Growing a podcast is harder than most people expect, and there are real reasons why most podcasts never grow. Podcast Hall of Famer Arielle Nissenblatt joins the morning show cast and crew to break down what actually works, from audience development and podcast discovery to newsletter marketing and building genuine connections with listeners. If your download numbers have felt stuck, her perspective might shift how you're thinking about it. Growth rarely comes from one big break or a single clever tactic. It comes from small improvements over time, smarter positioning, and testing things until you find what actually resonates with the audience you're trying to reach.

Episode Highlights:

[09:15] Meet Arielle Nissenblatt

[15:59] The Origins of the EarBuds Newsletter

[21:04] How to Get Press Passes for Events

[28:50] How to Get Featured in EarBuds

[39:19] Audience Growth Myths

[42:49] Consistency vs. Quality

[47:22] How to Audit Your Show

[51:48] Low-Hanging Optimization Opportunities

[53:40] Collaborations and Pre-Pitching Strategies

[56:23] Paid Media Options for Growth

[01:00:18] Objective Feedback and Podcast Audits