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.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Questions We Don't Know The Answers To
4w ago01:02:59Tap to summarizeThere 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.) Work With Any of 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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Make Your Podcast Listenable
Apr 801:01:13Tap to summarizeDavid 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.
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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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JAG's Trip to Podcast Movement
Sep 301:02:27Tap to summarizeThe Podcast Super Friends discussed Jag's experiences at Podcast Movement 2025. For most of this episode you will hear a takeaway from Jag followed by the group discussing and debating the issue at hand.We talked about Podcast Movement’s shift toward serving larger, corporate entities and its upcoming move to New York, raising concerns about the event’s accessibility and relevance for independent creators. The hosts debate the impact of this change, the corporatization of podcasting conferences, and suggested alternative events like Podfest for indie podcasters. Jag reminded us about the importance of optimizing podcasts for SEO and platform search, and the growing role of AI in podcast production. We also went in on social media and word-of-mouth for discoverability, the need for high-quality content, and the value of networking at conferences.The episode closes with practical tips for podcasters and plans to attend future industry events, emphasizing adaptability in the evolving podcast landscape.Chapters: (likely affected by Dynamic Audio Insertion)(00:00) – Intro & Host Intros(03:00) – Podcast Movement Recap(08:00) – Indie Creators vs. Corporates(14:30) – Podcast Movement in New York(19:30) – AI in Podcasting(23:30) – Exhibitors & Vendors(28:00) – First Impressions & Retention(38:00) – Reach: Video vs. Audio(48:00) – SEO & Search Optimization(54:00) – Discoverability & Social Media(59:00) – Final Thoughts & EventsCheck 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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It's Show and Tell Time!
Aug 600:59:59Tap to summarizeA lively “Show and Tell” episode of Podcast Super Friends, five podcast producers from across North America—Catherine O’Brien, Johnny Podcasts, Matt Cundill, Jon Gay (Jag), and David Yas—gather to share their latest insights, tools, and strategies for podcasting success.The group kicks off with a roundtable on podcasting hardware, comparing microphones like the Shure SM7B and the RØDECaster Duo, and offering practical advice for both new and seasoned podcasters.The conversation shifts to the power of AI in podcast production, with detailed discussions on using ChatGPT and Descript for editing, show notes, and creative brainstorming. The hosts share their favorite AI-driven workflows, tips for interview prep, and the importance of human review in the editing process.Monetization is also on the agenda, as Matt explains how RedCircle’s programmatic ads can generate passive income, even for shows not hosted on their platform.Johnny and Jag had a few helpful plugins for those who want to go beyond Adobe Enhance. Check out:DXReviveWaves AQ Izotope RX11Chapters (0:00) – Introduction & Host Roundtable (0:17) – Summer Podcasting & Rebranding Updates (3:07) – Podcast Microphone Show & Tell (5:19) – New Hardware Experiences (6:34) – Rodecaster Duo & Audio Equipment Deep Dive (14:40) – AI Tools for Podcasting: ChatGPT, Descript, and More (28:46) – Editing Workflows & AI-Driven Audio Cleanup (40:45) – Newsletters, Substack, and Beehive (53:46) – Monetization: RedCircle & Programmatic Ads (56:42) – Looking Ahead: Hopes for the Rest of the Year (59:14) – 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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