How Early Network Branding Fuels Long-Term Growth | Horse Radio Network

How Early Network Branding Fuels Long-Term Growth | Horse Radio Network

What does it mean to brand yourself as a podcast network—even when you’re still on your first show? Most creators launch solo, but Glenn Hebert took a different path, establishing a network identity from day one to shape listener expectations and drive long-term opportunity. His approach reveals how intentional structure early on can set the stage for growth, monetization, and even acquisition in a niche landscape. Glenn Hebert is a long-time podcaster who launched his first show in 2006 and built a podcast network serving the equestrian world. Over nearly two decades, he expanded from one show to a diverse roster of hosts and programs, ultimately leading to an acquisition. Glenn brings direct, hands-on experience with hiring, contracts, operations, and advertiser relations. Listen for: 4:04 Building a Podcast Network 9:47 Choosing the Right Hosts 16:03 Unique advertising model insights 18:26 Host read ads and sponsor products 21:47 Handling podcast sponsorship obligations 24:30 Contract control over content 29:09 Preparing for a Future Sale 37:16 Letting hosts leave with their show 41:22 Managing time and sponsor relations 50:44 Challenges of Being Discovered 53:37 Building a Trust-Based Network CONNECT WITH GUEST: GLENN HEBERT, FOUNDER OF THE HORSE RADIO NETWORK Website [https://horseradionetwork.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-hebert-1768037/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/glennthegeek/] | Horses in the Morning Podcast [https://horseradionetwork.com/podcast/horses-in-the-morning/] Podcast rec: Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail [https://pod.link/1157619382] | Horses in the Morning [https://pod.link/399998714] Book rec: Cat and Wright Series by Lisa WYsocki CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights] | 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]

Why Humanity and Creative Freedom Matter in Podcast Networks | Magic Thread Media

What does it take to make compassion and human connection a true operational thread inside a podcast network, rather than just a slogan? This conversation asks how centering real relationships and creative freedom can shape not only who joins a network, but also how shows are supported, grown, and amplified. Guest Amy Lynn Durham draws from her personal journey in both corporate leadership and podcasting to share how a values-driven approach influences day-to-day decisions. Amy Lynn Durham left a corporate executive role to pursue her mission of infusing heart and connection into the workplace. After hundreds of guest spots and several years running her own show, she launched her podcast network at the end of 2025 with six shows. Her experience straddles independent podcast production, prior network participation, and now building a network from the ground up. Six months into building her own podcast network, she offers a practical window into shaping culture, structure, and opportunities for independent voices. Listen For: 5:44 Why she built the network 9:17 The creative freedom she wanted 15:31 Questions to ask a network 23:48 Under-promising on purpose 25:24 The two production lanes 28:49 Who the network is for 35:30 Building the network feed 47:21 Card decks as revenue 52:16 Cost to join and the lift CONNECT WITH GUEST: AMY LYNN DURHAM, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | MAGIC THREAD MEDIA Website [https://magicthreadmedia.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylynndurham/] Podcast rec: Circle’s Edges [https://pod.link/1863272899] Book rec: The Quantum Leader [https://www.amazon.ca/Quantum-Leader-Revolution-Business-Thinking/dp/1633882411] by Dana Zohar | EdgeWalker Card Deck [https://createmagicatwork.net/shop/ols/products/the-edgewalker-card-deck] by Dr. Judy Neal CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] 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]

Surviving as a Niche Network: Lessons from Scripted Fiction | GZM

What happens when a podcast network is built around storytelling as the organizing principle—not just as a buzzword or content strategy? That’s the lens this conversation explores: how prioritizing story and narrative coherence over ad inventory or content volume shapes not only production, but the listener’s entire experience. Joining to discuss, Jeremy Westphal explains why approaching everything—from show selection to advertising to surveys—with a story-first mindset creates a distinct identity and audience relationship. Jeremy Westphal draws on hands-on experience from building audio projects at major brands like Comedy Central and Nickelodeon to now running a 30+ show network, GZM, focused on original scripted fiction for kids, families, and young adults. With more than a decade of operational roles across production, ad sales, and partnerships, he brings unique perspective on how a podcast network can balance original storytelling with business realities. Listen For: 09:29 Creating Podcasts 13:41 Understanding Media Business Models 18:09 Challenges of original content creation 25:49 Understanding the audience demographics 29:33 Improving audience experience 32:57 Reaching your podcast audience 38:14 Importance of network and scale 48:52 Independent scripted productions success 50:24 The evolution of podcast production 01:00:00 Licensing books for podcasts 01:07:41 Building an Authentic Audience 01:11:37 Producing and sustaining a podcast CONNECT WITH GUEST: JEREMY WESTPHAL, DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AT GZM SHOWS Website [https://gzmshows.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-westphal-14423071?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios] Podcast rec: Sherlock & Co [https://pod.link/1710121792]. | Earth Rangers [https://pod.link/1408102830] Book rec: Dragonships series by Scott Reintgen [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVPV3QBK] CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] 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]

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 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]