Are Podcast Chapters a good thing?

Most people would say "Of course they are".

Steve has reservations, mostly because chapters help listeners more easily skip ads, and that's not a good thing for clients who have ads in their show. However, Podcast Chapters are useful. And very cool...especially when you hear about what can be done with Chapter Images (see chapter #11 of this episode)!

In our conversation with Daniel J. Lewis, we talk through all the ins and outs of podcast chapters, their benefits, and how they can transform your client's show into a more interactive experience for your audience.

1. Podcast chapters enhance navigation and engagement
2. They allow for additional multimedia elements, enriching the listener experience
3. Properly structured chapters can improve retention and manage ad placements effectively

1. Daniel's Podcast Chapters tool: https://PodChapters.com
2. Episode about how to use Chapters on The Audacity to Podcast: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-and-how-to-use-podcast-chapters
3. JSON chapters: https://podcasting2.org/docs/podcast-namespace/tags/chapters
4. Daniel's Subscribe and Follow plugin for WordPress: *https://SteveStewart.me/subscribeandfollow
5. Daniel's Podgagement service for tracking podcast chart rankings and reviews *https://SteveStewart.me/podgagement

As Hall of Fame podcasting educator, advocate, and innovator, Daniel gives you the guts and teaches you the tools to start and grow your own podcasts for passion and P.R.O.F.I.T.

Daniel has been podcasting since 2007 and has created numerous resources for podcasting, such as hosting award-winning The Audacity to Podcast, he created the Podgagement service to help podcasters supercharge their podcast engagement, and co-founded International Podcast Day. Most recently, he created PodChapters.com for quick transcribing & chaptering podcast episodes. He's also deeply involved in helping innovate the podcasting industry through Podcasting 2.0.

Daniel has also hosted multiple award-nominated podcasts covering clean comedy, Christian critical thinking, and the #1 unofficial podcast for ABC's previous hit drama Once Upon a Time, and he continues as a cohost on The Future of Podcasting.

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We used Riverside to record and to create video shorts.

You didn't think I was going to use anything else for those awesome chapters, did...

There have been SIGNIFICANT changes in our industry this past year.

1. A.I. is being added to everything
2. Across-the-board price increases on the tools we use
3. The loss of Todd Cochrane and Niel Guillarte, plus the separation of some very influential people from the companies they helped build

Our panel of pros reflect on 2025, talk about how A.I. isn't making us undervalued, and we share predictions for Podcast Editors in 2026.

Our conversation with Pam Cameron, Jay Yow, and Chad Parizman highlights the need for podcast producers to adapt - and embrace - changes while maintaining the human touch in our work.

1. The landscape is changing with the rise of video podcasts
2. The industry is seeing a shift towards more professional production standards
3. AI has significantly improved post-production workflows
4. AI tools can enhance creativity rather than replace it
5. The future of podcasting may involve more partnerships with major media companies
6. The demand for multi-platform presence is increasing for podcasters
7. The podcast community needs to adapt to the changing landscape and embrace new technologies

1. BlogFox.ai for YouTube chapters
2. PodChapters.com, the new chaptering tool from Daniel J. Lewis
3. YouTube's branded video midrolls coming in 2026

Pam Cameron began as a freelance editor and now runs end-to-end production. She’s the full-time producer of Acquiring Minds.

Connect with her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-f-cameron

Jay Yow is an audio professional (for over 16 years) in both music and podcast production. He’s collaborated with the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Mike Myers, Mary Louise Parker, Dashboard Confessional, and The James Altucher Show.

Connect with Jay at https://www.jayyow.com

Chad Parizman provides Podcast Production and Strategy for brands and organizations. Connect with him at https://www.adercommunications.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Editor Academy

Jeremy Enns joins us to discuss observations from his Podcast Marketing Trends report that pertain to Podcast Editors, Podcast Managers, and anyone who helps podcasters grow their reach and audience.

Our conversation covers the balance between audio and video content, the challenges of monetization through sponsorships, and the significance of understanding client goals in podcast production. Jeremy shares valuable data on business models in podcasting and offers advice for production businesses to adapt to changing trends.

• Podcast marketing encompasses growing subscriber counts and retaining listeners
• Editing plays an important role in making podcasts engaging and marketable
• Video content is becoming more visual in the podcasting landscape
• Smaller shows tend to have higher growth rates compared to established ones
• Understanding client goals is essential for effective podcast production

• Jeremy's Marketing Survey: podcastmarketingtrends.com/survey
• Results from the 2025 Survey: podcastmarketingacademy.com/podcast-marketing-trends-report-2025
• Additional Results: Audio vs Video
• Podcast Marketing Trends Explained podcast: podlink.com/1725822754
• Jeremy Enns on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremy-enns

Jeremy Enns is the founder of Podcast Marketing Academy where he helps underdog creators and challenger brands punch above their weight by engineering scrappy, yet sophisticated podcast growth & revenue generation strategies and step-by-step marketing schematics.

He’s originally from the cold, barren Canadian Prairies but now lives in sunny Barcelona.

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We used Riverside to record, edit a "Video Lite" version, help source information for the show notes, and create video shorts for MARKETING THIS SHOW! 😄

We use Captivate to host the podcast. Captivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)

*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Editor Academy

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