Episode Summary: "Overthinking Your Podcast Posting Schedule"

Podcast: Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes
Host: Dave Jackson
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Length: ~9 minutes

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Jackson addresses one of the most common concerns among new podcasters: when is the best time to publish a podcast episode? Drawing on insights from his time at Podfest and experience in the community, Dave tackles the tendency to overthink posting schedules and delivers practical advice on making scheduling decisions that support consistency—and sanity—over chasing elusive "best times."

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Community's Obsession with Publishing Time

• Reddit Example (00:38): Dave highlights a Reddit post debating the merits of a 5:00pm release time. The podcaster wants to choose an evening slot, believing it fits their show's "creepy and unsettling" theme.
• Online Advice Contradictions: The Redditor is confused by conflicting information online, fueling anxiety about the "right" time to publish.

2. The Flexibility of Podcast Consumption

• Listener Habits (02:00): Dave shares that out of 30 podcasts he follows, only two are time-dependent for him, and only because they are news shows.

• Key Insight: Most podcast listeners consume episodes on their own schedule. The platform's time-shifting nature means when an episode is published is far less critical than the creator might think.

  "One of the biggest features of podcasting is you can publish whenever you want, and more importantly, the listener can listen whenever they want."
  — Dave Jackson (02:35)

3. Personal Experience with Release Times

• Example: Dave mentions ignoring a highly anticipated interview (Conan O’Brien with Matt Damon) for weeks, only listening when it suited him.

4. Strategic Scheduling—Only If You Want To

• Competitive Analysis (04:10): For those wanting to be extra strategic, Dave suggests looking at shows in your niche, tracking their release days in a spreadsheet, and perhaps avoiding the most crowded day.

• But...: The takeaway remains that your convenience and ability to be consistent matter most.

  "The most important stat, the most important feature of this is the schedule that works for you."
  — Dave Jackson (05:10)

5. Consistency > Timing

• Consistency in Schedule and Quality (05:30): Dave emphasizes consistency in both when you post and what value you deliver, rather than obsessing over time slots.

  "It's great that you have a consistent schedule, but you also need to be consistently remarkable with your content."
  — Dave Jackson (06:08)

6. Exceptions: Time-Sensitive Shows

• News or Timely Content (06:40): The only exception to the “timing doesn’t matter” mantra is news shows or time-based content, where release time could impact listenership.

7. Final Advice

• Main Takeaway: Don’t obsess—choose a schedule that fits your life, stay consistent, and focus on delivering great content.
• Encouragement to Seek Further Guidance (07:30): Dave reminds listeners of resources and personal support available through School of Podcasting.

Memorable Quotes

• "I don't think people are sitting there waiting for your show... 99% of the podcasts out there I don't think are time dependent unless it's a new show and yours isn't. It's about creepy stuff. So don't obsess over it."
  — Dave Jackson (05:50)

• "Podcasting is time shifted content."
  — Dave Jackson (06:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:38 – 02:00: Reddit question and the mythos of posting time
• 02:00 – 03:10: Listener behavior and why they listen when they want
• 04:10 – 05:00: How to analyze other shows for scheduling (if desired)
• 05:10 – 06:10: The importance of personal convenience and consistency
• 06:40 – 07:10: When timing really matters (news shows)
• 07:30 – 08:40: Final advice and call to action to get support

Conclusion

Dave Jackson uses this episode to dispel anxiety around podcast release timing, reminding creators that when they publish is far less important than what they publish and how reliably they do so. Unless hosting a time-sensitive news show, podcasters should focus on consistency and quality, not the clock.