We’re starting a new type of episode where we evaluate podcasts and kindly discuss what makes a show work and what holds it back. Today, we review The Runner’s Sole by podiatrist Dr. Sharon Miller, a niche running show on foot health and injury prevention. We break down audio quality (intro music length, headset feel, warmth vs over-processing), sound effects balance, and utilize tighter hooks. Then we look at branding: clearer cover art, consistent episode art, a keyword-rich subtitle, and smarter episode titles (“Common Running Injuries” first). We touch the YouTube playbook for thumbnails, plus SEO from transcripts and stronger show notes with resource links or affiliate gear. We also share how our team built this new format, what surprised us, and why consistency on release day matters. Want your show in the spotlight? Check our links and resources section below and fill out the form to have your podcast up for consideration!

Episode Highlights:

[02:25] Discussion on Podcast Evaluation Forms

[04:35] Evaluating The Runner's Sole

[07:08] Feedback on Podcast Intro

[08:57] Audio Quality Discussion

[16:59] Branding and Cover Art Analysis

[25:31] SEO and Episode Titles

[29:29] Feedback on Branding

[29:46] Google Search Visibility

[31:43] Discussion on Sound Effects and Transitions

[44:38] Patient Story and Shoe Checklist

[51:56] Final Recommendations

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

The Runner’s Sole:

​​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-runners-sole/id1844808510

Podcast Evaluation Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=send_form

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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

How do you prepare before you hit record? Do you plan every detail, keep a loose outline, or just hit the red button and go? Today, we’re sharing how we approach preparation and how those choices shape creativity, confidence, and the listener experience. We give tips on making a script sound natural, and why there’s no single right way to plan a show. You’ll also gain insights into time management and maintaining fresh ideas. Ultimately, it’s about showing up ready to create.

Episode Highlights:

[03:00] Podcast Evaluation Announcement

[07:15] Icebreaker: One Word Prep Styles

[13:32] Discussion on Scripting vs. Winging It

[23:56] Approach to Scripting

[29:43] Evolution from Scripts to Bullet Points

[38:33] Season Preparation Strategy

[47:54] Our Podcasting Morning Chat Categories

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

The Runner's Sole with Sharon Miller:

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-runners-sole/id1844808510

Breaking The 5th Wall:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRDJO_UV4I8

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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

What makes a podcaster rethink everything instead of walking away? Today, we sit down with co-host Sid Meadows, creator of The Trend Report, to unpack why he nearly ended his podcast and what led him to rebuild it instead. Sid opens up about the burnout that caused him to podfade, the breakthrough moment that brought him back, and the intentional steps behind his relaunch: listener interviews, new sponsorship plans, and a renewed sense of purpose. We also explore how to balance instinct with audience feedback and why clarity in branding and naming matters. To close out the show, we share some of our personal wins from the week and offer a reminder that any podcast can be reimagined with the right mindset and a willingness to reinvent.

Episode Highlights:

[03:05] Upcoming Podcast Evaluations

[07:11] Sid's Podcast Revamp Decision

[12:15] Advice for Podcasters Facing Burnout

[16:58] Reconnecting with Listeners

[21:46] Name Change Dilemma

[28:53] Balancing Audience Expectations and Personal Vision

[31:31] Rebranding for Growth

[33:49] Monetization Strategies for Podcasts

[40:00] Engaging Ads: Making Sponsorships Work

[49:34] Community Wins

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

The Trend Report with Sid Meadows:

https://www.sidmeadows.com/

Rethinking Podcasting with Matthew Bliss:

https://rethinkingpodcasting.com/podcast/rethinking-podcasting

Empowered Podcasting Conference Recap on Late Bloomer Living:

https://www.latebloomerliving.com/blog/episode-245

Courtney Elmer Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast:

https://bit.ly/3Wecjvc

Truth Unveiled with Ralph:

https://www.youtube.com/@truthunveiledwithralph?si=N5Hxe2qKVz9OqKZv

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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

The research is clear: 80% of listeners tune in mainly for the host, not the format, not the gear, but the person behind the mic. Today, we continue our podcasting news conversation with fresh headlines and honest discussion about what really keeps audiences listening. We discuss Adobe’s AI-powered speech tool, making TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 list, sparking debate about how creators understand and utilize AI. The crew also weighs in on Auphonic, sharing their own experiences, frustrations, and thoughts on whether these tools support or stifle authenticity. From there, we unpack what this new research means for creators and why personality, connection, and consistency matter more than any algorithm.

Episode Highlights:

[03:55] Congratulations to Signal Award Winners

[04:41] Adobe's AI-Powered Enhanced Speech Tool

[13:34] AI in Podcasting: A Reality Check

[28:52] Optimizing Blog Content for Google

[29:58] AI and SEO Strategies

[35:22] Host Connection in Podcasting

[43:20] Engagement and Discoverability

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Podcasting Made Simple Live:

https://bit.ly/4omrkXS

Congratulations to Kenda Lawson For Her Signal Award Win:

https://www.signalaward.com/winners/#2025/shows/all/All/1979/-1/7

Adobe Enhance:

https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2025/7318238/adobe-podcast-enhance-speech/

Auphonic:

www.Auphonic.com

Junaid Ahmed on Podcasting Made Simple Live:

https://bit.ly/4omSr4Y

Why the Host is Key:

https://bit.ly/3WHF4k2

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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

Imagine opening Netflix and seeing your favorite podcasts right next to your favorite TV shows. That’s the future Spotify and Netflix are building together, and it’s one of several hot headlines we’re jumping into today. We also look at new research from Edison showing when listeners actually hit play, Patreon's jaw-dropping $10 billion milestone that proves creators are cashing in, and how the hit kids’ podcast Brains On took back control from corporate hands. Add in a few fresh updates from around the creator world, and you’ve got one question left to ask…are podcasts becoming as standard as the new streaming shows?

Episode Highlights:

[01:45] My Personal Sleep Hack

[05:48] Podcast Rankings and Statistics

[09:40] Upcoming Events and Networking

[14:54] Optimal Podcast Release Times

[26:45] Revisiting Podcast Release Strategies

[27:56] Appointment Television

[31:26] Patreon Hits a Major Milestone

[33:20] North Flow's Strategic Expansion

[34:31] Brains On Goes Independent

[36:15] Netflix and Spotify's Video Podcast Deal

[43:50] Challenges of Scaling Video Podcasts

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Podnews:

www.podnews.net

Spotify Partners with Netflix For Video:

https://bit.ly/473rwEo

Brains On Podcast:

https://brainson.org

Afros & Audio Podcast Festival:

https://www.afrosandaudio.com

Edison Research:

https://www.edisonresearch.com

Patreon $10 Billion Payout Announcement:

www.axios.com/2025/08/05/patreon-10-billion-creator-economy-ai

North Flow:

https://www.northflow.app

Netflix & Spotify Partnership Story:

https://bit.ly/4oFOoRJ

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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

You finally land the perfect guest for your show… only to be met with silence. No reply. No booking. Nothing. Today’s episode digs into why your outreach might be falling flat and what you can do differently to actually get a “yes.” The crew reacts to a viral clip from Dare to Self-Care about guesting and ghosting and whether small podcasters really do ask too much from potential guests. We discuss the balance of power between hosts and guests, how to set fair expectations, and why curating a great guest experience matters more than fancy outreach. Sometimes, the best pitch isn’t about convincing, it’s about connecting.

Episode Highlights:

[02:39] Podcasting News: WTF with Marc Maron

[06:48] Discussion on Podcasting Burnout

[13:49] Challenges in Podcasting: Marketing and Editing

[17:33] Guest Outreach: Tips and Tricks

[26:18] The Importance of Pre-Interviews

[29:52] The Favor Exchange Debate

[35:02] Creating a Positive Guest Experience

[42:18] Streamlining Guest Collaboration and Promotion

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

On The Harmful Obsession of Podcasting as a Discipline:

https://bit.ly/3KKcKuE

Today’s Clip From Dare To Care:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMSXme6w

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠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/⁠ 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