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Trust just outperformed reach, and the ripple effects across podcasting were impossible to ignore. We step back from the noise and share a clear-eyed look at how 2025 reshaped the medium: ad dollars didn’t vanish, they got picky; sloppy, reactive launches faded; and intentional, voice-led shows built momentum by earning credibility one conversation at a time.

We walk through the economic realities that forced sharper strategy, showing why advertisers concentrated spend on proven hosts and why niche podcasts won more meaningful outcomes with fewer downloads. As traditional media continued to erode and AI flooded feeds, listeners doubled down on long-form audio for context, nuance, and human tone. That shift elevated experts who serve a specific audience with clarity, rather than chasing mass appeal or empty virality.

Community took centre stage as algorithms stalled. Smaller, community-driven shows converted better because they focused on the right listener. We dig into how to use podcasting as a relationship engine, where know-like-trust beats top-line numbers, and share a real-world example of a modestly sized show landing high-value clients through consistent, relevant content. We also outline our pivot into strategic podcast guesting—moving away from random appearances toward aligned stages that deepen credibility and open new opportunities for both host and audience.

Rounding things out, we introduce a new executive-level, concierge podcast model built for leaders who want on-location capture, higher production value, and a clear strategy without the duct tape. We wrap with an invitation to the upcoming Podcast Alliance event—featuring sessions on live, on-location podcasting and best practices for hosting—and a look ahead to 2026 priorities: tighter focus, stronger communities, smarter use of AI, and a relentless commitment to trust.

Podcast Alliance Quarterly MeetUp & Mastermind
Where Podcasters, Podcast Guests and content creators meet, collaborate and network!
Wednesday January 21st, 2026
11am - 1pm EST
3 amazing speakers! Networking! Collaborations!
$47 CAD
Click the link to grab your ticket:

https://e.sparxo.com/Podcast-Alliance-January2026

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Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
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Ready for a mindset shift that actually sticks? We sit down with coach and entrepreneur Roman Fischer to unpack how real motivation is built, not borrowed—and why the long game beats quick fixes in both health and podcasting. Roman shares how a spark from his younger brother ignited an 11-year journey, the exact practices he uses to keep clients on track, and why clarity on how you want to feel matters as much as any number on a scale or download chart.

We explore the power of defining your why in concrete, emotional terms, then writing down past obstacles and the specific ways you overcame them. That simple practice turns journaling into mental rehearsal, strengthens resilience, and makes the next hard thing feel possible. Roman also makes a strong case for short nature resets: sunlight, a brisk walk, even a mindful moment with your feet in the grass can lower anxiety, improve sleep, and restore focus. Pair that with a podcast or audiobook and you’ve got a practical ritual that lifts both your body and your craft.

Throughout the conversation, we connect the dots between sustainable fitness and sustainable creative work. Success rarely shows up overnight. Consistency, small wins, and patient iteration do. Whether you’re trying to lose fat, gain muscle, or build a show that resonates, the path is the same: simple habits done daily, a mindset that welcomes slow progress, and routines that make starting easy. Roman’s final takeaway sums it up: motivation gets you going, but consistency keeps you growing.

If this resonated, tap follow, share the episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Got a guest suggestion or want help starting your own podcast? Check the show notes for links and let’s talk.

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Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
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Event planners don’t have time to watch your full TED talk. They need three minutes that prove who you serve, the problem you solve, and the transformation you deliver. We sit down with Cam Beaudoin, founder of The Frequent Speaker, to map the exact steps that turn a jumble of clips into a demo reel that books bigger rooms and better podcasts.

We start with intent: are you chasing large conference stages or thriving in virtual training? Cam explains how to align your reel with your goals, showing either stage craft—movement, energy, and crowd interaction—or virtual mastery with clean, close-up delivery and crisp audio. From there, we break down the story spine that converts: a seven-second hook that calls your audience by name, problem definition that cuts through noise, proof that you’re the guide they need, and a direct call to action. You’ll hear why planners want clarity over montage, how fee tiers dictate brand expectations, and what truly signals “bookable” within seconds.

