PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show

Podcraft is your weekly, no-nonsense guide to honing the art of podcasting, hosted by veteran creators Colin and Matthew. With over 30 years of combined experience, they cover everything from choosing the right mic to growing your audience and making money from your show. Some episodes dive deep into one topic, like titling episodes or using live events to build your brand, while others feature real-life case studies from podcasters who've been there and done it. Whether you're just starting out or levelling up an existing show, Podcraft gives you the practical advice and honest insights you need to make it work.

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Latest episodes

11 September 2025

Should Hyperlocal Podcasts Target International Audiences?

Can a podcast rooted in one city or neighbourhood really matter to listeners halfway across the world? Or should hyperlocal shows focus purely on the people right on their doorstep?

In this episode, we are joined by Cody from the Community Build Up podcast. Together, we dig into the tension between going deep on local stories and widening the lens to reach a bigger audience. You’ll hear how podcasters are using place-based content to grow loyal followings, why a global reach isn’t always the right goal, and how you can decide what works best for your own show. If you’ve ever wondered whether to keep things close to home or aim for international ears, this one’s for you.

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04 September 2025

Can You Grow a Podcast on a Monthly Release Schedule?

What does it take to keep a podcast sustainable while still growing your audience? In this live coaching episode of Podcraft, Colin and Matthew sit down with Ellie and Will, hosts of Lively Minds: The UK Mental Health Podcast.

Together, they explore the origins of the show, the challenge of carving out a unique voice in a crowded mental health space, and why clarity around their mission matters so much. Ellie and Will share how their project grew out of conversations during lockdown and why they wanted to go beyond surface-level wellbeing advice to have deeper, more nuanced discussions around mental health.

The conversation also digs into practical strategy, from balancing consistency with sustainability to experimenting with shorter co-hosted or solo episodes. Colin and Matthew share ideas for authentic audience growth without social media overwhelm, creative approaches to collaboration, and sustainable ways to explore monetisation through community support or aligned partnerships.

Packed with encouragement and practical insights, this session shines a light on what it really takes to sustain a meaningful podcast for the long term.

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28 August 2025

Turning Your Podcast Audience into Paying Members

How do you turn your podcast audience into paying members? In this episode, Colin talks with Mike Morrison from Membership Geeks about the strategies podcasters can use to build successful memberships.

You’ll learn how to choose the right model for your show, whether that’s creating outcomes, fostering mastery, building connection, or offering resources. Mike shares real examples of podcasters who have grown six-figure memberships, explains why content alone is no longer enough, and reveals how to keep members engaged for the long term.

If you're in or near the UK, be sure to check out Retain Live 2025, which is taking place in Newcastle on the 23rd and 24th of September!

And if you want one resource to help you start up a membership, try The Membership Roadmap. This is Mike's full guide to planning and launching a successful membership.

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22 August 2025

Lessons From 3 Years of Podcast Marketing Trends

What can three years of data really tell us about how podcasts grow? In this episode, Jeremy Enns from the Podcast Marketing Academy unpacks the latest Podcast Marketing Trends report, exploring why growth is slowing for big shows but accelerating for independents, the growing role of video in podcasting, and whether social media really moves the needle. The discussion also covers the pull of algorithms, the power of strong show concepts, and how newsletters fit into a sustainable growth strategy. If you want clear insights on what actually works in podcast marketing today, this is the conversation to hear.

Also Mentioned

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14 August 2025

How to Reach Older or Less Tech-Savvy Listeners

Indy is creating a podcast for his online gardening club, Tender Shoots, aimed at listeners aged 65 to 100. His mission is to make the experience simple, welcoming, and accessible. No technical headaches, just great gardening advice.

The challenge is balancing ease of use with modern podcasting features like chapter images and detailed show notes. Indy is tackling this by streamlining the subscription process and guiding members on how to use podcast apps. The goal is to offer an enjoyable and educational experience tailored to older gardening enthusiasts, without letting the tech get in the way.

Looking for support or coaching in your own podcasting ventures? Head on over to thepodcasthost.com/help and tell us what you need!

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08 August 2025

Income Stream Lessons from 10 Top Indie Podcasters (Classic)

There is no shortage of potential income streams for your podcast. But rather than telling you all the things you could try, how about some real-world case studies from ten successful independent podcasters?

Our recent survey suggested that only 1 in 4 indies monetize their content, despite the majority of them wanting to build some income streams.

So, on this episode of Podcraft, we’re going to dig into the monetization methods and strategies that have actually worked for our IndiePod Legends, as well as the many that haven’t!

The aim here is to show that while some revenue streams are a good fit for some, they don’t work so well for others. We’ll also answer questions like:

WHEN should you try to monetize?
What are some great on-ramps for smaller podcasts?
Can monetizing your content hamper your creativity?

The Podcasts

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