Episode 556 - Starting An Interview Podcast, PodMatch, Having Banked Episodes with Guest CO-HOST Noah May - Lethal Venom Podcast

Dave hosts a candid conversation with Noah May, the voice behind Lethal Venom, a “true telling” podcast that folds storytelling, vulnerability, and a kaleidoscope of guest backgrounds into a casual, talk-show format. Noah walks listeners through the podcast’s origins, the long four-year journey from idea to launch, and the practical realities of making a show that’s both honest and engaging.

He traces the show’s beginning from a simple, DIY setup inspired by a guest’s backdrop, to a monthly visual refresh and a decision to keep the camera locked in front of him for a natural, on-camera presence. Lethal Venom is characterized by spontaneity and openness: past episodes feature medical professionals, law enforcement and first responders, mental health professionals, filmmakers, writers, and even a survivor of intense abuse, underscoring the show’s hallmark: diverse, unfiltered storytelling.

Noah emphasizes the non-linear path to success in podcasting. He recounts starting without a roadmap during the pandemic, discovering Anchor (later rebranded as Spotify for Creators) and later building a production routine through college courses, a pitched concept born in a class, and iterative experimentation with format, pacing, and guests. He stresses that podcasting is not easy or quick; it requires editing, promotion, show descriptions, scheduling, and distributing to multiple platforms. Yet he urges potential podcasters to pursue ideas regardless of early traction, focusing on making meaningful work even if initial listener counts are modest.

The interview delves into guest acquisition and growth: PodMatch is highlighted as a primary resource for finding guests and growing a network of show appearances. Noah shares tips for professional, authentic outreach—customized emails with a genuine voice, avoiding robotic templates. He reflects on the value of balance between solo episodes and interviews, aiming for a future mix that keeps the show dynamic.

Noah reflects on favorite moments and guests—ranging from a survivor of child abuse whose episode was incredibly moving, to a young filmmaker celebrating a sold-out premiere, to a voice actress from Charlie Brown. These stories illustrate Noah’s appetite for raw, impactful conversations and the joy of hosting a show that embraces surprise and variety.

Looking ahead, Noah discusses goals like diversifying sponsorships, adding video elements to complement audio, attending networking events and industry gatherings, and exploring in-person collaboration opportunities (even joking about a podcaster cruise). He acknowledges the practical unmet needs in monetization and platform presence, while cherishing the freedom of a one-man show that evolves at its own pace.

Key takeaway: Lethal Venom thrives on fearless storytelling across a mosaic of backgrounds, built through patience, ongoing learning, and a relentless commitment to authenticity—the kind of podcasting that grows one genuine conversation at a time, even when success isn’t immediate.

Where to listen: Lethal Venom is available on major platforms (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Pandora, Audible).

https://linktr.ee/noahspodcast

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Episode 555 - How Podcasters Can See Better Results on YouTube Despite What the Gurus Say

In this episode of The How To Podcast Series, Dave wraps up his unofficial YouTube mini-series by tackling one of the most heated debates in podcasting: whether podcasts truly belong on YouTube. While “gurus” and traditionalists argue that YouTube is not a real podcast platform, Dave takes a more pragmatic view. His philosophy is simple—go where your audience already is.

Dave challenges the notion that video is a strict requirement for success on YouTube. Through his experience managing multiple shows, including Living the Next Chapter, he demonstrates how pure audio content can thrive on the platform. With over 2,500 watch hours for audio-only episodes, Dave proves that listener habits on YouTube often resemble traditional podcast listening. Many users play episodes in the background, engaging without watching at all.

The episode explores practical approaches for podcasters reluctant to dive fully into the video realm. Dave walks through how to start small by connecting your RSS feed to YouTube or manually uploading each episode. From playlists to thumbnails and end cards, he shares how even lightweight engagement strategies can give audio creators access to YouTube’s massive audience. His personal workflow illustrates how podcasters can repurpose their existing episodes to release early content, build anticipation, and sustain audience growth—all without expensive gear or editing requirements.

