Podcasting Morning Chat

440. This Evaluation Shows How Small Changes Create Better Episodes

Small performance and production choices can subtly affect how a podcast is experienced. Today, we’re taking a close look at Life Fulfilled, a solo podcast hosted by Bernie Borges. We want to be clear that we aren’t aiming to tear podcasters down. We are listening carefully and noticing how structure, pacing, delivery, and production decisions shape trust with an audience, and we hope to pass along these insights to benefit you. We walk through the episode calling out what’s working, where delivery could be stronger, and how subtle adjustments can improve the listening experience. Submitting your podcast for evaluation takes intention. It’s a sign you care about your craft and want to grow. Our conversation reflects that mindset, offering practical insights you can apply to your own show as you continue to refine how it sounds, feels, and lands with your budding community. Episode Highlights:  [02:06] Purpose and approach of podcast evaluations [08:07] Branding and positioning feedback [10:02] Website experience and user journey [18:47] Episode titles and keyword strategy [28:05] Introducing themes of fulfillment and clarity [28:41] Audio and video track considerations [31:08] Empowered Podcasting Conference announcement [33:25] Feedback on presentation and delivery [44:26] Midroll ad placement and transition flow [53:06] Audio quality and technical improvement tips Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:  https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/ [https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/] Empowered Podcasting Conference 3: Use discount code ‘Podfest26’ to get your ticket for under $200:  https://empoweredpodcasting.com [https://empoweredpodcasting.com] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header] Life Fulfilled:  https://fulfilledatworkacademy.com/podcast/stop-chasing-fulfillment-build-it-through-self-discovery/ [https://fulfilledatworkacademy.com/podcast/stop-chasing-fulfillment-build-it-through-self-discovery/] Auphonic:  www.auphonic.com [http://www.auphonic.com]  Adobe Podcast:  https://podcast.adobe.com/en/enhance [https://podcast.adobe.com/en/enhance] Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ [https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0] Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/] or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

439. Ads Are Coming to AI- Here’s What They’ll Never Tell You

What happens when the tools we trust for clear answers start coming with ads attached? Today’s news and commentary conversation opens with growing chatter about ads potentially entering ChatGPT, then widens to a bigger pattern showing up across subscription platforms like Netflix and beyond. We unpack what these shifts could mean as ads become more common in spaces that once felt clean and uninterrupted. We share our thoughts on trust, platform control, and how easily “helpful” can start to feel sponsored. We also touch on more podcast industry headlines, platform moves, and why some changes feel familiar if you’ve been around long enough. We saved you a seat at the table. Come sit with us while we make sense of it. Episode Highlights:  [03:22] Podcast data insights [04:29] Top podcasts on Spotify and Apple [06:02] Upcoming events [08:43] Business news: ads in ChatGPT [28:12] Apple Podcasts’ record-breaking year and platform innovations [29:31] Hollywood bites and the Smallville controversy [36:30] Pete Davidson’s new Netflix show [45:50] Evaluating the future of podcasting on Netflix [51:08] Upcoming podcast evaluation Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:  https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/ [https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/] Empowered Podcasting Conference 3: Use discount code ‘Podfest26’ to get your ticket for under $200:  https://empoweredpodcasting.com [https://empoweredpodcasting.com] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header] Podfest:  https://podfestexpo.com [https://podfestexpo.com] Podcasters Directory:  https://www.podcastersdirectory.com [https://www.podcastersdirectory.com/] Ads Coming to Chat GPT:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AWdasS4f4 [https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AWdasS4f4] Late Bloomer Living:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAiGVgGTqt4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAiGVgGTqt4] Get to know the PMC team: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/about/ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/about/] Goodbye, YouTube. Hello, Netflix Takeover:  https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/netflix-podcasts-january-2026 [https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/netflix-podcasts-january-2026] Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ [https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0] Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/] or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

