Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth

How to Turn a ‘Nice’ Podcast Into a Must-Listen Show | Lauren Penna

Dec 24, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Your podcast might be fine. People listen. They say it’s “nice.” And then… nothing happens. You’re 30, 50, maybe 100 episodes in, and the show looks more or less the same as it did at episode 5.

In this episode, I sit down with PodLaunch grad Lauren Penna to unpack why smart, consistent hosts still struggle to grow, and how a simple positioning shift can turn your podcast into a show listeners actively seek out and share. Lauren breaks down what went wrong with her first show, what changed during her relaunch, and how that shift helped her break the Top 100 in four countries (including #4 in the U.S.), and what that shift looks like when you apply it to your own show.

So if you’re done spending hours recording and editing just to hear “love the show” and nothing else, hit play and let’s dive in.

2:03 – Why Some Podcasts Get Played but Never Shared

2:10 – What Listeners Do When They Can’t Tell Who Your Show Is For

6:47 – Why Overthinking Your Podcast Makes It Harder to Grow

8:58 – The Outreach Strategy Behind a 1,000-Download Relaunch

11:56 – What Changes When Your Podcast Becomes a Weekly Non-Negotiable

Episode Links:

Listen to Lauren’s Podcast | Intentionally Single

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Support the show

Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!

Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.

Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first.

Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time.

Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it.

Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more.