But Dave also cautions against full dependence on any one platform. While YouTube offers valuable exposure, it remains a space you don’t own. Losing access or running afoul of its policies can threaten your work, which is why maintaining an RSS feed and diversifying distribution across multiple platforms remains essential.

A hallmark of Dave’s message is his invitation to balance authenticity, practicality, and effort. He encourages podcasters to experiment with breaking down longer episodes into shorter YouTube-friendly segments, refining intros that capture attention quickly, and aligning content with audience behavior. Ultimately, it’s not about choosing between being a “YouTuber” or a “podcaster,” but rather embracing both identities to meet listeners wherever they gather.

In his closing reflection, Dave urges creators to focus on genuine engagement with their small, early listener base. Forget imaginary audience “avatars”—real people are already listening. By reaching out, listening back, and building community with those first few supporters, podcasters set the foundation for lasting growth.

Key takeaway: Being present where your audience spends time—whether YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or TikTok—is more valuable than perfection. You don’t need fancy video production or approval from podcast purists. Just show up, share consistently, and serve your listeners well.
____

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Episode 554 - The YouTube Podcaster’s Playbook - Keep People Watching Longer

The YouTube Podcaster's Playbook: Keep People Watching Longer

In this episode of the How to Podcast series, host Dave dives into the evolving relationship between podcasting and YouTube, challenging the podcast purists who dismiss video platforms. He argues that while RSS feeds remain essential for true audio podcasting—offering distribution freedom and cancellation-proof hosting—a massive audience lives on YouTube. Ignoring it means missing growth opportunities in 2026, especially as listeners and viewers blend into one engaged group. Dave shares his balanced perspective: love for audio-first podcasting but recognition of YouTube's value, urging creators to start with baby steps like RSS-connected uploads that automatically push episodes to the platform.

Building on prior discussions about thumbnails and playlists, Dave explores "bolt-on" YouTube Studio tools to boost engagement and retention. Cards pop up mid-video as clickable prompts—link to the next episode, a themed playlist like "YouTube for Podcasters," or polls for audience input on future topics. Time them at natural transitions post-insight to guide without overwhelming. End screens activate in the final moments, featuring subscribe buttons, next-episode links, related guest interviews, or evergreen resources. Keep them clean: one primary call-to-action (CTA) reinforced in audio, with visuals avoiding guest faces for polish. Playlists organize content by season, topic, or guest, enabling autoplay binges—feature fresh episodes at the top with consistent naming.

Dave stresses channel customization: craft a trailer pitching your show's premise and playlists to newcomers; spotlight featured videos for return visitors; add subtle watermarks for branding consistency across your ecosystem (website, socials). Enhance accessibility with subtitles for searchability, chapter markers via tools like BlogFox II for topic-skipping, and the Community tab for polls, teasers, and guest interactions in comments. Descriptions should brand clearly—one-line value prop, episode hook with guest creds and date, topic bullets, timestamps, CTAs (subscribe, resources), and clickable links to guests/books/sites—avoiding guru funnels that ignore featured talent.

Practical tips include interlinked paths (primary playlist CTA, secondary comments/subscribe), 15-second hooks, mid-roll cards at transitions, regular posting, guest tagging, and cross-promotion (Substack to YouTube links). Monitor retention rates as your key metric—compare YouTube vs. audio performance for content insights, adding end-episode bonuses to extend watch time.

Key Takeaway: Meet your audience where they are—embrace YouTube alongside RSS to direct traffic back to your world, using cards, endscreens, and playlists to turn passive listeners into loyal bingers. Test, measure retention, and iterate without guru dogma.

https://blogfox.ai/

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Episode 553 - Podcast Thumbnails That Convert - Branding, Hooks, No Clickbait for Your Next Podcast Episode

YouTube thumbnails are the front door to your podcast episodes, especially as video podcasts explode in popularity. Podcasters who nail thumbnails see higher click-through rates and loyal audiences that return because the visuals match the promised value. Focus on consistency, curiosity without deception, and designs that scale across devices.

