Embrace the Enemy (Insider 231)
Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Release Date: 05/20/2025
Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
What really makes a podcast guest great (and why it's not just about filling out forms, sharing tips, or being a great speaker) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Your story’s impact: would your audience miss you? Does vulnerability really trump selling in interviews? The secrets behind unforgettable guest energy Famous guests: does likability even matter? Reinvent your story? Or bore with “greatest hits”? The red light effect: overcoming instant stage fright Celebrity interviews: don’t expect a glowing review Why You Should Listen The...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Want to know what really makes a podcast host great? David Hooper breaks down the secrets to setting the space, guiding guests, and running unforgettable interviews in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode The truth about co-author interviews Guests that kill episode momentum How big-name guests hog all attention Insider secrets for making podcast guests shine Why publicists ruin unforgettable interviews Good hosts aren’t born, they’re made Why You Should Listen The secret weapon to making your podcast unforgettable (even your mom will brag about...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Why spending big money on ads, chasing viral fame, or following every new platform isn’t the answer (and what really builds a podcast audience that matters) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Luck, ads, or fame: podcast growth myths exposed Viral moments: why fame doesn’t equal loyalty $15,000 spent, only 178 downloads ... now what? Famous parents, forgotten children Coaches promising millions Build longing: make a podcast worth missing Small hinges, big doors Why You Should Listen How podcasters burn thousands on ads Why “famous”...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
After nearly 700 episodes, David Hooper made the bold decision to change this podcast's name. Why he did it, how it impacts his listeners, and what you should consider before a rebrand in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Change your name, change your momentum The grass is greener: podcasters crave novelty Big mistakes: don’t buy your own hype Sunk cost: abandon your old podcast identity? Relentless rebranding: how Shaq forced my hand Scud Busters ... why trendy names die fast Your audience isn’t loyal (they barely notice) Why You Should...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Ever wonder if you should really pay attention to your instincts—or if chasing excitement will only burn you out? David Hooper breaks down the final step to finding your podcasting voice (and what NOT to do with your flaws) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Change your podcast name, ignite listener curiosity Exploit your flaws ... but don’t overshare your failures Dopamine addiction: how podcasts spiral into extremes Most podcasters sabotage themselves with fake “voice” Data-driven shows: fun-killers or growth hacks? Show up relentlessly;...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Should you copy what other successful podcasters do, or blaze your own trail—and does paying attention to others really help you find your unique voice? David breaks it down in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ... Big Ideas in This Episode How “pay attention to others” triggers creative envy Ignore the rules ... why breaking them brings power Don’t copy Rogan: fame’s unfair advantage exposed Secret signal: Why listeners follow the herd The hidden danger of “famous microphone” obsession Seduced by conversation: media events as social status Elevate your voice...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Why simply practicing your podcast isn’t enough and how the right kind of focused practice will actually help you find your authentic voice in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ... Big Ideas in This Episode Are you brave enough to speak your fears? Use your flaws ... listeners secretly envy authenticity Ignore podcasting “rules” and seize control Practice isn’t enough ... "perfect practice" breeds power Creative limits spark unexpected, lust-worthy brilliance Content isn’t king ... exceptional content wins greed Make every episode art, not just “more” Why...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Should you break podcasting rules or learn them first? David dives into how knowing the rules helps you find your voice and when it's time to break them in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ... Big Ideas in This Episode Change your podcast name—power move or mistake? Break podcasting rules and dominate your niche Podcast what scares you—your audience craves it Leverage your darkest flaws for listener loyalty Stand out: ignore “safe” advice, dominate minds Hit podcast fame: don’t chase creativity, chase impact Listeners expect structure—defy it, but beware crashes Why...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Should you try to stand out or fit in—and can you do both at once? David shares how bringing your own voice and experience to podcasting is the real key to being noticed (without reinventing the wheel) in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ... Big Ideas in This Episode Stand out: fitting in feeds your podcast's death Breaking rules? Learn them first, then rebel Mention your scars, but don’t parade them Your podcast voice: envy-worthy or echo chamber? Copy the crowd? Producer or star? Control your on-mic destiny Flaunt your skills quietly—power is subtle Why You Should...
info_outlineBig Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Should you highlight your flaws to stand out, or does "failure porn" turn listeners off? David breaks down the difference and reveals what really makes your podcast matter in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ... Big Ideas in This Episode Why “perfect” podcasts bore people ... and how to stop Oversharing your flaws? It’s failure porn Listeners crave authenticity, not your confessions Your podcast: church, cult, or community? Podcast hosts: main character or just a guide? Master relatability without wallowing in misery Is it about you or your listeners’ desires? ...
info_outlineViral myths, the power of naming your enemy, 100+ ChatGPT prompts for podcasters, embracing imperfection, and how to make your Blue Yeti sound amazing in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...
Why You Should Listen
-
The dirty little trick pro wrestlers and radio jocks use to hypnotize audiences—and how you can steal it to make your show irresistible
-
Why obsessing over that “one thing” is killing your podcast dreams (and the liberating secret that leads straight to viral growth)
-
Make your podcast the envy of your niche—here’s the real reason audiences flock to certain shows (hint: it’s not just sound quality)
-
The dark art of identifying an “enemy”—and how this psychological trigger makes listeners glue themselves to your content
-
The copywriting secret politicians use to seize power (and how you can use it to control how listeners see you—no matter your size or budget)
-
Are you making this fatal marketing mistake? The hidden danger in oversimplifying complicated podcast topics
-
The forbidden magic of ChatGPT—100+ prompts to outwork, outsmart, and outpace your competition, even if you’re lazy
-
The path to a perfectly imperfect show: why chasing “flawless” is keeping you broke and stuck in podcast obscurity
-
How to transform embarrassing podcast mistakes into rabid fans (and why your screw-ups may be your greatest weapon)
-
The 5-step ritual that turns the “worst mic in podcasting” into a secret weapon for lush, studio-quality sound
-
Why most podcasts are happily ignored—and how to make your show impossible to forget
-
The little-known workaround to make even your blandest episodes go viral (your competitors will hate you for this)
-
How to seduce your audience by speaking their language, then lure them up to your level of mastery (while your rivals stand in the dark)
-
The shameful truth about your listeners’ attention spans—and how you can exploit their laziness to rack up downloads
-
What every beginning podcaster secretly gets wrong (and how early-stage imperfection can put you on the fast track to podcasting power)
You want these links ...
- Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast
- See Big Podcast AMP for personalized podcast growth assistance
Episode Timestamps
-
[00:03:53] The “enemy” trick: How politicians and pro wrestlers use a single narrative to win massive support—and how you can use it to attract listeners.
-
[00:06:11] Why every podcaster needs a “villain”—the surprising psychology behind how having an enemy (even as a joke) instantly grows your audience.
-
[00:07:24] The secret to connecting with listeners who aren’t “on your level”—why bringing your audience up (not talking down) is the key to loyalty.
-
[00:09:34] Embrace imperfection: The three little-known truths every obsessive podcaster needs to hear about mistakes and “getting it right.”
-
[00:11:25] The best time to mess up: Why making rookie mistakes at the start of your podcast journey is a superpower—not a failure.
-
[00:12:41] The Liver King cautionary tale: What happens when your podcast (or personal brand) finally blows up—and the dark side of having everyone watching you.
-
[00:14:03] Blue Yeti redemption: Why the most-mocked mic in podcasting isn’t the enemy after all—if you know how to use it.
The Newsletter for Podcasters
This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...
Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.
About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:
This is the audio companion to Issue 231 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.
Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.
Want more help growing your podcast audience?