438. What Podfest 2026 Taught Us About Community

What happens when you go from feeling like an outsider to being named Community Hero? We’re reflecting on last week’s Podfest 2026 in Orlando, Florida. After five years of walking through those doors, unsure of where I fit, receiving an unexpected award caught me completely off guard. But this isn’t just my story. It’s about what happens when podcasters show up for each other. Many of us from the Empowered Podcasting community were there, sharing the moments that mattered most and why Podfest continues to feel like a family reunion even for first-timers. Whether you attended or followed along from afar, this conversation brings you right into the room with us. Maybe it’s time you showed up and let the community meet you where you are. Episode Highlights:  [02:08] PodFest recap begins [03:42] Memorable moments and awards [08:01] Networking and community building [10:31] Full-circle moments and collaborations [13:22] Challenges and overcoming obstacles [17:35] Surprising moments and early reflections [28:16] Navigating PodFest with practical tips and experiences [31:26] Reflections from a podcasting veteran [38:58] Advice for first-time conference attendees [43:31] Areas for improvement and constructive feedback Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:  https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/ [https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/] Empowered Podcasting Conference 3: Use discount code ‘Podfest26’ to get your ticket for under $200:  https://empoweredpodcasting.com [https://empoweredpodcasting.com] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header] Podfest:  https://podfestexpo.com [https://podfestexpo.com] Anika Jackson:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson] Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ [https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0] Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/] or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

437. The Invisible Wins That Keep Podcasters From Burning Out

Most podcasters don’t quit because they fail; they quit because they stop recognizing their progress. Today, we take a closer look at what real wins actually look like when you’re in the work week after week. While our lead host, Marc, is at PodFest, Ralph Estep takes the wheel and guides us through a poignant discussion on recognizing wins beyond the numbers and not taking your accomplishments for granted. We share heartfelt examples of progress that are easy to overlook: showing up on a hard day, helping one listener, or simply staying consistent when motivation dips. Momentum isn’t always loud; in fact, it can be quiet. Redefining progress is one of the best ways to avoid burnout and stay in the podcasting game.Sometimes, staying in it is the win. To honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no show on Monday, January 19th. Join us on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, for more conversations on podcasting. Episode Highlights:  [03:18] Recognizing wins we often overlook [16:55] Self-talk and breaking negative habits [23:16] Overcoming self-sabotage [24:59] Why motivation and knowledge both matter [27:20] Making a positive impact on others [36:41] Sharing personal wins from the community [41:55] Repeating intentional wins and releasing what drains you [42:40] Consistency, mindset, and sustainable momentum Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:  https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/ [https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header] Podfest:  https://podfestexpo.com [https://podfestexpo.com] What to Say When You Talk To Yourself:  https://a.co/d/dNFxaQU [https://a.co/d/dNFxaQU] Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ [https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0] Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/] or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]

436. How to Hear Brutal Feedback Without Getting Defensive

Have you ever received feedback on your podcast that just didn’t sit right, but you couldn’t tell if it was something to fix or something to ignore? While our fearless leader, Marc, is at Podfest, co-host Ralph Estep steps in to guide a thoughtful conversation about feedback and how podcasters can take it in without getting defensive or second-guessing everything they’re building. This episode centers on one key idea: not everyone gets a vote in your podcast. We explore how feedback often shows up messy, or wrapped in someone else’s opinion, and why that doesn’t mean it all carries the same weight. We talk about how to ask for better feedback, how to separate useful information from personal reaction, and how to test small changes without blowing up your entire show. If you care deeply about your work and want to grow without spiraling, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and reassurance. You’re not alone in figuring this out. And it’s worth asking: who does get a vote in your show? Episode Highlights:  [02:44] Personal experiences with feedback [06:00] Handling negative feedback [16:15] Asking effective feedback questions [23:20] Deciding who gets a vote in your show [27:16] Soliciting feedback from your audience [29:03] Building relationships with guests [31:45] Why pre-interviews lead to stronger podcasts [33:15] Leveraging peer groups for growth [39:10] Investing in podcast SEO [44:55] Measuring podcast success Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/?utm_source=clubhouse] Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting] Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:  https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/ [https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/] Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header] Podfest:  https://podfestexpo.com [https://podfestexpo.com] Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ [https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ [https://youtube.com/@marcronick%E2%81%A0] Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ [http://ironickmedia.com/]⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ [https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/] or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b]