Most podcast growth advice sounds exciting, but the strategies that actually work in 2026 are surprisingly boring–and far more effective.

In this episode, I break down a growth strategy that isn’t flashy, but it works. If you’re serious about growing your podcast in 2026, you need a system, not random tactics.

I walk through how to properly set up your YouTube channel before running ads, including what most people overlook that ends up killing conversions. Then, I show you how to run YouTube ads the right way—focusing on attracting the right subscribers, not just more views.

I also discuss the hidden metrics inside Google Ads that tell you if your content is working, and how to validate if you’re bringing in the right audience. Finally, I go over one of the most underrated growth plays right now—podcast feed swaps—and how to use them to grow your downloads without relying on algorithms.

If you want consistent, predictable growth, this is the playbook.

In This Episode:

00:00 - Introduction

00:48 - The biggest mistake before running YouTube ads

01:47 - What your banner, profile, and playlists should do

09:38 - How to set up YouTube ad campaigns correctly

18:35 - Hidden metrics: earned views and subscribers

23:42 - Why podcast discovery is broken

24:49 - Podcast ad swaps vs feed swaps

31:00 - How to find and partner with similar shows

34:49 - The ideal podcast + YouTube growth system

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