In & Around Podcasting

A successful podcast can still reach a point where its creator is ready to move on. Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch discuss Pat Flynn’s sale of Smart Passive Income, the audience relationship involved in a host handover, and what the reporting on Crime Junkie and Audiochuck brings up about growth, workload, and building a business around one person. The Apple conversation covers hardware costs, AirPods recording, and the balance between useful listening tools and privacy for the people nearby. Elsie and Rob also discuss iOS 27 podcast search and CarPlay changes, plus Apple Podcasts’ video embed player and why website plays don’t appear in Apple Podcasts Connect Analytics. Audacity 4 brings a new editing experience and a reminder from Rob to check MP3 export settings after installing. Audio Hijack 4.6 updates transcription and macOS support. The Flattering Ram remembers Todd Cochrane, followed by news of Audacy Creator Lab’s closure, TWiT’s move to Captivate for ad management, Elsie’s immigration story on Heidi de la Cruz’s podcast, and upcoming Captivate community events. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income, sale announcement Liz Wilcox, incoming Smart Passive Income owner, announcement conversation Lex Roman and Revenue Rule Breakers, analysis of the SPI sale Todd Cochrane, remembered by Rob Greenlee Rob Greenlee and New Media Show, remembrance of Todd Cochrane Podcast Movement New York City Apps & Technology Apple Podcasts embed player Apple Marketing Tools Audacity 4 Audacity 4 download on MuseHub Audio Hijack iPhone Duo, pricing report iPhone 18 Pro, feature overview AirPods 5, feature overview Apple Watch Audio Intelligence Articles & Episodes Apple Doesn’t Want You to Worry About the New Apple Watch’s Listening Features iPhones Are Getting More Expensive, but AirPods Are Cheaper Than Ever Apple Podcasts Takes Video Beyond Its App With Upgraded Web Player Apple Audio Intelligence Privacy Overview Ashley Flowers’ ‘Crime Junkie’ Podcast Empire, Audiochuck, Faces Reckoning The biggest news in Smart Passive Income’s History! I Sold SPI Audacity 4 has arrived: Easier editing, better effects & more Audio Hijack 4.6 Is Now Available Remembering Todd Cochrane, One Year Later Mike Dell’s remembrance of Todd Cochrane TWiT.tv Partners with DAX United States for 2027 The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, episode 162 with Elsie Escobar Captivate Growth Labs events calendar Captivate Office Hours: October From Audience to Community: A New Revenue Model for Podcasters, September Growth Lab In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

What does a successful podcast launch look like when you do not have a large audience waiting? Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch answer a new podcaster’s question by moving the focus away from industry benchmarks. A show’s own baseline, consistent 7-, 30-, and 90-day comparison windows, seasonality, format, and audience goals give creators more useful information than a single early dip. YouTube will count a public view from the first frame while keeping creator analytics, monetization, click-through rate, and recommendations tied to engaged views. Elsie and Rob discuss what that split means for creators and sponsors, why a public number can misrepresent attention, and how losing a channel to automated enforcement can cut a creator off from years of work. An email connection and distribution beyond one platform remain practical safeguards. The episode also covers YouTube’s competition with Netflix for top creators, Unwell’s $500 million valuation, Threads’ podcast transcript test, and Magellan AI’s estimated podcast ad spending for July 2026. Rob shares an early look at his Apple Podcasts HLS video analysis, the show remembers Dolly Parton and her podcast appearances, and the Flattering Ram celebrates Paulette Erato of Latinas in Podcasting. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Dolly Parton on Table Manners: Second Helpings Dolly Parton on Table Manners Dolly Parton on Khloé in Wonder Land Dolly Parton on Dumb Blonde Dolly Parton on Living & Learning with Reba McEntire podCast411 Episode 237 with Zach Smith Paulette Erato - Latinas in Podcasting The Parent Tap Podcast Movement NYC 2026 Apps & Technology YouTube engaged views Threads podcast transcription test Articles & Episodes🔬 Reddit post about podcast success and podcast analytics Growth Lab Event with Rob, Danny and Elsie! Demystifying Your Podcast Analytics Rene Ritchie explains YouTube engaged views YouTube counting public views from the first frame The Parent Tap petition for channel reinstatement YouTube creator exclusivity deals and Netflix Unwell’s $500 million valuation after the WTSL investment Magellan AI top podcast advertisers In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

