Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters!

The holiday season is officially here, which usually means two things: more joy and way less time to podcast.

Between travel plans, family gatherings, school breaks, and end-of-year deadlines, this is one of the hardest seasons to stay consistent. Nearly every podcaster I know hits a point where they think, “Should I just skip a few weeks?”

If that's you, keep reading! This week, we’re talking about how to handle your podcast during the busiest stretch of the year!

1. Keep Publishing: The Opportunity Is Real
Buzzsprout’s data shows something interesting: November and December see fewer new episodes published, but listening doesn’t drop nearly as much.

With so many people traveling and clearing out their queues, your episodes have a better chance of being heard and recommended. If you can stay consistent, you may actually open your show up to new listeners and keep your growth going!

2. Take a Planned Break (Without Losing Listeners)
If your calendar doesn’t allow for new content, a short, planned break can work really well!

In this episode of Buzzcast, the team walks through how to set expectations, share your return date, and keep your feed warm with lightweight options like a bonus episode or a curated recommendation from another creator.

3. Lighten the Load, Not Your Presence
If you want to keep releasing without working through every holiday week, small adjustments can make it easier.

We talk about batching one extra episode, switching to shorter formats, or recording something simple and evergreen so your feed stays active while you’re busy!

If you’re trying to balance holiday life with podcasting, this episode gives you three clear approaches to choose from and a practical plan for whichever one you pick.

Listen to the full Buzzcast episode to learn more!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters! I talk to a lot of people who want to start a podcast.

Whether it's friends, creators, or podcasters-to-be, I hear the same thing all the time: “I’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… but I don’t know if now is the right time!”

And every time, I give the same answer: “If you’re thinking about it, now is exactly the right time.”

So if you find yourself asking, "Why should I start, and how do I launch without overcomplicating it?"

That’s exactly what we’re diving into this week!

Why Right Now Is the Best Time to Start a Podcast
Podcasting has never been bigger! Or more accessible.

More than half of Americans now listen to podcasts monthly, and younger listeners are driving that growth.

I think it's because podcasting is one of the few places left where creators can reach their audience without an algorithm in the way. It's a rare connection that listeners love!

In this video, we break down the five biggest reasons podcasting is the most creator-friendly medium right now, and why your voice is more valuable than you think.

Your Launch Strategy
Once people decide to start, the next question hits just as hard: “Okay… but how do I launch it?”

You’ve probably heard the classic advice: launch with three episodes. But Alban joined Doug Downs recently to explain why that rule is outdated, andwhat actually matters for modern podcast launches.

How to Start a Podcast (Step-by-Step Guide)
For a more in-depth breakdown, our How to Start a Podcast guide has everything you need. From choosing your format to publishing your first episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we walk you through every step.

It’s practical, beginner-friendly, and designed to take the stress out of getting started!

If you’ve been thinking about starting a new podcast, you’re already closer than you realize. And I know your show is going to be great!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters!

For years, adding chapters to podcast episodes felt like extra credit. It was great if you had the time, but most of us didn’t.

Now, with iOS 26.2, Apple Podcasts is taking care of it for you!

The next update will automatically generate chapters for every episode, even if you don’t create them yourself.

That means listeners can skip to key moments of your episode and engage with your content more easily than ever before.

Here’s what’s new and how to make the most of it:

1. Auto-Generated Chapters
Apple will detect timestamps or topic breaks and turn them into chapters automatically.

If you have already added chapters to your episodes, those will still appear exactly as you designed them, just with a refreshed look inside Apple Podcasts!

If you prefer to handle it yourself, you can opt out of automatic chapters anytime in Apple Podcasts Connect.

2. Timed Links
This is one of the most exciting changes: you can now include clickable links tied to specific moments in your episode.

Mention another show, an Apple Book, or a series on Apple TV? You can link directly to it, right from the Now Playing screen, so listeners can explore exactly what you’re talking about.

3. A Better Podcast Connect Dashboard
Apple has also refreshed ​Podcast Connect​, so you can now see your chapters, timed links, and transcripts all in one place.

It’s a small update, but a really helpful one! You’ll be able to preview exactly what your audience will see in Apple Podcasts before your episode goes live.

4. Getting Ready with Buzzsprout
If you want to take advantage of all these new features, Buzzsprout can help!

You can:

• Add and edit chapters directly in Buzzsprout
• Include custom artwork and links for each chapter
• Drag and adjust timestamps right on the audio timeline
• Or let Cohost AI create chapters for you automatically

Buzzsprout also embeds chapters into your MP3 file, so everything displays perfectly in Apple Podcasts and other directories. If you want to learn more about these changes, check out our ​latest video​ on iOS 26.2!

Watch Video

So before iOS 26.2 officially rolls out, take a few minutes to check your episodes, review your timestamps, or experiment with adding chapters in Buzzsprout. You’ll be ready the moment these new features go live!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!