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Podtalk

Podtalk

De: Craig Constantine
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 Hello, I'm Craig Constantine. This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are not just about podcasting, because I like to take the scenic route. In each episode, I talk with indie podcasters about their shows, experiences, what they've learned, what motivates them, and… well, everything related to podcasting from the indie creator's point of view. I hope these episodes spark ideas and conversations for you, and lead to new ways of looking at this wonderful art of podcasting.2025 UmbrellaCAST LLC Ciencias Sociales
Episodios
  • Connection with Lindsay McMahon

    Connection with Lindsay McMahon
    Jun 17 2025
    How does a podcast serving millions still make each listener feel personally connected? Discover why “connection, not perfection” became the north star for one of the world’s most-listened-to language shows. [Do you ever freak-out thinking about 200,000 people listening?] "I think that our vision of the human connection is still so strong inside me, that I think about that. I think about that listener who might feel isolated right now because of language. They're either living in the US and they're struggling to get connected in their community, or they're on a call from Japan to New York and they're cringing because they think they just said the wrong thing and they're not building the business relationship." ~ Lindsay McMahon (19:00) This conversation with Lindsay McMahon explores the strategic structure and guiding values behind one of the most successful podcasts for English language learners. Lindsay discusses how the show’s consistency in structure, length, and tone builds trust and supports learning. The format was intentionally designed from the beginning, and every episode follows a clear template. The recurring message, “connection, not perfection,” drives the brand and resonates deeply with listeners around the world. The show targets global English learners, particularly professionals, and publishes five days a week, delivering a sense of reliability and approachability. Lindsay shares her team-building strategy, including how co-hosts are hired, trained, and retained. She emphasizes treating podcasting as a business (for example, offering benefits like 401(k) matching), which contributes to long-term team cohesion. The show’s monetization model is also discussed, covering courses, sponsorships, licensing, and Apple+ subscriptions. The team uses lead magnets (like quizzes), and consistent calls to action are embedded in every episode. Additional topics include burnout, managing production buffers, and ambitions to expand into live events and podcast coaching. Takeaways Designing a consistent episode format — A deliberate structure supports language learning and creates a predictable listener experience. “Connection, not perfection” as a guiding principle — Prioritizing human connection over grammatical precision challenges traditional language instruction. Podcasting as a business, not a hobby — Hiring co-hosts as paid team members ensures accountability and long-term consistency. Lead magnets drive engagement — Quizzes are particularly effective at converting listeners into email subscribers. Outlining instead of scripting — Episodes are outlined with teaching goals but intentionally unscripted to maintain spontaneity. Batch recording and long buffers — Maintaining a three-week content buffer ensures uninterrupted delivery despite emergencies. Burnout isn't hypothetical — High-stress periods, like losing a team member, can lead to physical consequences and force reevaluation. Team chemistry matters — Rapport between co-hosts is essential and carefully considered during hiring. Being contrarian creates distinction — Challenging industry norms, like overemphasis on perfection, helps define a unique brand identity. Listener-first thinking — Constant attention is paid to whether the listener is engaged and whether the show is truly serving their needs. Video is a distribution channel, not a core product — Repurposing podcast audio for YouTube helps reach wider audiences without diluting focus. Podcasting isn’t the business — The podcast functions as the top of a funnel for a multifaceted language education company. Seasons don’t make sense for some formats — A continuous delivery model supports learners' expectations and needs. In-person events are powerful but resource-heavy — Listener meetups provide deep engagement but require significant logistics. Launching early provided advantage — Entering the English-as-second-language podcast market in 2013 gave a head start with less competition. Resources All Ears English — Main site for the language-learning podcast and its related offerings. All Ears English YouTube Channel — Video recordings of podcast episodes for additional reach. Apple Podcasts: All Ears English — To listen, but also if you want to see what they're doing with Apple+ subscriptions and how that shows up in the Apple player. Business English from All Ears English — One of the brand's additional podcasts focused on business-specific English learning. IELTS Energy Podcast — Show for students preparing for the IELTS exam, also under the All Ears English brand. OptinMonster — Tool mentioned for generating email opt-ins from website traffic. Podcast Movement — Mentioned as the location (at the 2024 event in London) of recent discussions on the future of video in podcasting. (Written with help from Chat-GPT.) --- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine. This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are...
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    40 m
  • Faith with Cassian Bellino

