Talk That Pod

Arielle Nissenblatt on Podcast Discovery, Newsletter Strategy, Podcast Marketing & the State of Independent Podcasting---SUMMARYIn this episode, Sebastian sits down with Arielle Nissenblatt, one of the most well-connected figures in the podcast industry. Arielle is the founder of the Earbuds Podcast Collective, a community-curated podcast recommendation newsletter she has been running for nine years. She also co-produces Podcasts We Text About (with Lauren Passell), writes the Podcast Plunge industry newsletter, and co-hosts two shows: Trailer Park (a podcast trailer review show) and Daily Tips that May or May Not Help (with Ned Donovan). She was recently inducted into the Podcast Hall of Game alongside luminaries like Dan Carlin (Hardcore History) and James Cridland (Podnews)Arielle shares her unconventional path into podcasting, from studying geography and juggling seven part-time jobs in Los Angeles, to becoming a go-to voice in audience development, content strategy, and podcast marketing. The conversation covers the messy reality of podcast discovery, why newsletters still matter, the video vs. audio debate, AI's growing role in content creation, and what indie podcasters should actually be doing to grow their shows. If you work in or around podcasting, this episode is packed with hard-won, practical insight.---IN THIS EPISODE| **00:00** | Welcome & introducing Arielle Nissenblatt — her newsletters, podcasts, and Podcast Hall of Fame induction || **02:01** | Arielle's "time management secret" — why crunch time and late-night bursts are actually her strategy || **03:28** | Career turning points: from geography grad to podcast professional || **05:57** | Moving to LA, juggling seven part-time jobs, and discovering a passion for podcast discovery || **08:18** | How and why Earbuds Podcast Collective was born in 2017 || **10:28** | The problem Earbuds was designed to solve — and how community curation works || **12:54** | The original SurveyMonkey research, growing pains, and pivoting toward creators || **15:31** | Launching niche spin-off newsletters: sports, kids, comedy, true crime, history, fiction & more || **19:21** | Live brainstorm: can niche newsletters be monetized? The case for segmenting and AI-assisted archiving || **20:27** | The short-lived Parla.FM and the ongoing challenge of programmatic podcast recommendations || **24:57** | "Podcast discovery is broken" — what Arielle actually hears at industry conferences, and why creators are often the problem || **29:43** | How social media targeting changes (especially Facebook) have made finding niche podcast audiences harder || **30:45** | Has Arielle ever considered leaving podcasting? The honest answer || **33:16** | What question Arielle wishes more podcasters would ask — and why generic ChatGPT strategy advice falls flat || **34:39** | Pitching newsletters: what works, what doesn't, and why reciprocity matters || **38:11** | The deluge of boilerplate PR pitches — and how to actually stand out || **40:50** | The state of independent podcasting in 2026: what "indie" even means anymore || **44:32** | Trends Arielle is pushing with clients: differentiating formats, signature questions, and narrative interview structures || **47:43** | The video podcast pressure cooker — why Arielle pushes back on "you MUST go video" advice || **52:37** | Podcasts landing on Netflix and what that signals about where consumption is heading || **53:56** | One structural change Arielle would make to the entire podcast ecosystem || **55:25** | The myth of ratings & reviews boosting algorithms — what actually helps discoverability || **58:36** | AI and podcasting: synthetic voices, mass-produced content, and where Ariel draws the line || **01:01:31** | A historian's viral Facebook moment — and why offloading our brains to AI is a growing problem || **01:04:55** | Marketing mindset shift for podcasters who are allergic to self-promotion || **01:06:26** | Borrowing existing audiences: guesting, feed drops, cross-promos, and tight calls to action || **01:08:35** | Diagnosing a plateaued show: Arielle's checklist for podcasters stuck at a few hundred downloads || **01:11:35** | Growth tactics that are mostly a waste of time (if you're not treating them as experiments) || **01:13:15** | How podcasts are shaping political opinions — and the intimacy factor that makes podcasters so influential || **01:15:40** | Indie podcasters' responsibility when covering controversial or factual topics || **01:16:42** | Arielle's three podcast recommendations for anyone new to listening || **01:18:27** | Where to find Arielle online |---RESOURCES & LINKSEarbuds Podcast Collective — Community-curated podcast recommendation newsletter (9 years running). Anyone can submit a themed list of 5 episodes.Podcasts We Text About — Newsletter co-written with Lauren PeselPodcast Plunge — Industry-focused newsletter featuring repurposed press releases and community commentsTrailer Park — The podcast trailer review podcastDaily Tips that May or May Not Help — Co-hosted with Ned DonovanBlog post Arielle mentions: 9 Content Tweaks To Test That Double as Podcast MarketingCompanies & Platforms MentionedCastbox — Podcast listening app where Ariel worked early in her careerSquadcast — Remote podcast recording platform (later acquired by Descript)Descript — Podcast and video editing platformTink Media — Podcast marketing agency connected to Ariel's client workBeehiiv — Newsletter platform discussed in the context of segmenting subscribersMowpod, Audiencelift, Disco by Headliner, Introcast — Podcast advertising and promotion platforms mentioned as iterative growth channels---PODCASTS MENTIONED99% Invisible - best episodes of 99% Invisible.This American Life - best episodes of This American LifePlanet Money - best episodes of Planet MoneyMics to MillionsPlodding Through the Presidents---TALK THAT PODWant to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us:Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads---FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

Unpacking Peanuts with Jimmy Gownley---SUMMARYIn this episode, host Sebastian Arciszewski sits down with Jimmy Gownley — cartoonist, graphic novelist, and the creator of the beloved Amelia Rules! series — for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, obsession, and the enduring genius of Charles Schulz.Jimmy is the host of Unpacking Peanuts, a podcast that spent four years methodically working through all 17,897 strips in the complete 50-year run of Peanuts, one at a time. What started as a deeply personal creative project — Jimmy has read the entire strip three times through — evolved into a rich exploration of craft, biography, and cultural meaning, co-hosted with Michael Cohen and Harold Buchholz.The conversation covers everything from what it's like to stare closely at one of the greatest artistic achievements in American pop culture, to the surprising punk-rock edge of the earliest Peanuts strips, to why Gen Z has become so drawn to Snoopy. Jimmy also opens up about the personal low point that led him to immerse himself in Peanuts in the first place, and what four years of deep reading has taught him about consistency, failure, and the courage to keep reinventing yourself.On the podcast side, Jimmy shares how Unpacking Peanuts grew from a scrappy, laptop-mic recording experiment into a charted show with a loyal Patreon community — and what he would do completely differently if he were starting over today.---IN THIS EPISODE**[00:07]** — Host Sebastian introduces *Talk That Pod* and welcomes Jimmy Gownley: cartoonist, creator of *Amelia Rules!*, and host of *Unpacking Peanuts***[01:26]** — The staggering ambition of the show: was covering 50 years of daily and Sunday strips ever in doubt? Jimmy reveals his co-hosts had secret reservations — and he had no idea**[02:33]** — How analyzing Schulz so closely has influenced Jimmy's own approach to the blank page — and why studying a master turned out to be freeing rather than daunting**[04:39]** — Schulz's willingness to fail: Charlotte Braun, the World War I Flying Ace, and the creative courage to throw things at the wall**[05:01]** — What became clearer about Schulz's process strip by strip: how he combined the discipline of a dentist with the soul of an artist — and seemed to get happier over time**[07:12]** — The most widely accepted misconception about Peanuts: why the strip is far darker, edgier, and more punk rock than its merchandising suggests**[09:16]** — Where is the line between critical interpretation and projecting onto someone else's art? Jimmy explains how the co-hosts stay grounded by returning to the cartoonist's perspective**[10:58]** — Why the podcast shifted from strict chronological coverage to thematic deep dives, starting with *Understanding Snoopy* — and the accidental merchandise typo that came with finishing all 17,897 strips**[12:26]** — Why Gen Z loves Snoopy: fluid identity, "wholesome" redefined, and the freedom of not having read the actual strips**[13:53]** — The philosophical depth hiding inside a deceptively simple strip: failure, optimism, postmodernism, and why Schulz himself is a character in *Peanuts***[16:11]** — What the deep reread changed for Jimmy personally, including a newfound appreciation for Schulz's "lesser periods" — and the inspiring story of Rerun Van Pelt**[18:10]** — Podcast growth: slow and steady wins, except for two big moments — the Charlie Brown Christmas episode and an Apple "Best of the Year" feature**[20:36]** — What makes *Unpacking Peanuts* resonate beyond hardcore fans: the "hanging out with