Podcasting Momentum - The Marketing Flywheel for Your Business
Episode: How to Master Your Audio Branding and Podcast Voice with Jodi Krangle
Host: Josh Troche (Pedal Stomper Productions)
Guest: Jodi Krangle (Voice Actor & Audio Branding Podcaster)
Date: March 10, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the essential but often overlooked world of audio branding and podcast voice. Host Josh Troche welcomes veteran voice actor and audio branding specialist Jodi Krangle to discuss how your actual voice—as heard on your podcast—is a direct extension of your business brand. They unravel the real-world lessons from Jodi’s career journey, cover technical tips for better podcast sound, and explore the human and business impact of high-quality audio in content creation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jodi Krangle’s Origin Story: From Boomboxes to Brand Voice
- First Spark: Jodi reminisces about calling in to Toronto’s CKEY 590 at age 11, recording herself with a boombox to hear how she sounded on air.
- “It was kind of the thrill of hearing myself on the show. That was the impetus, I think, for a lot of my decision to maybe make a living from my voice later.” — Jodi (01:48)
- Professional Background:
- Started in SEO and Internet marketing and ran a songwriting website (The Muses Muse) before migrating to voiceover full time in 2007.
- Transitioned to voice acting due to boredom and a desire for more creativity.
- Podcasting Genesis:
- Initial podcast, “Jodi’s Silver Linings,” was about general musings, but after being mistaken for a life coach, she pivoted to focus on sound and audio branding—her real passion.
- “When you make a podcast, you are automatically perceived as an expert.” — Jodi (05:46)
2. Why Audio is Brand: The Undervalued Importance of Sound
- Emotional Power:
- “The visuals are giving you information and the sound makes you feel.” — Jodi (08:59)
- Advocacy:
- Sound is often the last element considered by production teams, yet it is integral to branding, emotional engagement, and memory.
3. Common Audio Mistakes in Podcasting (and How to Fix Them)
- Mic Technique:
- “For the love of God, be closer to your mic.” — Jodi (09:45)
- “Do not be half a room away from your microphone and use a cardioid pattern. Do not use omni.” — Jodi (09:55)
- Headphones & Echo:
- “Echo cancellation is where good sound goes to die.” — Jodi (10:53)
- Not wearing headphones can lead to suppression of simultaneous voices and muddy, unengaging audio.
- “Echo cancellation is where good sound goes to die.” — Jodi (10:53)
- Pop Filters and Sibilance:
- Use mic angles instead of relying solely on pop filters (“I am talking at an angle to it so that… it’s not a full on breath of like a pop.” — Jodi, 13:14)
- Understanding Your Gear:
- Know the difference between side-address and front-address mics, and use the right pattern and positioning for best results.
4. Audio and Podcast as Brand Representation
- “If you don't sound good, you sound bad.” — Jodi (15:08)
- Your voice quality reflects the care you put into your brand. Neglecting audio signals a lack of professionalism.
- Inclusivity of Voice Types:
- “There is a place for just about every voice... I really don’t know a lot of people like that [with ‘unbearable’ voices].” — Jodi (16:20)
- Confidence Over Perfection:
- Most people dislike their own voice because the recorded version differs from what they hear internally. Confidence—and hearing your voice played back—is key to getting comfortable.
5. Being Heard: Audience, Impact, and Podcast Growth
- Unexpected Reach:
- Jodi shares stories of being recognized by unexpected listeners at conferences, highlighting the hidden reach of a niche podcast.
- “You don't realize how many people are listening until someone you had no idea would be listening comes up and tells you.” — Jodi (22:52)
- Jodi shares stories of being recognized by unexpected listeners at conferences, highlighting the hidden reach of a niche podcast.
- Niche Focus:
- Jodi intentionally designed her show for people working in sound, aiming to “raise all boats” and help audio professionals justify the value of their work to clients.
- Growth was steady: noticeable impact and industry recognition began to show after about three years (29:18).
- YouTube vs. Podcast Audio:
- Treat YouTube and audio podcast experiences differently. Don’t just rip audio from video (“audio is usually 10 times worse”), and beware of making visual assumptions in audio content (25:22).
- Jodi’s pet peeve: Podcasters posting audio from live YouTube streams without adapting for listeners.
6. Audio Branding and ROI: The Value for Business
- Long-Tail Marketing:
- “This is certainly long tail marketing for me, definitely … I want to make sure that all of us who work in sound are able to explain to people outside the industry why what we do is important.” — Jodi (28:08)
- Podcast as Content Engine:
- The relationships and knowledge from the show have led to occasional direct work, but the main value comes from credibility and client education.
7. AI, the Future of Voice, and Podcasting
- AI as Partner, Not Replacement:
- “I see AI as a partner, not a replacement. So I see it as helping with the productivity and not the creativity.” — Jodi (30:40)
- Human Connection:
- Studies show audiences don’t connect as well with AI voices (“If you want anyone to learn anything… remember what you’re telling them… actually have a connection… you need a real human voice.” — Jodi, 31:09).
- AI Tools:
- Good for cleaning up bad audio or summarizing content, but not for replacing the main speaking voice.
- Dangers of AI:
- Potential for misinformation and manipulation in AI-created media, especially on platforms like YouTube (34:53).
8. Practical Tips for Presenters and Podcasters
- Let Go of Perfection:
- “You don’t need to be perfect…. Listen to anybody’s first episode. It’s horrendous. You learn as you go. You learn as you do. So just do so that you can learn.” — Jodi (37:12)
- Buffer and Scheduling:
- Maintain a backlog of 5 episodes to reduce stress and maintain quality; Jodi splits 60-minute interviews into two for manageability (38:15).
- Evergreen Content Bonus:
- Allows for flexible release schedules and higher production value (“Since I started in November 2019, I have not missed an episode. So, you know. Yeah, weekly.” — Jodi, 38:44)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "For the love of God, be closer to your mic." — Jodi Krangle (09:45)
- "Echo cancellation is where good sound goes to die." — Jodi Krangle (10:53)
- "The visuals are giving you information and the sound makes you feel." — Jodi Krangle (08:59)
- "If you don't sound good, you sound bad." — Jodi Krangle (15:08)
- "There is a place for just about every voice." — Jodi Krangle (16:20)
- "I see AI as a partner, not a replacement." — Jodi Krangle (30:40)
- "If you want to make a genuine connection... you need a real human voice." — Jodi Krangle (31:09)
- "You don’t need to be perfect... Listen to anybody’s first episode. It’s horrendous." — Jodi Krangle (37:12)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Jodi’s Audio/Branding Origin Story: 01:21 – 05:46
- The Emotional Power of Sound: 06:33 – 08:59
- Common Audio Mistakes & Practical Advice: 09:45 – 15:19
- Representing Your Brand via Your Voice: 15:08 – 18:41
- Getting Comfortable with Your Voice: 17:32 – 19:30
- Podcast Reach & Niche Audiences: 22:52 – 26:16
- YouTube vs. Podcasting Audio: 24:41 – 25:42
- AI in Audio – Impacts and Limitations: 30:40 – 34:23
- Letting Go of Perfection, Buffering Episodes: 37:03 – 38:44
Actionable Takeaways
- Treat your podcast audio as core part of your brand—never an afterthought.
- Prioritize mic technique and gear placement; proximity is power!
- Don’t equate “perfect” with “professional”—authenticity (with clarity) connects best.
- Use podcasting as a means to build both credibility and deep professional relationships.
- Stay niche—speak to the audience that matters, not to everyone.
- AI is a tool for productivity, not a substitute for genuine human creativity or connection.
- Buffer episodes and split interviews to reduce stress and increase production consistency.
Plug: Find Jodi and Her Work
- Website: voiceoversandvocals.com
- Podcast: audiobrandingpodcast.com
Summary in Host’s Own Words
“Your voice is representing your brand, not your guest’s. It is your voice that is the one that is representing your brand. Do you sound your best? Do you sound good? There’s room for everyone’s voice, but you don’t want cackles, excessive sibilance, or coughing in your podcast… Because let’s face it, sound is so, so so much of podcasting. It’s everything, really.” — Josh Troche (40:00)
For listeners seeking both technical acumen and the philosophy of podcast voice as brand, this episode is a masterclass—practical, no-nonsense, and packed with immediately actionable gems.
