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Podcast Network Red Flags to Watch For | Stephen Perlstein

Jan 8, 2026

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Some podcast networks promise exposure and end up limiting how you monetize and how much control of your content you keep. This episode will help you spot those red flags and figure out whether a network even belongs on your radar yet.

Stephen Perlstein from Libsyn is back to break down how podcast networks make money, what they’re actually looking for in a show, and how to tell the difference between a partnership that genuinely supports growth and one that comes with strings attached so you know when joining a network makes sense and when it doesn’t.

So if you’re unsure whether a podcast network is something you should be thinking about and you want to protect your show, your revenue, and your creative control before saying yes to anything, hit play and let’s dive in.

3:10 – How Podcast Networks Actually Make Money

7:17 – Why No Network Can “Send You Listeners”

9:30 – Red Flags Most Podcasters Miss When Considering Networks

12:48 – What Networks Expect From You In Return

14:48 – When A Network Deal Is Actually Worth It

Episode Links:

Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedIn
Read Stephen’s take on where podcasting is headed: Building the Future of Podcasting

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

How to Know If a Podcast Network Is Right for You

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

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