcast awards * The reality of podcast sponsorships and why she chose a different path Connect with Anjel: Wickedly Smart Women: www.wickedlysmartwomen.com Leading Visionaries Podcast: www.leadingvisionariespodcast.com Website: www.creativeageleader.com Sellable Show Checklist: https://www.wealthylifementor.com/sellable-show-podcast-cafe Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst: Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44 Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction⁠ My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com