    Faith with Cassian Bellino
    Jun 12 2025
    What happens when faith, logic, and vulnerability collide in a personal search for truth? Cassian Bellino has turned personal doubt into a public quest for answers interviewing scholars about Christianity. "I think just, over time, you really understand that God invites these questions because He doesn't want us to live blindly or have blind faith." ~ Cassian Bellino (36:55) The conversation explores the origin and evolution of Cassian's podcast, Biblically Speaking, focused on asking scholars direct, often difficult questions about Christianity. It begins with her internal conflict—wanting to live as a Christian while not fully understanding or agreeing with the faith—and follows her decision to start a podcast to resolve those doubts through dialogue. Cassian's podcast is a place for intellectual exploration, built from personal curiosity and a desire for logical clarity rather than blind faith. The discussion touches on content strategy, emotional challenges, and the mechanics of sustaining a solo creative endeavor. Cassian recounts her journey through building community platforms, hiring coaches, learning software systems, and dealing with burnout. Marketing, guest outreach, and pre-call preparation processes are shared in detail, alongside reflections on episodes that felt like failures but later proved meaningful to listeners. Throughout, the conversation centers on the power of asking questions and trusting intuition to guide the creative process. Takeaways Starting with doubt — A podcast was born from unresolved questions about faith and a desire for logical understanding. Living authentically — The tension between personal beliefs and behavior pushed a transformation toward integrity. Faith as inquiry — Rather than blind acceptance, the creator invites and pursues questions to deepen belief. Community encouragement — Support from family and friends played a pivotal role in catalyzing the podcast's launch. No formal training — The project began without vision, planning, or marketing infrastructure, yet succeeded organically. Scholarly access — Professors were invited via public contact information, creating opportunities for deep conversations. Iterative development — The podcast and related projects grew through trial, error, and continuous refinement. Strategic pivoting — Several initiatives were launched and later shut down based on response and sustainability. Emotional cycles — Creative highs and lows are acknowledged as normal and are met with grace and reflection. Guest preparation — Pre-calls, topic selection, and clear expectations ensure productive and respectful interviews. Mismatch recovery — A seemingly misaligned episode later proved invaluable to a listener, showing the value of publishing anyway. Platform building — Tools like Go High Level, automated funnels, and lead magnets were adopted through hands-on experience. Future expansion — Plans include more complex episodes with multiple guests and potential sponsorship monetization. Audience insights — The content resonates strongly with stay-at-home mothers and reflective older men. Constructive doubt — A major theme is that God welcomes questions and wants people to understand their faith deeply. Resources bibspeak.com — The Biblically Speaking podcast's official website, with guides and merchandise for its audience. @thisisbiblicallyspeaking — Instagram @thisisbiblicallyspeaking (TikTok) — TikTok Biblically Speaking Podcast — YouTube Go High Level — Platform used for building funnels, automating email, and managing community outreach. intro.co — Platform used to connect with podcasting coaches and mentors. testimonial.to — Tool for collecting and displaying user testimonials. The Hansel and Gretel Code — Curtis Cates's podcast mentioned by Craig that explores intuitive storytelling (particularly episode 31, The Power of Plan B.) David Wasicki — Podcast coach mentioned by Cassian, who provided guidance on branding and emotional support. (Written with help from Chat-GPT.) --- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine. This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are not just about podcasting, because I like to take the scenic route. In each episode, I talk with podcasters about their shows, experiences, what they've learned, what motivates them, and… well, pretty much everything related to podcasting from the indie creator's point of view. I hope these episodes spark ideas and conversations for you, and lead to new ways of looking at this wonderful art of podcasting. If you like Podtalk, you'll love the Podcaster Community, https://podcaster.community/ I appreciate your time and attention, and I don't take it for granted. --- Thank you! My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. This podcast is just one of the things I do in service of my mission. Drop by my website https://craigconstantine.com/ for my weekly email, my ...
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    43 m
  • Engagement with Vince Quinn

