School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

Episode: 12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Podcast
Host: Dave Jackson
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is devoted to exploring the "12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Podcast," featuring insights from seasoned podcasters Kim Newlove and Steve Stewart, as well as reflections and actionable advice from host Dave Jackson. The aim is to provide aspiring and current podcasters with tips, cautionary tales, and core lessons learned—so you can skip common mistakes and enjoy a smoother podcasting journey.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Podfade is Real—And That's Okay

• Dave opens by addressing the fact that many podcasts (even those previously featured on his show) have since become inactive.
  • “38% of people that responded in 2021, their website is dead. And 5% of them... had put out an episode in over a year." (02:05)
• He normalizes the decision to quit, noting interests change and projects end.

2. Kim Newlove’s 12 Lessons for Podcasters

Segment starts at 03:59

Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist Voice Podcast, Perrysburg Podcast) shares her comprehensive list of things she wishes she’d known before launching, illustrating each point with her own experiences:

2.1. Missions and Motives Can Change

• “I didn't realize that I could change my why for the podcast throughout the podcast... I wish that was more common that people talked about changing the mission…” (04:12)
• Lesson: Feel free to update your show’s mission as you evolve.

2.2. Find Trusted Resources Early

• Kim underscores the value of finding and sticking to a trusted podcasting coach, and choosing the learning method that fits your style.
  • “You just need to find people that you trust and listen to them. And for me, that was Dave Jackson...” (05:03)
  • “…how you like to learn anything might be the way that you like to learn podcasting.” (05:36)

2.3. Time to Publish: Production Schedules Matter

• Understanding the time commitment for each episode helps you plan realistically.
  • “Once you find out how long it takes you to go from idea to published, it helps you figure out your production schedule.” (06:10)

2.4. Gear Appreciation Grows Over Time

• Only invest in expensive equipment like the Shure SM7B after you’re sure you’ll stick with podcasting.
  • “I wish I would have known that I would stay in podcasting long enough to enjoy using the Shure SM7B...” (07:02)

2.5. MP3 File Sizes and Libsyn Storage

• Kim learned to adjust from 196kbps to 128kbps for file size efficiency.
  • “I had published so many podcast episodes that I almost ran out of space or storage... you can just knock it down to 128, and unless you're an audio snob... nobody’s probably going to notice.” (08:20)

2.6. Underestimating Research and Writing

• Research and prep for episodes (especially for a local podcast or specialized content like drug pronunciations) is far more time-consuming than anticipated.
  • “I totally underestimated the amount of research... Make sure you give yourself enough time to do your research and writing...” (09:03)

2.7. Artwork is Easier with the Right Tools

• Use Canva for episode artwork; she wishes she’d started sooner.
  • “I wish I would have known how to use Canva just starting out...” (10:22)

2.8. Don’t Over-Subscribe on Media Hosting

• Wait until you have episode one ready before signing up for a paid media host.
  • “I wish I would have known that I signed up too soon...” (11:17)

2.9. Podpage Makes Websites Simple

• Kim regrets not launching with a Podpage website for her first podcast.
  • “I wish I would have started with a Podpage for the Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast…” (11:55)

2.10. The Power of Newsletters and Advertising

• She advocates launching a newsletter early and using trailers to promote the podcast.
  • “I wish I would have known how to start a newsletter and started it so I could advertise each episode as it came out. …I wish I would have known about trailers...” (14:18)

2.11. It’s Okay to Have Gaps

• Accept that there will be gaps in your podcasting journey; these can be filled later as you learn.
  • “I didn’t know when I started my first podcast that there would be gaps and that it would be okay…” (16:22)

2.12. Ask for Help When Needed

• Having a coach or support system (like Dave Jackson) is immensely valuable.

