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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!

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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!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey Podcasters!

At Buzzsprout, most of our collaboration happens through screens. Messages, calls, and pull requests keep everything moving, but once a year, we step away from our desks and meet face-to-face.

This year, we gathered in Tampa, Florida so our fully remote team could reconnect, build trust, and spend time together. Here’s a look behind the scenes at our week!

Kicking Things Off

We started in Ybor City, where our digital avatars turned back into real people. We hosted a Buzzsprout Podcaster Meetup at Oxford Exchange!

Meeting local podcasters was a highlight! Hearing their stories and seeing their excitement reminded us that behind every show are real people using Buzzsprout to share their voices with the world.

Serving and Building

Wednesday morning, we cooked lunch for families at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a small way to serve the community, a chance to work together in a new way, and a time to reflect on how fortunate we are.

That afternoon, we gathered for a Buzzsprout positioning workshop to brainstorm how we can better support podcasters and keep creativity alive. These are the kinds of conversations that come to life when we’re in the same room.

We left with fresh ideas, and we're excited for you to see the results over the next few months.

A Grateful Look Back

Thursday blended reflection and celebration! We kicked off with our State of the Product, sharing wins, challenges, and lessons from the past year. One theme stood out: meaningful progress built through teamwork.

There was plenty of fun, too! Our team enjoyed a Tampa Bay Lightning game, friendly competition at PopStroke, and lots of great food.

Our time in Tampa wasn’t time away from work; it was time that makes the work better. The relationships we build in person shape how we collaborate, solve problems, and support podcasters all year long.

Our co-founder, Kevin Finn, recapped the week on the Buzzsprout blog and shared more about why we continue investing in time together!

Read Blog Post

Here’s to showing up, together, and helping podcasters everywhere Keep Podcasting!

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!

Let’s be honest: everyone wants to know the secret to ranking higher in Apple Podcasts, but for years, no one really knew how it worked.

I’ve sat through countless conference sessions promising to “crack the code” on podcast SEO, and most turned out to be pure snake oil. But now we have credible data straight from Apple.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your show climb the charts and get discovered by more listeners, this one’s for you.

What Podcast SEO Means

Podcast SEO can refer to two things:

• Improving your website’s visibility on Google or
• Optimizing your show inside directories.

We're going to focus on optimizing your show inside Apple Podcasts, which is where most listeners (about 70%!) discover new shows.

How Apple Podcasts Search Works

Apple ranks search results using three main factors:

Metadata
​Apple indexes your podcast name, episode titles, author tag, and channel name for search results. So you'll want to include clear, keyword-rich titles that describe your content!

Popularity
​This one isn't a huge surprise: podcasts with more followers and plays rank higher.

If you want to increase your popularity, add an Apple Smart Banner to your website so visitors can follow your show directly in Apple Podcasts. If you're using a Buzzsprout website, you already have one!

User Behavior
Apple rewards shows with active engagement, meaning the number of plays, follows, and episode completion rates.

We've also learned these can be time sensitive, so promote new episodes right after release to boost early engagement.

Top Charts
If you're looking to climb the charts, momentum matters! 100 new followers in a day impacts rankings more than the same number spread out over a month.

So you want to focus on promoting new episodes within the first 48 hoursto build traction!

Key Takeaways

• Use specific, keyword-aligned titles for your podcast and episodes
• Add Apple’s Smart Banner to drive followers
• Promote new episodes immediately to increase engagement

We break down these tips and more in the full guide on Podcast SEO.

Read Blog

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

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey Podcasters! When Buzzsprout's podcast producer, Jordan Blair, started Dreamful Bedtime Stories, it was just a creative way to help her kids fall asleep.

She never expected it to become a podcast with more than 13 million downloads, or that she’d test nearly every monetization strategy along the way.

After six years of experimenting with sponsorships, affiliates, subscriptions, and listener support, she’s learned what actually works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to making money from a podcast.

Here’s a quick look at her biggest lessons:

1. Don’t Monetize Too Soon
Jumping in too early can do more harm than good.

Jordan tried it all, from merch to premium content and even ad reads, but she realized that monetization works best when it enhances your show, not distracts from it.

