PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

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

Almost all the benefits of podcasting stem from one thing – and that’s consistency. If you publish quality content over a prolonged period of time, you eventually hit a critical mass of episodes you can now call your “back catalogue” – and it’s a powerful tool.On this episode of Podcraft, we’re going to look at the benefits of this published body of work, which includes the ability for new listeners to binge your content, as well as providing you with a tonne of repurposing options, too.Following up on our previous episode, From Doubt to Determination, we’ll also continue to explore the barriers and challenges our Indiepod Legends have faced, as well as how they’ve overcome them. It’s another value-packed programme filled with lessons, takeaways, and motivating anecdotes!The PodcastsBring Your Product Idea to LifeThe Joy of CruisingWild for ScotlandTravel N Sh!tBoard Game Design LabShe Well ReadFighting ThroughLush LifeThe One Percent Better RunnerThe Savvy Social PodcastThe Euro TripI Should Be WritingPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

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

Are you using AI to sharpen your thinking, or quietly letting it replace it?Can podcasters and creators still work with AI without losing the slow, human thinking that makes ideas worth sharing? We talk about using AI as a sounding board rather than a generator, why “thinking walks” still matter, and how convenience can flatten creativity if you are not careful.There are practical lessons, too. We cover how to handle co-hosted interviews without talking over each other, what changed after a recent home studio move, including audio and lighting choices, and details of a new podcast launch challenge aimed at getting shows live in January.MentionedThe 2026 Podcast Launch Challenge7 Ways to Make Your Content Irresistibly Human in an AI AgeTour of Colin's Video Podcast SetupColin's Video Lighting (Affiliate Links)Neweer LED Panel LightsSoftbox AttachmentGrid AttachmentPhilips Hue Strip LightsPhilips Hue Go LightPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

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

What if monetising a podcast was simpler than the usual laundry list of tactics suggests? A new model called the Three As breaks earning potential into three clear paths: Audience, which includes supporter perks and light adsAuthority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist servicesAssets, which includes books, products, and affiliate incomeThe aim is to choose the route that fits your show’s size and purpose rather than copy the strategies used by giants.Elsewhere, recent Independent Podcaster survey results show creators splitting into two broad groups. Audio-first shows follow flexible production routines, while video-led podcasts often feel the pressure of weekly uploads from platforms like YouTube. These differences show up in formats, production time, and a growing worry that video’s rise could narrow the types of stories podcasters feel able to make.There is also a look at the event season ahead and how to get more from it. The focus is on going in with clear intentions, using the space to meet potential guests, and treating each venue as a chance to make connections rather than sit through panels all day.The episode ends with practical studio advice. Creating depth behind you, shaping your light, and mixing fixed and angled shots can all lift your visuals without expensive gear. A bit of planning and a thoughtful layout often matter more than the camera you use.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

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

Ever feel like your podcast has started to sound scripted rather than conversational? When the spark fades, it’s time to shake things up. This episode explores how relaxing your format can reignite creativity and flow, why over-scripting kills energy, and how a looser, more natural approach helps you sound sharper and enjoy recording again.We also dig into some practical podcasting essentials, from Apple’s new AI-generated chapter markers and what they mean for listener engagement, to one of the most powerful habits you can build: listening back to your own episodes. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s the fastest way to improve your delivery, catch unnoticed habits, and sound more confident every time you hit record.Mentioned Independent Podcaster Report 2025Crossing the 100-Download Mark: What Successful Indies Do DifferentlyPodcast Chapter MarkersBest Podcast FormatsThe Podcraft AcademySend Us a Voicemail