What Five Years of Podcasting Taught Him About Playing the Long Game — Loren Richmond Jr. | Ep 171

Loren Richmond Jr. started Future Christian Podcast during the pandemic as a way to explore questions about the future, health, and vitality of churches across North America. Five years later, the podcast has become much more than a place to have conversations. It has connected Loren with authors, pastors, academics, researchers, and thinkers he may never have met otherwise. The experience he gained producing the show also became the foundation for Resonate Media, his podcast production business, and has helped him build credibility for his work as a church and nonprofit consultant. Loren also shares how podcasting helped him build friendships, find a co-host, create a business, land speaking opportunities, and develop expertise through more than 200 conversations with people working at the intersection of church, leadership, research, and culture. Join the My Podcast Story Newsletter Get real podcasting stories, lessons, ideas, and behind-the-scenes insights from hosts building shows across different industries. https://mypodcaststory.com/join Connect with Loren Richmond Jr. Podcast: Future Christian Podcast Website: https://resonatepurpose.org Instagram: Future Christian Facebook: Future Christian Chapters 00:00 Why Podcasting Has to Be Sustainable 00:39 Meet Loren Richmond Jr. 01:11 What Future Christian Podcast Is About 01:34 Why Loren Focuses on the Future of the Church 02:18 Starting the Podcast During COVID 02:53 How the Podcast Evolved After the Church Closed 03:53 The Mission Behind Future Christian Podcast 04:38 What a Typical Episode Looks Like 05:21 Healthy Churches Aren’t Always the Biggest Churches 05:21 Behind the Scenes of Loren’s Podcast Workflow 05:39 Why Loren Interviews So Many Authors 06:00 Reading the Book Before Interviewing the Author 07:01 What Happens After an Episode Goes Live 07:09 Why Marketing Isn’t Loren’s Favorite Part of Podcasting 08:03 The Biggest Challenge in the Early Years 08:14 Paying for a Podcast Long Term 09:00 Starting Resonate Media to Help Fund the Podcast 09:26 How Podcasting Became the Foundation of a Business 10:15 Turning Podcasting Experience Into Expertise 11:05 How Loren Found His First Client 11:12 The Pricing Mistake He Made Starting Out 12:20 Building a Business With Contractors 12:46 Why Loren Doesn't Want to Do Everything Himself 13:29 Making Time for Strategic Thinking 14:28 Building Systems Instead of Drowning in Details 14:48 The Listener Feedback That Keeps Him Going 15:31 Does Future Christian Podcast Make Money? 15:45 Why Loren Turned Off Generic Podcast Ads 16:22 Using Sponsorships and Business Revenue to Support the Show 16:45 How the Podcast Fits Into His Larger Work 16:54 Turning 200+ Conversations Into Consulting Expertise 18:40 Speaking Opportunities That Came From Podcasting 18:48 Why Expertise Comes From Staying With Something 19:38 Podcasting Is a Long Game 20:01 What Loren Wants to Do Next 20:09 Why He Wants More In-Person Podcast Interviews 21:17 Meeting His Co-Host In Person for the First Time 21:59 How a Podcast Guest Became His Co-Host 23:23 Who Handles the Podcast Production 23:57 Making In-Person Interviews Affordable 24:39 Combining Conferences, Travel, and Podcast Interviews 25:57 Meeting Future Guests Through Events 26:03 Why Podcasting Opens Doors to People You'd Never Meet Otherwise 27:29 Relationships Built Through Podcasting 27:46 Turning Podcast Connections Into Friendships and Collaborations 28:28 Producing Crossover Episodes With Other Podcasters 28:55 How Loren Uses AI in His Podcast Workflow 29:24 Using Headliner and AI for Show Notes 30:56 Why AI Can Help Level the Playing Field 31:16 Advice for Podcasters Struggling With Consistency 31:35 Don't Spend Thousands on a Studio Before You Need One 32:32 Build a Sustainable Podcast From the Ground Up 32:45 Where to Find Loren Richmond Jr. and Future Christian Podcast