Authority is not just about being consistent. It is about serving your audience in a unique and impactful way. It's creating a movement.

Your podcast can be a platform that truly launches you into the space of sought-after authority.

In this episode of Influential Voices of Authority Podcast, Erik K. Johnson sits down with Jedlie, creator of the acclaimed "Reading With Your Kids" podcast.

Together they dive into building real credibility, cultivating trust, and leveraging your podcast not just as more content... but as the engine for your entire business.

Important Links:

Jedlie's website: https://readingwithyourkids.com

Jedlie on Instagram: @ReadingWithYourKids

Jedlie on X: JedlieMagic

Jedlie on Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReadingWithYourKids

Subscribe to the podcast:

Apple Podcasts: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apple

Spotify: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/spotify

Website: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/podcasts

Click subscribe on this video!

Episode Segments:

00:00 Meeting Jedlie and the Early Days of Podcasting 00:32 "Funky Jesus Music" and Lessons from Early Shows 02:00 From Tape Radio to Broadcasting 03:25 Synergy Between Podcasting, Magic, and Impact 05:27 Building Connection with the "We Choose Respect" Podcast 06:09 Transitioning to "Reading With Your Kids" 08:13 Over 2400 Episodes: How Longevity Builds Authority 08:49 Certified Great Read Program: Giving Authors a Platform 09:40 Trust, Reviews, and Unique Author Support 11:04 Interviewing Not Just Authors, but Icons 13:10 Wildest Magic Show Story: Puerto Rico Surprise 15:15 Doors Opened by the Podcast: From Blue's Clues to Outer Space 17:23 Attracting Big Names and Borrowing Trust 19:29 How Guest Features Turn Into Show Growth 19:30 The Business Model: Revenue, Promotions, and Literacy Events 22:33 Magic, Clowning, and Influences from Penn and Teller 25:00 Creating a Real Reading Movement 26:20 The Power of Reading with Your Kids... Not Just Content, but Culture 27:19 Partnering with Schools to Expand Podcast Reach 28:21 Celebrating Books and Building Authority 29:03 Bartering Value and Recognizing Your Own Worth 29:40 Erik and Jedlie Reflect on Influence and the Podcast Future

Key Takeaways:

- You do not become an authority by chance. Jedlie shares how each podcast version, from niche music interviews to helping families read, showed him where his voice could make the most difference.

- Authority multiplies when you make space for others. Jedlie's "Certified Great Read" program leverages his audience's trust to give credibility and visibility to indie authors, turning mutual support into lasting impact.

- Borrowed trust is the shortcut to authority. Featuring high-profile guests like LeVar Burton, Angela Santomero, and Dr. Katherine Sullivan moved Jedlie's show from a niche corner into the mainstream and opened global doors.

- Podcasting can be your ladder... if you use it with intention. From magic school shows to literacy movements, every connection, barter, and creative pivot created new pathways for impact and revenue.

- Your audience won't just buy your podcast. They'll invest in your authority, your ecosystem, and your bigger mission when you curate, package, and serve it intentionally.

Episode Highlights:

- Breaking through the ceiling of "just another podcast episode", and turning your body of work into an engine for influence

- Getting top-tier guests and leveraging every appearance for next-level credibility - How creative bartering and unique experiences set your show apart in crowded niches

- Using your podcast as a magnet for collaborations, speaking, and partnerships with schools and communities

- The real magic of reading with your kids: deeper bonds, academic success, empathy, and multifaceted authority

Connect with Jedlie:

Jedlie's website: https://readingwithyourkids.com

Jedlie on Instagram: @ReadingWithYourKids

Jedlie on X: JedlieMagic

Jedlie on Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReadingWithYourKids

Curious about taking your own podcast from best-kept secret to authority launchpad?

Apply for your Podcast Authority Audit with Erik:

https://podcasttalentcoach.com/coaching