Memorable Quote:
"You can build your parachute as you're falling from the plane, so to speak. That's where the value of having a podcast coach like Dave Jackson comes in." (16:28)

3. Steve Stewart’s Core Takeaway: Editing Matters

Segment starts at 20:06

Steve Stewart (podcast editor and co-founder of Podcast Editors Academy) highlights his biggest early lesson:

• “What I wish I'd known back then was how to edit... I really didn't know how to edit for content. That was something I didn't dig into deeply until I started editing for other people, which is about five years after I started my show.” (20:20)

He discusses learning key technical skills:

• Noise reduction
• Volume leveling
• Balancing speakers’ audio

Steve’s Offer:
He provides a resource (stevestewart.me/findaneditor) to match podcasters with editors—a better approach than random social media requests.

Notable Point:
"It's better than walking into a Facebook group of 9,500 podcast editors and you're raising your hand going, hey, I'm looking for an editor…" (21:35)

4. Dave Jackson’s Reflections and Advice

Summary and commentary throughout, main segment at 25:15

4.1. “It’s Your Show—Change What You Want”

• If your motivation, format, or artwork needs to shift, do so—just acknowledge consequences.
  • “It’s your show. You can do whatever you want… realize there are consequences.” (25:23)

4.2. Newsletters: Conversion vs. Community

• Dave distinguishes between platforms like Substack (for community and thought-sharing) and ConvertKit (for marketing and automation).

4.3. Make Time for Learning

• He advocates scheduling dedicated “school time” to methodically learn new skills, rather than frantically problem-solving as issues arise.
  • “Take the time to go to YouTube, watch the videos… when you take the time to learn what it does, figuring out what part of that you need is less frustrating.” (26:33)
  • “Knowledge is power, yeah. Knowledge is also powerful when you put it into action.” (27:36)

4.4. Ask Your Audience for Feedback

• Dave encourages regularly requesting listener feedback—and being genuinely open to constructive criticism.
  • “When somebody gives me great constructive feedback, I’m like, I wish you would quit doing this. I get giddy… that gives me a chance to improve.” (28:32)

4.5. Stick With One Podcast (Or Don’t)

• He reiterates his own historical regret: spreading himself too thin among multiple shows.
  • “One of my biggest regrets... stick with one and make it amazing.” (29:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kim Newlove (on evolving her show’s mission):
  “What do I do, end the podcast? No, just changed the mission.” (04:18)
• Dave Jackson (on creative control):
  “It’s your show. You can do whatever you want.” (25:23)
• Steve Stewart (on finding an editor):
  “It's better than walking into a Facebook group of 9,500 podcast editors and you're raising your hand going, hey, I'm looking for an editor...” (21:35)
• Kim Newlove (on permission to have gaps):
  “You can fill your gaps...everything’s gonna be just fine.” (16:28)
• Dave Jackson (on learning time):
  “When in doubt, read the manual.” (26:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Episode intro & looking back at previous “What I Wish I Knew” replies
• 03:59 – Kim Newlove’s detailed 12 lessons
• 14:05 – Dave interjects with commentary on podcast trailers
• 16:22 – Kim’s point about being okay with gaps and learning as you go
• 17:46 – Dave’s praise for Kim & mentoring relationship
• 20:06 – Steve Stewart’s lesson on the importance of editing
• 25:15 – Dave’s summary, reflections, and listener Q&A announcement
• 29:55 – Dave (candidly) on his biggest podcasting regret
• 33:11 – Next month’s “podcast on a desert island” listener question announcement

Tone and Language

Friendly, encouraging, and conversational. Dave Jackson, as always, is candid and supportive, inviting listeners to learn from mistakes, embrace change, and not fear the unknowns of podcasting. Both guest contributors bring a practical, open-minded approach to self-improvement and community building in the podcasting space.

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This episode is a goldmine for both new and veteran podcasters: it demystifies the learning curve, dispels common fears, and provides tried-and-true recommendations for everything from planning and hardware investment to show evolution and promotion. The honest, experience-based advice equips you to launch or grow a show with much less uncertainty—and far fewer regrets.

For more resources and consulting, visit schoolofpodcasting.com (use coupon code "listnr").