PodSchool

This episode is a year in review for podcasters who feel like they have spent 2025 being told video is everything and AI will save them.

I break down what actually mattered this year, where creators are feeling burned out and what you need to focus on in 2026 so your show is sustainable and worth listening to.

What you’ll learn:

• Why video isn't a silver bullet for podcast growth
• How to think about YouTube and Spotify video without impacting your audio growth or revenue
• Smart ways to use AI as an assistant, not a replacement for your voice and ideas
• Why your audio feed and existing listeners are still the heart of your podcast
• Why long term consistency will always beat short term spikes and how that should shape your plans for 2026

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Rachel Corbett

LINKS & OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:

Should you release all your podcast episodes at once or drip them out weekly?

Binge-dropping feels efficient but it can seriously stunt your podcast audience growth.

In this episode, I break down why releasing everything in one go almost always performs worse than a steady weekly rollout and the rare situations where a binge drop does make sense.

What you’ll learn:

• Why binge releases kill your biggest growth engine: consistency
• How weekly drops boost discoverability, auto-downloads and listener trust
• Why “Why now?” matters when promoting your show
• When it’s actually fine to release everything at once
• The question to ask yourself before choosing a release strategy

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Rachel Corbett

LINKS & OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:

Can paid ads grow your podcast audience? A year ago I would’ve said “no, don't bother.”

But after seeing a few campaigns actually convert this year, I’ve changed my answer to… a little.

In this episode, I break down why paid ads usually flop, when they can work, and the one thing you absolutely must track before spending a cent.

What You’ll Learn

• Why paid ads rarely convert for podcasters
• When they can work (and the 3 conditions that matter most)
• The biggest mistake people make with podcast ads
• How targeting, creative and tracking make or break your results
• Why you should never run ads until your podcast foundations are rock solid

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Rachel Corbett

LINKS & OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:

If you’re used to traditional media like TV or radio, it’s easy to assume your podcast will only reach local listeners but that’s not how it works.

In this episode, I share how podcasting instantly makes you a global creator, what limits (if any) exist when it comes to reach and why monetisation is usually still local even if your audience isn’t.

What you’ll learn:

• Why your podcast is automatically international the moment you hit publish
• The difference between radio/TV and podcast distribution
• How Apple Podcasts and other storefronts curate their local content
• Why ad monetisation still tends to happen within your home market
• The mindset shift you need when you realise your audience can come from anywhere

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Rachel Corbett

Editing Assistance: Josh Newth

LINKS & OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:

When you’re recording a podcast you need to think about your audience as individual people, rather than a collective, if you want to connect with them

In this episode, I explain why this is one of the most powerful ways to build connection, sound more natural and keep people coming back for more.

What you’ll learn:

• Why using collective language e.g. "You guys," "Ladies and Gentlemen" can disconnect you from your audience
• The words you need to use to make sure your audience feel you're speaking directly to them
• A simple trick to make solo recording feel more natural
• How to balance audience connection in solo vs. co-hosted shows

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Rachel Corbett

Editing Assistance: Josh Newth

LINKS & OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF: