Podcast Editors Mastermind

Do filler words matter?Tom Hanson found several key findings from research and industry data that shows filler words do matter!"Episodes with >4 filler words per minute saw 18–22% higher drop-off rate in the first 10 minutes compared to “clean” episodes" according to a Riverside listener study.How can you and I use this knowledge to convince potential clients that it's worth paying us to remove filler words?We discuss the impact of filler words on the success of podcasts in this episode of the Podcast Editors Mastermind Show.👉 Stick around to the end for the post-production process Steve used to get excited about editing this interview.Key moments:The perception of editing out fillers has changedResearch on the Impact of Filler Words in PodcastsConvincing Clients to Pay for EditingResources mentioned in the show:Study: Impact of Filler Words on Listener EngagementService: Audiocore Edit Assist (try for free) https://www.knvpstudios.com/audiocoreList of Crutches: Unnecessary Words in a Podcast https://stevestewart.me/unnecessary-words-in-a-podcastAbout Tom Hanson:Tom started KNVP Studios in 2014 and has offering his services in the professional television, film and audio/video business for over 30 years.He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, with a minor in Audio Recording and Music Synthesis and has worked with the biggest studios in the world such as MGM, Sony Pictures, MTV, and HBO, and countless others in state-of-the-art facilities.Tom also created "Audiocore Edit Assist", which is a service that creates marker files for Audition, Reaper, Hindenburg, and Audacity: https://www.knvpstudios.com/audiocore__________________________Chapters:(00:00) Stay to the End for Post-production Processes(01:43) Has Editing Fillers Changed?(08:01) Research on Filler Words(12:46) Editors Are More Sensitive to Fillers(15:32) Convincing Clients to Pay for Editing(20:04) How Audiocore Edit Assist Works(23:20) How This Episode Was Edited Differently(26:41) Send me YOUR Workflow Process!Mentioned in this episode:The Podcast Editor AcademyGet access to Steve Stewart's 35+ years of small business experience and decade of learning inside the Podcast Editor Academy - PLUS: -Weekly Challenges via email -Windshield University with our Private Podcast -Office HoursPodcast Editor AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Carrie’s story feels like a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to grow beyond "just" editing.She talks about how she went from editing simple interview shows to landing a major role with the Legal Media Network—all sparked by a note in the Podcast Editors Club Facebook group with a pitch. Carrie didn’t wait until she felt “ready.” Instead, she kept saying yes to opportunities, learning as she went, and building her confidence through experience rather than formal training.As her career progressed, she naturally moved beyond editing into storytelling, production, and eventually leadership. Now, she’s overseeing large-scale operations, managing teams, and helping shape content for hundreds of clients. Through it all, she keeps coming back to the same idea: growth comes from being willing to figure things out, even when you’re unsure. Her journey is a reminder that skills build on each other, and if you stay curious and open to stretching yourself, you can turn a small starting point into something much bigger.Key moments:Carrie secured her current role by proactively pitching herselfShe transitioned into narrative storytelling and full-scale production workHer experience shows that editing skills can evolve into broader storytelling and leadership capabilitiesShe now oversees production for nearly 200 clients, managing teams, workflows, and content strategyA major success factor has been willingness to learn on the fly and take on challenges without waiting for formal trainingResources mentioned in the show:Carrie Caulfield, Director of Production, The Legal Media Network@TheCarrieCaulfield (IG, Threads)https://carriecaulfield.notion.siteOur Editor for this episode:This episode of the Podcast Editors Mastermind was edited by Alejandro Ramirez. You can find him on LinkedIn if you're interested in talking with him about editing your show (audio and/or video)Mentioned in this episode:The Podcast Editor AcademyGet access to Steve Stewart's 35+ years of small business experience and decade of learning inside the Podcast Editor Academy - PLUS: -Weekly Challenges via email -Windshield University with our Private Podcast -Office HoursPodcast Editor AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

#126: What are the biggest podcasts doing?Megan Dougherty of One Stone Creative shares information from their research into the trends and best practices of the top 100 Business Podcasts.Key topics:Churn: Nearly 48% of top 100 business pods are new to the listBranding visuals and colorsFormat/structure and show lengthHow many have video and go “video first”?Websites and show notesResources mentioned in the show:Download the Report https://onestonecreative.net/ReportThe Podcasting for Business Book (free): https://podcastingforbusiness.comStephen Robles' article: https://beard.fm/blog/goodbye-podcasts-hello-showsAbout Megan Dougherty:Megan is the co-founder of One Stone Creative and author of Podcasting for Business: How to Create a Show That Makes a Bottom-Line Difference for Your Company. As a digital marketing strategist with a background in online business development, she has had the opportunity over the years to work with hundreds of business owners in a huge variety of industries. One Stone Creative specializes in limited release practically done-for-you podcast seasons, and ongoing audio and video shows for expert business owners.Website: https://OneStoneCreative.netLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doughertymeganYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onestonecreativeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oscpodcastingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscpodcasting/reels______________________________Tools we used:*StreamYard to RECORDThanks to Sam Bhattacharyya for lending us his StreamYard account, which was used for the live stream. Check out Sam's free resources: katana.video, free.cropzoom.video, and free.upscaler.videoPodChapters for ChaptersPodChapters helped me create chapter titles and embed chapter timestamps into the mp3, which are used in some of the most popular podcast apps.*Captivate.fm for our podcast MEDIA HOSTCaptivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!).*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!______________________________Mentioned in this episode:The Podcast Editor AcademyGet access to Steve Stewart's 35+ years of small business experience and decade of learning inside the Podcast Editor Academy - PLUS: -Weekly Challenges via email -Windshield University with our Private Podcast -Office HoursPodcast Editor AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

