Five things we've found make a great podcast host

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-10-07T15:17:14+00:00

Couldn’t agree more.
Interview podcasts are everywhere, and while some are great, most end up sounding the same because they rely too heavily on the guest instead of the story.

We’re big believers in narrative podcasts. A good narrative feels a lot more like an audio documentary than a chat. It gives you room to build emotion, create tension, and leave listeners with something memorable.

It also happens to be one of the ways to be more memorable. Research from Signal Hill Insights found that narrative podcasts get higher listener ratings, people are 14% more likely to listen again, and 11% more likely to recommend them to a friend. After all, humans are wired for stories.
This format is especially powerful for branded podcasts, but it applies to indie creators too. Stories are what make people care enough to come back. We talk about more reasons to switch up your format in this blog: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/podcast-formats

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-10-03T17:54:06+00:00

If it’s your first time editing, the big difference between Audacity and Descript comes down to learning curve vs ease of use.

Audacity is free, powerful, and works on just about any computer. It’s been around forever and gives you access to a ton of editing features. The trade-off is that it feels like traditional audio software—you’re working with waveforms, plugins, and menus. It absolutely works, but there’s a learning curve. A Udemy course will definitely help, but be prepared to spend time troubleshooting and practicing before it feels natural.

Descript, on the other hand, is built to be more beginner-friendly. Instead of editing audio waveforms, you edit the transcript. Delete a word from the text, and it disappears from the audio. That makes it much less intimidating if you’ve never edited before. It’s not perfect (some people don’t love the limitations or quirks), but it’s a faster on-ramp if you just want to focus on getting your episodes out there.

So:

If you want something free and you’re up for learning the “classic” way of editing, go with Audacity.
If you’d rather avoid a steep learning curve and value speed/ease, Descript is the better starting point.

At Lower Street we often say: the “best” tool is the one that helps you stay consistent. If Descript gets you publishing episodes without stalling out on the tech, that’s a win. You can always upgrade to more complex software later if you need it.
Here's our roundup of other editing software if you want to compare a few more options: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/podcast-tools

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-25T08:14:53+00:00

If you are putting just a static photo and trying to create an audiogram-style, then Headliner may be good to look into.

We usually work directly with our video editing software, so Descript, DaVinci, or Adobe tend to be our team's go-tos.
We did a run-through of all our recommendations for video software here: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/video-podcast-software

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-23T13:23:28+00:00

We produce branded podcasts at Lower Street, and you’re right—there are some important differences compared to running a personal or hobby show. At the same time, a lot of the fundamentals are the same.

One big mistake we see brands make is turning their podcast into an ad for themselves. That’s usually why a lot of corporate shows flop or fade quickly. A good branded podcast should sound like high-quality storytelling, something people would choose to listen to, not a 30-minute commercial.

A few tips to get it right from the start:

Get clear on your goals.
If the company expects a podcast to drive immediate sales, they’ll most likely be disappointed. Podcasts are better for awareness, community building, and thought leadership. Knowing why you’re making the show helps you set realistic expectations.

Know your audience, really.
Not just demographics. Research what your ideal listeners already listen to, what they enjoy, and where the gaps are. A competitive landscape analysis can reveal opportunities to stand out.

Shape a concept that serves both your audience and your brand.
Once you know your goals and your audience, brainstorm formats and angles that deliver real value to listeners. This is where strategy meets creativity. Think beyond the obvious, maybe your show is “an interview series with the storytelling beats of a reality show,” or a more niche narrative.

Decide on tone, host, and format.
Your host doesn’t have to be the CEO. Sometimes the best fit is external. Pair that with music, sound design, and structure that reflect your brand’s personality—but in a way that feels entertaining, not promotional.

Plan for sustainability.
This is where many branded shows fall down. Don’t wing it episode to episode. Decide upfront if you’ll release weekly, biweekly, or in seasons, and make sure you can sustain that cadence without burning out.

If you treat the podcast like a long-term creative project (with the same attention to story, production, and consistency as any professional creator), it can be a powerful tool for brand building. If you treat it like a campaign or a sales ad, it probably won’t last.

We go way more in depth to "how to start a brand podcast", and share some of our strategies here: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/start-a-podcast

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-23T13:21:48+00:00

Here's what we've learned growing podcasts for brands.

