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Since I started my podcast at the beginning of 2026, it’s been incredible hearing the feedback from listeners, many being podcasters that I have been able to learn from too.
People have been reaching out through social media and email, sharing their experiences, asking questions, and telling me what’s working for them. I reply to all of it, and I’ve been saving these conversations with the idea of weaving them into future episodes.
This is the Summer 2026 mailbag. If you find it helpful, I’ll do Fall, Winter, and other seasons going forward, so let me know!
Your Podcasting Anchor
Back in Episode 10, published May 7th, I talked about finding your podcasting anchor, the real reason your show exists beyond downloads and vanity metrics, or your “Why”.
Ann Carden, host of the Expert in You Podcast, reached out. She’s been running a weekly show and was at 336 episodes (at the time of recording):
“I am in my 6th year. It’s one of the main revenue drivers in my business, and it’s a business development system I teach my clients. But it’s so powerful because the bonus is the impact, elevated brand, visibility, and relationships built through my show. Most people are going after downloads, sponsors, or other ways to monetize, but podcasting is the foundation for my client acquisition.”
A podcast as a client acquisition system (not vanity metrics)Â is exactly the kind of anchor that keeps a show alive for 6 years, on a weekly schedule!
Chuck Anderson, host of Collaborators Unite and a fellow Coaching Jungle VIP member, shared something similar to what Ann said:
“My podcast is responsible for 80% of my revenue by generating clients, partners, and referrals. In my first year it was 0% but it taught us where the REAL opportunity was (HINT: it’s not downloads or followers). My podcast is my #1 relationship builder for new partnerships and clients.
Going from 0% to 80% is incredible. That’s the long game in action (way to go Chuck)!Â
Melanie Benson, host of Amplify Your Success, a top 1% globally ranked show that was just about at 500 episodes at the time of recording, also weighed in:
“It’s a great question Matt – since I’ve been podcasting since 2010…I’ve found myself unmotivated a few times. What keeps me going:
- a system with deadlines
- plenty of client questions and challenges to source inspiration
- having a valuable visibility platform to offer my collaboration partners
- desire to keep my top 1% rank (publishing weekly helps)
So many podcast hosts lose their motivation to keep going – hope this conversation helps inspire them to hit the mic!”
When your workflow is designed right, it’s just something you do. Melanie proves it with almost 500 episodes.
This reminds me of Episode 13 with our client Megan of fitDEGREE, which was another example of podcasting like clockwork when the system supports you.
I also received feedback from a fellow podcaster (who happens to be a current client of ours), David Kincade of Winning The Public Purse, that I wanted to share here:Â
“I listened to a couple of your episodes this morning. Jennifer (Jenn Morgan, We’re In One Podcast, who you met in Episode 9 when she was my guest) and the one after about your “why.” Really helpful! It’s cool to hear from another new podcaster.
David’s a newer podcaster, like I am, and I love hearing this because that’s exactly why I do the show. If something I said helped even one person feel a little less alone in the early stages, that’s a win and motivates me to keep doing this too.
How to Make Summer Work for You, Your Podcast and Your Listeners
I published an episode on May 21st about navigating summer as a podcaster. The responses showed me something important: there’s no single right answer!Â
Line Brunet, known as “The Podcast Maven” and a fellow Canadian, has been helping podcasters for 16 years. Her mission is to eliminate confusion around podcasting and show people how simple and fun it can be.
“If your podcast is leading to your business you shouldn’t take a break over the summer.We don’t stop our business for the summer, so why take a break from your podcast?”
Then Leah Sparrow, host of Making Business Effortless (YouTube is her primary platform), offered a completely different perspective to Line’s:
“The thing is, podcasting is a long term growth strategy which lends itself to “taking time off” so to speak.
I actually sold from my podcast while taking the summer off from the content grind and focusing on those already inside my services. No constant “get content out there”. I have “taken the summer off” while my content worked for me.
Podcasting brings that beautiful slowness to the table that creates breathing space for the more important things in life and business.”
The nice thing is that BOTH Line and Leah are right!
You get to choose to keep the consistency or take a break; whatever works for you and your business. That’s what “no rules” actually means.
Break Glass in Case of Emergency – Solo Host Strategies
Solo episodes can feel intimidating, especially if you’re used to interviewing guests. I’ve heard that from several podcasters over the years who are working through this.
Jenn Morgan, host of We’re In One, sent me an email after that episode aired:
“Maybe I should be picking specific areas of our lifestyle and sharing them on a solo…sharing those experiences, funny and not so funny…your episode made me think outside the box and I appreciate that. And I’m still learning how to navigate this podcast life. So thank you.”
Jenn has three decades in the pro hockey life. I’d love to hear even more about that, in a solo format, and I’m sure her listeners would too (if that’s the route that Jenn wanted to go with her show).Â
Sarah Taylor, host of Before the Edit, started her podcast this year too. She commented on my Facebook post about this episode, all the way from Portugal:Â
“This little episode really helped me. I listened to yours this morning, and I just released one today after a little confusion break. Sometimes simple is the best way through confusion.”
You’re absolutely right about that, Sarah!Â
Leah Sparrow had more great thoughts on solo episodes and shared her perspective:
“I think the biggest shift for me was letting go of “how long does this need to be?” and focusing more on “what’s one thing someone could do or see differently after listening?”
It takes the pressure off trying to fill time.
Solo episodes get a lot easier when you stop trying to create a “show” and start having a conversation with the one person who needs that message.”
I think the big takeaway for me from this is that the length of an episode is not a metric. Impact is.Â
There’s no magic number (whether it be 5 minutes or an hour) that a podcast episode has to be. If anyone tells you otherwise, keep Leah’s advice in mind.
Another current client of ours, my brother Marc Mawhinney, shared his approach to solo recordings (Mar is the host of Natural Born Coaches, which has almost 1,000 episodes published at the time of recording):
“Great topic Matt, I keep a file of potential solo topics and when I have some time l free write ideas for each (I like to keep things candid and loose, so my solo episodes aren’t scripted). I’d also say batch record a few at a time, when you’re on a roll ride the wave!”
Systems and batch recording are a real game changer. Even getting two episodes done when the mood strikes helps you stay ahead, and I’m sure this approach has been a big factor in keeping Marc podcasting for as long as he has been.Â
Your Permission Slip
If something one of these podcasters said resonated with you, I have a BIG favor to ask.
Check out their show. And reach out to them!Â
Feedback means a lot to creators, and you can click on the links in this post or search their name/podcast on your favourite listening app. If you have feedback on any past or upcoming episode of Podcast Permission Slip, you can send it to matt@podassist.com and I’ll try to include it in a future mailbag.
Remember, it’s YOUR show and there are NO RULES!
Ready to launch your audio podcast in as little as TWO Weeks, in a stress-free way? Or need help with your current show? You can book a no-obligation call with me now at https://calendly.com/mattpodassist.