friends" philosophy that drives the show's tone**[21:37]** — The shared re-reading experience as community-building: why fragmented, stay-at-home culture makes these kinds of podcasts more meaningful than ever**[23:08]** — Social media, platforms, and the unique challenge of running a visual arts podcast with no visuals**[24:26]** — Monetization and Patreon: why live interactive events have been the most effective bonus content, plus Jimmy's new "Hanging Out and Watching a Cartoon with Jimmy" audio commentary series**[26:13]** — Inside the production pipeline: what got harder after finishing the chronological reread, and why the show dialed back to twice a month**[27:50]** — If Jimmy could start *Unpacking Peanuts* over: buy a microphone, batch-record the first season, and flood social media with clips before launch**[29:20]** — Peanuts reached 350 million readers a day. Can any podcast — even Joe Rogan — approach that kind of monoculture? Jimmy weighs in on the future of shared cultural conversation**[32:23]** — Is podcasting one of the last places for long-form nuance — or are we just siloing ourselves into echo chambers? Plus: why Jimmy is reluctant to chop his show into social media clips**[34:47]** — Fan, critic, or expert? Jimmy gets humbled at his own Patreon live event**[36:07]** — Video podcasting, YouTube, and why *Unpacking Peanuts* has stayed audio-only (hint: it involves not wanting to be sued by Snoopy) — plus a brand-new idea Jimmy shares for the first time**[38:49]** — Jimmy's three podcast recommendations for any listener---RESOURCES & LINKSJimmy Gownley on Substack Unpacking Peanuts podcastAmelia Rules! graphic novel series---PODCASTS MENTIONEDUnpacking Peanuts — Jimmy's own show; also available on Patreon for bonus contentIt's a Podcast, Charlie Brown — hosted by William Pepper; covers the broader Peanuts phenomenon including animation and licensingBananas for Bonanza — a parody watch-along podcast with Matt Gorley (Conan O'Brien podcast) and comedian Andy Daly; available on Patreon with a free feed on Apple PodcastsScrew It, We're Just Gonna Talk About Comics — two comedians doing a deep dive into classic comic booksInfinite Cast — a podcast companion to David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest---PEOPLE & WORKS REFERENCEDCharles M. Schulz — creator of Peanuts (1950–2000)Harold Buchholz — co-host of Unpacking PeanutsMichael Cohen — co-host of Unpacking PeanutsPatrick McDonnell — cartoonist, creator of the comic strip MuttsLynn Johnston — cartoonist, creator of For Better or For WorseCharlotte Braun — early, short-lived Peanuts characterRerun Van Pelt — Linus's younger brother; central to Schulz's final creative reinvention in the strip's last years---TALK THAT PODWant to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us:Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads---FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.

Howard Dorre of Plodding Through the Presidents---SUMMARYIn this episode, host Sebastian Arciszewski sits down with Howard Dorre, co-founder and co-host of Plodding Through the Presidents — an award-winning history podcast that takes an irreverent dive into the lesser-known stories of the American presidents and the early republic. Howard co-hosts the show with his wife, Jess, in a format where he researches the stories and presents them to her fresh on mic, blending narrative storytelling with genuine, unscripted conversation.Howard shares the full arc of the show's journey — from a personal history blog he launched in 2013, to a podcast that debuted in February 2020 just before COVID hit. He talks candidly about what drew him to early American history, why he chose the lens of myths, mysteries, and human drama over straight political chronology, and how he balances humor with respect when covering serious and sometimes dark historical subjects. The conversation also ventures into the current state of independent podcasting, the challenge of AI-generated historical content, the role indie podcasters play in preserving trust and accuracy, and Howard's honest take on democracy's fragility as seen through the lens of the early republic.Whether you're a history buff, an aspiring podcaster, or someone curious about how to build an authentic, audience-first show, this is a rich and wide-ranging conversation.