Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters cover art

Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters

Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters

By: Chris Smith
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About this listen

 Welcome to Podtastic Audio, your go-to guide for crafting a professional podcast without breaking the bank. Join us as we demystify the world of podcasting, offering practical tips and budget-friendly tools to elevate your show's sound quality. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, we've got you covered with expert advice on recording, editing, and enhancing your podcast on a budget. Tune in for insightful discussions, interviews, and actionable insights to make your podcasting journey not only enjoyable but also cost-effective. Happy Podcasting!Chris Smith Art
Episodes
  • Podcast Over. Marriage Over. But Here’s What’s Next

    Podcast Over. Marriage Over. But Here’s What’s Next
    Aug 25 2025

    Hey, it's Chris — and this episode is unlike any I've ever done.

    I'm pulling back the curtain on everything:

    Yes, Podtastic Audio is officially coming to an end. Yes, my marriage is over. But... something new is starting. And I’m more excited than ever.

    In this bonus episode, I get real about the personal struggles I’ve been navigating — divorce, selling the house, stepping away from podcasting — and how all of that led me to my next big project: Cool Cars with Chris 🚗🔥

    If you’ve ever hit rock bottom and wondered how to rebuild from something you love — this one’s for you.

    🚘 What We Talk About:

    • Why Podtastic Audio had to end
    • How my divorce changed everything
    • What inspired Cool Cars with Chris
    • My lifelong obsession with cars, off-roading, and motorsports
    • The plan: YouTube, podcasting, interviews, 4K video, and more
    • Building from scratch — gear, guests, Instagram, and going viral
    • Why I’m more motivated now than ever before

    📲 Follow the New Journey:

    📺 YouTube – Cool Cars with Chris

    📸 Instagram – @CoolCarsWithChris619

    🚘 Website coming soon!

    Whether you’ve been with me since the start or just found this show, thank you. I hope you’ll join me in the driver's seat for this next chapter. – Chris
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    21 mins
  • 211 | Why I’m Ending Podtastic Audio — A Personal Farewell to Podcasting

    211 | Why I’m Ending Podtastic Audio — A Personal Farewell to Podcasting
    Jul 21 2025

    Why I’m Ending Podtastic Audio — A Personal Farewell to Podcasting

    After years of helping indie podcasters improve their sound and stay inspired, this is the final episode of Podtastic Audio.

    In this honest and personal farewell, I open up about why I’ve decided to end the show, how podcasting changed my life, and where things are headed next.

    Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just found the show, thank you for being part of the journey.

    🎧 In this episode, I talk about:

    • Why I’m stepping away from podcasting (for now)
    • The story behind starting Podtastic Audio during the 2020 lockdowns
    • Lessons from the Kris and Kristine Show and the indie podcast scene
    • What happens when life shifts and your passion projects need to pause
    • Why most podcasts podfade — and why that’s okay
    • Thoughts on AI in podcasting and staying human in a tech-heavy space
    • Where I might go next — YouTube, vlogging, or something new
    • A full replay of Episode 1 to bring things full circle

    ▶️ Plus: Listen to the very first solo episode I ever recorded — raw, nervous, and 100% real.

    🎵 Ends with the Podtastic Audio theme song

    The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast

    • Amazon Kindle
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    • Other Bookstores

    Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!

    Podgagement Link

    Over 25,000 podcasters use Podpage! Create your own podcast website that looks great, runs smoothly, and is optimized for search engines. Get started today! Podpage Link

    Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter

    • Podtastic Audio
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    • LInkedIn
    • Threads
    • Blue Sky

    00:00 - Farewell message: Why this is the last episode

    00:33 - How Podtastic Audio began (from Kris & Kristine Show)

    01:30 - Podcasting boom during 2020 and pandemic shows

    02:43 - Most hobby podcasts fade without audience or strategy

    04:08 - Companion to Kris & Kristine Show and early learning curve

    05:14 - Divorce, podfade, and personal challenges

    06:40 - Letting go and reevaluating priorities

    07:49 - Creative passions and content love

    08:22 - Not tied to companies — an indie perspective

    09:29 - Authenticity vs. industry agendas

    10:14 - The cost of podcasting events vs. ROI

    11:22 - Podcasting as a hobby (and expense)