From reel-to-reel tape and cassette fast-forwarding to one-tap podcast controls, listeners have gained more power over what they hear and when they hear it. Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch follow that history into discussing Spotify’s Skip Ahead test, which can jump Premium subscribers past intros, outros, ads, and other promotional segments. That convenience creates a difficult question for podcasters: when a platform identifies a segment as skippable, who gets to decide what counts as an ad? Elsie and Rob discuss baked-in sponsorships, creator promotions, listener habits, Spotify video, and why YouTube’s new monetization requirements make diversified publishing even more important. The episode also covers Overcast’s packed feature release, including transcript tools, Replay Podcast, Smart Complete, chapter controls, and new Premium audio effects. Plus, Disney+ expands its podcast distribution deals, the show remembers John C. Dvorak, and the Flattering Ram celebrates Ana Xavier’s visit to the Obama Presidential Center. Interesting things from this episode People & Shows Marco Arment The Overlap Stick to Football Hope Gets a Studio: Inside the Obama Presidential Center's Vision for Community Storytelling In & Around Podcasting: A Platform For Indie Podcasters Podcast Measurement Is Changing. Elsie Escobar Says Creators Need a Seat Build in Beta for the AI Curious Synergy Squad Podcasting in the AI Era with Rob Walch Podcast Movement New York City Apps & Technology Overcast SponsorBlock Unwatched Understanding the "Skip ahead" button Articles & Episodes Spotify’s new ‘skip’ button could end the podcast business as we know it Spotify’s New Ad-Skipping Feature Is Not Scaring Off Podcast Advertisers Yet Spotify threatens industry with ad-skipping tool New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program TestFlight Build 1172: Smart Complete, Replay Podcast, changes to Episode Limits ATP 703: Part of a Healthy Breakfast — Accidental Tech Podcast The Overlap signs landmark sponsorship and distribution deal with Disney+ Disney Brings iHeartMedia Video Podcasts to Disney+ and Hulu Adam Curry Honors John C. Dvorak's Impact in Tech Journalism on No Agenda In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch break down two major developments in the industry: the release of the IAB's updated Podcast Metrics Guidelines version 2.3 - now open for public comment - and the ongoing debate around the AMP Accords and podcast measurement. They tackle everything from the technical challenges of counting downloads, to the thorny issues of privacy and data sharing in major aggregator apps, and what all of this means for creators, advertisers, and listeners alike. Plus, you'll hear the latest data on podcast consumption from Edison Research, an exploration of audience support trends, and hands-on recommendations for both creators and independent podcast app developers. Interesting things from this episode Industry Documents IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement Guidelines v2.3 Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines AMP Accords Edison Research The Podcast Consumer 2026 Share of Ear Podcast Apps and Independent Developers Podcast Apps: A Framework for Dying Slowly with Dignity — Dustin Bluck Podcast Gear SmallRig S70 Wireless Microphone Ray Ortega’s SmallRig S70 review DJI Mic Mini vs. Hollyland M2S vs. SmallRig S70 — Audio Tests DJI Mic Mini Hollyland LARK M2S Shure MOTIV Microphones IAB Certification and Compliance IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement Compliance IAB Tech Lab Compliant Companies Privacy Laws General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) overview California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) FAQ Podcast History References Elsie’s Yoga Class Castro Podcast App Overcast Libby Happy Tree Friends Rocketboom Tiki Bar TV Ask a Ninja In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Fresh podcast industry research is out, and Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch break down what it means for podcasters. They kick things off by celebrating Captivate CEO Marc Asquith’s induction into Mercury Podcasts’ inaugural Heroes of Indie Podcasting Hall of Fame before diving into two major industry reports: The Podcast Atlas from Sounds Profitable and the Westwood One/Cumulus Media/Signal Hill Spring 2026 Report. Together, they explore creator influence, audience behavior, podcast advertising, listener trust, and why creators - not platforms - remain at the center of audience loyalty. They also answer listener questions about programmatic ads, monetizing daily shows, mid-roll placement, and realistic expectations for ad revenue. The episode wraps up with Jim Louderback’s open letter to Meta about AI-generated creator images, updates on where both hosts have been appearing lately, and a few promotion ideas podcasters can borrow for their own guest appearances. Links to Interesting Things from This Episode People & Organizations Celebrating the Heroes of Indie Podcasting: 2026 Inductees Mark Asquith Named Third Hero of Indie Podcasting as Mercury Podcasts Reveals Legendary Inductee Podcasts, Apps & Platforms Captivate Marketplace AMIE Campaign Management Overcast Cleanfeed Reports, Articles & Resources The Podcast Atlas: A Map of the Creator Ecosystem - Sounds Profitable Advertiser Perceptions: Podcast Advertising Discussion And Spending Intention Hit A Twelve-Year High Among Agencies And Marketers | Westwood One AN OPEN LETTER TO META | LinkedIn Podcasts & Episodes Mentioned What Even Is a Podcast Anymore… - We Fixed It, You're Welcome - Apple Podcasts 541. Why Most Podcasts Don’t G… - Podcasting Morning Show | Podcast Growth, Launch and Strategy for Indie Podcasters - Apple Podcasts Can Human Creators Still Win i… - New Media Show (Audio) - Apple Podcasts Podnews Weekly with Elsie Escobar - the tools podcasters need to succeed - YouTube 7 Podcast Experts Share Their … - One Minute Podcast Tips - Be a Better Podcaster in Just 60 Seconds - Video Podcast - Apple Podcasts Home | Too Long Didn't Listen Live Q&A: Inside Captivate's New Monetization Suite - YouTube How to Use Captivate Marketplace, AMIE Campaign Management (Live Walkthrough) - YouTube Are You Ready for Podcast Ads? (Diagnostic Checklist) - YouTube In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast started by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown and now hosted by Elsie Escobar and Rob Walch, continuing its mission as an industry show that belongs to the whole community. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know by emailing the show! [email protected]. Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts. If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please. The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy