Podcast Insider

In this episode of Podcast Insider, Mike Dell, Dave Clements and MacKenzie Bennett share how they’re currently using AI in podcast production—and where they think podcasters should draw the line. The conversation covers practical uses for AI, including creating transcripts, generating chapters, summarizing episodes, cleaning up audio, assisting with research and editing images. They also discuss why human review still matters, especially when AI-generated content can introduce errors, flatten a creator’s voice or make audiences question what they’re hearing and seeing. The team also gets into the bigger concerns surrounding AI in creative work: voice cloning, fully AI-generated podcasts, trust, privacy and the difference between using AI to enhance your work versus using it to replace the creative process altogether. Their takeaway is less about following a strict rule and more about being intentional. AI can be a useful assistant, but creators should still review the output, maintain their own voice and consider how their audience will perceive what they publish. The episode wraps up with a look at International Podcast Day on September 30, including its beginnings as National Podcast Day in 2014 and how it has grown into a worldwide celebration of podcasting, creators and the evolution of the medium. In this episode: How Mike, Dave and MacKenzie use AI in their own podcast workflows AI-generated show notes, chapters, transcripts and artwork Using AI for audio enhancement and media mastering Why creators should always review AI-generated output The difference between AI assistance and AI-generated content Voice cloning, authenticity and audience trust Why human creativity still matters in podcasting Using AI to enhance your work rather than simply cut corners The history and purpose of International Podcast Day There is not one universal answer to how much AI is too much. The better question may be whether the technology is helping you make a stronger podcast—or removing the human element that made the show worth listening to in the first place. Thanks for listening. Learn more and find additional podcasting resources at PodcastInsider.com, and visit the Blubrry Podcasting YouTube channel for more podcasting videos.

How long should a podcast episode be? And how much editing is really necessary? There’s no magic number or one-size-fits-all answer. In this episode of Podcast Insider, Dave Clements, Mike Dell, and MacKenzie Bennett discuss podcast episode length, editing styles, audience expectations, and why podcasters may be better off focusing on their content instead of chasing an supposed “perfect” runtime. The team shares their own preferences for short and long episodes and explains why the right length often comes down to a simple rule: talk for as long as you have something worthwhile to say. If a topic only needs 15 or 20 minutes, there’s no reason to stretch it to 30. Likewise, a compelling conversation may deserve considerably more time. They also explore how much editing a podcast actually needs. Some shows benefit from detailed production, while others work well with a more natural, lightly edited approach. The key is deciding what fits your show, your available time, and what your audience expects. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why there is no perfect podcast episode length When a shorter episode may be better than stretching a topic Heavy editing vs. light editing How production style changes listener expectations Asking your audience what they actually prefer Why feedback from one listener shouldn’t necessarily dictate your entire strategy Popular podcast editing tools including Adobe Audition, Reaper, Audacity, Descript, and Adobe Podcast Using audio processing and media mastering to improve consistency Why getting a good recording at the source makes editing much easier How AI-assisted tools are beginning to change podcast editing and production The biggest takeaway: don’t let perfection keep you from publishing. Podcasting, recording, and editing all involve a learning curve. Your process can improve with every episode, and what matters most is creating something your audience wants to keep listening to. The episode also briefly touches on Apple HLS video availability for Blubrry customers and the growing opportunities for podcasters interested in video. Thanks for Listening Learn more and find additional podcasting resources at PodcastInsider.com, and visit the Blubrry Podcasting YouTube channel for more podcasting videos.