    Engagement with Vince Quinn
    May 20 2025
    What does it really mean to be an effective podcast host? Good podcasts succeed by focusing on engagement, not biography. "[…] everybody loves podcasting and talks about their podcast constantly, and yet never talks about hosting— how can I be a better host?" ~ Vince Quinn (2:00) This conversation with Vince Quinn focuses on the role of hosting in podcasting, emphasizing that many podcasters neglect to develop hosting as a craft. The discussion contrasts how people obsess over gear or downloads but rarely consider how to become better hosts. A strong host is seen as fundamental to a good show—someone who prepares, guides the conversation, and stays aware of pacing, clarity, and energy. The act of listening back to one's own show is framed as a vital method of improving, not just through passive review but through strategic reflection on structure, tone, and listener engagement. Vince and Craig also discuss common pet peeves in podcasting, such as hosts who aren't prepared or who rely on generic question lists. They stress that shows should begin with engaging topics, not guest biographies, and that silence and space are useful tools for dynamic audio. Another significant topic is the use of LinkedIn and other platforms not just for promotion but for building real, reciprocal connections. The conversation closes with reflections on using podcasts as core drivers of content strategy for small businesses, suggesting that most podcasters follow flawed blueprints and should instead focus on clarity of purpose and realistic goals. Takeaways Hosting as the core skill — Hosting is the defining feature of a podcast and is rarely given the attention it deserves. Listening back with purpose — Reviewing episodes is essential for improvement, especially when done with detachment and intention. Preparation makes a difference — Being prepared with guest-specific context creates a better experience for both guest and audience. Avoiding biography overload — Starting episodes with long guest bios wastes listener attention and can be a major turnoff. Letting guests lead — Asking neutral, open-ended questions enables guests to share authentic experiences without emotional projection. Using space intentionally — Strategic use of silence can enhance tension, rhythm, and storytelling in audio. Engaging social media mindfully — LinkedIn and other platforms can be used effectively to build strategic business relationships. Avoiding generic questions — Personalized, thoughtful prompts are more engaging than standard interview scripts. Choosing the right content blueprint — Most podcasters imitate high-profile shows without realistic alignment to their own goals. Using podcasting for business — Podcasts can drive content strategy, relationship-building, and lead generation for service-based businesses. Maximizing limited resources — Bootstrapped creators can use a podcast to generate multi-purpose content across platforms efficiently. Clarity of purpose — Defining success and setting short-term goals are crucial for keeping podcast production focused and meaningful. Resources SBX Productions — Vince Quinn's business providing podcast production services. Vince's free 30-minute consultations — To help creators improve their shows. Vince on LinkedIn It's Not "Just Talking" — Vince's podcast (Written with help from Chat-GPT.) --- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine. This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are not just about podcasting, because I like to take the scenic route. In each episode, I talk with podcasters about their shows, experiences, what they've learned, what motivates them, and… well, pretty much everything related to podcasting from the indie creator's point of view. I hope these episodes spark ideas and conversations for you, and lead to new ways of looking at this wonderful art of podcasting. If you like Podtalk, you'll love the Podcaster Community, https://podcaster.community/ I appreciate your time and attention, and I don't take it for granted. --- Thank you! My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. This podcast is just one of the things I do in service of my mission. Drop by my website https://craigconstantine.com/ for my weekly email, my other podcasts, writing and more. https://ko-fi.com/craigconstantine — If you like what I’m doing, please support me via Ko-Fi. (I like Ko-Fi because they don’t take a slice from the money you contribute.) ɕ
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    46 m
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