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Hey Podcasters!

As much as I love being a podcaster, I don't love promoting my show. No matter what strategy I try, it always feels awkward!

I want people to listen to my show, but I cringe posting the same “new episode out now” message every week.

But promoting your show doesn't need to sound desperate. In this ​video,​ we show a different approach.

You’ll learn how to turn your podcast stats into shareable content using Podcast Playback in the Buzzsprout app. You can promote your show by highlighting progress, not asking for favors!

It’s an easy way to give listeners something interesting to engage with and promote your show naturally, without feeling forced.

As a bonus, sharing your Podcast Playback can earn you $100 in Buzzsprout Ads to help promote your podcast.

If you’re looking for a more comfortable way to grow your show, this is a great place to start.

Watch Video

Mark Your Calendar

​​Join Buzzsprout at Podfest 2026:​ Buzzsprout is headed to Podfest this month, and we want to hang out with you! Join us for a Buzzsprout Podcaster meetup on January 16th at 6:30 pm. ​RSVP​ to save your spot!

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!

While reviewing applications for our Start Podcasting cohort, I noticed a pattern: a lot of people have great podcast ideas! While it can be easy to come up with the concept, it’s actually hitting publish that can hold new podcasters back.

That’s why, in this week’s episode of ​Buzzcast​, we decided to start a podcast from scratch in (almost) real time.

I join in on the conversation as we work through my own podcast idea step by step, asking the same questions new podcasters wrestle with every day.

If you’ve been sitting on a podcast idea or are feeling overwhelmed by where to start, this episode shows how doable the process really is!

Listen to Buzzcast

Starting a Podcast in 2026? Apply for our Start Podcasting Cohort!

In January 2026, we’re running a free Start Podcasting Cohort to help new podcasters move from planning to publishing!

This guided, small-group experience is designed to reduce friction and help you launch your podcast with confidence.

If you’ve been meaning to start but haven’t hit publish yet, applications are open now!

Apply to Cohort

Mark Your Calendar

Join Buzzsprout at Podfest 2026:​ Buzzsprout is headed to Podfest this month, and we want to hang out with you! Join us for a Buzzsprout Podcaster meetup on January 16th at 6:30 pm. ​RSVP​ to save your spot!

​Podcasting Made Simple Live:​ Podmatch is hosting Podcasting Made Simple Live, a premium virtual event for podcast hosts and guests that helps them grow their influence, revenue, and expertise. Tickets are free with the code BUZZLIVE!

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!

Have you ever tried to recommend a podcast to a friend and realized how many steps it took just to get them to the right episode?

For a long time, trying to convert a listener felt like a lot of work. And as creators, we felt that friction too, even if we couldn’t always put our finger on it!

But this year, podcast apps started acting less like players and more like places built for listeners. And we're loving it!

Finding new shows feels easier, sharing a great episode feels more natural, and listening itself feels smoother with fewer interruptions.

Those changes matter more than they might seem! When listening is easier, people finish more episodes, come back more often, and are more likely to recommend what they love.

In this Buzzcast episode, we zoom out and talk about why 2025 ended up being such a strong year for podcast listeners. From what app updates actually changed behavior to why this moment feels like a turning point for podcasting, this episode is worth your time!

Listen to Buzzcast

Starting a Podcast in 2026? Apply for our Start Podcasting Cohort!

In January 2026, we’re running a free Start Podcasting Cohort to help new podcasters move from planning to publishing!

This guided, small-group experience is designed to reduce friction and help you launch your podcast with confidence.

If you’ve been meaning to start but haven’t hit publish yet, applications are open now!

Apply to Cohort

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!

The end of the year can be a tough stretch for podcasters! Schedules shift, and even the most consistent shows feel the strain of missed recording windows or rushed edits.

If your routine has been harder to protect lately, there are ways to simplify your workflow so you can keep publishing without burning out!

This week’s Buzzcast episode digs into the full process we use to keep Buzzsprout podcasts running.

The team walks through how we outline episodes, protect our recording time, and move from raw audio to a published episode without bottlenecks. They also look at the most common places podcasters lose time and share practical ways to avoid them.

The goal is to make each step easier, so the whole workflow feels lighter, and you can power through the holiday season!

Listen to Buzzcast

If you want more support and connection as you plan the rest of your year, we have two great events to share!

If you’re in Florida, the Jax Podathon returns on Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 p.m. at Ruby Beach Brewing. It’s an annual networking and charity event for Feeding Northeast Florida, complete with TableTalk mini-workshops and sessions led by Buzzsprout's own Tom Rossi and Priscilla Brooke.

Sign up for Jax Podathon

If you prefer something virtual, Podmatchis hosting Podcasting Made Simple Live, a premium virtual event for podcast hosts and guests that helps them grow their influence, revenue, and expertise. Tickets are free with the code BUZZLIVE!

Register for Podcasting Made Simple Live

As you wrap up the year, a lighter workflow and a steady routine can make all the difference. We’re here to help you finish strong!

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!

One of the most common questions we hear is also one of the most important: Which microphone should I use for my podcast?

The right mic can improve your sound and remove a lot of unnecessary friction as you get started!

To help simplify the decision, we put together ​a new video​ that walks through our top five USB microphones for podcasting.

Each pick is tested and ranked with real audio examples, so you can hear the differences for yourself and understand what you’re getting at each price point.

We compare beginner-friendly microphones with long-term upgrade options and explain what actually matters for sound quality, room noise, durability, and flexibility.

If you’re recording without a dedicated microphone right now, we also show how ​Magic Mastering​ can enhance audiofrom a phone or earbuds to make it sound polished.

Watch the ​full video​ to hear the mics and see our complete rankings!

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!

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!