

Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth
Courtney Elmer | PodLaunchHQ.com
This isn’t another “share great content and stay consistent” podcast about podcasting. We’re breaking down 15,000+ hours of study into what top hosts do differently to create bingeworthy podcasts that convert. Hosted by Forbes- and Rolling Stone-featured podcast psychology expert and Webby Awards judge Courtney Elmer—who’s helped over 70+ hosts launch Top 100 shows—you’ll get the tools and strategies other shows won’t dare to share. Expect unfiltered coaching, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and the kind of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!” advice to help you build a podcast your future clients can’t stop bingeing (and buying from). So if you’re ready to break out of “less-than-200-download-per-episode” jail and stop settling for downloads that don’t reflect your effort—or you want to launch a podcast that positions you as an authority in your niche and drives real revenue—welcome to the podcast that’s about to change the game for you. Hit play and let’s dive in. Popular Guests Include: Jordan Harbinger, John Lee Dumas, James Cridland, Tom Rossi, Jeremy Enns, Kevin Chemidlin, Dave Jackson, Alex Sanfilippo, Seth Silvers, Stacy Tuschl, Kate Erickson, Grant Baldwin, Hal Elrod, Gay Hendricks, Brandon Lucero, James Wedmore, and more. Popular Episode Topics Include: Podcasting for Business Growth, Starting a Podcast, Podcast Audience Growth, Podcasting for Profit, Podcasting Psychology, Increasing Listener Engagement, Creating Bingeworthy Podcast Content, Lead Generation Through Podcasting, Business Podcasting, Ranking Your Podcast in The Top 100, Podcast Launch Strategy, Podcast Monetization Strategies, Podcast Messaging, Podcast Positioning
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 21min
Is AI Making Your Podcast Easier to Skip? | Joe Casabona
What if the very thing you’re using to make your podcast better is the reason people are skipping it? Sure, AI has changed how we work. But without realizing it, most creators are using it in a way that hurts their podcast’s credibility. Podcast systems expert Joe Casabona is back to break down what listeners pick up on when you use AI in your podcast content, why "sounding more polished" doesn’t always lead to better engagement or listener action, and exactly where to draw the line so AI supports your message instead of weakening it.If you want listeners to, trust what they hear and take action on your episodes, hit play and let’s dive in.2:11 – The Real Risk of Assuming That AI Makes Your Podcast Better 9:53 – What Listeners Pick Up On When Your Thinking Is Outsourced 13:21 – The Difference Between Using AI to Refine vs Replace Your Ideas 15:13 – What Listeners Actually Connect With That AI Can’t Recreate 18:59 – Where to Draw the Line So AI Doesn’t Hurt How Listeners Respond to Your PodcastEpisode Links:Meet Joe Casabona: Website | LinkedInListen to Joe’s Podcast: Streamlined SolopreneurRead Joe’s Blog: When to Bring in AI (and When Not To)Save 12 Hours a week with Joe's Podcast Automation PlannersOther Episodes You’ll Love: Where AI Wastes More Time Than It Saves in Your Podcast (3 Questions to Ask)→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Mar 25, 2026 • 18min
Why Listeners Love Your Podcast But Aren’t Becoming Clients
What makes the difference between a podcast that’s interesting to listen to and one that actually moves listeners to act? Find out the three psychology-backed communication patterns that help listeners see you as the expert they should trust and follow, and make your message impossible for the right listeners to ignore. So if you want your podcast to do more than entertain (and start becoming the show people turn to for answers), hit play and let’s dive in.0:30 – Why Listeners Enjoy Your Podcast but Still Don’t Take Action2:41 – The Assumptions Your Audience Is Bringing Into Every Episode4:44 – 3 Ways to Get Listeners to Stop Nodding and Start Taking Your Advice9:19 – How to Help Listeners See What’s Been Holding Them Back13:12 – How to Make Your Message More Persuasive Without “Selling”Episode Links: Sleight of Mouth book by Robert DiltsBrandon Lucero’s Podcast: New Generation EntrepreneurJames Wedmore’s Podcast: Mind Your BusinessOther Episodes You’ll Enjoy: 3 Ways to Hook Your Listener Before They Hit PlayThe Real Reason Your Podcast Isn’t Converting→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Mar 18, 2026 • 24min
How Listeners Decide Whether Your Podcast Is Worth Listening To
Find out why some podcasts get chosen while others get overlooked, even when your content is great.In this episode, you’ll learn the four signs that tell you if listeners are scrolling past your podcast, the signal listeners use to decide whether your show is worth their time, and why that signal needs to show up in the five places listeners encounter your podcast before they ever hit play.If you want to understand how listeners decide whether your podcast is worth listening to (and what to fix if yours isn’t getting chosen), hit play and let’s dive in.0:52 – How to Tell If Listeners Are Choosing Other Podcasts Over Yours3:36 – Why “Just Keep Publishing” Isn’t Fixing Your Podcast Growth4:16 – The Core Differentiator That Makes Listeners Choose Your Show9:04 – The Five Content Gatekeepers That Decide Whether Listeners Hit Play13:59 – The Moment Listeners Decide “This Podcast Gets Me”Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Diagnose Exactly Where Your Podcast Is Losing Listeners→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Mar 12, 2026 • 21min
4 Podcast Mistakes That Kill Word-of-Mouth Podcast Growth | Arielle Nissenblatt
Most podcasters say their content is valuable. But if no one is sharing your episodes, recommending your show, or mentioning it in their communities, the problem usually isn’t the quality of your content. It’s how (and where) you’re asking people to engage with it.Arielle Nissenblatt (Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and founder of EarBuds) is back to break down the small but common mistakes that make a show harder to share. We talk about the number one mistake podcasters make with their email newsletters that trains people to ignore them, why most podcast pitches to newsletters and curators get deleted, and how building just a handful of real partnerships in your niche can grow your show faster than posting clips and promoting every episode on social media. So if you know your show is valuable but it’s still not getting shared like it should, hit play and let’s dive in.2:12 – Why “New Episode Out Now” Emails Don’t Grow Your Podcast3:18 – How to Pitch Podcast Newsletters and Curators the Right Way9:02 – The Partnership Strategy That Grows Podcasts Faster Than Promotion13:11 – Where to Pitch Your Podcast for Apple and Spotify Features17:15 – The Offline Marketing Idea That Can Bring New Listeners to Your ShowEpisode Links:Meet Arielle Nissenblatt: Website | LinkedInSubscribe to the EarBuds Newsletter: EarBuds.audioCurate a list or pitch your podcast: EarBuds.audio/curateOther Episodes You’ll Love: Why People Find Your Podcast But Don’t Hit Follow→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Mar 11, 2026 • 23min
Why People Find Your Podcast But Don’t Hit Follow | Arielle Nissenblatt
Most podcasters think getting new listeners is about promotion: more clips, more posts, more ads. But if people find your show and don't hit follow, your downloads won’t change and “more promotion” won't fix it.In this episode, Arielle Nissenblatt is here to unpack why not every podcast automatically earns an audience and what actually makes someone decide a show is worth following in the first place. As a Podcast Hall of Fame inductee and founder of the EarBuds Podcast Collective, Arielle shares what your own listener behavior reveals about why people click, follow, and come back week after week, and how you can use these same insights to help more listeners find and follow your show. So if you’re publishing every week but your audience still isn’t growing, hit play and let’s dive in.1:02 – Why Some Podcasts Earn an Audience (and Others Never Do)5:34 – Promotion Alone Won’t Grow Your Podcast7:11 – What Actually Makes a Podcast Worth Recommending12:30 – The Surprising Role Word-of-Mouth Still Plays in Growing a Podcast20:07 – Why People Don’t Always Listen the First Time They See Your PodcastEpisode Links:Meet Arielle Nissenblatt: Website | LinkedInSubscribe to the EarBuds Newsletter: EarBuds.audioCurate a list or pitch your podcast: EarBuds.audio/curateOther Episodes You’ll Love: 4 Podcast Mistakes That Kill Word-of-Mouth Growth→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Mar 4, 2026 • 13min
Apple’s Video Update Explained (And Why It Won’t Grow Your Podcast)
Apple Podcasts just rolled out a new video experience, and the industry is split down the middle. Some are calling it transformative. Others are calling it irrelevant. But the real question is: what does this actually mean for your show?In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s changed inside Apple Podcasts (in plain English), why this update improves user experience but does not improve podcast discovery, and when video *might* make sense for your show (and when it absolutely doesn’t).So if you want podcast growth without chasing every platform update, hit play and let’s dive in.1:02 – Why Apple’s “New” Video Isn’t Actually New5:34 – Why Apple’s Video Update Won’t Grow Your Podcast Audience7:11 – The Real Cost of Adding Video to Your Podcast8:34 – Why You’re Not Behind If You’re Audio-Only12:30 – What Actually Fixes a Podcast That Isn’t GrowingOther Episodes You’ll Love: The Dark Side of Video Podcasting (and Why So Many Regret It)→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Feb 25, 2026 • 20min
3 Podcast SEO Moves That Increased My Downloads 41%
It doesn’t matter how good your episodes are if listeners can't find them. You can add video, guest on other podcasts, or post on social media, but if your podcast isn’t showing up in search, you're missing out on 70% of listeners who find new shows that way every day.In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 podcast SEO moves that took this show from ranking #97 in search to consistently landing in the top 1–3 and increasing downloads 41%. The same moves you can implement immediately to help your podcasting efforts actually pay off instead of burning you out. If you’re ready for a simple marketing system that gets your show discovered by new listeners 24/7, hit play and let’s dive in.2:18 – If Your Podcast Isn’t Showing Up in Search, This Is Why6:04 – Why Adding Video Won’t Fix a Discovery Problem9:47 – 3 Podcast SEO Shortcuts That Help You Get Found 24/714:32 – The Exact Order to Optimize Your Podcast for Search18:06 – What 30 Days of Podcast SEO Can Do for Your Search RankingsOther Episodes You’ll Love: Why Podcast SEO Makes it Easier than Ever for Niche Shows to Get Discovered41% Podcast Growth in 30 Days with Podcast SEO. Here's How.__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Feb 18, 2026 • 22min
From Invisible To #1 Worldwide In 1 Week With Podcast SEO
There are two types of podcasters: The ones who publish an episode, close their laptop, and hope the right listeners somehow find it. And the ones who understand that if their show doesn’t appear in search, it might as well not exist.Fellow podcaster Eve Hall knows what it feels like to be invisible to the very listeners you’re trying to serve. But instead of recording more episodes or chasing the next marketing tactic, she made a few strategic changes to the content she was already creating, and within one week, her podcast hit #1 worldwide in search. So if you’re ready to stop hoping listeners stumble across your podcast and start showing up where they’re already searching, hit play and let’s dive in.0:32 – The Harsh Truth About Podcast Search Visibility5:48 – The 4 Actions That Actually Move You Up In Podcast Search8:20 – The Show Notes Strategy That Multiplies Keywords Across Your Entire Catalog13:55 – How To Rank For Competitive Keywords Without Sounding Like A Robot16:46 – The #1 SEO Myth Keeping Podcasters InvisibleEpisode Links:Meet Eve: Website | LinkedInListen to Eve’s Podcast | Please MeOther Episodes You’ll Love: 5 Best Podcast SEO Practices to Rank at the Top of Apple & Spotify Search3 Signs Your Podcast SEO is Paying Off__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Feb 12, 2026 • 22min
How to Get Your Podcast Featured in Top Publications Before You’re a Big Show
You don’t need a massive audience to get media attention. In the media world, downloads aren’t what open doors. That’s why PR experts Bridget Sicsko and Lydia Bagarozza are back to break down the exact PR system podcasts your size can run in just 1–2 hours a week to get quoted and featured in top media and PR publications, even with fewer than 100 downloads an episode. You’ll also learn what to do after you get featured so that visibility turns into bigger guests, stronger partnerships, and better opportunities instead of a one-off win.So if you’re ready to move from understanding why PR works to knowing exactly how to use it to grow your podcast, hit play and let’s dive in.2:01 – The First PR Move Small Podcasts Should Make5:45 – What Makes a Pitch Work When You Don’t Have Big Numbers10:30 – How to Turn One Yes Into Multiple Opportunities16:10 – The 4-Step PR System You Can Run in 1–2 Hours a Week19:05 – What to Do After You Get Featured (So It Actually Pays Off)Episode Links:Meet Bridget & Lydia: Website | YouTube Check out Bridget & Lydia’s Podcast: Visibility EraCreate a free HARO account (HelpAReporter.com) Create an Expert Page on Featured.comGet $50 Off Qwoted.com Other Episodes You’ll Love: Why You Don’t Need Big Download Numbers to Get Big Guests, Sponsors, and Deals→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...

Feb 11, 2026 • 20min
Why You Don’t Need Big Download Numbers to Get Big Guests, Sponsors, and Deals
If you’ve been telling yourself that bigger downloads are the reason other podcasts land better guests, sponsors, and opportunities, think again. PR and media experts Bridget Sicsko and Lydia Bagarozza are in the studio to break down what actually gets small podcasts taken seriously, and how you can get quoted and featured in top media and PR publications to build massive social proof for your show (even with fewer than 100 downloads an episode). So if you want dream guests, sponsors, and big opportunities to come your way without waiting around for big download numbers, hit play and let’s dive in. 1:15 – The Myth That Bigger Shows Automatically Get Better Opportunities6:30 – How Listeners Decide Whether to Trust a Podcast11:20 – Why Media Wants You to Pitch Them13:55 – What Makes a Podcast Feel Legit Right Away16:40 – How Being “Small” Can Actually Work in Your FavorEpisode Links:Meet Bridget & Lydia: Website | YouTube Check out Bridget & Lydia’s Podcast: Visibility EraCreate a free HARO account (HelpAReporter.com) Create an Expert Page on Featured.comGet $50 Off Qwoted.com Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Get Your Podcast Featured in Top Publications Before You’re a Big Show → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U__________________________________________Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.On-Air Podcast Coaching: Join the waitlist for a chance to get coached by Courtney on air in real time.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners find you in search.Done-For-You Podcast SEO: Let our team build your Podcast SEO Strategy so your show gets found 24/7.PodLaunch® Accelerator: Book a free podcasting strategy call if you're ready to build a show that converts and grows on repeat.Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | PodLaunchHQ.comThis episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...


