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Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts — Business
Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts

Named the best podcast on podcasting, this isn’t another “share great content and stay consistent” show doling out generic podcasting advice. We’re breaking down 30,000+ hours of study into what today’s top hosts do differently to create bingeworthy podcasts that convert.

Hosted by Forbes and Rolling Stone–featured podcasting psychology expert, Webby Awards judge, and PodLaunch® founder Courtney Elmer, you’ll get the podcasting tools and strategies other shows won’t dare to share (backed by 70+ Top 100 podcast launches).

Expect unfiltered podcasting insights, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!” advice so you can master growing a podcast that listeners can’t stop bingeing (and buying from).

When you’re ready to break out of less-than-200-download-per-episode jail and stop settling for downloads that don’t reflect your effort…

Or if you want a podcast launch strategy that positions you as the authority in your category and drives revenue…

Welcome to the podcast that’s about to change the game for you. Hit follow and let’s dive in.

…

Popular Guests Include: Adam Adams, Alex Sanfilippo, Dave Jackson, James Cridland, James Wedmore, Jeremy Enns, John Lee Dumas, Jordan Harbinger, Kevin Chemidlin, Seth Silvers, Tom Rossi, and more.

Popular Episode Topics Include: Podcast Messaging, Podcasting Psychology, Podcast Marketing, Creating Bingeworthy Podcast Content, Listener Engagement Strategies, Podcasting Mistakes to Avoid, Podcasting Tools, Podcasting Trends, Growing a Podcast, How to Monetize Your Podcast, Podcast Listener Conversion, Video Podcasting, Ranking Your Podcast in the Top 100, How to Start a Podcast, Podcast Launch Strategy

Copyright: © 2024 PodLaunch®

Latest Episodes:

Avoid This Trap at All Costs If You Want to Monetize Your Podcast | Danielle Hayden May 14, 2025

Show notes

Publishing consistently is one thing. Growing a podcast that pays you back is another. If you're done publishing episodes for free and you think it’d be great to finally get paid for your hard work, this one's for you.

Danielle Hayden is a reformed corporate CFO, founder of Kickstart Accounting and host of Business by the Books. She's here to break down why most podcasters never reach profitability, what your podcast spending habits reveal about you, and what needs to change if you want your podcast to drive revenue, not just downloads. If you're ready to learn the surprising first step to monetize your podcast, hit play and let's dive in.

...

1:05 – Why Most Podcasters Hesitate to Invest in Their Shows (and Stay Unprofitable Because of It)

2:27 – How Ego, Fear, and Old Money Stories Shape Your Podcast Decisions

7:56 – How High-Earning Podcasters Decide Where to Spend First

10:18 – Why ROI Isn’t the Only Way Your Podcast Pays You Back

11:49 – How to Run Your Podcast Like a Business When It’s Not Making Money Yet

...

Episode Links:

Meet Danielle Hayden: Website | LinkedIn
Listen to Danielle’s podcast: Business By the Books
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell 📘

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

The Spending Strategy Behind Podcasts That Make Money

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Is It Time to Rebrand Your Podcast? 5 Signs to Look For | Desiree Petrich May 08, 2025

Show notes

What you’re about to hear isn’t a story about overnight success. It’s about what becomes possible when you choose keep podcasting because you love it too much to quit.

For Desiree Petrich, launching a podcast was a business growth move. But a year in and zero ROI later, she wanted to toss her mic in the donations bin and call it quits. But once she learned how to spot the signs that it was time for a podcast rebrand, the bold move she made next 4X'd her podcast growth in a single year, brought in leads and revenue like never before, and helped her fall in love with podcasting all over again.

If you're thinking about giving up, this episode might make you think twice (and hand you the podcasting strategies you're missing). Hit play and let’s dive in.

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1:31 – 5 Signs Your Podcast Isn’t Connecting With the Right Listeners

6:14 – The Podcast Messaging Mistake That Makes Great Content Easy to Scroll Past

9:34 – The Podcast Naming Strategy That Helps New Listeners Remember Your Show

13:43 – What Listener Feedback Sounds Like When Your Podcast Messaging Finally Clicks

15:59 – The One Question Test That Can Expose Weak Podcast Episodes

...

Episode Links:

Connect with Desiree Petrich: Website | LinkedIn
Listen to Desiree's Podcast: You’re The Boss. Now What?

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Before You Quit Podcasting Because It Feels Like a Waste of Time, Do This | Ande Lyons May 07, 2025

Show notes

If you're second-guessing your content, worrying about your download numbers, and wondering if podcasting is even worth it, it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong. It’s because you’re podcasting alone.

Longtime podcaster and founder of the New England Podcasters Group, Andy Lyons, is exposing the hidden costs of podcasting in isolation, and why connecting with other serious podcasters could be the surprising thing that finally grows your show.

