Chris Hutchins, host of the wildly popular All the Hacks podcast, joins us to crack the code on podcast growth. Most creators dream of building a brand, attracting millions of listeners, and monetizing their passion, but Chris has actually done it, transforming his podcast into a powerhouse through meticulous optimization. If you've ever wondered how successful podcasts truly scale beyond the initial buzz, or how to inject startup-level strategic thinking into your creative venture, this episode is a masterclass. Chris reveals the behind-the-scenes tactics that catapulted his show to millions of downloads, sharing the unconventional strategies that maximize reach and impact.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction07:08 The Underrated Power of Networking11:09 Leveraging Your Inner Circle for Connections15:08 Crafting Pitches That Stand Out20:00 The Value of Deep Expertise23:44 Podcast Growth: Beyond the Numbers28:07 Gauging Podcast Potential with Overcast Ads32:20 Strategic Guesting on Other Podcasts37:57 The Art of Asking to Be a Host42:04 Maximizing Value in Podcast Collaborations46:19 The Untapped Potential of Post-Roll Ads51:00 Subsidizing Growth for Maximum Scale54:15 Reinvestment and Strategic Retreats58:24 Optimizing for Leverage, Not Just Revenue1:01:52 Gaming the Podcast Charts1:08:14 Essential Personal Finance Hacks1:10:00 The Ultimate Hotel Upgrade HackIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Chris:Website: https://allthehacks.comX: https://x.com/hutchinsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishutchinsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishutchinsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-hutchinsFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comAll the Hacks: https://allthehacks.comHighlights:02:22 Shifting from Entrepreneur to Creator Identity08:31 The Power Move of Ending a Conversation12:12 Networking by Adding Value to an Inner Circle26:35 Podcast Downloads vs. YouTube Views: Engagement Matters34:04 Treating Your Creator Business Like a Startup45:15 The Strategy of Buying Post-Roll Ads1:08:29 Why You Should Never Leave Cash in a Checking Account