Episodes

Matt Cundill, Jon Gay, and Catherine O’Brien dig into the growing pile of tools, platforms, and metrics shaping podcast production today. The conversation starts with a key question for creators and clients: are downloads still the best measure of success, or is time spent listening becoming the more meaningful number? The group looks at the challenge of tracking audience behaviour across audio, video, Spotify, YouTube, and social platforms, where the old podcast measurement rules do not always ...

There is stuff in Podcasting that keeps us up at night. So we tried to answer our own questions the best we could. We discussed various aspects of podcasting, including audience engagement, analytics, and budgeting. Johnny Podcasts emphasized the importance of email lists and surveys for long-term data collection. David Yas highlighted the need for high-quality microphones, recommending the Samson Q2U and Rode PodMic. The group debated the value of podcast awards, with Catherine O'Brien suggesting they can be a marketing opportunity. They also discussed using AI for thumbnails and the importance of vetting podcast studios. The episode concluded with a discussion on the cost-effectiveness of starting a podcast, estimating a budget of around $100 for essential equipment.

David Yas hosts with Johnny Podcasts, Matt Cundill, and Jon Gay (Jag) to dig into what makes podcast content truly compelling. Catherine is on vacation and we missed her dearly. They start with opening strategies, debating cold opens versus concise scripted intros. Johnny and Jag explain how they mine transcripts and use tools like Descript and Riverside to find strong teaser clips, while Matt argues for a tightly written 30–45 second intro that clearly explains why listeners should stay. The...

Apple’s new HLS-based video podcast initiative is the focus of this episode of Podcast Superfriends with guest Justin Jackson of Transistor.fm. Justin explains what HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is, why it was originally created by Apple, and how chunked, adaptive streaming makes video more practical than traditional large downloads. He outlines Apple’s decision to deliver video via API partners rather than RSS, the ad-tech angle (Apple taking a fee per ad delivery), and why only certain ad-network-...

The Podcast Superfriends welcome podcast editor and community leader Steve Stewart to discuss the craft and business of podcast editing. Steve shares how he went from financial blogger and podcaster in the FinCon community to a full‑time editor after well-known bloggers asked him to “just handle everything after we hit record.” He explains how early tools like Audacity and basic mics evolved into today’s ecosystem of AI-assisted workflows, transcription tools, and plugins, and why efficiency and...

In this first 2026 episode of Podcast Super Friends, the friends discuss the rapidly changing podcast landscape and predict what lies ahead, including the ongoing tension between walled gardens and open platforms, with debate over whether platforms like Spotify and YouTube will be more creator-friendly. The friends explores emerging monetization models, such as subscriptions and Patreon, highlighting the need for niche content and subscriber engagement. Panelists stress the rising importance of ...

The Podcast Super Friends unpsck the intricacies of social media strategies for podcast promotion. They explore effective uses of platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Blue Sky, and Threads, sharing various tips and anecdotes. The conversation highlights the importance of video clips and consistency in social media posting, despite some challenges posed by AI tools and changing algorithms. Johnny Podcasts shares a detailed weekly social media schedule for LinkedIn, emphasizing on the i...

The Podcast Superfriends discuss the recent AWS outage and its widespread impact on digital services and podcasting tools. The group shares personal experiences of how the outage disrupted their workflow, affecting platforms like Riverside, Descript, and Streamyard. They emphasize the importance of having backup strategies for podcast production, including maintaining multiple copies of recordings, using alternative recording methods like Google Meet, returning to the days of "double-enders" and...

The Friends welcome Kendall Breitman on International Podcast Day. Kendall is Riverside's community lead, who announces the launch of chat-based editing, a new AI feature that allows users to make edits via text, enhancing video engagement. The feature, named "AI Co-Creator," and baptized as "Coco" unofficially, complements existing transcript and timeline editing. Breitman also discusses the importance of community feedback and the evolving nature of Riverside's tools, including live streaming ...

The Podcast Super Friends discussed Jag's experiences at Podcast Movement 2025. For most of this episode you will hear a takeaway from Jag followed by the group discussing and debating the issue at hand. We talked about Podcast Movement’s shift toward serving larger, corporate entities and its upcoming move to New York, raising concerns about the event’s accessibility and relevance for independent creators. The hosts debate the impact of this change, the corporatization of podcasting conference...

A lively “Show and Tell” episode of Podcast Super Friends, five podcast producers from across North America—Catherine O’Brien, Johnny Podcasts, Matt Cundill, Jon Gay (Jag), and David Yas—gather to share their latest insights, tools, and strategies for podcasting success. The group kicks off with a roundtable on podcasting hardware, comparing microphones like the Shure SM7B and the RØDECaster Duo, and offering practical advice for both new and seasoned podcasters. The conversation shifts to the...

Arielle Nissenblatt, founder of Earbuds Podcast Collective, discussed her journey from Squad Cast and Descript to her current role at Autoly, where she manages the Pinwheel project. She emphasized the importance of newsletters, recommending tools like Substack, Beehive, and MailChimp for email capture and engagement. Arielle highlighted the value of community feedback and collaboration, suggesting podcasters integrate marketing into their content. She also explored the use of AI for organizing t...