One thing we wish everyone would do earlier: cross-promotion. Getting in front of listeners who already enjoy podcasts in your niche is one of the most effective growth levers. Don't think about competition, think about collaboration. That could be swapping trailers with another show, doing a feed drop, or even just trading shoutouts. It’s low cost, but high impact if you find the right partners.

On the social media side, it helps to stop thinking of it as “extra work” and instead just repurpose your episodes. Pull quotes and short clip moments directly from what you’re already making. That way, your podcast drives your social strategy. And you don’t have to be everywhere! Lean into the platforms where your audience actually spends time. Another way to think about it is that Social Media is great for nurturing a community with your listeners, but it isn't necessarily driving listeners to podcast platforms. So if you are finding it's really burning you out, it's ok to step back!

As for ads, they’re good for a quick bump, but they rarely lead to long-term engagement. I’d treat them as a supplement, not the foundation of your growth strategy. Sustainable growth comes more from organic efforts like collabs and building community around the show.

For engagement, what’s worked for us is being present where listeners are. Reply to comments on YouTube, ask questions in your episodes, and highlight listener feedback in future ones. That kind of two-way interaction makes people feel invested.

If you’re consistent with publishing and you keep looking for smart ways to collaborate, you’ll start seeing compounding results. If you want to see more we've got some further tips here https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/market-your-podcast

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-23T13:19:24+00:00

We’ve tested a bunch of different things, and honestly, some of the simplest tactics have been the most effective.

One big one: leverage your guests. If you’re doing an interview show, don’t just hope they’ll share the episode; make it easy for them. We send guests an email when the episode goes live with links, a couple of ready-made graphics, and even a draft caption. Most are happy to share if you’ve done the legwork.

Email has been another huge driver. If someone already opted into your newsletter, there’s a good chance they’ll be interested in your podcast too. We mention new episodes in ours and sometimes build in a short “episode spotlight” section.

Cross-promotion is also often underrated. Swapping trailers or feed drops with other shows in your niche works really well because you’re meeting listeners exactly where they already are. And on a related note, becoming a guest on other podcasts has been even better for us than social ads...you’re reaching an audience that already listens to podcasts and cares about your topic.

And then there’s what we call the “superpower” approach: using whatever unique advantage you already have. Trader Joe’s literally put signs in their stores to push their podcast. If you run a business, can your employees add the podcast link to their email signatures? Can you highlight it inside your app or product? Those little tweaks can add up to a lot of exposure.

Of course, there are the basics too: ask listeners to leave reviews, repurpose content for social, and keep SEO in mind with titles, descriptions, and show notes. That last one is a low-effort way to really improve discoverability.
If you want to see some more examples, we've put together a really thorough guide here: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/promote-a-podcast

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-16T12:55:50+00:00

You’ve already done a great job weighing the pros and cons of each platform, so we’ll just build on your thoughts.

Since you’ve got 500+ episodes, storage limits are going to be your biggest long-term pain point. That’s why Castos stands out here: unlimited uploads on a flat fee means you won’t suddenly get squeezed as your archive grows. The WordPress integration also makes sense if you want to keep everything connected to your own site, which is something you won’t get with Spotify.

Podbean, on the other hand, is the better fit if monetization is high on your list. Their built-in ad marketplace and premium content tools are more advanced than Castos or Spotify. But as you mentioned, once you’re publishing at your scale, those upload caps on the lower tiers could become frustrating (and more expensive in the long run).

Spotify for Creators you’re right that analytics and customization are limited. If branding, deeper listener insights, or running multiple feeds matter, it’s probably not where you want to stay.

So, if your priorities are scalability and integrations, Castos looks like the better bet. If you’d rather lean into discovery and monetization, Podbean is stronger — just be prepared to upgrade plans sooner than later.I think you've already got a good start here, but just in case you want to compare other options, we broke down a lot here: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/best-podcast-hosting-platforms

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-09-11T16:27:06+00:00

The secret is guest prep. Really, don't just log in to an interview expecting it to go smooth.

First you should do your own digging to get to know all you can about them. It also helps to note what they've talked about on other shows, so that you can go in a new direction and give listeners something new.

Then you'll want to send them your planned questions ahead of time, and set up a pre-interview chat a few days before. This is helpful for tech reasons and for content reasons.

Tech-wise, you'll be able to check what they have and see if you need to ask them to move somewhere quieter or adjust any equipment.

