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
Release Date: 05/19/2025
Podcast Over. Marriage Over. But Here’s What’s Next
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Hey, it's Chris — and this episode is unlike any I've ever done. I'm pulling back the curtain on everything: Yes, Podtastic Audio is officially coming to an end. Yes, my marriage is over. But... something new is starting. And I’m more excited than ever. In this bonus episode, I get real about the personal struggles I’ve been navigating — divorce, selling the house, stepping away from podcasting — and how all of that led me to my next big project: Cool Cars with Chris 🚗🔥 If you’ve ever hit rock bottom and wondered how to rebuild from something you love — this one’s for...
info_outline
211 | Why I’m Ending Podtastic Audio — A Personal Farewell to Podcasting
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Why I’m Ending Podtastic Audio — A Personal Farewell to Podcasting After years of helping indie podcasters improve their sound and stay inspired, this is the final episode of Podtastic Audio. In this honest and personal farewell, I open up about why I’ve decided to end the show, how podcasting changed my life, and where things are headed next. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just found the show, thank you for being part of the journey. 🎧 In this episode, I talk about: Why I’m stepping away from podcasting (for now) The story behind starting Podtastic Audio during...
info_outline
210 | The Ugly Side of Podcasting (That No One Talks About)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
If you're an indie podcaster who's ever felt completely drained, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up... you're not alone. In this brutally honest episode, I open up about the real-life challenges I've been facing—personally and creatively—and how podcasting has both helped and hurt along the way. From going through divorce, to ending The Kris and Kristine Show, to watching the numbers on this very podcast unexpectedly grow—this episode is raw, vulnerable, and 100% real. I'm not here to sugarcoat the podcasting journey. I'm here to talk about the parts no one tells you when you’re...
info_outline
209 | Can AI Be Your Podcast Co-Host? A Real Conversation with ChatGPT
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 This week on Podtastic Audio, I took on a wild experiment: what if you didn’t have a human co-host… but an AI one instead? Yep, in this episode, I actually had a full-on conversation with ChatGPT to find out if AI could pull it off as a podcast partner. We cover a lot — from what a podcast even is (seriously, I told ChatGPT to pretend it didn’t know), to how indie podcasters like us...
info_outline
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: 🎯...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineSpotify 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 private growth and real listener impact
- Why you should keep creating even when the numbers seem small
Whether you’re getting 25 plays or 25,000, this episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like the metrics don’t tell the whole story—because they don’t. Podcasting should be about connection, not comparison.
👉 Join me as I share my own journey, thoughts on Spotify’s decision, and why your voice matters more than your views.
The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast
Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!
Over 25,000 podcasters use Podpage! Create your own podcast website that looks great, runs smoothly, and is optimized for search engines. Get started today! Podpage Link
Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter
00:00 – Spotify Almost Reveals All Podcast Stats
00:38 – Welcome & Purpose of Podtastic Audio
01:20 – Podcast Listening Apps: Apple vs. Spotify
02:08 – Spotify's Push for an All-In-One Platform
03:14 – Spotify’s Big Stat Reveal Announcement
04:06 – Should Podcast Stats Be Public?
05:28 – The Indie Podcaster’s Dilemma
06:37 – When Public Stats Actually Help
07:15 – Podcasting for Passion, Not Just Profit
08:14 – Perception vs. Reality in Play Counts
09:03 – Hidden Stats = Equal Opportunity
10:00 – Final Thoughts: Do Stats Reflect Impact?
11:09 – Connect with Me at PodtasticAudio.com
11:34 – Keep Creating Your Amazing Show
#IndiePodcaster #PodcastTips #PodcastGrowth #PodcastCommunity #PodcastMarketing #PodcastStats #SpotifyPodcasts #PodcastAnalytics #PlayCounts #SpotifyForPodcasters #ContentOverClout #CreateDontCompare #ValueNotViews #PodcastConfidence #YouMatter #PodcastAdvice #PodcastSupport #PodcastTools #PodcastHelp #PodcastResources