Cam shares smart ways to create proof when you lack big-stage footage: rent a professional studio, capture a two-camera interview, and layer in podcasts, media hits, and focused B-roll that reinforces authority. We cover what to avoid—generic stock, celebrity name-drops that redirect attention, and “friends-and-family” crowds that feel staged. You’ll also learn when to refresh your reel, how much to invest as your fee grows, and how podcasters can use a guest reel to climb into premium shows by demonstrating specific value for listeners.

If you’re ready to stop sending long links and start sending proof that sells, this conversation gives you the blueprint. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s levelling up their speaking, and leave a review with the hook you’ll use in your next reel.

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Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
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If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
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Looking for proof that traditional media still moves the needle? We go straight to the source with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, to unpack how press releases win coverage in a world where TikTok clips sit beside front-page headlines. Mickie shares the inside mechanics of newswires, why bloggers and influencers now receive journalist-level access, and how small brands can punch above their weight without burning their budgets.

We break down the anatomy of a high-performing press release: a sharp headline, a tight 500-word body, a quote that actually says something, and links that carry specs and visuals without clogging the story. Mickie explains why the best product announcements include a simple use case with outcomes and data, how to elevate your narrative with credible industry stats, and when to route technical details to a clean landing page. If press releases feel mysterious or outdated, this conversation resets the frame: journalists still fish in two main ponds, and your job is to show up with bait they can use.

We also dig into process. Learn how to build a small, local media Rolodex and become the expert reporters call on deadline. Get a step-by-step approach to using AI as a drafting assistant—structure first, iterate paragraph by paragraph, and spend extra time on quotes and headlines. Then steal Mickie's most reliable tactic: an industry survey release that consistently produces multiple articles and valuable backlinks. The payoff is real: earned media drives credibility, lifts conversions, and reduces churn when you share placements with leads and customers.

Ready to turn attention into trust? Listen now, subscribe for more smart strategies, and leave a review to tell us which outlet you want to land next.

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
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Want conversations that feel like smooth sailing and still deliver punchy, practical value? We brought on sailor and coach Terry Barkman to unpack how his life on the water shaped a guesting playbook built on service, clarity, and trust. He believes great interviews start with a mindset shift: be a giver, not a taker; focus on the audience; and treat the host as a collaborator, not a gatekeeper.

We dig into the art of preparation without over-planning. Terry prefers a short pre-call to confirm fit, audience needs, and tone, followed by a light day-of warm-up to keep ideas fresh. He shares why sample questions are useful for alignment but explains how scripting answers can flatten the energy of a live conversation. You’ll hear how to translate your expertise into stories and moments that land, plus how to balance confidence with humility so you add value without hijacking the mic.

We also get practical about boundaries and trust. Terry outlines how he vets shows, sets clear lines around sensitive topics, and avoids the traps of forced vulnerability or clickbait conflict. He offers three crisp steps for first-time guests: craft a strong media one sheet or PodMatch profile, define deal breakers and must-haves, and pitch with empathy that centres the listener. Along the way, we explore the “sailboat effect” as a metaphor for conversation design: read the conditions, trim your sails, and move together toward insight.

If you’re ready to stop winging it and start guesting with intention, this conversation is your chart and compass. Subscribe for more behind-the-mic strategies, share with a friend who’s booking their first interviews, and leave a review with your top takeaway so we can keep building episodes that serve you.

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
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Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:
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What if you stopped chasing magnetic north—the shifting pull of trends, approval, and quick wins—and locked onto a true north you can actually describe? That’s the pivot David Ask lays out as we unpack the real difference between grit and resilience, and how creators can build a voice that lasts in a noisy podcasting world.

We start with David’s retail success story and the hard lessons that came with it, then move into a simple, powerful model: grit is the long push toward a worthy outcome; resilience is the speed at which you bounce back to your shape after a hit. The shape matters. Without a defined identity—values, convictions, and the work that gives you goosebumps—every setback feels personal. With it, you rebound faster, choose better, and keep shipping even when guests cancel, interviews fall flat, or formats change.