Consistent Branding

Build recognition with a signature style that screams "your show." Use the same color palette (e.g., bold primaries for energy or muted tones for thoughtful chats), fonts (sans-serif for readability), and logo placement (top corner or subtle watermark). For podcasters, include your face or mic setup in every thumbnail to humanize the brand—viewers connect with hosts, not just topics. Test 3-5 templates like split-screen for interviews or rule-of-thirds for solo rants, ensuring they work tiny on mobile.​​

Clickable Elements

Thumbnails must stop scrolls in 1-2 seconds amid millions of videos. Prioritize high-contrast faces with exaggerated emotions (shock, joy, intrigue) pulling viewers in—human brains are wired for them. Add 3-5 bold words like "AI Killed My Job?" or guest names in huge, readable font overlaying a relevant image (episode screenshot or graphic). Use layouts like central focus (face + hook text) or asymmetrical energy for dynamic shows. High contrast (bright text on dark backgrounds) and negative space ensure clarity at small sizes.​​

Avoid Clickbait Traps

Clickbait erodes trust: thumbnails promising "Shocking Twist!" must deliver in the first 30 seconds, or viewers bounce and YouTube penalizes retention. Match visuals to content—a surprised face for real surprises, not filler talk. Titles should intrigue honestly: "Why Dads Feel Alone (And How to Fix It)" pairs with a thoughtful host expression, not fake drama. Track CTR in YouTube Analytics and A/B test to refine what converts without misleading.​​

Podcasters benefit most by treating thumbnails as episode teasers: they build a visual feed that feels premium and bingeable, turning casual clicks into subscribers.

Key takeaway: Great thumbnails blend your brand's consistency with emotional hooks that truthfully preview value, fostering audience love through reliability, not tricks

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Episode 552 - Build Podcast Playlists That YouTube Loves And That Listeners Can't Quit

Playlists can quietly double the impact of a YouTube podcast when they are treated as part of the show design, not an afterthought. For podcasters, the goal is to make it effortless for a viewer to press play once and then keep watching or listening in sequence1. Use a dedicated podcast playlist

YouTube treats a podcast as a playlist, so every show should have one clearly labeled, dedicated playlist that contains only full episodes. Give it the exact show title plus a few keywords (for examplexample: “Dad Space Podcast for Dads | Fatherhood, Parenting, Mental Health”) so it is obvious to both humans and search.​

• Avoid generic playlist names like “Episodes” or “Season 1”; they do nothing for discovery.​

• Put this playlist front and center on your channel home so new visitors know exactly where to start.

2. Order and structure for binge listening

Think of your main playlist as your “box set.” The order and internal links should encourage viewers to keep going.​

• For narrative or highly sequential shows, sort the playlist “oldest first” so people naturally start at episode 1.​

• For topical shows, you can keep “newest first,” but always make sure each episode’s end screen points to the next logical episode or the master playlist.​

• Add chapters and clear titles so viewers can jump within an episode without leaving the playlist.
  3. Optimize every episode inside the playlist

  Playlists boost session watch time, but only if each video is optimized to get the click and hold attention.​

• Use strong, benefit-driven titles (around 70 characters) and consistent, recognizable thumbnails that signal “this is the same show.”​

• Write search‑friendly descriptions with key topics, timestamps, and links to your audio feeds or website; this helps both YouTube search and Google.​

• Enable captions or upload transcripts to give YouTube more text to index and to improve accessibility.
  4. Create supporting playlists for discovery paths

  Beyond your main “podcast playlist,” build smaller themed playlists that group episodes by topic or audience.​

• Examples: “Podcasting Gear & Tech,” “Mindset for Creators,” “Live Q&A Replays.”