#125: In the ever-evolving podcast industry, attending big podcons events can be pivotal for creators and service providers alike.Chad Parizman shares his experience from the new Podcast Movement SXSW event in March 2026.I ask Chad:What was different?How much did he spend?Was it worth it?Will he go again?About Chad ParizmanChad provides Podcast Production and Strategy for brands and organizations. Connect with him at https://www.adercommunications.com or on LinkedIn______________________________Tools we used:*Riverside.fm to RECORDWe used Riverside to record this episode and edit the video version.*Captivate.fm for our podcast MEDIA HOSTCaptivate offers amazing features for a low monthly price, including full control of dynamic insertion, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (either static or dynamically!)*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!______________________________What was different about the post-production?Email [email protected] and tell me!Mentioned in this episode:The Podcast Editor AcademyGet access to Steve Stewart's 35+ years of small business experience and decade of learning inside the Podcast Editor Academy - PLUS: -Weekly Challenges via email -Windshield University with our Private Podcast -Office HoursPodcast Editor AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

#124: "Storytelling as a Service” (SaaS, as Mark Deal would say) is a way Podcast Managers, Producers, and even Editors can make money on the development of a serialized, documentary-style podcast.Mark Deal and Pat Fenner created “Habitat: Heart, Hammer, and Home”, a documentary podcast about housing, hope, and the people building stronger communities. The project serves as a proof of concept for a higher-tier service, with the core idea of creating compelling, narrative-driven audio experiences that differentiate your offerings in a crowded market.Key moments:(05:43) How Storytelling as a Service Benefits Podcast Professionals(08:10) Challenges in Storytelling as a Service(12:43) Benefits of Storytelling as a Service(24:13) Resource Management and Project Momentum(28:12) Inspirations for Storytelling and Structuring Content(30:34) The Importance of Connection in Podcasting (even for us Editors)(32:54) Song: Level Up the Craft!Our GuestsAbout Pat Fenner:Pat is a podcast producer and strategic storyteller who helps business owners get their message from the mic to the masses. She specializes in story-forward podcasts for coaches, consultants, and service-based brands that build connection.As both a producer and author, she knows how to find the signal in the noise—and turn it into content people actually want to hear, share, and stick with.Get Pat's glossary of Podcast-related words free https://www.patfenner.me/PodWordsAbout Mark Deal:Mark's background begins in engineering and data science, then moved into global corporate marketing and strategy. Over time, that evolved into what he does today… help people think clearly, make better decisions, and build systems that actually hold up in the real world.Mark has been working in the podcast industry since 2013, and that journey led to the creation of Podcast Editor Academy, Podcast Atlanta, Podcast Guest Academy, and several other podcasting communities serving more than 15,000 members combined.A lot of his work lives at the intersection of structure and conversation. I help editors and producers step back, see the bigger picture, and design their business in a way that supports the life they actually want to live.Inside Podcast Editor Academy, Mark work alongside Steve Stewart to guide conversations, shape the direction of the community, and help members navigate the decisions that come with growth… from first clients to long-term sustainability.Join the Podcast Editor Academy while the doors are still open.Resources mentioned in the show:Podcast: Habitat: Heart, Hammer, and HomePat Fenner's website | InstagramGet Pat's glossary of Podcast-related words freeBook: Building a StoryBrand 2.0 by Donald MillerMark Deal Podcast Editor Academy | PodATL______________________________Tools we used:*Riverside.fm to RECORDWe used Riverside to record this episode and create video shorts for marketing the show.*WhisperTranscribe for SHOW NOTESWhisperTranscribe assisted in the crafting of this episode description. It probably saved me 30 minutes by providing a summary and a list of chapters.PodChapters for podcast chaptersThe fastest way to add chapters to mp3s from an outline, or have the AI tool generate them for you. I probably save at least 2-4 minutes over using another AI tool to generate them and another 4-5 minutes from embedding them to the mp3. PodChapters does it all.*Captivate.fm for our podcast MEDIA HOSTCaptivate offers amazing features, including dynamic insertion tools, embedded chapters, and Blocks/Shortcodes to quickly add content to show notes (like this section you are reading right now)*Use of the above affiliate links may earn us a commission, which is used to support the efforts of this show. Thank you in advance for your support!______________________________Mentioned in this episode:The Podcast Editor AcademyGet access to Steve Stewart's 35+ years of small business experience and decade of learning inside the Podcast Editor Academy - PLUS: -Weekly Challenges via email -Windshield University with our Private Podcast -Office HoursPodcast Editor AcademyNew, Events, and Tips in the Podcast Editor Industry NewsletterPodcast Editing NEWS, Podcast Editing EVENTS, and Podcast Editing TIPS... You can get all this information FREE by subscribing to the Podcast Editor Industry newsletter. Podcast Editor Industry NewsletterThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy