Podcast Summary: The Audacity to Podcast® with Daniel J. Lewis
Episode 414: Ask Your Audience These 3 Questions in 2026
Release Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel J. Lewis explores the importance and simplicity of surveying your podcast audience as you head into 2026. Daniel shares three open-ended, actionable questions every podcaster should ask their audience to improve their show and deepen engagement. He emphasizes that feedback doesn't require complicated tools and offers practical tips for gathering and interpreting responses. The episode also features Daniel’s personal experiences with audience feedback and introduces helpful resources for podcasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Survey Your Audience?

• Daniel dispels the notion that audience surveys must be complicated and technology-heavy.
• Emphasizes using simple methods (email, voicemail, contact forms, comments, social media).
• Encourages using tools like Podgagement’s podcastfeedback.com for streamlined feedback collection.

Quote:
"Surveying your audience doesn't have to be a complicated matter... simply ask your audience and provide an easy way for them to respond." (00:33)

2. The Three Essential Questions to Ask Your Audience

1. What would you like more of from me or my podcast? (2:08)

• Begin with a positive assumption: your audience likes your content and is eager for more.
• Answers can inspire new episodes, mini-series, bonus content, products, or services.
• Real-world example: listeners of an interview podcast may want to hear more solo content from the host.

Quote:
"This question assumes they already like you and your podcast and you're looking for additional content they want from you because they already like what they're getting from you." (02:35)

2. What would you like less of from me or my podcast? (4:01)

• Constructive criticism from engaged listeners; don’t take it personally.
• Dig beneath the surface—when someone says "less," consider what is truly at issue (e.g., episode length vs. pacing/engagement).
• "Less is more"—reduce clutter, increase clarity and audience value.

Quote:
"Keep that in mind when your audience is telling you they want less of something because it might actually mean they want more of you in some way, but less of something else." (06:32)

3. What do you want to tell me that’s been on your mind? (8:00)

• Open invitation for honest feedback, concerns, or compliments.
• Designed to elicit responses that might not fit the first two questions.
• Reinforces that your audience’s voice is valued.

Quote:
"This is the catch all question, but I like the wording because it implies there might be something that they've wanted to share for a while but maybe didn't think you'd be open to hearing." (08:14)

3. Action Steps After Gathering Feedback (09:32)

• Turn feedback into actionable items (To-Do’s).
• Always acknowledge and thank respondents, even if you disagree with suggestions.
• Be transparent: if you won’t implement a suggestion, be honest and respectful.

Quote:
"The worst thing you can do with solicited feedback is nothing." (09:42)

4. Daniel’s Personal Experience with Feedback (10:24)

• Example: his “Once Upon a Time” podcast received suggestions to shorten long, in-depth episodes.
• Balanced providing depth for fans with recognizing not everyone was the target audience.
• Don’t pivot your whole content strategy based on a vocal minority; balance all feedback.

Quote:
"I've heard people alienate a majority of their audience because of what the very small minority of their audience said." (13:20)

5. Soliciting Feedback for “The Audacity to Podcast” (14:02)

• Daniel directly asks listeners to answer the three questions about his podcast.
• Outlines how to use podcastfeedback.com/audacity for easy written or voicemail responses.
• Offers tips for submitting URLs and additional context to improve the value of feedback.

Quote:
"I'd love to hear from you. You can go to podcastfeedback.com/audacity to send your feedback, written or voicemail right there from the site." (14:30)

6. Maximizing Reach When Asking Questions (17:10)

• Repeat question invitations across all channels (podcast episodes, social media, newsletter, group/community spaces).
• Make the feedback request your primary call to action for a dedicated period.

7. Resource Highlights and Community Acknowledgments (18:36)

• Shoutout to supporters and citing how feedback and engagement can be mutually beneficial (mention of Brian Insmoner from toptieraudio.com).
• Hints at upcoming collaborations and new tools for podcast chapters, featuring his "Pod Chapters" app with new Apple integration.

Quote:
"If you send a voicemail, it really helps if you speak any kind of URL, type it in that message box that still appears when you're sending a voicemail, because that gives me the extra context and helps me to be able to link back to you." (16:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The worst thing you can do with solicited feedback is nothing." – Daniel J. Lewis (09:42)
• "Less is more. Keep that in mind when your audience is telling you they want less of something..." – Daniel J. Lewis (06:32)
• "This is the catch all question, but I like the wording because it implies there might be something that they've wanted to share for a while..." (08:14)
• "I've heard people alienate a majority of their audience because of what the very small minority of their audience said." (13:20)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction: Importance of audience questions
• 02:08 – Question 1: "What would you like more of?"
• 04:01 – Question 2: "What would you like less of?"
• 08:00 – Question 3: "What do you want to tell me that’s been on your mind?"
• 09:32 – Turning feedback into action
• 10:24 – Personal experience with episode length feedback
• 13:20 – Don’t overreact to feedback from the minority
• 14:02 – How to give Daniel feedback
• 16:00 – Tips for voicemail and contextual feedback
• 18:36 – Community acknowledgments and growth resources

Conclusion

In this actionable episode, Daniel J. Lewis encourages podcasters to seek regular, honest feedback using three thoughtfully crafted questions. He offers both practical tools and mindset shifts to ensure that audience input leads to richer content and deeper engagement—without unnecessary technical hurdles. Daniel invites open participation from his own listeners and models how to ask for, receive, and respond to valuable audience insights.

Call to Action:
Answer Daniel’s three questions for The Audacity to Podcast at podcastfeedback.com/audacity to help shape future content and experience the feedback process firsthand!