⚠️ This is one of those episodes that needs to be shared with other podcasters. If this message hits home, please pass it along to other podcasters so they don't get scammed either ⚠️

We've reached a critical point in podcasting where AI episodes have infiltrated our landscape, leaving listeners to question what's real and creators to question what's next.

And on top of that, we have to deal with these GD spam bot scammers from various countries posing as "promoters" and "growth experts" trying to take control of our download metrics.

Chances are, by time you finish reading this sentence, a new one will have sent you a connection request on LinkedIn, bragging on high with the lowest of grammar skills how they're equipped to take your podcast to the next level.

It's time more awareness was brought to the stage about this bullshit, and I'm here today to do just that.

On Episode 97 of Podcasting Strategy Simplified, I'm taking my shot at these relentless spam services and sharing my thoughts on why they'll have a negative impact on your podcasting strategy (and results) if you let them into your world.

After you finish consuming this episode, you'll understand:

✅ Why these bots unfortunately exist (and why they're meaningless to your efforts)

✅ The greatest weapon you have at your disposal to fight back

✅ Reasons you can't be focused specifically on downloads (and when you focus on the right things, these scams become irrelevant to you)

✅ The REAL penalty that comes from falling victim to these scams (and the long-term impact it can have on your podcast)

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

It's time to answer another one of your burning questions about podcasting strategy!

The question on the table today: Why do some podcast episodes perform dramatically better than others?

The answer may not be what you expect.

Enjoy!

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

If adding a newsletter to your podcasting workflow is high on your to-do list, this is the episode you've been looking for.

A newsletter can play a significant role in your practices. IF you use it correctly and implement a strategy that makes it equally as impactful as your podcast itself.

In Episode 95 of Podcasting Strategy Simplified, I'm joined by Arielle Nissenblatt, Podcast Hall of Famer, Producer, Host, Consultant, and pretty much anything else you can think of related to podcasting.

Arielle is the brainchild behind The Earbuds Collective, The Podcast Plunge, and several other podcast resources that bring new layers of connection and discovery to podcasts across the globe.

Because Arielle is the foremost authority on leveraging a newsletter to amplify your podcast (and vice versa), I welcomed her to the show with open arms and the result was nothing short of a 60-minute masterclass in making the right moves with your podcast newsletter strategy.

After you consume this episode, you'll understand:

✅ Fundamental building blocks for creating an engaging newsletter people actually open, read, and share

✅ Why your newsletter needs to be more than just promoting this week's new episode

✅ Content strategies that captivate readers and draw them into your podcast

✅ Best practices for acquiring new readers for your newsletter

✅ Which platform is right for you (based on what you want your newsletter to accomplish)

Connect with Arielle on LinkedIn

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

The 3rd Annual Empowered Podcasting Conference is set to unfold Friday, August 21st thru Sunday, August 23rd, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric hotel in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina and YOU'RE INVITED to be part of the festivities!

So it's in that spirit the question on the table today is: Why should you buy a ticket to the Empowered Podcasting Conference?!

Smash that play button and get your answer!

Then, click to read our official press release on Podnews

Learn more, get your ticket, and use code EPCJASON20 to save 20%

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

I thought it was a narrative that was fading away, but I was wrong. It was only on a brief hiatus.

No, the podcast world is not oversaturated with podcasts. But yes, there are still people out there saying it is...maybe because they actually feel that way, but probably more so because they know it'll level up engagement on social media.

Either way, it's a blight on our space that isn't helping anyone. So allow me to add my two cents to the conversation...

Today, in Episode 94 of Podcasting Strategy Simplified, I'm sharing my thoughts on why I feel the podcast market will NEVER be saturated and why this medium will always have a home for your voice and message.

After consuming this episode, you'll understand:

✅ Why this over-saturation narrative never seems to go away (and why you need to do your part to ignore it)

✅ The real reason you can't let someone else's beliefs stop you from sharing your wisdom with your people

✅ Why podcasting is the prime stage to amplify your message (no matter how many podcasts exist in your niche)

✅ The mindset you need to have to truly succeed at podcasting (and how said mindset impacts your podcasting strategy)

You'll also be hungry for a burger after listening to this one, too. So, you know...bonus! 🍔

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

I'm back with another answer to a burning question! Today, the question is: Should my podcast be focused on education, entertainment, or authority building?

While it might seem like good business to focus on one, I believe there's a way to lean into all three.

Got a question you'd like featured (and answered) on a future episode? Send me a voice message via SpeakPipe and I'll make it happen!

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

Now hear this: NO ONE is turning off your podcast because you don't have enough downloads. So why do you get so consumed by this figure?!

The dreaded download number is a polarizing metric that often times throws new podcasters off their game, inadvertently making them feel like their show isn't good enough. Or, even worse, THEY aren't good enough as a host.

The big problem with the download metric is that its presented by most podcast hosts (and some podcast "gooroos") as THE most important number to track. But in reality, if you don't understand how to evaluate these stats, they become something that plays tricks with your mind and can cause you to lose focus on what's most important with your podcast's development.

In Episode 92 of Podcasting Strategy Simplified, I'm sharing my candid thoughts on download metrics and how you should utilize them in your podcasting plight.

After taking in this episode, you'll understand:

✅ Why you should wait AT LEAST six months before looking at your numbers when you launch your podcast

✅ How download metrics f*ck with your mind and how to overcome it

✅ What you should focus on instead of getting consumed by metrics and statistics

✅ The best way (and best time) to evaluate your download metrics so they become a useful tool

✅ The metric that matters most (and it has nothing to do with numbers)

RESOURCE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

On Episode 13 of my friend and fellow podcasting strategist's show Talking the Talk, her and guest Lori Pine share a take on download metrics you absolutely need to hear. Click here to listen now

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

Welcome to the first installment of a new series here on Podcasting Strategy Simplified!

Every Monday, I'm going to take five minutes to answer a frequently asked question in the podcast world. These questions will revolve around growth, monetization, skill development, and, of course, podcasting strategy.

I'll also be featuring questions sent in by you and other members of the Bomb Squad! Simply click on the SpeakPipe link below to submit your question to yours truly.

To kick things off, I'm providing my views on the popular question "Why isn't my podcast growing even though my content is good?"

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!