Along the way, we draw a line between starting with who and starting with why. When you start with who, your why stops being borrowed from giants and becomes grounded in your own strengths. That shift powers a virtuous loop: acting as yourself creates a specific dent in the world, and that feedback reinforces your identity. We talk about resisting the urge to copy big shows, using authenticity to guide content and guest choices, and reframing on-air mistakes as human moments that build trust. We also explore how to raise grit at home and in teams by “mining for gold” in others, revealing their strengths instead of performing for applause.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or creator trying to build a durable show, this conversation gives you practical cues and a deeper compass. Define your true north, bring grit to the climb, and use resilience to return to form quickly when you fall. If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a steadier compass today.

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/

Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:
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Want more engaging interviews, warmer leads, and fewer awkward stalls? We sit down with sales whisperer and author Nancy Zare to decode how four personality styles quietly drive trust, timing, and the word choices that make people lean in. Nancy’s AlikeAbility system maps buyers by decision speed—2, 4, 6, and 8—and reveals the value language each style needs to hear: outcomes and efficiency for fast movers, process and proof for deep thinkers, and balanced blends for those in the middle. The twist: most of us show a social persona on a pre-call, then switch to a decision persona when the stakes rise, which explains why a great screening chat can turn into a sticky recording.

We dig into Nancy’s five-step framework: understand the four styles and their values, identify your own defaults, diagnose the other person in under a minute, shift your words to match their priorities, and sand down the habits that create friction. For podcasters, that means smarter guest selection, tighter prep, and on-the-fly adjustments that keep conversations crisp instead of combative. For creators and coaches selling services, it means dropping sales resistance without feeling pushy, using value words that feel natural and precise rather than resorting to mirroring tricks that can come off as phoney.

You’ll hear practical cues—vocal pace, question density, patience level—that help you spot a style fast and choose the right on-ramp: “Here’s the fastest path” for 2s, “Here’s the evidence behind the method” for 8s, and a calibrated mix for 4s and 6s. Nancy also shares a free AlikeAbility assessment to identify your ideal prospect’s dominant style so you can tailor offers, CTAs, and interview structures with intention. Ready to turn rapport into results and make every conversation smoother? Listen now, grab the assessment, and tell us which style challenges you most. If you found this helpful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who hosts—or hopes to.

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
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What if the career you built isn’t the life you want? That question sparked a midlife awakening for Dr. Agi Keramidas, who traded a thriving path in dentistry for a mission fuelled by curiosity, conversation, and service. We unpack how intuition led him from the clinic to the microphone, why public speaking unlocked confidence, and how podcasting became the platform to learn in public and help others do the same.

Across this candid conversation, we pull back the curtain on the real engine of a durable show: consistency, systems, and a clear why. Agi shares the early “coach every week” insight that transformed interviews into a powerful form of self-education, then explains how doubling his publishing schedule revealed both the workload and the joy that turned a hobby into a mission. We dig into the marathon mindset—why most creators quit before episode ten, how trust compounds around episodes 50–60, and why comparing yourself to celebrity brands misses the years of reputation those voices carried long before their first upload.

We also get tactical. If starting today, Agi would build systems first: booking workflows, prep templates, editing pipelines, and distribution checklists that make publishing inevitable. We talk about smart automation and AI as time-savers, not shortcuts, and the importance of protecting authenticity over gimmicks. Then we explore content leverage: turning a library of episodes into evergreen assets, including Agi's book, 88 Actionable Insights for Life, distilled from hundreds of interviews into practical guidance.

You’ll leave with a simple invitation—choose one small step you’ve been postponing and take it today. Subscribe for more conversations about podcast strategy, audience trust, and the creative habits that make meaningful work sustainable. If this resonated, share it with a friend, drop us a review, and tell us the one action you’re taking next.

Support the show

Got a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:
askcarl@carlspeaks.ca

If you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:
https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/

Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:
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