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

If you’ve ever opened your content calendar, stared at a blank doc, and wondered whether skipping a week would really be *that* bad, this one’s for you. But instead of forcing an idea or recycling something old, I’m giving you five stealth moves you can use when episode topic ideas run dry and showing you (in real time) how I decide what to record when my brain is empty and an episode needs to go out in less than 24 hours. So if you need a way out of the panic spiral when an episode is due and you’ve got nothing ready, hit play and let's dive in.1:05 – The Fastest Way Out of the “What Should I Record?” Spiral4:10 – The 3 Questions That Pull Episode Topics Out of Thin Air7:30 – Why Following Audience Signals Beats Waiting for Inspiration11:45 – Rapid-Fire Listener Q&A Built in Real Time17:50 – How to Decide What to Record When You’ve Got Nothing ReadyEpisode Links:Looking for podcast guests (or to be a podcast guest)? Sign Up at PodMatch.comOther Episodes You’ll Love: Steal My High Converting Episode FrameworkNot Sure What to Talk About Next on Your Podcast? Try This. How to Make a Bold Comeback After Hitting Pause on Your PodcastSteal This Episode Planning Framework to Cut Your Prep Time in Half → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Most podcasters are convinced their show is “clear enough,” that listeners will eventually find them, and that growth is just a matter of time and consistency. Anthony thought the same, until he realized his “clear enough” message was actually confusing people and the listeners he wanted were scrolling straight past his show.So he rebuilt his show from the inside out, transformed it into something listeners actually wanted to click on, and earned an Apple Top 100 spot during his relaunch. And in this episode, you’ll find out the blind spots that were costing him listeners every week (and how to fix them fast) so your show becomes the obvious choice over the competition. So if you're done feeling like the “best-kept secret” and want your podcast to actually get found and followed, hit play and let’s dive in. Episode Links:Meet Anthony: ParentsMakingTime.com | LinkedInListen to Anthony’s Podcast | Parents Making TimeCheck out this mind-blowing BEFORE & AFTER! 🤯 Anthony’s Cover ArtWant your podcast to look like a top show? Get a Cover Art Makeover Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Your Audience Too Broad to Grow? Here’s How to Tell  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Most podcasts lose listeners in the first 15 seconds. Not after the first ad. Not halfway into the episode. Right at the start. In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in your listener’s brain the moment they hit play, and why top podcasts obsess over their opening lines like the rest of the episode depends on it (because it does).You’ll hear the five most common episode openings that make listeners click out of your show (even when your content is really good), see the difference between boring intros and openings that actually work, and learn how to structure your first lines to grab and keep attention. So if you’re ready to turn your first 15 seconds into a reason to stay instead of a reason to leave, hit play and let’s dive in.1:02 – Why Most Podcasts Lose Listeners in the First 15 Seconds4:48 – Five Common Episode Openings That Make Listeners Tune Out7:37 – 4 Things Your Opening Lines Must Do to Earn a Listener’s Attention11:49 – The C.A.T.S. Framework for Structuring a Bingeworthy Episode Opener20:14 – How to Rework Your Episode Hooks to Improve Long-Term Retention Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Diagnose Exactly Where Your Podcast is Losing Listeners  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Some podcast networks promise exposure and end up limiting how you monetize and how much you control your content. This episode will help you spot those red flags and figure out whether a network even belongs on your radar.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 Money7:17 – Why No Network Can “Send You Listeners”9:30 – Red Flags Most Podcasters Miss When Considering Networks12:48 – What Networks Expect From You In Return14:48 – When A Network Deal Is Actually Worth It Episode Links:Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedInRead 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-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

If you think getting picked up by a podcast network is the fast track to podcast growth, this episode will save you from disappointment (and probably a bad contract).Stephen Perlstein, Senior VP of Business Development at Libsyn, joins me to break down how podcast networks actually work (and when the right one can be a smart move for your show). We’re unpacking what networks do well, what they don’t do, and the biggest red flags to watch for when evaluating a potential deal.So if you’ve been curious about podcast networks and want to know how to spot the signs of a partnership that can support long-term growth, hit play and let’s dive in.1:02 – Why Getting “Picked Up by a Network” Won’t Magically Grow Your Show3:26 – What a Podcast Network Actually Is (And What It’s Not)10:08 – Major Red Flags to Watch for in Network Deals12:41 – Should You Ever Pay to Join a Podcast Network?13:12 – What Realistic Monetization Timelines Actually Look Like Episode Links:Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedInRead Stephen’s take on where podcasting is headed: Building the Future of Podcasting Other Episodes You’ll Love: Podcast Network Red Flags to Watch For → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Podcast platforms are changing what gets seen and what gets shared, and if your show is still built for how podcasting *used* to work, it’ll get skipped, buried, or replaced. That’s why I brought together five industry experts to break down what’s actually shifting inside podcasting right now, and why creators who adapt early have a real advantage. Because this next era won’t reward the biggest shows. It’ll reward the ones built for how listeners behave today, which is great news for independent hosts with something meaningful to say. So if you want to stay visible as podcasting enters its next era, hit play and let’s dive in.1:04 – Why Podcasting Doesn’t Work the Way It Used To7:42 – Why “Word of Mouth” Isn’t How New Listeners Find Shows Anymore15:36 – Why Big Download Numbers Matter Less Than Listener Attention24:18 – How AI Content Puts Listener Trust (and Creators) at Risk33:51 – Why More Podcasters Are Moving Away From Ad Revenue Very Special Thanks to This Episode’s Guest Experts:Jennifer Han:  Ausha | LinkedIn | PodWarsAlex Sanfilippo: PodMatch.com | LinkedIn | Podcasting Made SimpleTom Rossi; Buzzsprout | LinkedIn | BuzzcastEllie Puckett: Resonate Recordings | LinkedIn | Renegade VenturesLauren Passell: Tink Media | LinkedIn | Podcast The Newsletter Other Episodes You’ll Love: The State of Podcasting Today and Where It’s HeadedSupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

