200 | Podcasting Saved Me: From Love to Loss and Finding My Voice Again
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Release Date: 05/05/2025
208 | Libsyn Says You Can Make Money Now – But Should You?
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
So, Libsyn just flipped the script on podcast monetization. No more minimum download requirements. That’s right — whether your show gets 5 downloads or 5,000, you can now run programmatic ads and make some money just for publishing your podcast. But here's the real question: just because you can… should you? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, we dig into what this change really means for indie podcasters. Is this the golden ticket to finally “getting paid,” or does it risk turning your passion project into a string of ads your listeners skip in 30 seconds flat? We’re talking: 🎯...
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207 | The Vegas Sphere Blew My Mind—Here’s What It Taught Me About Podcasting
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic So I took a trip to Vegas with my kids to see Kenny Chesney at the brand-new Sphere… and let me tell you, this place is insane. Think 16K visuals wrapped around you, 20,000 speakers, and a seat that literally vibrates with the bass. Wild. But while I was sitting there, totally immersed in this billion-dollar light show, something clicked—and it has everything to do with your podcast. In...
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206 | This One Click Trick Boosts Podcast Downloads (Ethically!)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
🎙️ What if I told you a single click could count as a podcast download—even if no one actually listens? Wild, right? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I uncover a powerful (and often misused) feature hidden inside major podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Captivate — a direct MP3 link that auto-downloads and plays your episode. No app. No login. Just one click. But here’s the deal: while shady marketers use this trick to fake their numbers with bots and browser hacks, I’m showing you how to flip the script and use it the right way — with full transparency...
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205 | Why Your Podcast Isn’t Growing (And It’s Not What You Think)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic What if the real reason your podcast isn’t growing has nothing to do with your marketing? That’s right. No funnels, no hacks, no algorithms—just some real talk about why your show might not be taking off yet… and why that’s totally okay. In this episode of , I’m breaking down the 4 core things every podcaster needs to focus on before expecting real growth. From dialing in your...
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204 | Podcasting Without Funnels: Why Great Content Beats Marketing Gimmicks
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Are you tired of being told your podcast needs a $997 funnel, a slick course, or some guru’s step-by-step plan to succeed? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, we’re breaking down what really matters in podcasting — and it’s not building a sales machine. I’m here to speak directly to indie podcasters who care more about creating meaningful content than chasing dollars. You started your show to share something real — and that’s exactly what will set you apart. 🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why your podcast isn’t just a sales funnel — it’s your voice The myth of...
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203 | Why Most Podcast Interviews Fail (And How to Fix Yours)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic If your podcast relies on guest interviews, but your episodes aren't landing the way you hoped—they might be failing for all the wrong reasons. In this episode, we’re unpacking why so many podcast interviews fall flat, especially in the indie podcasting world, and how to turn them into engaging, valuable conversations your audience will actually care about. You’ll learn: Why “just...
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202 | Your Podcast Stats Don’t Define Your Worth (Here’s Why Spotify Backed Off)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Spotify almost changed podcasting forever—by putting all your episode play counts on full display. Imagine every episode’s stats right out in the open, for the world to judge. But then, they backed off. In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I’m breaking down why that change almost happened, why they reversed course, and what it means for us indie podcasters. As someone who loves podcasting and does it because it's fun (not just for downloads), I dig into: Why public play counts might hurt small shows more than help them How podcast value isn’t always reflected in numbers The power of...
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201 | Don’t Quit Yet! How Indie Podcasters Can Thrive Long-Term
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic Every indie podcaster hits that moment — the one where you wonder, “Why am I even doing this?” Low download numbers, crickets for feedback, and the creeping feeling that no one’s listening can make podcast burnout feel inevitable. But here’s the truth: 👉 Most podcasts don’t fail because they’re bad — they fail because the host gives up too soon. In this episode, we...
