Summary of Podcast Episode: "So You Want to Start a Podcast? A Roadmap for School Business Affiliates"

Released on July 29, 2025, "So You Want to Start a Podcast? A Roadmap for School Business Affiliates" is a special episode of ASBO International's official podcast, School Business Insider, hosted by John Brucato. In this episode, John steps into the role of interviewee, engaging in a comprehensive discussion with Amanda Wing, Deputy Executive Director of ASBO New York. The episode serves as a practical guide for school business affiliates interested in launching their own podcasts.

1. Introduction

The episode begins with John Brucato introducing himself and the unique format of the episode, where he is being interviewed by Amanda Wing. John shares his excitement about delving into the behind-the-scenes aspects of podcasting, including his personal journey, time management, and production processes.

"We're able to dive into what I do behind the scenes from a podcasting standpoint, how I got started, what my background is, and really where the time commitments are to make all of this come together week after week."
– John Brucato [00:01]

2. Guest Introduction: John Brucato

Amanda Wing provides a detailed introduction of John Brucato, highlighting his multifaceted roles as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations at Briarcliff Manor, incoming president of the ASBO New York board, adjunct professor at Canisius University, and host of School Business Insider. She emphasizes John's extensive involvement and dedication to the school finance profession.

"John Brucato is a wonderful person, one of the busiest people I know... he is the host of Asthma International's official podcast, School Business Insider."
– Amanda Wing [01:37]

3. John's Background and Podcasting Journey

John delves into his career trajectory, initially envisioning a technological role at a major tech company before discovering his passion for school business. He reflects on how his diverse interests, including a love for music, naturally led him to podcasting. John also mentions his family life and the balancing act required to maintain various responsibilities.

"I went to school thinking I would be in some kind of tech role at, like, Apple or Google by now... the podcast was kind of just a natural kind of blend between what I do in terms of my day job and some of my passions in terms of music."
– John Brucato [05:14]

4. Time Management and Commitment for Podcasting

Amanda acknowledges John's busy schedule and inquires about how he manages the time commitments required for podcasting alongside his professional and personal life. John candidly discusses the challenges of balancing multiple roles, emphasizing the importance of prioritization and effective time management.

"It really is just not finding the time but I guess just reprioritizing it."
– John Brucato [08:52]

John explains that while much of the podcasting workload falls on him, support from ASBO International helps with scheduling and graphics. He outlines his process, from recording to editing, noting that each episode typically requires about an hour and a half of his time.

"I've gotten it down to a science where my episodes I try to target... after I'm done editing and I publish and everything, it probably takes me an hour and a half per episode at this point, maybe a little shorter."
– John Brucato [10:00]

5. Starting a Podcast: Frequency and Scope

Amanda and John discuss the initial considerations for affiliates looking to start a podcast, particularly the frequency of episodes and the breadth of topics covered. John advises affiliates to carefully assess their ability to sustain the podcasting effort and align content with member interests.

"The first thing to think about is the time commitment, because it is a lot of time to dedicate towards doing something like this... figuring out how you want to set up your podcast in terms of its frequency."
– John Brucato [13:07]

John suggests that affiliates might opt for less frequent releases, such as monthly episodes, to maintain quality and manage workload effectively.

6. Navigating Interviews without Being an Expert

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how to conduct interviews when the host may not be an expert in the guest's field. John shares his experience of leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare intelligent questions and structure conversations, thereby enhancing the quality of interviews.

"ChatGPT... has been able to help build these questions and these talking points has allowed me to focus more on the conversation and kind of keep my place and pace in the conversation rather than just firing off questions."
– John Brucato [19:00]

7. Technical Aspects: Equipment and Software

Amanda inquires about the minimum technical requirements for starting a podcast. John emphasizes the importance of a quality microphone and recommends against using built-in laptop microphones due to poor sound quality. He details his setup, which includes a high-end microphone and software tools for recording and editing.

"Honestly, I think all you need is a nice microphone... You can find a nice quality USB plug in microphone."
– John Brucato [22:01]

John discusses the use of Riverside.fm for recording, explaining its advantages over platforms like Zoom in delivering higher-quality audio files by recording locally on each guest's computer.