Podcast burnout can happen for a lot of reasons: an overly ambitious schedule, too much production work, losing interest in a topic or simply trying to fit podcasting into an already busy life. In this episode of Podcast Insider, MacKenzie Bennett, Mike Dell and Dave Clements talk about their own experiences with podcast burnout, abandoned shows and taking breaks. They discuss why burnout doesn’t always mean it’s time to quit — sometimes it means the format, schedule or expectations around your podcast need to change. The team also shares ways to make podcasting more sustainable, including simplifying production, building breaks into your schedule, recording episodes ahead of time and giving yourself permission to experiment with your format. In this episode: Why podcasters burn out — even when they still enjoy podcasting How overcommitting to a publishing schedule can make a show harder to sustain Why new podcasters don’t need to do everything perfectly from episode one When taking a hiatus can actually help your podcast How changing your format, frequency or topic can bring new energy to a show Why building vacations and seasonal breaks into your schedule can help How recording ahead and scheduling episodes can reduce pressure Why podcasters should create a workflow that works for their own life, not someone else’s How Blubrry tools and support can help simplify the publishing process There isn’t one perfect podcast schedule or production process. The most sustainable approach is the one that allows you to keep creating without turning your podcast into something you dread. If you’re feeling burned out, taking a break, simplifying your process or changing things up might be exactly what your show needs. Thanks for Listening Learn more and find additional podcasting resources at PodcastInsider.com, and visit the Blubrry Podcasting YouTube channel for more podcasting videos.

Celebrity podcasts are everywhere — or at least, it can feel that way. But does having a built-in audience actually make someone a good podcaster? In this episode of Podcast Insider, Dave Clements, MacKenzie Bennett and Mike Dell discuss the rise and influence of celebrity podcasts, why some make the transition to podcasting successfully while others struggle, and how these shows can shape expectations for new podcasters. The conversation explores the popularity of celebrity interview shows, the teams and resources often working behind the scenes, and the advantage that comes with already having an established audience. But celebrity status doesn’t guarantee a successful show — interviewing, storytelling and creating something people want to return to still require skill. They also look at the positive impact celebrities have had on podcasting by bringing new listeners into the medium and helping make podcasts more mainstream. Most importantly, independent podcasters shouldn’t feel like they need to copy what celebrities are doing. Podcasting remains a place where original ideas can find an audience, and success doesn’t have to mean massive ad deals or millions of listeners. In this episode: Why fame gives celebrity podcasters a head start — but not a guarantee What separates good celebrity podcasts from forgettable ones Why interview podcasts have become so common The resources celebrity shows have that independent podcasters often don’t How celebrity podcasts have helped make podcasting mainstream Why new podcasters shouldn’t expect instant monetization How podcasting has become easier and more accessible Why original ideas still matter more than following trends What independent creators can learn from successful celebrity shows Whether you’re inspired, annoyed or completely indifferent to celebrity podcasts, there’s one takeaway: use other shows for inspiration, but make something that’s your own. Thanks for Listening Learn more and find additional podcasting resources at PodcastInsider.com, and visit the Blubrry Podcasting YouTube channel for more podcasting videos.

How Do You Consume Podcasts? Podcast consumption looks different for everyone—and it continues to change as audio, video and short-form content become more connected. In this episode of Podcast Insider, Mike Dell, Dave Clements and MacKenzie Bennett share how they discover and consume podcasts. MacKenzie primarily listens through Apple Podcasts but often discovers new shows through social media. Dave has shifted from traditional podcast apps toward YouTube and audiobooks, while Mike maintains organized podcast playlists but also consumes much of his long-form content through YouTube. The conversation explores how video can help podcasters become more discoverable, even when their audience ultimately prefers to listen. The team also discusses the value of short promotional clips, simple video workflows and experimenting with different formats without turning podcast production into a full-time job. In This Episode How podcast listening habits change over time Why social media is becoming an important podcast discovery tool The difference between how people discover and consume content Why YouTube is increasingly part of the podcast ecosystem Whether podcasters should create audio, video or both Simple ways to create promotional video content Why consistency and quality may matter more than publishing frequently How podcasters can test new formats based on audience behavior One key takeaway: podcasters should think like consumers. Experiment with audio, video and short-form content, pay attention to how your audience responds and focus your effort on the formats that work best for your show. How do you consume podcasts? Do you listen through a podcast app, watch on YouTube or discover shows through TikTok, Instagram or another platform? Let us know. Thanks for Listening Learn more and find additional podcasting resources at PodcastInsider.com, and visit the Blubrry Podcasting YouTube channel for more podcasting videos.