    12:09 - Life demands a pause from content creation

    13:14 - Losing spark after relationship ended

    14:42 - AI-generated podcasts and the soul of audio

    16:08 - The future of content in the AI age

    17:05 - New creative direction: YouTube & travel vlog

    18:42 - Real-world video content and possibilities

    20:08 - What creators should ask before launching

    21:19 - Thank you to listeners and final reflections

    21:57 - Intro to Episode 1 playback

    22:30 - Replay of Podtastic Audio Episode 1

    44:33 - Podtastic Audio theme song begins
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    48 mins
  • 210 | The Ugly Side of Podcasting (That No One Talks About)

    210 | The Ugly Side of Podcasting (That No One Talks About)
    Jul 14 2025
    If you're an indie podcaster who's ever felt completely drained, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up... you're not alone. In this brutally honest episode, I open up about the real-life challenges I've been facing—personally and creatively—and how podcasting has both helped and hurt along the way. From going through divorce, to ending The Kris and Kristine Show, to watching the numbers on this very podcast unexpectedly grow—this episode is raw, vulnerable, and 100% real. I'm not here to sugarcoat the podcasting journey. I'm here to talk about the parts no one tells you when you’re first setting up your mic and dreaming big: What happens when your co-host leaves... and it’s also your spouse.What it’s like to podcast while selling your house and dealing with life-altering burnout.How to keep creating even when it feels pointless.And why authenticity, not algorithms, is still your biggest advantage. 🎧 In This Episode, I Cover: The messy, emotional side of independent podcastingWhy downloads aren’t the only thing that matter (but still hurt when they’re low)The difference between being “seen” on TikTok vs. being heard on a podcastHow I built Podtastic Audio during the peak of The Kris and Kristine ShowReal, actionable tips to keep going when your motivation is at zero Whether you’re a solo podcaster, part of a co-hosted show, or just feeling like no one’s listening—this episode is for you. The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast Amazon Kindle Apple Books Barnes and NobleOther Bookstores Over 25,000 podcasters use Podpage! Create your own podcast website that looks great, runs smoothly, and is optimized for search engines. Get started today! Podpage Link Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast! Podgagement Link Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter Podtastic AudioTwitter XInstagramLInkedInThreadsBlue Sky 00:00 When Life Gets Messy… and You Still Hit Record 01:05 Why Audio Podcasting Still Matters 03:22 What People Think Podcasting Is 04:24 Starting The Kris and Kristine Show 06:17 Lockdown Interviews & Cleanfeed Lessons 08:03 The End of the Show—and the Relationship 09:44 Selling the House, Selling the Dream 11:00 Podtastic Audio’s Growth (and What It Means) 13:02 Indie Podcasting Realities: Burnout & Walls 14:15 Why Personality Beats AI and Trends 16:08 The Numbers Game: Podcasting vs. TikTok 18:13 Why Podcast Discovery Is So Much Harder 20:11 Authenticity and Consistency in a Noisy World 22:10 Tip 1: Short, Honest Episodes 23:07 Tip 2: Rerun Past Episodes with a Fresh Intro 24:13 Tip 3: Batch Record When You’re Feeling Good 25:02 Tip 4: Cut the Overproduction, Keep It Simple 26:34 Tip 5: Talk to One Person—Not an Audience 28:01 It's Okay to Pause (Even If You’re Not Done Yet) 30:04 Podcasting Isn’t Just for the Big Guys 30:26 🎵 Outro: “Podtastic Audio Anthem” #IndiePodcaster #PodcastingLife #PodcastBurnout #PodcastStruggles #PodcastTips #SoloPodcasting #PodcastAdvice #PodcastGrowth #AuthenticPodcasting #PodcastJourney #WhyPodcastingMatters #PodcastingThroughIt #PodcastMotivation #PodcastingWhileBurntOut #RealTalkPodcast #PodcastBreakup #PodcastingTruth #PodcastConsistency #PodcastingOverVideo #PodcastingReality #ContentCreationStruggles #PodcastingWithHeart #PodcastSupport #PodcastHelp #KeepPodcasting
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    34 mins
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