8. Editing Process and AI Assistance

John provides an in-depth look at his editing workflow, utilizing software like Logic Pro for audio editing and Buzzsprout for publishing. He highlights how AI tools have streamlined his preparation and post-production processes, allowing him to generate episode titles, descriptions, and social media posts efficiently.

"I've created a GPT where I basically I tell the, the GPT who, who my guest is... and I'll work through that. And that has really been a game changer in terms of kind of changing my frame of thinking."
– John Brucato [20:00]

He also demonstrates his use of AI within Riverside.fm for generating show notes, keywords, and clips, though he notes he personally prefers manual editing for finer control over the content.

9. Content Strategy: Balancing Technical and Human Stories

The conversation shifts to content planning, where John explains the importance of balancing technical, informative episodes with more personal, feel-good stories. He shares examples of his most popular episodes, which range from technical discussions on GASB implementations to candid conversations about work-life balance and personal experiences.

"One of our good great episodes actually is my wife Brady did a very kind of candid interview... her raw vulnerability resonated with a lot of people."
– John Brucato [50:19]

John emphasizes listening actively and allowing conversations to flow organically to create engaging and relatable content for listeners.

10. Listener Engagement and Podcast Stats

John briefly touches on his podcast's performance, noting a diverse global listenership with a strong base in North America. He explains how Buzzsprout simplifies distribution across major podcast platforms, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience.

"For School Business Insider we have majority of our listeners are in North America, but we have representation from Europe, Africa, Asia and two people in South America."
– John Brucato [34:20]

He mentions ranking among the top education podcasts and attributes success to a mix of high-quality content and strategic scheduling.

11. Q&A Highlights

During the Q&A segment, Amanda relays questions from participants, and John provides insightful answers:

• Platform Statistics: John explains the metrics he focuses on, primarily downloads and subscriptions, and reiterates the importance of being available on platforms like Apple Podcasts.

• Content Mix: John discusses the absence of a strict content mix, instead opting to respond to listener needs and current trends within the school business community.

"I try to balance it... whether it's something that's happening in like the... with all of the Supreme Court decisions, that, that was like a totally relevant, super technical we should talk about this kind of thing."
– John Brucato [55:23]

12. Conclusion

Amanda wraps up the webinar by thanking John for his valuable insights and encouraging listeners to consider starting their own podcasts. She highlights the encouraging aspects of the session, emphasizing that podcasting, while demanding, is achievable with the right approach and tools.

"This definitely made me feel like it's not as daunting as it feels like. And for those of you that are thinking about one starting one at your affiliate, hopefully this gave you some confidence to try it and start small."
– Amanda Wing [59:00]

John offers further support, inviting participants to reach out for more in-depth discussions offline.

"If anyone listening wants to jump on next week, let me know. Would love to have you."
– John Brucato [60:09]

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation is Crucial: Utilize tools like AI to streamline research and question formulation, especially when not being an expert in the field.

• Quality Equipment Matters: Invest in a good microphone and reliable recording software to ensure professional-sounding episodes.

• Balance Content Types: Combine technical, informative content with personal stories to engage a broader audience.

• Effective Time Management: Prioritize tasks and consider recording multiple episodes in advance to alleviate weekly pressures.

• Leverage Support Systems: Utilize available resources, such as ASBO International's assistance with graphics and scheduling, to manage workload.

Notable Quotes:

"It really is just me doing the recording, I do the scheduling, I do the questions, I do the editing and all of the production."
– John Brucato [10:00]

"Using AI has really been a huge time saver because not only is it helping me kind of formulate questions in the conversation guidelines, but it also helps with organizing the entire process."
– John Brucato [20:00]

"We're just sitting at a table together over a cup of coffee, having a conversation."
– John Brucato [44:02]

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for school business affiliates contemplating the launch of their own podcasts, offering practical advice drawn from John's extensive experience. From initial planning and equipment selection to leveraging AI for efficiency, listeners gain a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the podcasting landscape successfully.