Podcasting Made Simple – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Billion-Dollar Podcasting Strategies | JCRON
Host: Alex Sanfilippo (PodMatch.com)
Guest: Jonathan "JCRON" Cronstedt (Former Kajabi President, Author of Billion Dollar Bullseye)
Date: July 15, 2025

Episode Overview

Alex Sanfilippo is joined by Jonathan “JCRON” Cronstedt, former president of Kajabi and author of Billion Dollar Bullseye. Together, they dive into high-impact business strategies that led to Kajabi’s explosive growth and translate these lessons into actionable insights for podcast hosts and guests. The conversation focuses on three of the book’s seven “rings” — Purpose, Product, and Persuasion — and offers practical advice for those seeking to build content, shows, or businesses that resonate, transform, and grow.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins and Humble Beginnings (00:00–03:50)

Alex recounts his first no-nonsense conversation with JCRON, highlighting the value of honest feedback and humility in business relationships.
JCRON’s journey at Kajabi: joined as President in 2016, grew the company 2,153%, reaching $2B valuation and over 400 team members.
“It was an unbelievable season. Learned a lot, screwed up a lot, had a lot of things go our way, but so grateful for the journey.” (02:09 – JCRON)

2. The Genesis of Billion Dollar Bullseye (03:51–06:54)

The book arose from the need to answer the recurring question: “How did you do it?” at Kajabi.
JCRON emphasizes he wanted the book to offer a timeless framework, not just trendy tactics:

“The way to win at darts is not to actually be good at darts. It’s to have a larger bullseye...than anybody you’re playing against.” (04:22 – JCRON)
The book’s core: Seven Rings adaptable to any business setting.

3. Ring #1: Purpose (07:02–14:51)

Internal Purpose: Deeply personal, may be unapologetically self-serving (“I just wanted to get rich, flat out…I would have sold spoons door to door if the money was right.”) (07:49 – JCRON)
External Purpose: The transformative impact on the customer; the real reason anyone should care.
Key insight: Aligning internal motivation with external value creates magnetism and attraction for people and resources.
Alex applies this lesson to his own podcasting business, noting that articulating purpose publicly transformed PodMatch’s engagement (“We’ve had people apply to work for PodMatch when we don’t have any jobs posted...because of that about page.”) (10:04 – Alex)

How to Apply for Podcasters:

Purpose must live both inside (authentic motivation) and outside (customer transformation).
If your purpose doesn’t resonate internally and externally, it’s a sign to adjust.
“If your why doesn’t make you cry, it probably doesn’t matter that much.” (11:31 – JCRON)
Audiences and even team members “opt-in” when purpose is articulated authentically.

4. Ring #3: Product (14:51–24:05)

Product is your podcast, your episode, or your content offering:

“Product is the unsung hero of any business. It is the hardest, which is why it is focused on the least.” (15:21 – JCRON)
Caution against falling in love with your story or brand at the expense of listener transformation.
For podcast guests: Don’t just promote yourself — serve both host and audience.
For hosts: Episodes should be measured by their transformational impact on listeners, not vanity metrics.
Standout quote:

“If it is transformatively impactful, you will not be able to stop the world from sharing that product.” (16:37 – JCRON)

How to Apply for Podcasters:

Continually seek feedback from listeners to understand what delivers real value.
Don’t just chase downloads; chase transformation.

On Audience Connection:

Alex raises the ever-present challenge: How do you actually engage listeners to improve your product?
JCRON’s advice:

“You’re entitled to the access, but you’re not entitled to the audience.” (18:46 – JCRON)
- Every moment of engagement is a gift of someone’s time—treat it as such.
- Start small and personal. Active engagement, even with one listener, can guide the development of your product.
- Resource Recommendation: A Thousand True Fans — build deep engagement before seeking scale.

5. Ring #6: Persuasion (24:07–29:05)

Persuasion = selling ethically; guiding people toward a result that’s genuinely good for them.
JCRON draws from Dan Sullivan:

“Sales is a process of getting someone intellectually engaged in a future result that is good for them and getting them emotionally charged to take action to achieve it.” (24:25 – JCRON)
Core skill of persuasion in podcasting: LISTENING.
- “You will be remembered for the quality of the questions you ask, not so much for the volume of speaking that you do.” (26:45 – JCRON)
Be present and aim for meaningful brevity and brilliance.