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 Shared2:10 – What Listeners Do When They Can’t Tell Who Your Show Is For6:47 – Why Overthinking Your Podcast Makes It Harder to Grow8:58 – The Outreach Strategy Behind a 1,000-Download Relaunch11:56 – What Changes When Your Podcast Becomes a Weekly Non-Negotiable Episode Links:Listen to Lauren’s Podcast | Intentionally Single Other Episodes You’ll Love: 3 Types of Podcasting Advice You Can Totally IgnoreThe Difference Between Hitting Publish vs. Launching a Podcast  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

If listeners tell you they love your podcast but you’re 50+ episodes in and you’re *still* not sure where (or if) people are finding your show, or how to connect podcast growth to revenue, we’re about to fix that.In this Fix My Pod coaching session, I’m helping Jill uncover why her podcast wasn’t driving signups or sales, and showing you how to:Track exactly where your listeners are coming fromHow to know which episodes are driving signups to your email list (and which ones aren’t)The 90-day marketing rule every podcaster should follow, andThe simple-but-overlooked metrics that can help you attribute revenue to your show. So if you’re ready to run your show like someone who knows what’s working and why, hit play and let’s dive in.4:01 – Why Your Podcast Isn’t Paying You Yet (Even If People Say They Love It)14:49 – The Podcast SEO Plan That Grows Your Show While You Sleep18:29 – The 90-Day Marketing Rule Every Podcaster Should Follow23:03 – 3 Episode Patterns That Predict Future Podcast Growth34:28 – The Partnership Strategy That Brings in High-Intent Listeners Fast Episode Links:Listen to Jill’s Podcast: The Death Readiness Podcast  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

If your podcast isn’t bringing in more listeners month over month, the problem usually isn’t your content. It’s the invisible leaks inside your podcast funnel that no one’s taught you how to find yet. And in this episode, we're changing that. I'm walking you through the exact steps to diagnose where listeners are dropping off inside your show from the moment they first see your podcast to the moment they decide whether or not to follow, return, or buy. You’ll also learn how to measure the three decisions listeners make as they move through your show, and pinpoint the one that needs attention first.So if you want a clear, data-backed way to understand where your podcast is losing listeners (and how to fix it STAT), hit play and let’s dive in.4:49 – Content Problem or Traffic Problem? Here’s How to Tell 5:22 – What Your Retention Rate Actually Tells You About Your Episodes 9:36 – The Gatekeeper Mistake That Costs You New Listeners 14:10 – A Simple Way to Pressure-Test Your Podcast Messaging for Clarity 20:10 – The Podcast Health Score That Shows You What to Fix First Other Episodes You’ll Love: Q + A | My Podcast Isn't Converting. Help!3 Cover Art Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were MakingHow to Choose a Bingeworthy Name for Your PodcastHow to Turn Your Podcast Description Into a Listener MagnetNot Getting Listens? It Could Be Your Episode TitlesSteal My High-Converting Episode FrameworkHow Long Should Your Episodes Be? The Answer Might Surprise You  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Most podcast hosts chase “growth” without understanding how a podcast funnel actually works. And if you’re only looking at downloads or list sign-ups, you’re missing the two earlier moments that decide whether anyone ever hits play in the first place. So let’s fix it. I’m breaking down the three conversion points that determine your podcast’s ability to attract new listeners, keep them listening, and drive revenue long-term. You’ll see exactly what “good” actually looks like (with real benchmarks), and how to read your data inside of Spotify and Apple so you can spot the exact moment listeners are silently dropping off inside your podcast funnel and fix the leaks fast.So, if you’re done crossing your fingers every time you publish and you want a show that actually converts, hit play and let’s dive in.0:02 – Why Your Podcast Isn’t Converting Even If Listeners Say They Love It 2:43 – The One Conversion Metric Every Host Ignores (And Why It Kills New-Listener Growth) 4:30 – The Spotify Numbers That Instantly Tell You If Your Cover Art and Title Are Working 12:49 – The Apple Metrics That Show Exactly Where Your Episodes Lose Attention 21:40 – The Easiest Way to Spot Early Revenue Signals From Your Podcast Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Stop Losing Listeners to Your CompetitionThe Secret to a Podcast People Can’t Stop Talking About  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked 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. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.