School of Podcasting: "You Can Be an Influencer Without Being the Best: Lessons from Ace Frehley of Kiss"

Host: Dave Jackson
Release Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Jackson explores what podcasters can learn from Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS. Despite not being a technical virtuoso, Ace influenced millions and stood out in a crowded band. Dave draws parallels between Ace’s career and the journey of a podcaster—emphasizing that you don’t have to be “the best” to matter, impact others, or stand out. The episode is packed with practical podcasting insights, unique analogies, and behind-the-scenes stories, all delivered in Dave's personal and conversational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Relatability Beats Perfection

• [00:00–04:20]
  • Ace Frehley “wasn’t the greatest player,” but inspired millions of guitarists because he was relatable and authentic.
  • Many podcasters worry, “Is anybody going to really listen to me?” Dave argues your superpower may be your ability to connect with listeners, not your technical prowess.
  • Quote:
    • “‘If I had known I was going to influence so many people, I would have practiced more.’” — Ace Frehley, as quoted by Dave Jackson [02:01]
  • Ace’s playing made listeners feel, “I think I could play that!”—which increased his influence.

2. Be Yourself, Find Your Unique Angle

• [04:22–07:44]
  • Ace stood out—even in a band full of “fire breathing and blood spitting.”
  • The only one to create the iconic “smoking guitar,” which set him apart.
  • Quote:
    • “What can you do that would make you absolutely unique in the podcasting space? And I’m here to tell you, that’s a hard one to come up with. But if you can…” — Dave Jackson [05:35]

3. Continuous Improvement Beats Instant Perfection

• [07:44–08:32]
  • Ace’s “smoking guitar” evolved from a DIY smoke bomb (which ruined guitars!) to an engineered effect. Each version improved on the last—and Ace kept tweaking.
  • Lesson: Don’t expect version one to be perfect. Improve over time through feedback and teamwork.
  • Quote:
    • “Most great ideas are not right out of your thoughts…it goes through versions.” — Dave Jackson [07:15]

4. Connect with Your Audience (and Speak Their Language)

• [08:33–09:37]
  • Ace always took time for fans, connecting wherever he went.
  • He played in a way accessible to beginners, never talking “above” or “below” his audience.
  • Advice: Avoid too much jargon, but don’t oversimplify. Learn your audience’s “language.”

5. Own Your Work and Be Smart in Business

• [09:40–11:35]
  • When Ace left KISS, he cleverly licensed his signature makeup to the band, earning income even after departing.
  • Lesson: Your podcast/content has value—retain rights when negotiating with platforms or networks.

6. Prioritize Enjoyment—Money Isn’t Everything

• [11:35–12:40]
  • Ace walked away from a multimillion-dollar deal when it stopped being fun.
  • Quote:
    • “When you’re not having fun with your show, it’s time to leave.” — Dave Jackson [10:52]

7. Play Your Role: Chemistry Over Showboating

• [12:40–14:39]
  • Ace knew his musical lane—it wasn’t about being the flashiest, but serving the band.
  • In podcasting: Know when to lead, when to support, and trust your co-hosts. Chemistry is everything.
  • Quote:
    • “He played the right thing for the song… Not so much to make him look amazing, but to make the song amazing. And you can do the same thing with a podcast.” — Dave Jackson [13:27]

8. Overcome Setbacks and Keep Going

• [14:41–15:47]
  • Ace struggled with addiction but overcame it. Similarly, podcasters face technical or personal setbacks that can be worked through.
  • Advice: Don’t let obstacles define or halt your progress.

9. The “Homemade Mashed Potatoes” Analogy: Authentic Content Stands Out

• [17:30–25:08]
  (Food analogies and a discussion about the difference between AI content and authentic human content)
  • AI content is often shared for its novelty, not because it’s truly remarkable.
  • Like instant mashed potatoes vs. homemade ones: easy, quick, but forgettable vs. effortful, messy, and memorable.
  • Quote:
    • “The true honest mashed potato, the homemade mashed potato is something that you will remember, that is remarkable.” — Dave Jackson [19:00]

10. Check Your Foundation: Update Your Stuff!

• [25:10–29:35]
  • Reminder: Make sure subscription/follow buttons and contact forms on your website work (e.g., Google Podcasts links are now outdated).
  • Test all user pathways regularly to ensure nothing is broken.

11. How the Sausage Is Made: Using AI for Content Refinement

• [29:37–32:35]
  • Dave shares how he used AI to review his raw podcast script, identify key points, and stay on track.
  • Lesson: Use tools to refine but not replace your authentic voice and content.

12. Business Transparency: Redefining “Unlimited” Consulting

• [32:35–End]
  • Dave moves from offering “unlimited” to “5 hours per month” consulting at School of Podcasting—explaining it’s more understandable and still generous.
  • Quote:
    • “When you just say it’s unlimited, it devalues it a little bit… five hours is pretty much, from what I've seen, unlimited.” — Dave Jackson [33:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Influence Over Perfection:
  “‘If I had known I was going to influence so many people, I would have practiced more.’” — Ace Frehley (quoted by Dave) [02:01]

• On Being Unique:
  “What can you do that would make you absolutely unique in the podcasting space? And I’m here to tell you, that’s a hard one to come up with.” — Dave Jackson [05:35]

• On Constant Improvement:
  “Most great ideas are not right out of your thoughts…it goes through versions.” — Dave Jackson [07:15]

• On Enjoyment as a Priority:
  “When you’re not having fun with your show, it’s time to leave.” — Dave Jackson [10:52]

• On Authentic Content:
  “The true honest mashed potato, the homemade mashed potato is something that you will remember, that is remarkable.” — Dave Jackson [19:00]

• On Your Value:
  “Your content that you make is worth something. Make sure you retain the ownership of your stuff.” — Dave Jackson [10:05]

Key Takeaways for Podcasters

• You don’t have to be the best—authenticity and relatability matter more.
• Find your unique 'smoking guitar’—what sets you apart, even in a crowded niche?
• Iterate and improve. Chances are, your show’s first or second version won’t be its final form.
• Relate to your audience—speak their language and truly connect.
• Be clear on business: return to the value of your IP and don’t be afraid to walk away from bad deals.
• Test your listener experience—don’t let dead links or broken forms ruin your connection.
• Authentic ‘homemade’ content is always more memorable than “instant box” or AI-generated content.

Important Timestamps

• [00:00] – (Episode introduction: Ace Frehley as a metaphor for podcasters)
• [02:01] – (“If I had known I was going to influence so many people, I would have practiced more.”)
• [05:35] – (Standing out; uniqueness in podcasting)
• [07:15] – (Innovation and continuous improvement lessons)
• [09:40] – (Business wisdom from Ace’s makeup decision)
• [10:52] – (Choosing fun/enjoyment over money)
• [13:27] – (Knowing your role and contributing to overall “song”/show)
• [17:30–19:00] – (Homemade mashed potatoes = memorable content)
• [25:10] – (Podcast hygiene: checking your website and links)
• [29:37] – (Behind the scenes: Using AI for show notes scripting)
• [32:35] – (Redefining “unlimited” consulting and why it matters)

Final Thoughts

Dave encourages aspiring and current podcasters not to be intimidated by high standards or comparison. Being uniquely yourself, iterating on your craft, and connecting with your audience are the fastest ways to build influence—just as Ace Frehley did in rock music. Plus, always check your basics, protect your creative work, and keep your content as “homemade” as possible.

For full resources, links, and community access, visit schoolofpodcasting.com.