Podcast
The Podcast Superfriends
Hosted by Matt Cundill, Jon Gay, Catherine O'Brien, David Yas, Johnny Peterson · EN
Five podcast veterans hosting a monthly live-streamed roundtable about podcasting. If you want to evolve your podcast, or if you've got an idea for a show, there's no better place to start! The Superfriends dig deep on all the details you might not think about: Best practices for your show's website, streamlining your weekly workflow, marketing your podcast to the masses, and getting the most from your RSS feed. Join Jon Gay, David Yas, Johnny Peterson, Catherine O'Brien, and Matt Cundill as they get into the nitty-gritty about podcasting.
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More Video, More AI, More Questions
2w ago01:02:33Summary readyMatt Cundill, Jon Gay, Johnny Podcasts and eventually David Yas explore the shifting landscape of podcast production and distribution. We talked about Apple's Podcasts video rollout and asked if it has reached meaningful adoption among creators and listeners. We examine new measurement standards proposed by the Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting, including redefined metrics for plays and ad impressions that could reshape how the industry values downloads. The story was breaking as we were recording so if you want a better understanding, click here on the story from Ashley Carmen (paywalled), Sounds Profitable or check out the interview with Dan Granger on the Podnews Weekly Review.Later in the show, Johnny demonstrates his creation, Podcast Engine AI, a custom tool he built to streamline show notes, social posts, and metadata generation from transcripts.Catherine O'Brien was attending an event and was missed. Especially when we were talking about marketing and Apple. Other Things We Talked About: - The challenge of solo podcasting compared to interview shows and how to approach it authentically- Why YouTube Premium's bundling strategy signals a larger consolidation trend in media- How AI tools like Riverside's editor and Descript's clip generator are compressing production timelinesWork With the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson – Johnny PodcastsCatherine O'Brien – Branch Out ProgramsJon Gay – JAG Podcast ProductionsDavid Yas – Pod 617 – The Boston Podcast NetworkMatt Cundill – The Sound Off Media CompanySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Summary
Is It Worth It?
Jun 300:55:19Summary readyMatt Cundill, Jon Gay, and Catherine O’Brien dig into the growing pile of tools, platforms, and metrics shaping podcast production today. The conversation starts with a key question for creators and clients: are downloads still the best measure of success, or is time spent listening becoming the more meaningful number? The group looks at the challenge of tracking audience behaviour across audio, video, Spotify, YouTube, and social platforms, where the old podcast measurement rules do not always apply. They also compare production tools including Riverside, Descript, Adobe, OneStream, and AI platforms, weighing features against cost, convenience, and workflow friction. Catherine highlights the importance of strong headlines and audience-first positioning, while Jon and Matt examine how subscription creep is forcing producers to rethink their software stack. It is a practical, candid episode about choosing tools that reduce hassle, improve output, and help podcasters focus on the work that actually matters.Both Johnny and David will be back next week.The Products we spoke about: Here’s a list of the products/services mentioned, with official links and approximate US prices (these change frequently)Riverside – from approx. $19/month (paid plans, annual discounts available) StreamYard – https://streamyard.com – from approx. $25/month (Basic) and $49/month (Professional, annual billing) OneStream Live – from approx. $10–$39/month depending on plan Descript (incl. Rooms) – from approx. $15/month (Creator) and $30/month (Pro, annual billing) Spotify for Podcasters – free hosting Simplecast – from approx. $15/month (Basic) ART19 – enterprise/network pricing (contact Roddy or Andy) - Matt can connect you.Libsyn – from approx. $7/month Headliner – free tier; paid from approx. $8–$15/month Adobe Audition – included in Adobe Creative Cloud (All Apps approx. $60–$70/month) Adobe Premiere Pro – approx. $23–$35/month as a single app; also in All Apps Adobe Podcast Enhance – limited free use; paid around $9.99/month or $99/year iZotope RX – RX Elements often around $99; Standard/Advanced in the several‑hundred‑dollar range (frequent sales) Levelator – free ChatGPT Plus (OpenAI) – $20/month Claude – free tier; Claude Pro around $20/month Grok (via X) – included with some X Premium tiers; Premium/Premium+ roughly $8–$16/month CoSchedule Headline Analyzer / Headline Studio – free tier; Pro/Headline Studio around $9–$20/month or about $100/year Shure SM7B – street price around $399 Shure SM7dB – street price around $499 RØDE PodMic – https://rode.com – around $99 Focusrite Scarlett (e.g., 2i2) – common models around $130–$230 RØDECaster Duo – around $499 RØDECaster Pro II – around $699 Dropbox – personal plans from approx. $9.99–$11.99/month (annual billing) Google Drive (Google One) – https://one.google.com – from $1.99/month (100 GB) Starlink – hardware around $500+; service often $120–$150+/month depending on plan/region X Premium (Twitter) – https://x.com/premium – roughly $8–$16/month depending on tier Microsoft 365 – personal/family from approx. $6.99–$9.99/month (Copilot add‑ons extra) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Summary
