In this episode, I opened up a conversation about how we can keep podcasting fun—not because it’s hard, but because it should be fun. We talked about breaking routines, trying new creative projects, and giving ourselves permission to explore, pause, or even switch directions with intention. From community wins to personal stories, it was a powerful reminder that podcasting is more than being consistent... it’s about curiosity, joy, and creating something that lights us up.
Episode Highlights:
[3:43] Sharing Wins and Acknowledging Consistency
[5:37] Strategies for Keeping Podcasting Fun
[14:57] Community and External Motivation
[20:58] Balancing Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation
[23:07] Experimenting and Trying New Things
[40:28] Celebrating Wins and Achievements
[52:52] Engaging with the Audience
Links & Resources:
A Podcaster's Win You Can Learn From:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting/posts/823021480031522/
Facebook Group Post that Inspired Today's Conversation:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/podfest/posts/3093059434182009
Black is America Podcast:
https://www.blackisamericapodcast.com/
Unbreakable Mission Podcast:
https://podcast.unbreakablemission.com/
The Podcasting Morning Chat:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b
How does a community find the strength to rebuild after an unimaginable disaster?
In this special ‘Podcasthon’ episode, I’m joined by my guest Marilyn Ball who shares the resilience of Asheville, North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, celebrating a city whose history, culture, and unbreakable spirit refuse to be washed away. Together, we reflect on personal stories of devastation and hope, showing how neighbors became lifelines and strangers became friends. Despite the massive obstacles, local businesses continue to thrive, communities unite around relief, and visitors are still discovering the magic that makes Asheville so unique.
Episode Highlights:
[00:06] Introduction to the hurricane’s aftermath
[02:06] Guest Marilyn Ball shares Asheville’s origins
[03:49] Early stories of the city’s resilience
[12:56] Community unity in the first days after the disaster
[17:47 Insight on rebuilding plans
[26:23] Impact on art and music scene
[30:00] Learning from Maui's Disaster
[32:55] Importance of tourism in recovery
[35:13] Final reflections and call to action
[40:08] My reflections on the interview with the PMC cast and community
Links &Resources
My GoFundMe: Support for Our Asheville and Western North Carolina: https://www.gofundme.com/f/amymarcsupportavl
Podcasthon: https://podcasthon.org/
Marilyn Ball’s Podcast, Speaking of Travel: https://pod.link/1375022004
Marilyn's Episode with Lew Bleiweis, President and CEO of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority: https://bit.ly/sotavlairport
My Asheville AirBNB: https://www.airbnb.com/h/mmr-avl
Asheville Fringe Festival https://www.ashevillefringe.org/
Asheville Visitors Bureau https://www.ashevillecvb.com/
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b
It’s a big news day in the podcasting world! In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the latest headlines, including:
[03:36] Who’s topping the podcast charts? – Apple & Spotify’s latest #1 shows
[10:42] Podcasting events & industry meetups – Upcoming networking and learning opportunities
[14:12] Gen Z’s podcast preferences – Do younger audiences really prefer video, or is audio still king?
[18:46] Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2025 – What to expect from the latest podcast industry report
[20:07] Zoom’s PodTrak P2 Recorder – A new USB mic recorder with built-in noise reduction
[20:42] Spotify removes Andrew Tate’s episodes – Why they took action and what this means for podcasters
[25:50] Edison’s new download metrics – A better way to track podcast analytics
[26:37] Google’s latest AI updates – How Gemini and NotebookLM can help podcasters
[42:56] Using NotebookLM for podcasting – How AI can summarize transcripts and even generate podcast episodes
Links & Resources:
The Podcasting Morning Chat:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Zoom PodTrack P2: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1877794-REG/zoom_zp2_podtrack_p2_dual_usb.html
Community member, Dan Woerhide’s new podcast: https://podcast.unbreakablemission.com/
Community member, Jeff Dwoskin’s CustomGPT Show Notes Writer: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-rtKKdmp5m-podcast-show-notes-and-social-coach
📌 Upcoming Podcasting Events:
Podcasting for Female Entrepreneurs – March 25 @ 11 AM CT - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-and-podcasting-networking-event-for-female-entrepreneurs-tickets-732305384117
Decoding the YouTube Algorithm Webinar – March 20 @ 2 PM ET - https://podcasts.withyoutube.com/events/decoding-the-youtube-algorithm
Podcast Evolutions (Chicago) – March 31 - https://evolutions.podcastmovement.com/
New England Podcasters Meetup – April 12 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-england-podcasters-group-april-meetup-tickets-1290177057309
Black Effect Podcast Festival – April 26 - https://blackeffect.com/podcastfestival/
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b
Curious about the best tools for creating a podcast? Today, we’re breaking down the tech stacks our community uses. We talk about everything from recording software and editing tools to hosting platforms. We share what works, what doesn’t, and how our setups have evolved over time. If you’re new to podcasting, don’t worry! This episode is an inside look at how podcasters choose their tools and why it’s best to start with what works for you, especially the ones that make the creative process enjoyable.
Episode Highlights:
[3:18] Icebreaker Question: How Many Software Tools Do You Use?
[4:55] Discussion on Recording Software
[10:30] Newbie Podcasters and Software Overwhelm
[18:05] Advanced Editing Tools and Techniques
[26:52] Live Recording and Editing Tools
[34:14] More Recommendations
[48:59] AppSumo
Links & Resources:
The Podcasting Morning Chat:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Timebolt:
Elgato Stream Deck:
www.amazon.com/Elgato-Stream-Deck-Pedal-footswitches/dp/B09PRMCTGB/https://podcast.adobe.com/enhance
Cast Magic:
https://appsumo.com/products/castmagic/
My New Studio Set-up:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18kVtjjR6d/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b
What was the moment you knew you were a podcaster? Was it your first episode? Your first listener? Or the moment someone asked for your advice? Today, we’re reflecting on the milestones that made us feel like real podcasters. Then, inspired by a question from a Facebook group, we shift to an in-depth conversation about podcast growth what’s realistic, and how to stay motivated when downloads feel slow. Plus, we analyze key success metrics beyond downloads and why they matter.
Episode Highlights:
[4:50] Personal Aha Moments in Podcasting
[16:58] Community Recognition and Podcast Success
[18:26] Challenges and Realities of Podcast Downloads
[24:21] Managing Expectations and Defining Success
[32:55] Engagement and Beyond Downloads
[57:08] Sustained Podcast Growth
[58:34] Community and Networking
[58:54] Balancing Promotion and Content Creation
Links & Resources:
The Podcasting Morning Chat:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Question About Podcast Statistics:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuzzsproutCommunity/permalink/9912576405428751/
PodMatch's Monthly Independent Podcasting Report:
https://podmatch.com/report
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to our community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b