Podcast Summary: Just One Tip from Your Podcast Performance Coach

Episode 245: "5 Types of Podcast Coaches (and How to Pick the Right One)"
Host: Tim Wohlberg
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise and actionable five-minute episode, Tim Wohlberg, veteran radio broadcaster and podcast coach, demystifies the diverse world of podcast coaching. Tim provides a breakdown of the five most common types of podcast coaches, outlining their strengths, weaknesses, and the types of podcasters they best serve. The goal is to help listeners determine exactly what kind of support they need for their own podcast success—whether they're just starting out or looking to level up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Proliferation of Podcast Coaches

• Podcast coaching is a “pretty broad term” these days, with many coaches offering a variety of services and approaches.
• Tim stresses the importance of knowing what you actually need before hiring a podcast coach.

2. The Five Types of Podcast Coaches

A. The Fast Launch Coach

• Characterized by promises like “Be a podcaster by Friday” or even launching in 24 hours.
• Quote: “If you didn’t care about quality, you could launch a podcast in 30 minutes.” (01:07)
• Ideal for: Chronic procrastinators or hobbyists.
• Warning: Quick launches can hurt your brand or waste time and money if podcasting is tied to your business.

B. The Technical Coach

• Lives for “gear and editing”—focused on equipment, audio cleanup, and possibly video skills.
• Main Offering: Lists of equipment, tech support, editing guidance.
• Quote: “Don’t expect them to talk about your message, your listener, your positioning… that’s not their lane.” (02:00)
• Ideal for: Those with clear strategy and content but who struggle with the technical side.

C. The Performance Coach

• Sometimes not labeled strictly as a podcast coach; background in acting, voice, or speaking.
• Helps with delivery, sounding confident, and comfort behind the mic.
• Quote: “If strategy and tech are already handled, but you freeze every time you hit record… this is the kind of coach you need. I’m talking to you, perfectionists.” (02:35)
• Ideal for: Podcasters with performance anxiety or a desire to sound more professional.

D. The Business Coach Who Also Does Podcast Coaching

• Business experts who tack podcast advice onto their service portfolio.
• Useful for strategy and marketing because they know your business.
• Caution: May lack depth in performance or technical skills.
• Quote: “Be cautious about business coaches who add this on as a bonus… your podcast should not be created as an ‘also included.’” (03:30)
• Ideal for: Clients who already trust their business coach and have a team to cover gaps.

E. The Strategic Podcast Coach

• Takes a holistic, “big picture” approach: alignment with brand, business goals, tech, content, and delivery.
• Quote: “This is the kind of podcast coach you want to hire if you want to get it right out of the gate—not just launch fast, but launch right.” (04:06)
• Ensures the podcast drives authority, leads, and sales.
• Tim’s Own Practice: Now offers only this type of comprehensive, unified coaching.

3. Coaching Evolution & Philosophy

• Early coaching focused on performance and tech, but Tim discovered “content and strategy were the more important pieces of the podcast success puzzle.” (05:07)
• Now starts with the “why, who, and what you want your podcast to do for your business,” before diving into the content and technical details.
• Offers personalized, two-on-one coaching to weave all aspects of podcasting together for best results.

4. Critical Truths & Bottom Line Advice

• Quote: “Podcasting takes time and money. If your podcast isn’t set up strategically, you’ll waste both and probably end up in the podcast graveyard.” (06:13)
• Be clear about your goals for the podcast.
• Pick a coach who genuinely meets those needs, not just the flashiest or fastest.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fast Launches:
  “Skeptical? You should be… The fast Launch coach is your play if you don’t care about the outcome, you just want to get it done.” (01:13)

• On Technical Coaches:
  “If your hang up is tech, they can help, but don’t expect them to talk about your message, your listener, your positioning, your show structure, or how your podcast grows your business.” (02:00)

• On Performance Anxiety:
  “If strategy and tech are already handled, but you freeze every time you hit record...this is the kind of coach you need. I’m talking to you, perfectionists.” (02:35)

• On Strategic Coaching:
  “They’re looking at the big picture because they know that a powerful and effective podcast is the sum of its parts.” (04:30)

• The Hard Truth:
  “Podcasting takes time and money. If your podcast isn’t set up strategically, you’ll waste both and probably end up in the podcast graveyard.” (06:13)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:01 – 01:32: Introduction and definition of “podcast coach”; importance of matching coach to needs
• 01:32 – 02:00: The Fast Launch Coach explained
• 02:00 – 02:35: The Technical Coach explained
• 02:35 – 03:30: The Performance Coach profiled
• 03:30 – 04:06: The Business Coach with podcast add-ons
• 04:06 – 05:07: The Strategic Podcast Coach and what sets them apart
• 05:07 – 06:13: Tim’s coaching approach evolution story
• 06:13 – 06:50: Final advice and call to action

Conclusion

This episode arms listeners with clarity on the spectrum of podcast coaching options and equips them to select a coach best suited for their situation and goals. Tim employs his signature direct, practical style to cut through confusion, ensuring podcasters think carefully about how their investment in coaching will pay off.

Call to action:
For those looking for comprehensive, strategic guidance, Tim invites listeners to book a free podcast coaching call at podcastperformancecoach.com—and to stop procrastinating and start building a podcast that truly serves their business.

“Let’s get your podcast launched the right way or fix the underperforming podcast you already have.” (06:47)