Questions We Don't Know The Answers To
May 601:02:59Summary readyThere is stuff in Podcasting that keeps us up at night. So we tried to answer our own questions the best we could.We discussed various aspects of podcasting, including audience engagement, analytics, and budgeting. Johnny Podcasts emphasized the importance of email lists and surveys for long-term data collection. David Yas highlighted the need for high-quality microphones, recommending the Samson Q2U and Rode PodMic. The group debated the value of podcast awards, with Catherine O'Brien suggesting they can be a marketing opportunity. They also discussed using AI for thumbnails and the importance of vetting podcast studios. The episode concluded with a discussion on the cost-effectiveness of starting a podcast, estimating a budget of around $100 for essential equipment.Here are the links to a number of the products we talked about:Johnny talked about a product he is using called Remini which is an AI photo enhancement tool. It solves the problem of getting hi-resolution photos from your guests.Here is our Microphone Recommendation list: Samson Q2U (USB/XLR dynamic microphone) RØDE PodMic (XLR dynamic broadcast mic) Shure MV7 (USB/XLR dynamic podcast mic) MOTU M2 (USB-C audio interface) FIFINE USB/XLR microphoneMAONO PD300x USB/XLR Dynamic MicUnder no circumstances should you be using a Blue Yeti.Interfaces: Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces (e.g., 2i2, Solo, etc.) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Summary
Make Your Podcast Listenable
Apr 801:01:13Summary readyDavid Yas hosts with Johnny Podcasts, Matt Cundill, and Jon Gay (Jag) to dig into what makes podcast content truly compelling. Catherine is on vacation and we missed her dearly. They start with opening strategies, debating cold opens versus concise scripted intros. Johnny and Jag explain how they mine transcripts and use tools like Descript and Riverside to find strong teaser clips, while Matt argues for a tightly written 30–45 second intro that clearly explains why listeners should stay.The group then explores recurring segments—Jag in favor for structure and professionalism, Matt mostly against them unless they’re genuinely great, and Johnny suggesting they can help hosts “land the plane” at the end of an interview.They cover introducing guests without reading boring bios, prepping and calming guests technically and emotionally, and how to handle episodes that aren’t good enough to air. The episode closes with practical interview advice: listen deeply, avoid constant verbal tic responses, embrace silence, prep thoroughly so you can be spontaneous, and always protect your audience’s time and attention.Work With the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Summary
Unpacking Apple’s New Video Venture
Mar 1101:07:13Tap to summarizeApple’s new HLS-based video podcast initiative is the focus of this episode of Podcast Superfriends with guest Justin Jackson of Transistor.fm. Justin explains what HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is, why it was originally created by Apple, and how chunked, adaptive streaming makes video more practical than traditional large downloads. He outlines Apple’s decision to deliver video via API partners rather than RSS, the ad-tech angle (Apple taking a fee per ad delivery), and why only certain ad-network-backed hosts are in the first wave.The group digs into technical hurdles (re-encoding, multiple resolutions, manifests, separate audio tracks), costs versus free hosting on YouTube/Spotify, and the new paradigm where one video file powers both video and audio experiences. They debate editing compromises, listener expectations, and how younger audiences increasingly define “podcasts” as YouTube-style video. Justin frames it all as “playing the game on the field” while still being bullish on RSS and the open ecosystem.Also, in case you missed Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW, there's a pretty big update on Apple Podcasts' upcoming HLS video feature: It will soon be supported by Transistor, Audiomeans, PodBean, Captivate, RSS.com and Podigee, alongside previously-announced supporters Acast, Omny, ART19 and Simplecast.Work With the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Editing Secrets from a Pro, Sound & Flow, with Steve Stewart
Feb 401:01:12Tap to summarizeThe Podcast Superfriends welcome podcast editor and community leader Steve Stewart to discuss the craft and business of podcast editing. Steve shares how he went from financial blogger and podcaster in the FinCon community to a full‑time editor after well-known bloggers asked him to “just handle everything after we hit record.” He explains how early tools like Audacity and basic mics evolved into today’s ecosystem of AI-assisted workflows, transcription tools, and plugins, and why efficiency and smart processes are key to profitability.The group explores what “podcast editor” really means today—often extending into producer, manager, and strategist roles including show notes, media host management, dynamic ad insertion, and client coaching. Steve stresses niching down (his is personal finance), delivering excellent customer service, and getting clients through referrals, in‑person events, and industry conferences. He also describes his work building the Podcast Editors Club and Podcast Editor Academy to train and support editors worldwide.Sign Up For Steve's Newsletter hereJoin the Facebook Group here And finally - Steve mentioned a nice price for registering for his Podcast Editor's Academy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Podcast Predictions: Fair or Foul?