Practical Question for Clarity:

“Ask any of your friends or family members: What problems do you come to me to solve?” (28:10 – JCRON)
This can surface your unique value and guide your content and guesting strategy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Feedback:

“The fact that Alex told me right off the bat that he hated my idea, that’s incredibly valuable. Way more valuable than him telling me he liked it.”
(02:00 – JCRON)

On Audience and Content Quality:

“Media 20 years ago you had to be talented to have a platform. Today…everyone has global reach, [but] you’re not entitled to the audience.”
(18:46 – JCRON)

On Engagement:

“The best resource that I can recommend on this is A Thousand True Fans. It is the ultimate bible on how to interact with this critical few...”
(21:06 – JCRON)

On Purpose:

“If your why doesn’t make you cry, it probably doesn’t matter that much.”
(11:31 – JCRON)

Actionable Takeaways

Define your internal and external purpose — If you haven’t, chances are your content feels generic or emotionally flat.
Your show is your product — Prioritize the transformational impact on your audience, not just your own agenda.
Connect with your audience, even one at a time — Get feedback, start conversations, and use these learnings to refine your offering.
Persuasion starts with listening — True influence comes from understanding, not talking.
“A Thousand True Fans” — Before scaling, ensure deep connection with your core audience.

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00 – Origins: JCRON and Alex’s first call, value of honest feedback
02:09 – Kajabi’s growth, the role JCRON played as President
04:01 – Birth of Billion Dollar Bullseye; true framework vs. hacks
07:17 – Purpose: Why it’s the foundation (internal vs. external)
10:04 – Alex’s about page lesson; practical impact of purpose
15:21 – Product: Why product matters and how to focus beyond self-promotion
18:46 – Audience connection: entitlement vs. value creation
21:06 – Practical audience engagement and A Thousand True Fans
24:19 – Persuasion: Redefining “sales”; why listening is persuasion’s real engine
28:10 – “What problems do you come to me to solve?” – uncovering unique value
31:12 – JCRON’s final call to action for genuine creators in the AI era

Final Thoughts from JCRON (31:12)

“With this AI Revolution … authenticity is going to be a very real currency...The world is going to need more creators…put more thought into those people paying you with their time and attention and how you can be transformatively impactful in their life.”

Connect and Continue

Learn more and get Billion Dollar Bullseye: jcron.com
Listen to the audiobook for deeper dives, “recorded with the Manly Mic!” (30:12)
Feedback welcome: Blow up JCRON’s social if you didn’t find value — he’ll make it right!

For more episodes: podmatch.com/episodes

Podcasting Made Simple – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins and Humble Beginnings (00:00–03:50)

Alex recounts his first no-nonsense conversation with JCRON, highlighting the value of honest feedback and humility in business relationships.
JCRON’s journey at Kajabi: joined as President in 2016, grew the company 2,153%, reaching $2B valuation and over 400 team members.
“It was an unbelievable season. Learned a lot, screwed up a lot, had a lot of things go our way, but so grateful for the journey.” (02:09 – JCRON)

2. The Genesis of Billion Dollar Bullseye (03:51–06:54)

The book arose from the need to answer the recurring question: “How did you do it?” at Kajabi.
JCRON emphasizes he wanted the book to offer a timeless framework, not just trendy tactics:

“The way to win at darts is not to actually be good at darts. It’s to have a larger bullseye...than anybody you’re playing against.” (04:22 – JCRON)
The book’s core: Seven Rings adaptable to any business setting.

3. Ring #1: Purpose (07:02–14:51)

Internal Purpose: Deeply personal, may be unapologetically self-serving (“I just wanted to get rich, flat out…I would have sold spoons door to door if the money was right.”) (07:49 – JCRON)
External Purpose: The transformative impact on the customer; the real reason anyone should care.
Key insight: Aligning internal motivation with external value creates magnetism and attraction for people and resources.
Alex applies this lesson to his own podcasting business, noting that articulating purpose publicly transformed PodMatch’s engagement (“We’ve had people apply to work for PodMatch when we don’t have any jobs posted...because of that about page.”) (10:04 – Alex)

How to Apply for Podcasters:

Purpose must live both inside (authentic motivation) and outside (customer transformation).
If your purpose doesn’t resonate internally and externally, it’s a sign to adjust.
“If your why doesn’t make you cry, it probably doesn’t matter that much.” (11:31 – JCRON)
Audiences and even team members “opt-in” when purpose is articulated authentically.

