If you’ve ever wondered why some podcasters seem to attract clients effortlessly while others feel like they’re shouting into the void, this conversation with Katie Brinkley is the one you want in your earbuds. Katie has been helping business owners turn podcasts into strategic assets for years, and in this episode she breaks down how you can use your show to build trust, shorten your sales cycle, and stop treating your podcast like a hobby that’s supposed to magically “go viral.”

We dig into why intention beats volume, why a clear “why” for your show changes everything, and how your podcast can become the core of your content system instead of one more thing you’re scrambling to promote. Katie also shares how long it really takes to see traction, what metrics actually matter, and how business owners can repurpose a single episode into newsletters, social posts, lead magnets, and more without burning out.

Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast or already knee-deep in episodes, this one will help you tighten your message, sharpen your strategy, and actually bring in better leads who already trust you before they ever get on a sales call.

• A focused podcast beats a busy one: Clear messaging, one strong takeaway, and intentional episode planning attract far better leads than publishing constantly without purpose.
• Your “why” drives everything: When you know the real reason your show exists, your guests, format, content, and CTAs all get sharper and more effective.
• Podcasting is a trust tool, not just a visibility tool: Listeners give you their full attention, and that connection speeds up the sales process dramatically.
• Success takes consistency, not virality: Most podcasters expect quick wins, but real traction comes from treating your show like a long-term business asset.
• Repurposing turns one episode into a full content system: Your podcast can fuel newsletters, social posts, lead magnets, marketing assets, and even books.
• Marketing your show matters more than you think: If people don’t know your podcast exists, they can’t listen. Discovery happens because of strategy, not luck.
• The Four-Post Strategy works beautifully for podcasters: Awareness, elaboration, community, and action posts help you promote each episode without burnout.

Katie Brinkley’s Website

• katiebrinkley.com
• Choose your own adventure: agency, podcast, newsletter, speaking, and more.

Katie's Podcasts

• youtube.com/@rockymountainmarketingpodcast
• youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Katie’s Social Media Book: The Social Shift

• katiebrinkley.com/book
• Her signature framework, including the Four-Post Strategy discussed in this episode.

Katie’s Podcast Masterclass

• katiebrinkley.live/jeff
• Learn to build a podcast with strategy, clarity, and a plan to grow your business.

The Unsinkable Conor Brown

• vacationkingdoms.com

If you’ve ever felt like podcasting is equal parts joy and chaos, you’re in good company. In this episode, I sit down with Darrell Darnell, the founder of Pro Podcast Solutions, to talk about what it actually takes to build a show that lasts. Darrell’s been producing podcasts since the early days, and he’s seen just about every possible mistake, burnout cycle, and “why am I doing this?” moment creators run into.

What I love about Darrell is that he’s built his entire career around making podcasting sustainable, not stressful. From fan-driven shows like Fringe and Stranger Things to deeply personal storytelling with Stuff I Learned Yesterday, he’s developed systems that keep creators focused, consistent, and connected to their audience without running themselves into the ground.

We get into the heart of it all: community, pillars, workflow, and why quality matters more than perfection. Whether you’re brand new or you’ve been at this for years, this conversation is a reminder that podcasting doesn’t have to take over your life. It really can be something you enjoy week after week… as long as you approach it with the right mindset and a solid foundation.

• Consistency always wins. Your publishing rhythm trains your audience. Stick to a schedule they can rely on.
• Community keeps podcasts alive. Darrell built long-lasting shows by treating listeners like real people, not download numbers.
• Content pillars prevent burnout. Defining 3–4 themes gives you endless episode ideas and simplifies planning.
• You don’t need a “perfect” launch. Disneyland had a disastrous opening day and turned out fine. Same idea here.
• Let your audience guide your format. Episode length, structure, and segment ideas become obvious when you actually ask (and watch your analytics).
• Fan-based shows live and die with the source material. If you’re podcasting about a TV series or franchise, expect to shift gears when the show ends.
• Your unique angle matters. Darrell’s early success came from having a dedicated science expert on a sci-fi podcast—find the thing that sets you apart.
• Your purpose powers longevity. When things get tough, the “why” behind your show is what keeps you going.
• Great production doesn’t have to be complicated. A few smart tools can elevate your audio without requiring hours of editing.

• Pro Podcast Solutions – Foundation Toolkit: https://propodcastsolutions.com/creator (Darrell’s free planning guide + spreadsheet he mentioned during the episode)
• Pro Podcast Solutions: https://propodcastsolutions.com
• Darrell’s Podcasts on Golden Spiral Media: https://goldenspiralmedia.com (It's a great time to binge The Stranger Things Podcast before season 5 comes out!)

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Search is changing fast. We’re no longer just writing for algorithms; we’re writing for AI. This week, I’m joined by Brian Piper, co-author of Epic Content Marketing and Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester, to talk about how discoverability works in the age of AI.

Brian breaks down how search results are shifting toward AI answers and virtual assistants, what “AEO” (Answer Engine Optimization) means for creators, and why the days of relying solely on keywords and backlinks are behind us. We dig into how brands and creators can build real authority, the growing role of human experience, and what it takes to stay visible when algorithms are doing the curating.

If you’re creating content and wondering why views or traffic look different lately, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening, what’s coming next, and how to adapt without burning out or chasing every new trend.

• Think beyond Google: ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are shaping the next generation of discovery, make sure your content lives where they pull from.
• Don’t block AI crawlers: Brian compared it to blocking Google. If AI tools can’t crawl your site, your content won’t appear in their answers or citations.
• Focus on trust and authority: Experience, expertise, and credibility (E-E-A-T) matter more than ever. AI tends to favor content from proven, trustworthy voices.
• Use AI for data and gap analysis: Let AI analyze your content performance and surface opportunities you might miss, from untapped questions to new topic clusters.
• Keep humans in the loop: AI is great at summarizing, but humans create the fresh ideas that move things forward.
• Diversify your discoverability: AI pulls from everywhere, social, blogs, video, and podcasts, so focus on visibility across platforms rather than ranking on one.

• Brian Piper: brianwpiper.com
• Book: Epic Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi and Brian Piper
• Brian's Podcast: AI for U
• Follow Brian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper
• Schema.org

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