Episodes

AI for podcasters is everywhere in 2026. But faster does not automatically mean better. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona breaks down the right way to use AI in your podcast workflow without sacrificing originality, emotional nuance, or trust with your audience. AI can help you move faster. It can help you outline episodes, generate show notes, draft captions, pull timestamps, and simplify editing. But when you let AI lead your thought leadership, storytelling, or point o...

How do you grow a podcast in 2026 when you have no team, no momentum, and no audience? If I had to start from zero today, I would not try to do more. I would not try to be everywhere. And I definitely would not chase algorithms. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, I walk you through exactly how to grow a podcast in 2026 from scratch and what I would do differently if I were rebuilding everything from the ground up. This is not about hacks. It is not about volume. It is not about p...

Why is my podcast not growing in 2026? Most creators think they need better promotion, more episodes, or more content. The real issue is structural. Your podcast is not the product, and treating it like one is quietly stalling your growth. If your podcast is the only thing you’re building, your growth will always feel fragile. Most creators are trying to grow downloads, followers, and subscribers. But they’re building their podcast like it’s the final product instead of what it actually is: t...

Video podcasting is everywhere, but most creators are adding video without understanding what problem it actually solves. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini breaks down when video actually helps your podcast grow, when it quietly hurts your momentum, and why audio still does the heavy lifting when it comes to trust, retention, and long-term loyalty. This episode dismantles the myth that every podcast must be video-first. You’ll learn why video is a distribution s...

Growing a podcast in 2026 has nothing to do with posting everywhere or chasing virality. It has everything to do with being findable, useful, and sticky. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini breaks down exactly how she would grow a podcast from zero to 1,000 downloads today, without burning out or flooding social media. This episode is a practical roadmap for creators who want sustainable, search-driven growth instead of short-lived spikes. You’ll learn why discove...

How to grow a podcast in 2026 isn’t about posting everywhere or marketing harder. It’s about podcast discoverability, building a show that platforms can understand and listeners can find through search. In this solo episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini explains why discoverability beats marketing in 2026, and how to grow a podcast organically by improving the parts most creators ignore: podcast titles for search, the first two lines of your episode description, consistent t...

If you had to launch a podcast in 2026 with zero audience, zero momentum, and no shortcuts, you wouldn’t start with fancy gear or “clever” branding. You’d start with being found. In this solo episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini breaks down exactly how she’d launch from scratch today, using what actually works now: search-first episode design, a trailer plus a 3-episode drop, content buckets that help platforms categorize you, and a distribution workflow built before you ev...

Podcasting in 2026 is less about flashy tools and more about sustainable workflows, clean execution, and respecting the listener experience. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini is joined by Emily, Lead Editor at VOLT Productions, for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what podcast producers actually notice, fix, and wish creators understood sooner. Drawing from years of editing experience across hundreds of episodes, this episode breaks down producer-...

Podcast growth in 2026 will not be driven by hacks, viral clips, or chasing charts. It will be built through community, discoverability on YouTube, intentional use of AI, and sustainable creator ecosystems. In this forward-looking episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini sits down with Kendall from Riverside.FM to unpack what is actually changing inside the podcasting industry and what creators must adapt to now in order to grow next year and beyond. They explore the rise of Y...

Podcast rankings look glossy on the surface, but what do they actually mean for your growth, your revenue, and your long-term visibility? In this data-rich episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini is joined by Megan Dougherty, creator of the State of Business Podcasting Report, and Ana Xavier, founder of The Podcast Space, to unpack the real truth behind podcast rankings, retention, and sustainable growth heading into 2026. Together, they dissect what the Top 100 Business Podc...

Your podcast is live, but now the real journey begins. Growth is where your show becomes a brand, a business asset, and a tool that compounds in visibility and authority. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, host Simona Costantini wraps up the 10-week launch series by diving into the strategies that take your show beyond day one. You’ll learn how to interpret your podcast analytics, measure the right KPIs, refine your content with intention, and evolve your show based on listener beh...

Launching a podcast in 2025 takes more than passion, it takes strategy. Your podcast doesn’t grow just because it’s good. It grows because it’s launched with purpose and precision. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, host Simona Costantini walks you step-by-step through your podcast launch timeline, including when to release your trailer, how many episodes to drop on launch day, and how to choose a publishing cadence that helps your show grow long-term. You’ll learn how to map out...

Your podcast doesn’t grow just because it’s good, it grows because people see it. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, host Simona Costantini breaks down exactly how to turn your show into a visibility engine – using YouTube thumbnails, Instagram Reels, and LinkedIn clips that actually convert. You’ll learn how to design graphics that attract attention, create clips that connect emotionally, and promote episodes across platforms with ease. Simona walks you through the difference bet...

You don’t need to change your entire show to grow your audience. You just need to speak the language the algorithm understands. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona breaks down how to choose the right podcast categories and metadata so your show ranks higher, reaches the right listeners, and gets discovered by AI-driven search in 2025. You’ll learn how to make the algorithm your ally, future proof your podcast for large language model optimization (LLMO), and finally understa...

You don’t need a Hollywood studio to start a podcast. You just need the right tools, clarity, and confidence to press record. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona breaks down exactly how to create a pro-level podcast setup using what you already have, whether you’re recording from your kitchen table or your laptop on the road. You’ll learn how to make your audio sound professional, your video look polished, and your workflow feel simple, sustainable, and strategic. Inside th...

Your microphone isn’t the reason your podcast sounds flat, your energy is. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, you’ll learn how to use music, tone, and emotion to transform your episodes from “just okay” to captivating. We’re talking about the invisible ingredients that make listeners stay: your voice, your vibe, and the sound that sets your brand apart. Inside this episode: The truth about music licensing (and where to find royalty-free tracks legally) How to choose music that ...

Your first 30 seconds can make or break your podcast. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, we’re breaking down how to create intros, outros, and trailers that actually hook your listeners — and keep them coming back for more. You’ll learn: What separates a forgettable intro from a magnetic one The secret structure behind a scroll-stopping trailer How to use your outro to turn listeners into loyal followers Why the first 10 seconds are everything for audience retention Whether y...

Your podcast cover art isn’t decoration, it’s the billboard for your show. In today’s episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, I’m breaking down exactly how to create podcast artwork that stops the scroll, builds trust, and attracts listeners. You’ll learn: ✅ Why your face + name beat a generic logo for building authority ✅ When to avoid using your face (and what to do instead) ✅ The biggest cover art mistakes podcasters make (tiny fonts, busy backgrounds, inconsistent branding) ✅ How to tes...

Why do some podcasts become binge-worthy while others fade into the noise? In this episode, I reveal the two foundations every successful podcast needs: a strong concept and a clear mission statement. Whether you’re launching your first show or rebranding an existing one, this step-by-step breakdown will help you design a podcast that grabs attention and keeps listeners coming back. You’ll discover: ✅ The difference between your podcast concept (format, style, and angle) and your mission (pu...

Why 2025 is the best year to start a podcast? 🎙️ In this video, I break down the podcasting trends and strategies for 2025 that make now the perfect time to launch. Whether you’re brand new or have been sitting on an idea for a while, this step-by-step guide to launching a podcast in 2025 will help you cut through the noise and claim your stage. You’ll discover: ✅ Why YouTube and Spotify are the fastest-growing podcast platforms ✅ How to grow your podcast audience with YouTube and Spotify se...

What if your brain wasn’t a barrier to podcasting—but your biggest creative asset? In this powerful roundtable episode, host Simona Costantini sits down with the incredible team at VOLT Productions to talk about what it really looks like to podcast while neurodivergent. From organization hacks to emotional honesty, this convo is packed with real talk, funny moments, and powerful strategies for thriving as a creator with ADHD (or other neurospicy traits). Whether you're a podcaster, podcast mana...

Summer doesn’t have to mean your podcast goes silent. In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, I’m sharing the 3 intentional ways I’m prepping my podcast for summer—without burning out or ghosting my audience. If you’ve ever fallen off the podcast consistency wagon (hi, it’s me 🙋‍♀️), this episode is your gentle reset and practical game plan. We’re talking about real-life podcast strategy: reconnecting with your why, simplifying your content workflow, and building a system that supports...

Running one podcast is hard. Running multiple podcasts while growing two businesses? Nearly impossible… unless you have the right systems in place.  In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting , Simona shares her exact behind-the-scenes workflow for managing multiple podcasts, a full roster of client shows, and her production agency—all without burning out. You’ll learn how to set up a sustainable podcast workflow, delegate with ease (even if you don’t have a team yet), and why North F...

Thinking about starting a podcast? Or maybe you're knee-deep in episodes and wondering how to keep growing without burning out? In this episode of As It Relates to Podcasting , I’m diving into one spicy Reddit thread that asked: "What do you wish you knew before starting your first podcast?" — and I’m weighing in with my expert take as a podcast producer and strategist. You’ll learn: ✅ The #1 mistake new podcasters make (and how to avoid it) ✅ How to stay motivated when your downloads fe...