---IN THIS EPISODE| **00:01** | Sebastian introduces the show and welcomes Howard Dorre || **00:41** | Howard describes *Plodding Through the Presidents* — narrative storytelling meets unscripted co-host conversation || **01:27** | Origin story: how it all began with a personal blog in 2013 and a goal to read a biography of every U.S. president || **02:34** | Making the leap from blogging to podcasting in early 2020 — what the audio format offered that writing didn't || **05:07** | Why myths, mysteries, scandals, and human drama? How Howard landed on his show's unique editorial lens || **06:16** | The wild and crazy early days of American politics — and why they're not so different from today || **07:48** | Standing out in a saturated history podcast market: authenticity, passion, and the "dopamine hit" of great research || **09:29** | The comedy element: Howard's improv background, balancing humor with respect for heavy historical subjects || **11:21** | How the audience responds to the show's humor (including the highest compliment: scaring your cat by laughing out loud) || **12:10** | Season themes — presidential pets, myths, and following the stories that spark genuine curiosity || **13:13** | What makes a great "Plodding story"? The "wait, what — wait till you hear what happens next" test || **14:20** | Best entry-point episodes: *John Quincy Adams vs. the Internet* and *Thomas Jefferson's Killer Ram* || **16:32** | Booking notable historian guests (Joseph Ellis, HW Brands, Lindsay Trubinsky) — publicists, university emails, and letting historians talk || **19:11** | The video question: why *Plodding* is still audio-only, and Howard's honest thoughts on the rise of video podcasting || **21:00** | Early promotion strategies: leveraging a blog following, targeted Facebook ads, and connecting with history communities || **22:29** | The most effective growth strategy over six years: podcast promo swaps and reaching already-listening audiences || **23:47** | Joining the Airwave network — creative control, ad sales support, cross-promotion, and conference connections || **25:12** | Monetization: Patreon, merchandise, and advertising — and what actually moves casual listeners to paying supporters || **27:24** | "If I had to start over tomorrow" — Howard's honest launch strategy advice (including rethinking the show's name) || **29:14** | The indie podcasting landscape: more shows, tougher discoverability, and the long shadow of COVID on commute listening || **32:09** | AI versus the founders: the episode behind the episode, bots taking down the National Archives' Founders Archive, and concerns about AI-generated historical content || **34:48** | How Howard thinks about AI as a research tool — useful but untrustworthy, and still in its "AOL CD-ROM dial-up era" || **35:52** | The role of indie podcasters in preserving trust and historical accuracy in an era of eroding faith in legacy media || **37:29** | Connecting early American history to today's debates about democracy, monuments, and race — how explicitly does Howard think about the current political climate? || **40:41** | Has Howard's optimism about American democracy shifted? A candid historical perspective on the republic's fragility — from the founders onward || **42:28** | Discomforting the audience (and co-host Jess): the Billy Possum, possums, and confronting moral complexity in history || **45:32** | Navigating a polarized audience: how Howard avoids backlash without shying away from difficult stories || **47:40** | Final question: three podcast recommendations from Howard || **49:27** | Where to find *Plodding Through the Presidents* online |---RESOURCES & LINKSWebsite: Plodding Through the PresidentsPlodding Through The Presidents Facebook---PLODDING THROUGH THE PRESIDENTS EPISODES MENTIONEDJohn Quincy Adams vs. the Internet — Debunking the five most popular myths about the 6th president, including the mole people legendThomas Jefferson's Killer Ram — The true story of a four-horned ram on the White House lawn and the political fallout that followedAI vs. the Founders — How AI bots took down the National Archives' Founders Archive and what that means for historical research---Historian Guests MentionedJoseph Ellis — Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and authorH.W. Brands — Historian and biographer of American presidentsLindsay Chervinsky — Historian and author---PODCASTS RECOMMENDED BY HOWARD🎙️ Criminal - Best episodes of Criminal🎙️ Civics and Coffee🎙️ History Dispatches🎙️ The Dollop - Best episodes of The Dollop🎙️ My Favorite Murder - Best episodes of My Favorite Murder---RESOURCES & NETWORKS MENTIONEDAirwave Media Network — The podcast network Howard's show is part of; known for maintaining creator independence while supporting ad sales and cross-promotionTink Media — A resource for podcast promo swaps between independent showsFounders Archive — A comprehensive archive of letters written and received by the American founders---TALK THAT PODWant to be on this podcast? Fill out this form. Watch or listen to Talk That Pod on YouTube. Follow us:Twitter / XFacebookYouTubeInstagramTikTokThreads---FIND THAT PODDiscover the best podcasts in the world. - A podcast discovery newsletter bringing you 5 great podcasts to discover every week. Subscribe today.