4. Ring #3: Product (14:51–24:05)

Product is your podcast, your episode, or your content offering:

“Product is the unsung hero of any business. It is the hardest, which is why it is focused on the least.” (15:21 – JCRON)
Caution against falling in love with your story or brand at the expense of listener transformation.
For podcast guests: Don’t just promote yourself — serve both host and audience.
For hosts: Episodes should be measured by their transformational impact on listeners, not vanity metrics.
Standout quote:

“If it is transformatively impactful, you will not be able to stop the world from sharing that product.” (16:37 – JCRON)

How to Apply for Podcasters:

Continually seek feedback from listeners to understand what delivers real value.
Don’t just chase downloads; chase transformation.

On Audience Connection:

Alex raises the ever-present challenge: How do you actually engage listeners to improve your product?
JCRON’s advice:

“You’re entitled to the access, but you’re not entitled to the audience.” (18:46 – JCRON)
- Every moment of engagement is a gift of someone’s time—treat it as such.
- Start small and personal. Active engagement, even with one listener, can guide the development of your product.
- Resource Recommendation: A Thousand True Fans — build deep engagement before seeking scale.

5. Ring #6: Persuasion (24:07–29:05)

Persuasion = selling ethically; guiding people toward a result that’s genuinely good for them.
JCRON draws from Dan Sullivan:

“Sales is a process of getting someone intellectually engaged in a future result that is good for them and getting them emotionally charged to take action to achieve it.” (24:25 – JCRON)
Core skill of persuasion in podcasting: LISTENING.
- “You will be remembered for the quality of the questions you ask, not so much for the volume of speaking that you do.” (26:45 – JCRON)
Be present and aim for meaningful brevity and brilliance.

Practical Question for Clarity:

“Ask any of your friends or family members: What problems do you come to me to solve?” (28:10 – JCRON)
This can surface your unique value and guide your content and guesting strategy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Feedback:

“The fact that Alex told me right off the bat that he hated my idea, that’s incredibly valuable. Way more valuable than him telling me he liked it.”
(02:00 – JCRON)

On Audience and Content Quality:

“Media 20 years ago you had to be talented to have a platform. Today…everyone has global reach, [but] you’re not entitled to the audience.”
(18:46 – JCRON)

On Engagement:

“The best resource that I can recommend on this is A Thousand True Fans. It is the ultimate bible on how to interact with this critical few...”
(21:06 – JCRON)

On Purpose:

“If your why doesn’t make you cry, it probably doesn’t matter that much.”
(11:31 – JCRON)

Actionable Takeaways

Define your internal and external purpose — If you haven’t, chances are your content feels generic or emotionally flat.
Your show is your product — Prioritize the transformational impact on your audience, not just your own agenda.
Connect with your audience, even one at a time — Get feedback, start conversations, and use these learnings to refine your offering.
Persuasion starts with listening — True influence comes from understanding, not talking.
“A Thousand True Fans” — Before scaling, ensure deep connection with your core audience.

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00 – Origins: JCRON and Alex’s first call, value of honest feedback
02:09 – Kajabi’s growth, the role JCRON played as President
04:01 – Birth of Billion Dollar Bullseye; true framework vs. hacks
07:17 – Purpose: Why it’s the foundation (internal vs. external)
10:04 – Alex’s about page lesson; practical impact of purpose
15:21 – Product: Why product matters and how to focus beyond self-promotion
18:46 – Audience connection: entitlement vs. value creation
21:06 – Practical audience engagement and A Thousand True Fans
24:19 – Persuasion: Redefining “sales”; why listening is persuasion’s real engine
28:10 – “What problems do you come to me to solve?” – uncovering unique value
31:12 – JCRON’s final call to action for genuine creators in the AI era

Final Thoughts from JCRON (31:12)

“With this AI Revolution … authenticity is going to be a very real currency...The world is going to need more creators…put more thought into those people paying you with their time and attention and how you can be transformatively impactful in their life.”

Connect and Continue

Learn more and get Billion Dollar Bullseye: jcron.com
Listen to the audiobook for deeper dives, “recorded with the Manly Mic!” (30:12)
Feedback welcome: Blow up JCRON’s social if you didn’t find value — he’ll make it right!

For more episodes: podmatch.com/episodes