If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through this podcasting thing (hoping that if you "just stay consistent" your show will grow in time) this episode will show you why that hasn’t worked and what to do instead. Hit play and let's dive in.

...

1:07 – Why Podcast Growth Doesn't Happen in Isolation

5:12 – The Surprising Power of Building an In-Person Podcast Community

7:20 – The Hidden Cost of Podcasting Alone (Especially for Introverts)

10:49 – How to Create a Podcast Community That Keeps People Coming Back

13:59 – Simple Ways to Start Building Real Connections as a Podcaster

16:28 – Why Community Can Change the Entire Trajectory of Your Podcast

...

Episode Links:

Connect with Ande: Website | LinkedIn
Listen to Ande's Podcast: Don’t Be Caged By Your Age

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

How to Lead Guest Interviews That Make Listeners Want to Binge Your Show May 01, 2025

Show notes

If you want a podcast that builds authority and drives loyalty, you need to lead interviews that earn attention. But if you’re airing interviews that don't meet your standard because you feel obligated toward your guest, your audience won't complain. They WILL stop listening.

So if you're done settling for polite interviews that don’t convert and want to learn how to ask questions your guest hasn’t answered a dozen times before to create one-of-a-kind conversations listeners share and come back to, hit play and let's dive in.

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03:39 – The Prep Mindset That Separates Top Podcast Hosts from Everyone Else

05:02 – The 5-Question Framework That Creates Better Guest Conversations

08:14 – My Guest Research Process for Finding Fresh Interview Angles

11:14 – How to Build Instant Rapport Before You Even Hit Record

14:03 – Why the Best Interviews Happen When You Let Go of the Script

16:01 – The One Pre-Interview Question That Unlocks Unforgettable Conversations

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Episode Links:

Talk to Me by Dean Nelson 📘
Stop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner 📘
Book a call with Joe Casabona to save 5+ hours by automating your podcasting workflows, and mention this show when you do.

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

The 3 Biggest Reasons Podcast Listeners Tune Out During Guest Episodes Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

If your guest already gave the same answers on five other podcasts, you didn’t lead the interview, you hosted a rerun. And when every guest episode sounds the same, listeners don’t blame the guest. They stop trusting you.

Find out the three common podcasting mistakes that erode your authority in an interview, why “just letting the convo flow” leads to copy-paste content your audience has already heard, and how to stay in control of the conversation without sounding scripted or losing rapport.

Great podcast interviews don’t just happen. But they are one of the biggest things that determine whether your episodes get skipped or get shared. So if you want to lead interviews that wow your listeners and keep them coming back, hit play and let’s dive in.

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02:21 – The Cost of Poor Interview Prep & Why It Hurts Your Show

06:27 – Mistake #1: Stop Making Your Guest the Hero of the Story

08:50 – Mistake #2: How to Keep Guests from Taking Over the Conversation

14:47 – Mistake #3: Don't Let Big-Name Guests Intimidate You

17:05 – The Mindset Shift That Creates Unforgettable Podcast Interviews

...

Episode Links:

Talk to Me by Dean Nelson 📘
Stop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner 📘

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

How to Lead Guest Interviews That Make Listeners Want to Binge Your Show

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Should You Use PodPage or Your Own Website for Your Podcast? Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Most podcasters know they need a website... but the wrong kind of site can bury your show in search and cost you the listeners and leads you're working hard to earn.

I’m breaking down everything you need to know about podcasting websites from what to include to what to avoid, plus the one podcasting mistake that could be sending all your search traffic (and Google authority) to someone else’s site instead of yours.

If you’ve ever Googled “Does my podcast need its own website?” or “Should I buy a domain for my podcast?”and you’re podcasting for business growth and want your show to get found by more listeners online, hit play and let’s dive in.

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0:07 – Do You Really Need a Podcasting Website?

2:15 – Can You Use the Free Website From Your Podcast Host?

3:50 – What’s the Best Way to Set Up a Podcast Website?

5:43 – Do You Need a Domain Name for Your Podcast?

8:12 – What Should You Include on Your Podcast Website?

12:45 – Should Your Podcast Live on It's Own Site or Your Main Brand Site?

14:08 – When Third-Party Podcasting Sites Like PodPage Make Sense (and When to Avoid Them)

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Episode Links:

See Our Podcasting Website in Action: PodLaunchHQ.com
If you meet the criteria I shared in the episode for using PodPage, click here to choose a plan (and tell Brandon and Dave that Courtney @ PodLaunch sent you)

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

4 Podcast Growth Strategies You Haven’t Tried Yet (But Should)

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Podcasting Consistently and Still Not Growing? This Is Why | Krissy Bold Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Krissy Bold launched a parenting podcast with a confusing name, hour-long episodes no one finished, and episode titles no one was clicking on. Then she made a few key changes to her podcast messaging and hit #3 in Parenting in less than a week (outranking Big Bird, Blippi, and Frozen), and she’s been ranking on the top podcasting charts ever since.