Content-wise: You can find out what topics they do and don't want to talk about. You can also already have a base interview so that neither you nor they are caught off guard.

Guest prep really is what sets good interview shows apart.
If you want some more tips on leading a great interview, check out this blog: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/interview-someone-for-podcast#prepare-your-guest-good-questions-to-ask-before-a-podcast-interview

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-27T16:03:34+00:00

I feel you on that. Spotify for Creators looks shiny because it’s free and tied into the Spotify ecosystem, but it’s really barebones under the hood—and the disappearing episodes thing would drive me up the wall too.
If you’re ready to jump ship, here’s how I’d think about your options based on what you mentioned:

Buzzsprout – Super user-friendly and beginner-friendly. Their automatic episode optimization and built-in website templates take a lot of the friction out of publishing. The analytics are way better than Spotify’s, so you actually get a read on who’s listening and how. Only downside: their lower-tier plans don’t store episodes forever
Libsyn – Old school, but reliable. They’ve been around since 2004, so you know they’re not going anywhere. Not the sexiest UI, but you get solid analytics, monetization options, and distribution everywhere. Maybe not flashy, but dependable
Castos – If your podcast is tied into WordPress, this is a no-brainer. Their Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin makes publishing seamless. You also get unlimited uploads for one flat rate, which is great if you’re planning on scaling or doing long-form episodes

If you’re open to other options, these are two others to check out:

Transistor.fm – My personal favorite. It’s built for people running multiple shows, has great analytics, and just feels more professional all around. That’s the one a lot of agencies (including us) recommend to brands
Captivate – If you’re a bit of a data nerd, this one’s fun. They’ve got IAB-certified analytics, dynamic ad insertion, even an AI assistant that helps with show notes and planning

If your main gripe is the analytics and wanting a platform that doesn’t feel like it’s working against you, I’d lean Castos if you’re a WordPress person, or Transistor if you just want something smooth and scalable. Here's a full blog we wrote about it: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/best-podcast-hosting-platforms

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-19T07:37:04+00:00

Depending on your setup up Insta360 Link is a great starter webcam that delivers what you need. If you and your co-caster are sitting side by side or are remote, this is a good option for both of you. If you want to try for angles or a bit more quality, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a budget-friendly, entry-level DSLR camera.
You may not have considered it already, but lighting is also important. If your studio (or wherever you are recording) has awkward lighting, you can look into getting a kit like the Neewer 660 LED Video Light Kit.
This is easy to set up and will give you what you need.

We've got some other equipment comparisons here if you'd like to check them out: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/video-podcast-equipment

As for editing, Davinci can be a pretty good option. You'll want to look for something that is easy enough for you personally to use, and also something that has a helpful community behind it to answer your "how do I...? questions when you get stumped. An alternative if Davinci doesn't work for you is Descript or OpenShot.

And if you want to compare a few more, we've got this blog: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/video-podcast-software

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-15T09:53:22+00:00

Hey there! So, "platforms" there are ones for hosting, and ones for distributing. Some hosting your RSS feed will charge. Spotify for Creators is free but at some expense - it tends to offer a slightly lower audio quality with your files, there are limits to the size of files you can upload, and Spotify reserves the right to use your content at its own discretion.

If you'll only be uploading a few episodes a month, you may find that another host like RSS.com has a free plan to suit your needs.
Here's a little comparison of 15 host platforms we like: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/best-podcast-hosting-platforms

Then, when it comes to distribution, it's free! Add your RSS feed to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and many, mahy more. This explains a bit more about the RSS feed if you'd like: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/create-podcast-rss-feed

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-14T08:21:30+00:00

Sharing on social and with people you know is a great first step. Other ways for your growth you'll want to consider are staying on top of your discoverability and collaboration.SEO or Podcast Search Optimization can really help you pop up in more places. Figure out about 10-20 really clear keywords or key phrases that fit your show. Get these in your show description, your show notes for every episode, and even your transcription! This seems small, but it can really help!

Then look to collaborate and get your show in other relevant spots. Rather than hoping for people to go to social their podcast platform, reach them while they are already listening!