What is a podcast in 2025? We called in Rob Greenlee to provide insights into the evolving landscape of podcasting, focusing on the rise of video podcasting. He discusses how platforms like YouTube and Spotify are reshaping the industry, challenging traditional RSS-based distribution. We tried to land on the definition of a podcast, emphasizing content over distribution method. We talked metrics, monetization, and content creation for new podcasters. Rob highlighted the importance of personal b...

The Podcast Super Friends discussed the importance of and evaluating podcasts. We focused on technical quality, content, and promotion. Johnny got us started with microphones, managing echo, and maintaining consistent loudness levels (LUFS -15). For video, using high-quality cameras and proper lighting was emphasized. Jag shifted us over to content, stressing the importance of engaging introductions, avoiding overly long episodes, and asking hard questions respectfully. The friends were compli...

The SuperFriends dissect Edison Research's 2025 Infinite Dial, The Amplii Media and Coleman Insights' State of Video Podcasting study, and Jacobs Media's Tech Survey, revealing key insights into podcast consumption trends. The group explores the rising popularity of video podcasts, the dominance of platforms like YouTube and Spotify, and the evolving media landscape. Discover how Gen Z consumes content, why metadata matters, and the challenges podcasters face when transitioning to video. With c...

The podcast Super Friends discussed various insights and challenges in the podcasting industry. David Yas shared some stats from a recent stdy from Podmatch. Johnny Podcasts highlighted the smoke and mirrors of creating AI agents for efficient podcast production. Catherine O'Brien emphasized the value of email for direct audience engagement with what she learned from the latest Sounds Profitable piece along with Jar Audio. The group also discussed the challenges of copyright issues on platforms...

With David and Johnny away this week... something a little different this time around. Danny Brown is the Head of Podcaster Support & Experience at Captivate Audio. He joins as a guest Super Friend to share what he knows. The friends discuss the state of podcasting, including the use of live streaming platforms like Boomcaster, Descript and Riverside, and the challenges of adapting to new technologies like Spotify's video push. They also explore the importance of community management and the va...

The Podcast Superfriends bring in 2025 with an episode all about sounding better in 2025! Matt's idea for sounding better was thought to be about the hardware and the tools, but sounding great on a podcast is so much more. It's about how you organize your content, prepare for the show and all those little extras that David Yas always brings... sound effects. Catherine O'Brien springs a round of "What's Worse" on the Superfriends... as they try to figure out which bad sounding podcast habits are...

The podcast discussion covered various predictions for 2025 in the podcasting industry. Key points included the impact of politicians using podcasts to connect with voters, with mixed opinions on their effectiveness. The decline of mainstream media and the rise of local podcasts were debated, with a consensus that local podcasts are gaining traction. The conversation also touched on the integration of AI in podcasting, with concerns about authenticity and human connection. Subscription models an...

say Happy Halloween! David Yas highlighted the Descript app's features, including its stock sounds and multi-track exporting. Matt Cundill introduced Descript Rooms, a new beta tool for remote recording. Johnny Podcasts emphasized the importance of pre-recording checklists and suggested internal episodes during guest booking challenges. Catherine O'Brien noted the mainstreaming of podcasts in elections, citing unexpected guest appearances. Matt Cundill discussed alternatives to Chartable for dow...

The Podcast Superfriends discussed the significance of International Podcast Day and shared best practices in podcasting. David Yas highlighted the "Three Up, Three Down" segment from the Base Path Podcast, which engages guests in fun baseball-related questions. Johnny Podcasts shared insights on improving podcast engagement by shortening ad intros and using interactive elements. Matt Cundill highlighted a clip from the New Media Show featuring Adam Curry who says the opportunity in Podcastin...

The Podcast Superfriends discussed their origins at Podcast Movement, highlighting the conference's role in their networking. Matt and Jag were attendees at the show and had a very good dinner together with old radio friends. Overall, the friends discussed the importance of Podcast Movement - the likes and the dislikes. Were there really less creators at the event and is that a problem? Matt called out companies like Spotify and ESPN for not have booths on the Exhibit floor while companies like ...

The Superfriends discussed the challenges of monetizing podcasts in a downturn, with a focus on creating extra value for paid members. They shared insights on how to effectively monetize podcasts through advertising, including building relationships with advertisers and targeting the right audience. The speakers also explored the potential of podcast paywalls, their effectiveness, and the challenges of implementing them. Overall, the conversation highlighted the need for podcasters to diversify ...

Thinking of upgrading your podcast equipment? This episode, the Podcast Superfriends dissect the 2024 Podcast Equipment Survey. From debunking the Blue Yeti myth to the nuances of choosing between USB and XLR microphones, this episode is packed with actionable tips. Learn why audio interfaces are a game-changer and get to grips with the best recording software on the market. Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny - Straight Up Podcasts David - Boston Podcast Network Jon - JAG In Det...