If you want to learn key differences between launching a podcast people scroll past and one they binge, share, and rave about (so you can stop refreshing your stats like it’s going to change something and start growing a podcast listeners want to support and shout from the rooftops), hit play and let’s dive in.

...

0:07 – What to Look for When You're Doing Everything Right and Your Podcast Still isn't Growing

4:52 – The Biggest Reason Listener Don't Finish Episodes (Even When Your Content Is Good)

6:40 – The Podcast Messaging Fixes You Can Make Today to Get More Listeners Clicking Into Your Show

10:28 – The Exact Podcast Launch Strategy That Took Krissy to the Top Parenting Charts

19:30 – An Underrated Way to Reach New Audiences That Most Podcasters Overlook

...

Episode Links:

Connect With Krissy Bold: MomIdentityProject.com
Listen to Krissy's Podcast: Mom’s Guide to Finding Herself

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

How to Make Your Podcast the One Listeners Can’t Ignore

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

The Podcast Pitching Strategy That Leads to More Yeses | Alice Draper Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Still waiting to feel “ready” before you start pitching that big guest or sponsor? HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper is about to show you the exact process she uses to turn ignored and rejected pitches into bigger opportunities for your podcast. You’ll learn how to build your rejection muscle, set rejection goals that lead to more yeses, and use data from ignored or declined pitches to refine your messaging and land bigger and better opportunities.

If you’re ready to become the kind of show people say "YES!" to without a moment's hesitation, hit play and let’s dive in.

...

1:08 – Why You Should Treat Rejection as a Podcasting Strategy, Not a Setback

6:24 – How to Use Pitch Rejections to Improve Your Podcast Messaging

9:17 – Use This Simple Formula to Make Your Pitches More Specific (and Stand Out)

12:24 – What Silence After a Pitch Actually Means (and What to Do Next)

14:15 – How to Take the Pressure Off When Sending a Pitch Feels Intimidating

...

Episode Links:

Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.
Listen to Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection Story
Connect with Alice: hustlingwriters.com

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

The Real Reason You’re Still Sitting on That Guest or Sponsor Pitch

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Why You’re Not Getting Bigger Guests or Sponsors Yet | Alice Draper Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

You know that big-guest pitch you *almost* sent (or that sponsor you’re telling yourself you’ll reach out to once you have enough downloads?) This episode is about what to do when you're torn between wanting more for your podcast and actually going after it.

HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper has helped clients land guest spots on 500+ podcasts, including WorkLife with Adam Grant and UnF*ck Your Brain. She's here to unpack why our brains like to avoid rejection and how this keeps your podcast from getting the visibility, credibility, and growth you deserve.

If you’re tired of seeing other people land the guests, sponsors, and traction you want (and you're ready to start pitching bigger names and getting your show into the rooms it deserves to be in), hit play and let’s dive in.

...

1:36 – The Real Fear Behind “My Show Isn’t Big Enough Yet”

6:15 – The Visibility Mistake Keeping Your Podcast Small

9:09 – “They’ll Probably Say No Anyway”—and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

15:46 – Why You Don’t Need More Downloads to Pitch Big Guests or Sponsors

17:58 – The One Podcasting Strategy Most Hosts Aren't Doing That Can Actually Grow Your Show

...

Episode Links:

Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.
Listen to Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection Story
Connect with Alice: hustlingwriters.com

...

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

How to Train for Rejection and Use It to Grow Your Podcast Faster

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Is Your Podcast Too Niche to Grow? Here's How to Tell Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

You’ve heard “niche down” is the key to growing a podcast. But what if your niche is too narrow to scale? By listening in on this live coaching session with Dennis, you'll learn the biggest reason why your podcast isn't attracting more listeners and the specific podcast messaging tools you can apply right now to fix it.

You'll also learn how the five Podcast Content Gatekeepers® will either earn you the click or cost you the listen, so if you’re tired of seeing single-digit downloads on episodes you spent hours producing, hit play and let’s dive in.

...

0:04 – When “Niche Down” Backfires (and Keeps Your Podcast From Growing)

1:12 – What You Think Your Show Is About vs. What Listeners Actually See

3:18 – Why Your Podcast Name Could Be Turning the Best-Fit Listeners Away

5:26 – Why Listeners Aren’t Clicking (Even When You Know Your Content Is Valuable)

9:03 – How to Fix Your Podcast Messaging So More of the Right Listeners Hit Play

...

Other Episodes You'll Love:

5 Podcast Messaging Gatekeepers That Get Listeners to Choose Your Show

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights: LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

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