Chasing Scientists and Finding My Voice: The Real Podcast Origin — Tommy Serafinski | Ep 67

If you’ve ever wondered how podcasters find their “sweet spot” or pivot their shows to match what they love, you’ll get a real behind-the-scenes look in this episode with conservation and science podcaster Tommy Serafinski. Listen in for an honest, practical chat about starting a podcast before you have it all figured out and learning how to adjust along the way—whether that means experimenting with video, finding your niche, or even changing your show’s name.As you listen, you’ll discover:Why creator fit matters more than any business advice when it comes to podcast longevity, and how it helped Tommy keep his show going for nearly a decade.The pros and cons of adding video to your podcast and how different platforms (YouTube, Spotify) can affect your listenership and workflow.If you’re feeling stuck trying to niche down or keep up with trends, Tommy’s journey and some of his favorite lessons will help you think differently about what matters most in podcasting.Connect With Tommy SerafinskiWebsite:https://tommysoutdoors.com/Instagram:https://instagram.com/tommysoutdoorsIf My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 Meet Tommy Serafinski00:59 What “Conservation and Science” Covers01:57 Audio Versus Video Format02:58 Evolving Into a Video Podcast04:52 YouTube for Podcast Growth07:12 Lessons from Publishing Video on Spotify08:00 Hosting Podcast on Captivate09:19 Spotify and the Future of Podcasting09:46 Why Tommy Started Podcasting12:06 How a Fishing Blog Became a Podcast13:30 From “Tommy's Outdoors” to Science Focus15:08 The Power of Creator Fit18:18 Long-Term Podcast Success Tips18:58 The Value of Local Podcasting20:25 Building Community Through Podcasting21:09 Embracing Podcast Pivots22:27 Learning by Doing Different Podcasts24:45 Experimenting With Podcast Formats25:43 What Podcast “Failure” Really Means25:53 Tommy’s Most Embarrassing Podcast Mistake28:22 Asking Guests for Second Chances29:37 Handling Rejection and No-Responses31:06 Don’t Overthink Guest Pitches32:48 Using Conversion Rates to Book Guests33:48 Landing High-Profile Guests34:58 The Value of Patience in Guest Outreach36:08 Making it Easy for Podcast Guests37:05 Behind the Scenes: Guest FAQs38:50 Sometimes Guests Say No—And That’s Okay39:19 Connect With Tommy Serafinski and Final Thoughts