• Add each episode to the main podcast playlist plus one or two relevant topical playlists to create multiple entry points into your catalog.​

• Use these supporting playlists as links in descriptions, end screens, and pinned comments to funnel viewers deeper into related content.
  5. Tie playlists into Shorts and community

  For podcasters, playlists are the destination; Shorts and community posts are on‑ramps.​​

  • Turn key moments into Shorts and always link the full episode or main playlist in the caption and end screen.

  • Use pinned comments on long episodes: ask a question, pin your own answer, and link to the main playlist or a “best first episode” playlist.

  • Share new or refreshed playlists in community posts when you hit milestones (“Start here if you’re new to the show”).

  Key takeaway: Treat playlists like curated series, not storage bins. When your main podcast playlist is clearly branded, well‑ordered, and supported by topical playlists, Shorts, and smart linking, you turn one casual view into a multi‑episode listening session that grows both watch time and loyal subscribers____Helping Podcasters Everyday!

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Episode 551 - Podcast Hosting Site Showdown - Captivate.fm versus Transistor.fm

In this episode of the How to Podcast Series, Dave dives into a head-to-head comparison of two top podcast hosting platforms: Captivate.fm and Transistor.fm. Perfect for new podcasters choosing their first host or veterans considering a switch, Dave breaks down what each offers, highlighting similarities, standout features, and key differences to help you decide based on your goals and budget. He emphasizes that while free options like Spotify for Creators exist for starters, paid hosts like these provide superior tools, ownership of your RSS feed, and centralized analytics dashboards that track performance across directories after a single upload.

Dave positions Captivate as the growth-oriented choice, packed with marketing tools like promo links, playlists, email integrations, dynamic ad support, and a one-click sponsor kit, all included on every plan alongside unlimited episodes, team members, private feeds, and network analytics. It's ideal for solo creators scaling up, teams collaborating, or those building podcast networks, with multiple shows under one affordable plan. Transistor shines for simplicity and reliability, offering a clean interface, strong multi-show support, excellent analytics, and robust private podcasting for brands, agencies, or internal use. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Riverside but keeps features leaner, avoiding an all-in-one overload.

Pricing for both revolves around monthly download limits with annual discounts and flexible overage handling, though Captivate unlocks advanced features from entry level while Transistor reserves some for higher tiers. Dave notes Captivate's UK base (with Canadian ties) and Transistor's Canadian roots, advising podcasters to pick based on long-term needs: Captivate for marketing firepower, Transistor for streamlined networks. He calls it a tie overall, reminding listeners that no host grows your show, your content and consistency do.

Dave wraps with his standard call for Buy Me a Coffee support and a bonus rant: contact your host's support team before venting on Facebook groups, armed with specifics for faster fixes.

Key Takeaway:
Choose Captivate for growth tools or Transistor for simple analytics; prioritize your podcast's future needs over hype, and always own your RSS feed for true control.

https://www.captivate.fm/https://transistor.fm/

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Episode 550 - We Are Doing More Than Capturing a Recording, We Are Making A Podcast A Show

This is an episode from my other podcast about podcasting - The Podcast Editor and Support Show - lots of great info for every podcaster and a taste of my other show if you need more podcast content about podcasting!

A “show” feels intentional, repeatable, and audience‑focused, not like a raw brain dump. At minimum it needs a clear structure, defined segments, and moments that signal “where we are” in the journey for the listener.

Core show structure

• Framing intro: A tight hook, who the episode is for, and what they’ll get by the end (problem → promise).​
• Clear “acts”: Beginning (set up the problem), middle (explore/teach), end (tie it together and next step), so listeners always feel forward motion.​
• Intentional outro: Recap 2–3 key takeaways and one explicit call to action (subscribe, implement, send a question, etc.

