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20 Years in Radio (Insider 238)

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

Release Date: 06/27/2025

Unlocking Better Interviews: What Makes a Great Podcast Guest show art Unlocking Better Interviews: What Makes a Great Podcast Guest

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...

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How to Become a Great Podcast Host show art How to Become a Great Podcast Host

Big 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...

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Hard Truths About Podcast Coaching, Ads, and Growth show art Hard Truths About Podcast Coaching, Ads, and Growth

Big 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”...

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Why I Changed the Name of this Podcast After 700 Episodes (and How You Can Too) show art Why I Changed the Name of this Podcast After 700 Episodes (and How You Can Too)

Big 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...

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Avoiding Failure Porn and Focusing on Your Authentic Podcast Voice show art Avoiding Failure Porn and Focusing on Your Authentic Podcast Voice

Big 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;...

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How to Avoid Copycat Podcasting show art How to Avoid Copycat Podcasting

Big 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...

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How Podcasters Can Level Up Fast show art How Podcasters Can Level Up Fast

Big 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...

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Podcasting Rules: When to Break Them and When to Follow show art Podcasting Rules: When to Break Them and When to Follow

Big 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...

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Should You Copy or Innovate? show art Should You Copy or Innovate?

Big 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...

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Oversharing Flaws and Failure Porn show art Oversharing Flaws and Failure Porn

Big 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? ...

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More Episodes

Time-bending interview moments, 20 years in radio, using Cameo for podcast promotion, growing your email list with giveaways, and why your audience is your invisible co-host in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

  • Celebrate podcast milestones—what 20 years brings

  • Tap celebrity power: Cameo for podcast buzz

  • Forget the crowd, seduce listeners one-on-one

  • Make your audience your secret co-host

  • Grow your email list—get greedy with giveaways

  • Want clout? Invest in stories, not gear

  • Burnout or “rust-out”—hustle wins every time

Why You Should Listen

  • How “being present in the moment” can make your interviews fly by—and your listeners lust for more

  • The 20-year secret to podcast longevity most podcasters don’t want you to know

  • The “one to one method” proven to turn every listener into a passionate fan hanging on your every word

  • Why celebrating your wins (even if you hate celebrating) gives you unstoppable momentum

  • How a Hollywood celebrity can promote your podcast—without blowing your budget or your mind

  • A D-list hack: Let forgotten stars lend you their fame and turn envy into audience growth

  • The invisible co-host trick that makes your audience feel like they control your podcast (and love you for it)

  • The “audience as puppet master” principle for harnessing feedback and steering your show straight to profit

  • How to build a cult-like following by getting listeners to connect, collaborate, and crave each other’s attention

  • The single easiest way to supercharge your email list … with contests so addictive people beg to get in

  • The ruthless email-gathering secret no major podcaster will talk about in public

  • How to cut promotion effort in half by riding the power of giveaways and instant gratification

  • The tools you need to conquer your niche and devour your competitors—without spending a fortune

  • Why obsessing over the perfect mic is a sucker’s game—and where the real riches are created

  • The $60 setup that makes you sound like a broadcasting god while lazy podcasters waste thousands on gear

Episode Timestamps

  • [00:03] Why time speeds up (or slows down) on memorable podcast interviews—and how being “present in the moment” changes everything

  • [04:03] The accidental moment that launched David Hooper’s 20-year podcasting career and what you can learn from it

  • [05:23] How celebrating milestones—or not—can secretly impact your podcast longevity and mindset

  • [06:59] Lessons from joining SiriusXM: Why jumping into live national radio after years of syndication is a game-changer

  • [08:13] How to use celebrity shout-outs from Cameo to instantly boost your podcast’s credibility and listener buzz

  • [11:56] The “one to one method”—why podcasts fail when hosts talk to a ‘crowd’ instead of an individual listener (and how to fix it)

  • [17:58] The truth about spending money on your podcast—why upgrading your microphone probably won’t get you more listeners or credibility

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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 238 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.​

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