Start monetizing when it feels like a natural next step, not a side hustle.

2. Start Small With Listener Support
Before chasing big sponsors, start with listener support. It’s an easy way to test interest and build the habit of asking for support from your audience.

If listeners are willing to chip in a few dollars, that’s proof that your content resonates!

3. Choose Partners That Fit
Jordan’s first sponsor was a $300 deal with a small wellness brand.

It wasn’t flashy, but it taught her how to negotiate and partner with brands that actually align with her audience. Which was more valuable long-term.

4. Keep It Transparent
The FTC now requires clear disclosures for sponsorships and affiliate links, which include podcasts!

A quick “This episode is sponsored by…” is all it takes to stay compliant and maintain trust.

There’s no single path to podcast monetization, but there is a smarter one. On the Buzzsprout blog, Jordan breaks down real examples and lessons from six years of testing every major strategy, so you can find what works for your show.

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!

Coming off a long weekend can throw off your rhythm! Your schedule changes, your workflow shifts, and podcasting can feel harder to fit in.

With the holidays and more travel approaching, keeping your podcast on track can feel tough. But, staying consistent through the end of the year is easier than you think!

So, here are some of my favorite ways to stay on top of my podcast when life gets busy:

1. Keep Your Podcast With You
Buzzsprout for Mobile makes it easy to stay connected to your show, no matter where you are.

You can publish an episode while waiting to board a flight. Fix a typo in your show notes from the back of a rideshare. Or check your latest stats when a new notification pops up at dinner.

You’ll also get alerts when your episode goes live or your podcast hits a new milestone, so you never miss a moment worth celebrating!

I always make sure I have it downloaded before a trip so I can manage my show without having to lug around a computer!

Download Buzzsprout for Mobile

2. Build in Visual Reminders
When your schedule changes, it can be easy for your podcast to slip your mind. For me, a big help is visual reminders!

That’s where Buzzsprout's Home Screen Widgets come in. They give me real-time updates by just glancing at my phone. Which, to be honest, I'm already doing.

You can:

• See today’s downloads
• Check last week’s performance at a glance
• Customize your screen with your podcast artwork

Those small reminders help keep my show front and center even when my days look different.

Get Home Screen Widgets

3. Keep Your Momentum
You don’t need to overhaul your process to stay consistent, but adding a few key tools can make it that much easier to stay connected to your show during a busy season.

For me, the Buzzsprout app and home screen widgets help track progress, celebrate milestones, and keep me creating through a packed calendar.

So even though your routine may change, your podcast doesn’t have to!

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!

Podcasting is full of well-intentioned advice. Some of it helps, but sometimesit's a myth.

In our latest Buzzcast episode, Kevin, Jordan, and Alban unpack three common myths that often slow podcasters down and explain what actually moves a show forward.

Myth 1: You must launch with three episodes

This advice has been passed around for years. The theory is that more episodes mean more downloads and a better shot at being featured by Apple Podcasts.

But here's the thing: there is no official rule.

Apple does not require three episodes to launch or be featured. If it fits your format, launch with more than one. But many shows get featured with a single episode or a trailer.

If you do want to be featured, what helps most is submitting for promotion within the first six months of launch, choosing Monday as your feature date in Apple’s form, and having strong cover art and titles.

We break down the full myth on Buzzcast!

Myth 2: You need expensive equipment to sound professional

High-end microphones are appealing but not required. A $70 Samson Q2U can sound nearly identical to a $600 studio mic with the right setup.

Focus first on the basics: a quiet room, proper technique, and simple editing will take you further than new gear.

Myth 3: There are too many podcasts

Podcasting might feel crowded, but most shows stop after a few episodes.

You'd be surprised that only a fraction of podcasts release new episodes each month!

And podcast listenership keeps growing. There is still room for new, high-quality shows that serve a clear audience.

As Alban said on Buzzcast: “I always have room in my life for another podcast I love.”

You can also check out the Reddit discussion where podcasters shared this myth and others that almost stopped them from starting.

Takeaway

You do not need three episodes, a thousand-dollar mic, or perfect timing to launch. You need content that your audience values and the consistency to keep going.

If you want to hear more podcasting myths debunked, listen to the full Buzzcast episode!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

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