Segments and “beats”

• Recurring segments (e.g., “Client Clip of the Week,” “Coaching Corner,” “Big Mistake/Better Way”) create familiar beats that listeners anticipate.​
• Planned transitions and “reset” moments (music sting, quick summary, new question) keep episodes from feeling like one long undifferentiated monologue.​
• Open loops (teasing a later story or tip early on) and closing those loops later give the episode a sense of payoff instead of drift

Pacing and focus

• Start strong: hit the most interesting story, pain point, or result in the first minute to earn attention, especially in coaching/education shows.​
• Stay on one clear promise per episode; tangents only stay if they serve that promise or deepen the main story.​
• Use summaries every 10–15 minutes (“So far we’ve covered…”) as mile markers so new or distracted listeners can re‑orient

Host role and audience awareness

• Define who the listener is and speak to that one person; this prevents the “who is this for?” feeling and helps shape examples and language.​
• As host, act like a guide: you open the loop, signal segment changes, keep answers tight, and pull guests back to the main question when they wander.​
• Script the first 60–90 seconds and your CTA, then use bullet‑point prompts for the rest so it stays structured but natural

Production choices that signal “show”

• Consistent intro and outro music, plus short musical bumpers or stings between segments, make it feel like a produced program rather than a raw file.​
• Standard episode length range and format (e.g., “30‑minute coaching breakdown with 3 segments”) trains listeners what to expect and when.​
• Repeatable episode template (outline, segment order, CTA slot) makes it easier to coach clients: you’re plugging their content into a proven show skeleton, not just hitting Record.

___

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Episode 549 - Bad Advice From Podcasts About Podcasting Shows and Creating Music with Suno

You’ve seen them everywhere — the self-proclaimed podcast “gurus,” YouTube “experts,” and LinkedIn thought-leaders who swear they’ve cracked the code to instant podcast fame. Apparently, all it takes is their seven-step system, eight-hour course, and a small monthly fee. But let’s be honest — not all advice is created equal. Some of it belongs in the “please stop talking” category.

So today, we’re debunking four of the worst pieces of podcast advice floating around the internet and swapping them for smarter, reality-based strategies that actually work in 2026.Bad Advice: “You need expensive gear before you start.”

Why it’s bad: This gem keeps more people stuck than bad Wi-Fi. New podcasters convince themselves they can’t hit record until they own a studio full of blinking lights and knobs they don’t even know how to use.
Better advice: Start with what you’ve got — your phone, laptop mic, or that dusty USB mic from 2012. Record in a quiet room, slap on some basic editing, and go. Listeners care about your message, not your hardware. You can always upgrade once fans are sending you fan mail and sponsorship offers for coffee money.

Bad Advice: “You must niche down or you’ll never grow.”

Why it’s bad: This one’s basically creative claustrophobia. Locking yourself into a micro-topic too early can make you sound like a robot trapped in your own podcast description.
Better advice: Start wide enough to explore. Talk about what excites you and pay attention to what your listeners respond to — that’s your real niche. Authentic passion beats forced “strategy” every time.

Bad Advice: “Video podcasts are the only way to grow.”

Why it’s bad: Not everyone needs to turn their recording into a TED Talk with ring lights. Plenty of legendary podcasts thrive on pure audio. Your listeners are folding laundry and walking dogs — not staring at your face for an hour.
Better advice: Use video smartly, not constantly. A short clip, a fun behind-the-scenes moment, or a teaser reel can grab attention. But don’t think you need a full-blown TV studio to be successful. Unless your cat co-host demands it.

Bad Advice: “If you build it, listeners will come.”

Why it’s bad: The “Field of Dreams” approach died with dial-up internet. Great content means nothing if no one knows it exists. Your podcast is not a secret society.
Better advice: You’ve got to tell people about it! Share clips on social media, swap guest spots, send emails, join communities, and be proud of what you’re making. Visibility isn’t vanity — it’s survival. Record boldly, but promote just as hard.

Every podcaster’s journey is different. Growth isn’t algebra; it’s trial, error, and persistence. So before you let any “expert” tell you there’s only one right way to podcast, remember this: the only formula that works is the one you can actually stick with. Podcasting isn’t a competition — it’s a conversation.Stick around to the end to hear the Suno.com song about bad podcast gurus - hope it makes you smile!

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