Jan 1200:59:21Tap to summarizeIn this first 2026 episode of Podcast Super Friends, the friends discuss the rapidly changing podcast landscape and predict what lies ahead, including the ongoing tension between walled gardens and open platforms, with debate over whether platforms like Spotify and YouTube will be more creator-friendly. The friends explores emerging monetization models, such as subscriptions and Patreon, highlighting the need for niche content and subscriber engagement. Panelists stress the rising importance of optimizing podcasts for YouTube, professionalizing video and audio production, and leveraging AI for creative assets—while remaining cautious about AI-generated voices. The discussion underscores host-read ads’ increasing value and the shift from simple download metrics to deeper audience analytics. The team also predicts more focused, regional industry events, anticipates a blend of audio and video content (“liquid content”), and foresees podcasting’s pop culture crossover.Check out Steve Goldstein's blog post on Liquid Content here. And follow his work if you want to stay in the game.Ultimately, authentic voices and creative, audience-driven strategies are seen as vital for success in the evolving industry.Work With the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Let's Get Social
Dec 400:56:32Tap to summarizeThe Podcast Super Friends unpsck the intricacies of social media strategies for podcast promotion. They explore effective uses of platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Blue Sky, and Threads, sharing various tips and anecdotes. The conversation highlights the importance of video clips and consistency in social media posting, despite some challenges posed by AI tools and changing algorithms.Johnny Podcasts shares a detailed weekly social media schedule for LinkedIn, emphasizing on the importance of medium-sized and short video clips. The discussion also touches on the potential of paid advertising versus organic social media efforts. The episode concludes with thoughts on leveraging AI tools for creating social media assets and the reliability issues encountered with these technologies.Check out more from the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Planning For The Unplanned
Oct 2200:53:57Tap to summarizeThe Podcast Superfriends discuss the recent AWS outage and its widespread impact on digital services and podcasting tools. The group shares personal experiences of how the outage disrupted their workflow, affecting platforms like Riverside, Descript, and Streamyard. They emphasize the importance of having backup strategies for podcast production, including maintaining multiple copies of recordings, using alternative recording methods like Google Meet, returning to the days of "double-enders" and having pre-recorded episodes ready.The conversation explores practical solutions for potential technical disasters, such as using external hard drives, cloud storage, and backup internet options like Starlink. They stress the value of being prepared with contingency plans, having episodes recorded in advance, and maintaining flexibility during unexpected technical challenges.Work With the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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International Podcast Day with Kendall Breitman from Riverside
Oct 100:59:44Tap to summarizeThe Friends welcome Kendall Breitman on International Podcast Day. Kendall is Riverside's community lead, who announces the launch of chat-based editing, a new AI feature that allows users to make edits via text, enhancing video engagement. The feature, named "AI Co-Creator," and baptized as "Coco" unofficially, complements existing transcript and timeline editing. Breitman also discusses the importance of community feedback and the evolving nature of Riverside's tools, including live streaming capabilities and audio enhancements. The team also addresses the challenges of balancing creative work with AI tools and the importance of staying updated with platform features.Kendall is encouraging Riverside users to join the Facebook Community Group or the Riverside Community Hub. Chapters: (00:00:07) Intro & Host Roll Call(00:01:19) Guest: Kendall Breitman (Riverside)(00:01:31) Riverside’s Big Announcement(00:03:09) Podcast Movement & Competition(00:04:39) Origins of Chat-Based Editing(00:08:07) Naming the AI: “Coco”(00:08:56) Coco’s Early Journey(00:11:09) AI for Show Notes & Summaries(00:12:54) Advanced Editing with Coco(00:15:10) Magic Audio Features(00:20:27) Visual Enhancements & Feedback(00:23:09) Video Editing Tools(00:27:20) Browser Tips & Compatibility(00:31:12) Feature Rollouts & Adoption(00:34:21) Community Resources & Workshops(00:37:16) Repurposing Podcast Content(00:40:40) YouTube & Discoverability(00:43:14) Producer Link Feedback(00:47:37) Live Streaming on Riverside(00:55:00) Hosting on Riverside(00:56:53) Final Thoughts & Sign-OffsCheck out more from the Superfriends below:Johnny Peterson - Johnny Podcasts https://www.johnnypodcasts.comCatherine O’Brien - Branch Out Programs https://www.branchoutprograms.com/ Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit https://www.jagindetroit.comDavid Yas: Pod 617 - The Boston Podcast Network https://www.pod617.com/Matt Cundill - The Sound Off Media Company https://soundoff.network See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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