PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

Do you still need all the “must-do” podcasting advice that gets recycled every year, or has some of it quietly expired?In this episode, we revisit a long list of podcasting essentials and ask one question of each: Does this still matter in 2026? We look at what still earns its place, what has changed, and what you can stop worrying about entirely.The focus is on practical decisions, not trends. When consistency helps and when it gets in the way, why some advice was never essential to begin with, and how much effort makes sense depending on whether your show is a hobby, a growth project, or a business.The thread throughout is simple. Understand why you are doing something, not just whether you have been told you should.Do you still need...A podcast website?A podcast trailer?Apple Podcasts reviews?A microphone?A consistent format or length?To launch with three episodes?An email list?To add metadata to your files?Interview guests?An RSS feed?To listen back to your episodes?Also mentionedGet in touchPodpagePodcast trailer guideUsing Rephonic to find collaborators The Samson Q2U micPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Can you legally use music, TV clips, or radio audio in your podcast, or is it a fast track to takedowns and trouble?In this episode, we unpack how copyright actually works for podcasters. What fair use really means, why it is a legal defence rather than permission, and where creators most often get caught out. We look at the practical risks, including automated copyright detection, platform removals, and takedown requests from rights holders.A quick note before you listen: we are not lawyers. This episode is based on our experience and understanding of how copyright is applied in practice, not legal advice. If you plan to rely on a fair use defence, you should understand the risks involved and make that call deliberately.Our conversation also widens into modern podcasting workflows. We discuss why video podcasts still need to work as audio-first shows, how many “video listeners” are actually listening in the background, and how relying on visuals can quietly break the experience for most of your audience.MentionedWhere to Get Podcast MusicThe Maono PD200W Hybrid Mic (affiliate link)The One Essential Rule Video Podcasters Can't IgnoreGuardian piece on some video podcasts making for bad audio experiencesPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Join Mer Lafferty, an early podcasting pioneer, along with Gabe, Susan, Darren, and Andrea as they share invaluable insights. They discuss the power of consistency in building a back catalogue, addressing early fears, and evolving podcast formats. Mer recalls the early tech struggles, while Gabe highlights managing community engagement. Susan emphasizes the importance of educating listeners, and Darren focuses on defining a podcast's purpose. Andrea shares her journey toward a more conversational style, transforming audience connection.

We test your podcasting knowledge in a series of quizzes and challenges. Along the way, we tackle industry stats, listener behaviour, gear trends, and a mix of real and not-so-real podcasts, while reflecting on the numbers and themes that shaped podcasting over the past year.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

The hosts explore the delicate balance between using AI as a creative aid versus letting it overshadow human thought. They highlight the importance of reflective thinking and 'thinking walks' in fostering creativity. The conversation delves into practical advice on conducting co-hosted interviews, ensuring smooth communication. Listeners also get insight into a new podcast launch challenge, along with tips on home studio setups, including camera and lighting recommendations to elevate video content.

Imagine a podcaster who has been publishing for a couple of years. Every time they check their stats, the number is the same.They assume they have hit a plateau.So they spend more on marketing. They push harder on promotion. Nothing changes. The number stays flat.What that number does not show is what is happening underneath. New listeners are finding the show. At the same time, existing listeners are drifting away. Growth and churn are cancelling each other out.The show is moving. The metric makes it look stuck.In this episode, we're joined by Dan Misener from Bumper to unpack why download numbers can be misleading, and what better signals actually tell you how your podcast is performing. We also tackle churn head-on. If new listeners are finding your show but not sticking around, we look at what might be driving that drop off and what you can do to change it.The Bumper DashboardColin's tour of the Bumper Dashboard & Podcraft's analyticsHow to Calculate Your Podcast Listen TimeThe 2026 Podcast Launch ChallengePodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Fiction podcasts often hold listeners for longer than non-fiction shows. But what can non-fiction creators learn from this? We break down the simple storytelling tools that keep audiences hooked, including open loops, stronger intros, clearer arcs, and themed seasons. We also highlight some easy wins that improve retention, such as smoother transitions, cleaner audio, and titles that set clearer expectations.We then dive into a detailed review of a history and policy podcast and explore the lessons it offers for growth. Naming clarity, smarter show notes, and better use of a back catalogue all come up as high-impact opportunities. We also look at ways to reach more listeners through collaborations, community spaces, news-reactive episodes, and in-app promotion. The thread throughout is simple. Strengthen retention first, then build reach with structure, consistency, and relevance.MentionedPutting the Past to Work: The History-Policy Podcast at UCLAHow to Record the Perfect Podcast IntroApply to be Featured on Apple PodcastsThe SCALE Podcast Growth FrameworkThe Bumper Dashboard: The Future of Podcast AnalyticsPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Discover a fresh monetization framework called the Three A's: Audience, Authority, and Assets, which tailors income strategies for small podcasters. Explore the split between audio-first and video-led formats and how they affect production styles. Get tips on maximizing conference opportunities for networking and recording, plus practical studio advice on creating captivating visuals. Learn how to leverage audience engagement to turn listener challenges into products and services that resonate.