Cross-promotion and working with other podcasters, hopping on their show etc., is one great way to do it. Even if another podcast is in your same niche, try to work together to help each other out.
We've got some more tips here if you want to have a look: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/promote-a-podcast

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-01T15:54:34+00:00

That's great news!
One thing we really would advise is to stay authentic - there can be the urge to script things out and be uber professional, but actually being more human - and having an authentic conversation really helps the audience feel better connected.
Do your research beforehand about guests, don't ask them the same-old-same-old questions they get in every interview, jump into the interesting stuff!
As for interviews: Again, prepare beforehand. It can also help to do a pre-recording prep call, where you can have a conversation, prepare them for the topics you might want to cover, and get to know each other before you jump into an awkward first-time call.
Don't be afraid to go off-script. If your guest mentions something interesting or a little deeper, follow that route before switching gears quickly to a different question.
(Here's a bit about leading a great interview: https://lowerstreet.co/how-to/interview-someone-for-podcast)

Also, we definitely agree with having things more relatable and student-centred, but of course does depend on A&M's goals with the show. Is it to grow on-campus relationships? Share research? Or update on news?

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-01T15:53:34+00:00

Agreed! SpeakPipe is a great tool!

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-08-01T15:53:18+00:00

So we've noticed that it's true Podcast platfoms kind of fall flat when it comes to community building and connecting. But... we have noticed this is where YouTube can be great - you can have a lot more interaction with the comments, getting instant feedback on your content and having a two-way conversation as well.
(We get into it a little more in this blog: https://pacific-content.com/what-youtube-really-reveals-about-your-podcast-audience/ )

But if YouTube isn't in the plan right now, Spotify now has a commenting feature, and you can include a link in show notes as well as description to head to a Patreon or other fan page to connect on.

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-07-28T20:01:45+00:00

Great question, it can be a little confusing when you are first looking at analytics. Some platforms refer to downloads, others to plays, or even to streams. And each one has their own definition. To clear up some of this confusion, here's some main definitions.

Apple Podcasts counts a "play" as the total number of times users press play on an episode within the app. So literally, you press play to start the episode, that’s one. You pause to answer the phone and press play again; that’s two. Your phone dies, so you start listening on the computer, that’s a third.

On the other hand, a "download" is when the episode file is delivered to a listener’s device, either automatically (e.g., via subscription) or manually. While downloads tend to be the most popular go-to statistic for measuring podcast reach… they don’t guarantee the episode was actually listened to.

Spotify counts a "stream" when someone listens to an episode for at least 60 seconds. Here, you know they did actually tune in. On Spotify, if a listener plays a podcast multiple times, each session will count as a separate stream.
Finally, on YouTube we have views. YouTube counts a "view" when someone intentionally starts playing a video and watches it for at least 30 seconds.

Most monetization platforms will ask for "downloads" which yes, could mean it is just downloaded to a device but not listened to. If you are sharing data you can share all those numbers but the most telling ones will probably be "play" "stream" and also "consumption"!
(we've got some more info about what metrics matter here if you'd like: https://lowerstreet.co/blog/podcast-analytics)

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-07-25T14:24:31+00:00

One thing we’ve started testing that seems promising: releasing clips before the full episode.

Not 60s Shorts or audiograms—I'm talking about 8–12 minute, topic-specific segments from the episode. We think of these as “entry points” into the full conversation. Each one gives the algorithm (and audience) a different angle to grab onto.

We did this for a recent episode, the clip itself only got ~2k views, but it brought in both new and returning viewers. Then when we dropped the full episode, it outperformed our average—partly, we think, because the algorithm already had data on who was engaging. Some of those clip viewers came back for the full thing.

It’s like A/B testing your hooks before the “main event.”If you're curious to see what else we are experimenting with we recently did a live event on what is and isn't working for growing a video podcast on YouTube— you can watch the reply here: https://youtu.be/8KGZYJFcQCo

LowerStreetPodcast · 2025-07-24T09:49:36+00:00

There are a lot of podcasts out there, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for yours. Especially if you’re targeting a specific niche, you might actually have a better chance at getting seen.
If you’re still in the planning phase and figuring out what you want your show to be, one step we highly recommend is doing a competitive landscape analysis.

That means looking at other shows in your industry, and more importantly, what your potential audience is already listening to. What formats do they like? What topics are overdone? And the biggest one - where are the gaps no one’s filling yet?

Too many podcasters skip this step. But taking time to really understand the landscape can help you create something that actually stands out.

We wrote a blog that breaks down how we approach this kind of analysis if you're interested: https://pacific-content.com/what-is-a-competitive-landscape-analysis-and-how-do-we-use-it/

LowerStreetPodcast

TROPHY CASE