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200 | Podcasting Saved Me: From Love to Loss and Finding My Voice Again
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
In this special 200th episode of Podtastic Audio, I’m taking off the headphones and getting real with you. Over the last 15 years, I’ve worked as a gasoline tanker truck driver—and for the past several years, I’ve also been behind the mic as an indie podcaster, podcast editor, and podcast coach. But this episode isn’t about audio tips or gear recommendations. It’s about why I podcast in the first place. This is my most personal episode yet. I’m sharing the full story of how I went from being a long-haul listener to launching with my wife, how that podcast helped build a...
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199 | Why You Must Own Your Podcast Content Before It's Too Late
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic Imagine spending years building your podcast — and then losing it all because you trusted the wrong platform. Sounds crazy, but it happens way more often than you think. In this episode of , I'm diving into why it’s so important to own your content and back up your podcast before something unexpected happens. I’ll walk you through real stories, my own experience with podcast backups,...
info_outlineIn this special 200th episode of Podtastic Audio, I’m taking off the headphones and getting real with you.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve worked as a gasoline tanker truck driver—and for the past several years, I’ve also been behind the mic as an indie podcaster, podcast editor, and podcast coach. But this episode isn’t about audio tips or gear recommendations. It’s about why I podcast in the first place.
This is my most personal episode yet. I’m sharing the full story of how I went from being a long-haul listener to launching The Kris and Kristine Show with my wife, how that podcast helped build a relationship—and how the end of both the show and the marriage left me rebuilding everything from scratch.
Through heartbreak, divorce, and the chaos of starting over, podcasting became more than just a creative outlet—it became my lifeline. I talk openly about navigating the collapse of a relationship, the decline of our podcast, and what it’s like to lose your co-host and your best friend all at once.
But I didn’t stop. I kept creating.
In this episode, I also introduce my new podcast project, Everyone’s a Bot, a short-form social media comedy podcast that helps me laugh through the absurdity of online life.
Whether you're new to podcasting, deep into your own indie podcast journey, or just need to hear a real story about resilience and rediscovery, this one’s for you.
🎧 In this episode, I talk about:
- Why I started podcasting in the first place
- How The Kris and Kristine Show came to life (and how it ended)
- The reality of podcasting with your partner
- How Podtastic Audio was born to help other podcasters improve
- The emotional toll of divorce and rebuilding my life
- Launching Everyone’s a Bot—a new creative outlet for fun and healing
- Why podcasting still means everything to me
Thanks for listening, and thank you for helping me reach 200 episodes. If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, or reach out. I’d love to hear your story. 👉 Visit PodtasticAudio.com to connect or ask podcasting questions.
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00:00 – Reflecting on 200 episodes and the journey so far
01:26 – Why this isn’t a “greatest hits” recap episode
02:04 – Truck driving, audio passion, and podcasting beginnings
04:09 – Discovering podcasting in 2009
05:17 – Struggling with divorce and becoming a single dad
07:04 – Buying a house, living the dream, and entering a new chapter
09:31 – Meeting Kristine and the start of The Kris and Kristine Show
11:02 – Why podcasting became a needed creative outlet
14:04 – First interviews and discovering Cleanfeed
16:50 – Home studio setup and tech growth
20:03 – Building community with other indie podcasters
21:11 – Hosting podcast coaching calls and early mistakes
22:05 – Birth of Podtastic Audio to help fix bad audio
23:46 – Kristine’s passion fades; creative tensions grow
24:53 – When podcasting feels like a chore
26:10 – The marriage ends: second divorce and personal grief
30:21 – Starting over: selling the house and rebuilding life
31:05 – Podcasting as a lifeline and creative anchor
32:17 – Knott’s Berry Farm, social media bots, and a new idea
33:32 – Creating “Everyone’s a Bot” – a fresh comedy podcast
34:50 – How to launch a new show quickly and efficiently
36:28 – Inviting guest stories for future bot episodes
37:09 – Final thoughts, gratitude, and contact info
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