In this conversation, Colin sits down with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, to discuss the shifting landscape of content creation. Fresh off completing a 100 Days of YouTube challenge, Craig shares why he chose video over podcasting during that time, what he learned about platform growth, and the powerful truths about podcast numbers versus engagement (where podcasting still shines!)They explore the convergence of audio, video, and email platforms, the challenges of monetization in podcasting, how AI is reshaping content workflows (without replacing creators), and why a few hundred engaged podcast listeners might be more valuable than 100,000 YouTube views.GuestCraig Hewitt - Founder of Castos, a podcast hosting platform. Recently completed 100 Days of AI on YouTube, growing from 250 to 11,000 subscribers. Find him at Castos.com or search "Craig Hewitt" on YouTube.Chapter Markers[00:00] Introduction & Catching Up[02:15] Has Podcasting Changed More in the Last Year?[05:30] What is Podcasting in 3-5 Years?[08:45] Craig's 100 Days of YouTube (And No Podcasting)[12:20] The Convergence of Content Platforms[16:00] Product Development: When to Expand vs Focus[20:45] Spotify as a Video Platform[25:30] Exclusive APIs and Platform Access[30:15] What Really Matters in Podcast Software[35:00] The Monetization Challenge[42:30] AI in Content Creation[48:00] Building AI-First Products[52:15] Craig's AI Learnings from 100 Days[56:45] Growing on YouTube: Concept is Everything[62:00] The 800 vs 11,000 Paradox[66:30] Small Audiences, Big RevenueKey TakeawaysPlatform choice matters: Optimize content for one channel rather than trying to make everything work everywhereEngagement beats reach: A few hundred loyal podcast listeners can be more valuable than 100K YouTube views for certain business modelsAI is a tool, not a replacement: It amplifies human capability but requires strategic implementationConcept is king on YouTube: Title, thumbnail, and mass appeal trump production qualityPodcasting works best for: Coaches, consultants, and anyone with high-ticket offerings and existing audiencesThe industry irony: Even podcast hosting companies prioritize YouTube and blogs over their own podcastsLinks & ResourcesCastos: https://castos.comAlitu: https://alitu.com (podcast editing and hosting)The Podcast Host: https://thepodcasthost.comCraig's YouTube: Search "Craig Hewitt Castos"Creator Hooks: https://creatorhooks.com (mentioned for title/thumbnail generation)Notable Quotes"For certain types of people in certain situations, a podcast is by far the most valuable kind of marketing real estate they can have. The rub is that's not everyone or even most people." - Craig Hewitt"If you have 1,000 podcast listeners, you might convert 500 of them, but if you have 10,000 YouTube watchers, you might still only convert 500 of them." - Colin GraySubscribe to PodCraft for more conversations about running a successful podcast in today's evolving content landscape.

Our Indie Podcasters Report shows that once production goes past six hours, audio-only creators are the ones spending the most time in the edit. But why?The answer goes beyond workflow. Audio culture has always valued clean mixes, careful pacing, and detailed sound design, so creators tend to polish every moment. Video makers often move faster by embracing jump cuts and a simple top, tail, publish routine.That doesn't mean video is the easier path. It brings its own challenges, from codec issues and lighting problems to huge file sizes that slow everything down.In the end, this isn't a contest between formats. It is about understanding the differences so you can choose the approach that suits your skills, your time, and your goals.We also put our heads together to try and flesh out a USP for Colin's new podcast, discuss gear-related accessibility issues, and look ahead to the upcoming Black Friday deals season. Also MentionedAlitu: The Podcast MakerTellaaiCarouselsGensparkBlack Friday for PodcastersSeedpace Kids Audio PlayerThe Podcraft Academy