The Binge Factor
The Binge Factor

The Binge Factor

Tracy Hazzard & Tom Hazzard

Overview
Episodes

Details

Dare to discover what makes a podcast truly unskippable and bingeworthy! In this edition of The Binge Factor, we dive deep into the podcasts that captivate audiences, offering honest podcast reviews and podcast video reactions to reveal the secrets behind their Binge Factor or evaluate their Binge Failure to see if there's anything worth salvaging. We provide podcast critiques and smart podcast takes to help you with podcast discovery.Every week, we pit two podcasts against each other in a Battle of the Bingeworthy. Whether it's a celeb showdown or a political podcast face-off, we're dishing out brutally honest critiques that challenge the norm and redefine what bingeworthy truly means. We're building a network of expert guest co-hosts to bring you no-nonsense analysis on specialized topics, so you can expect deep dives into comedy, wellness, and industry giants to fresh new voices, helping you find your next audio obsession or inspiration. Are you a podcast listener constantly searching for your next obsession? Tired of sifting through endless podcast recommendations only to be disappointed? Let us be your expert guides. We'll cut through the noise, review current shows, and highlight the unique podcasts with that elusive binge factor. Get ready to discover your new favorite quality audio content, saving you time (and your ears!) and ensuring every listen is worthwhile. We'll help you skip podcasts that aren't worth your time.Are you a podcaster striving for more listens, more engagement, and a more dedicated audience? Worried about common mistakes that waste your voice and time? Subscribe now! The Binge Factor will show you exactly what not to do so you can transform your show from 'just another podcast' into a must-listen binge-fest. Don't just copy what the 'pros' do. Most network and 'professional' shows rely on outdated methods that flop without huge marketing budgets or celebrity hosts—which we both know you can’t afford! We're here to help you grow your podcast audience, achieve success, and earn industry respect. Learn how to make your podcast popular, improve your branding, and boost production value for high-performing podcasts.For marketing and ad industry professionals, media buyers, talent scouts, and brands seeking authentic voices and emerging podcast influencers - this show is your unfair advantage. Understand the metrics, magic, and methods of successful podcasts. Identify emerging trends and discover shows with genuine audience connection, making your advertising investments sharper and partnerships more impactful. Stop wasting time and money following useless Apple charts; it's time to stop letting Spotify, Apple, Listen Notes, Chartable, and iHeart dictate your ad dollars. Plus, our expert guest co-hosts will soon cover a wider range of high-value podcast advertising niches, giving you an even sharper edge in identifying emerging hits.Your Binge Factor Guides: Tracy Hazzard and Tom Hazzard, the original podcasting power couple behind Podetize, the largest post-production and AI-informed podcast platform since 2018, and founding sponsors of Podcasters United, the non-profit podcast community built for podcasters to make independent podcasting worth doing and worth listening to.  With 33 years of differing marital opinions, the wisdom of producing over 50,000 episodes for more than 1800 different shows, and our no-nonsense podcast tips and nitty-gritty advice, we will challenge you to think differently and find you guest podcast experts who really know their stuff too.Stop listening to only the shows that go viral, and start listening to the underrated podcasts worth your time and attention. Tune in, subscribe, and dare to unlock The Binge Factor – because once you start, you won't want to skip a single episode. Don't miss our podcast deep dives and podcast reaction videos so you can join in the podcast debate too!

Recent Episodes

Skye Pillsbury: Exposing the Work Behind the Mic
APR 8, 2026
Skye Pillsbury: Exposing the Work Behind the Mic
<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The podcasting industry has a hidden "underbelly" where the producers and sound engineers—the people actually making the shows—are often undervalued and squeezed out of the conversation.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> In this eye-opening episode, Tracy Hazard talks with Skye Pillsbury, the investigative force behind </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Squeeze</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> newsletter. Skye shares how her deep dives into the "undervalued work of the podcast producer" struck a chord across the industry, revealing how big media machines often take advantage of the very people who build their success. From the messy reality of network acquisitions to the lack of credit for back-end talent, Skye explains why it is time to recognize podcasting’s unsung heroes.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tracy and Skye get real about why platforms like Spotify and iHeart have faced such a "train wreck" recently. They discuss how </span><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"juicing" listener numbers</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> for big celebrity shows—like those from the Obamas or Meghan Markle—creates a house of cards that eventually collapses, leading to massive layoffs for hardworking producers. By chasing short-term advertiser dollars with fake stream counts instead of building loyal, engaged audiences, these networks have damaged the industry's reputation.</span></p>
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65 MIN
Maximize Podcast Engagement with Shaunna Lee: Start Again
MAR 17, 2026
Maximize Podcast Engagement with Shaunna Lee: Start Again
<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Maximizing podcast engagement is achievable through a </span><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">mix of solo topical episodes and intentional guest selection, a strategy Shaunna Lee of the <em>Start Again</em> podcast uses to build deep trust with her listeners.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> By shifting from a "leave it to the universe" approach to using tools like PodMatch for specific screening, creators can ensure their guests align with their brand's current season and marketing goals. As Shaunna explains, </span><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">the key is to stop worrying about perfection and instead focus on "imperfect action," which builds the momentum and confidence necessary to turn a quiet show into a thriving community.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Understanding the "binge factor" of your show involves creating a synergy between guest stories and solo content that keeps listeners coming back for more.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Shaunna Lee highlights the importance of theming seasons—such as focusing on authors or specific monthly topics like "love month"—to tie podcast content directly into broader business promotions and email marketing. By implementing "baby steps" and maintaining a consistent weekly presence, podcasters can navigate the challenges of audience growth and prepare for major milestones like reaching the elite 2% of shows that surpass the 100-episode mark.</span></p>
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28 MIN
Mastering CEO Mindset and Team Leadership with William Attaway
FEB 11, 2026
Mastering CEO Mindset and Team Leadership with William Attaway
<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Catalytic leadership requires a fundamental shift from abdication to intentionality, focusing on the DNA of your team as your most important asset.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Dr. William Attaway of the </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Catalytic Leadership Podcast</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> shares how leading yourself is the hardest task you will ever face, but scaling a business to the 6 and 7-figure mark demands developing leadership as a specific skill. By transitioning from a startup mentality to a CEO perspective, entrepreneurs learn that "what got you here won’t get you there," necessitating new systems, processes, and a commitment to hiring the </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">right</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> people rather than just "warm bodies."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dr. Attaway emphasizes that success in both leadership and podcasting comes from </span><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">evaluated experience</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">—the habit of asking what went right, what went wrong, and what to do differently next time. By amping his production to twice per week, he leverages his podcast as a high-value networking tool that builds deep trust with his target audience of marketing agency owners. This approach ensures that every conversation is an opportunity for relationship-building and authority-building, moving beyond "coasting" into a proactive pursuit of excellence that resonates with high-level leaders.</span></p>
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38 MIN