Podcast Summary: Grow The Show, Ep. 258 — How a Part-Time Podcast Built a Full-Time Client Pipeline
Host: Kev Michael
Guest: Orlando Wood, Founder of Kubrick Labs and host of the "Technically Creative" podcast
Date: February 17, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode dives into how Orlando Wood leveraged a simple, part-time podcast to drive extraordinary business growth, outpacing the results of traditional sales tactics. Orlando shares how his show grew from a handful of YouTube subscribers to over 230,000, while consistently attracting clients for his IT and AI consultancy — all alongside running his business full-time.
Episode Overview
Orlando Wood, founder of Kubrick Labs and now host of the "Technically Creative" podcast, shares the strategy and mindset shifts that turned his side-project podcast into a business growth engine. Kev Michael digs deep into the decisions, mistakes, and learnings that led to explosive audience and business growth — offering a realistic, actionable road map for podcasters seeking real-world ROI.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Podcast as a Business Growth Tool (00:21–04:37)
- Orlando’s Motivation: Orlando’s podcast was born from a need for meaningful, human connection in an increasingly remote industry environment. He found podcasting far more effective than traditional sales, using curiosity and authentic conversation as core selling tools.
- Building Relationships, Not Just Leads: The podcast "connected me with people who I wanted to meet, and rekindled old relationships," says Orlando, often generating referrals through guests rather than directly pitching their business.
Quote (Orlando, 03:30):
"I get to ask serious questions that I give a shit about ... It's connecting with people. Not always in the very linear way of 'have them on the podcast, then go, so, this is what we do, can we work together.'"
2. Starting Imperfectly & Iterating Over Time (04:37–11:24)
- Background & Early Days: A seasoned creative pro, Orlando knew to seek help learning podcasting’s rules — even if he couldn’t act on all advice immediately due to running a business.
- Iterative Growth: Orlando candidly admits most improvements (like properly produced intros) weren’t possible or implemented until nine months in, only after the show was monetized and it made sense to hire an editor.
Quote (Orlando, 07:08):
"A lot of the things you taught me I hadn't even been able to put in practice until literally today... Now that we're monetized — we've seen the value of this — we're investing more into it."
- Takeaway: Launch with what you have. Optimize later, once real business or audience traction justifies investment.
3. Importance of Simplicity: Show Name & Setup (09:00–10:47)
- Naming Journey: Started as "The Kubrick Labs Podcast," renamed to "Technically Creative" after coaching with Kev.
Quote (Kev, 09:54):
"It should do what it says on the tin."
Clear, descriptive titles foster trust and audience retention.
- Minimal Setup: Orlando’s show covers high-profile, Hollywood-adjacent topics — but began with a basic home setup. Kev emphasizes this as proof that "conversation, not production glitz, drives value and growth."
4. Making Peace with Imperfections (11:24–15:50)
- Balancing Priorities: With agency growth and client demands, Orlando let go of perfection, sometimes publishing shows with technical or production errors and being transparent with his audience.
- Important Personal Backstory: The podcast was launched a month after Orlando suffered a mini-stroke.
Quote (Orlando, 15:37):
"I started this podcast about a month after I had a mini stroke ... when it came back, words were gone ... so even throughout the interviews, I would have moments where I would stumble ... but here I am, I'm just trying to get it out."
- Lesson: Authenticity and growth > perfection. Audience and guests value progress over polish.
5. How the Podcast (Actually) Grew So Fast (16:27–22:30)
- Key Growth Driver:
- Aftercare of Guests: Exceptional communication with guests: sending rough cuts for approval, working with corporate comms, and asking guests to help share/coordinate promotion.
- Networking: Pushing guests (especially high-profile ones) politely to share episodes with their own networks, sometimes resulting in viral moments or unique validation (e.g., Tony Robbins listening to an episode).
Quote (Orlando, 16:53):
"After care of the guest. That has been huge."
- YouTube Collab Feature: Leveraging platform tools boosts exposure.
- Metric Snowball: As numbers grow, prospective guests feel validated by stats and are increasingly receptive.
6. Platform-Specific Strategies: Audio vs YouTube (22:30–28:56)
- YouTube: Fastest for growth, but requires constant hooks and spectacle. Success often spiked by marquee guests coinciding with cultural moments.
- Audio Platforms (Apple/Spotify): Audience is smaller but more loyal, patient, and context-driven. Podcast growth on these platforms is slower but linear and durable.
Quote (Orlando, 25:39):
"Audio, you can give people the medicine a little bit more ... My intros usually tried to give context to the guest ... on the audio it goes down a treat."
- Tailored Approaches: Orlando delivers added research/context in intros for audio, but skips those on YouTube due to audience preference.
7. Measuring ROI and Investing with Confidence (36:13)
- Approach: Only invested in improved production once the podcast’s audience and sales impact were clear.
Quote (Orlando, 36:13):
"Knowing that it's a funnel, and knowing that it's delivering for the business ... you can use that ROI to then fund the improvements to the show."
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On Reaching Out by Podcasting:
"For a lot of us who are starting a business and naturally pull back in terms of sales ... the podcast has been consistently good. I get to ask serious questions that I give a shit about ... drives real value to the business."
— Orlando Wood (03:30) -
On Getting Started Imperfectly:
"Zero to one thing is the most important thing. Start, just start. You will not be good at so many parts ... Now, looking back, I have [improved] ... but I thought they were great at the time."
— Orlando Wood (30:59) -
On Guest Leverage:
_"Ride the coattails of your guests." (20:50) -
On Audio vs. Video Listeners:
"Audio listeners feel very methodical. It feels the way growth is supposed to feel ... more linear, more sustainable, more of a relationship."
— Orlando Wood (27:57)
Actionable Advice for Podcasters
- Start Now, Perfect Later: Don’t wait for the perfect setup or strategy.
- Leverage Your Guest Network: Top-tier guests (even from your distant past) bring direct and indirect growth; always nurture the relationship, communicate, and request their support.
- Platform Awareness: Strategically tailor your content to the strengths and expectations of each platform.
- Feedback & Iteration: Seek feedback, adjust tone and approach based on analytics and audience response.
- ROI Comes First: Don’t overspend until justified by growth. Use podcast traction to fund further improvements.
Memorable Moments
- Orlando discusses his emotional response to Tony Robbins enjoying his podcast (18:15).
- The strategic name change from “Kubrick Labs” to “Technically Creative” (09:54–10:47).
- Orlando's motivation to podcast after a life-changing health scare (15:37).
- Kev and Orlando advocate for leveraging the YouTube Collab feature (21:10–21:57).
Key Segment Timestamps
- Why Start a Podcast? (01:44–04:37)
- Growth from 9 to 233,000 Subscribers (05:18–05:41)
- Naming and Branding the Podcast (09:00–10:47)
- Balancing Imperfection with Growth (11:24–15:50)
- Guest Aftercare & Viral Growth (16:27–22:30)
- Audio vs. YouTube Approach (22:30–28:56)
- Advice to Aspiring Podcaster-Business Owners (30:59–36:13)
Final Words
Orlando’s journey proves that starting with authenticity — not perfection — and focusing relentlessly on guest relationships can make podcasting into a highly effective, enjoyable growth channel for your business. His approach dispels myths about needing a high-end setup and shows that real-world traction matters most.
"You can always waste revenue building a podcast. Knowing that it's delivering for the business — that's the key shift." — Orlando Wood (36:13)
Listen for the candid advice, relatable struggles, and evidence-backed growth strategies applicable to both new and seasoned business podcasters.