

How Chris Christensen Built a 2 Million Download Podcast and Six-Figure Travel Brand
8 snips Jul 9, 2025
Chris Christensen, a full-time travel journalist and the creator of the Amateur Traveler podcast, shares his journey from Silicon Valley tech to travel podcasting. He reveals how he grew his podcast to over 2 million downloads and turned it into a six-figure business. Chris discusses innovative monetization strategies, including ads and affiliate income, and reflects on the challenges of balancing passion with profitability in an evolving industry. His insights are invaluable for anyone looking to start or grow their own podcasting venture.
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Monetize Passion Projects Boldly
- Monetize passion projects fearlessly with ads to support content creation.
- Offer ad-free versions via Patreon to satisfy different listener preferences.
Use Agencies for Ads Sales
- Use ad agencies for podcast monetization if you dislike direct sales.
- Choose agencies to save time and benefit from established advertiser relationships.
Blogs Complement Podcasts Strategically
- Blog posts should complement podcasts with photos and detailed travel writing.
- Focus blog content on practical travel advice and strong SEO to attract organic traffic.