Overcoming The Top Podcasting Mistakes with Dave Jackson

Episode 038 — Overcoming the Top Podcasting Mistakes with Dave JacksonIf your podcast isn’t growing, it’s rarely because you “need more marketing.” More often, it’s because something in the foundation is quietly working against you—unclear positioning, a confusing show name, weak content delivery, inconsistent scheduling, or not truly knowing your audience. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with podcasting expert Dave Jackson to break down the most common mistakes that stall podcasts—and the simple (but not always easy) fixes that actually move the needle. Dave Jackson is a podcasting consultant, speaker, author, and a 2018 Podcasting Hall of Fame inductee. He’s worked with thousands of podcasters and has seen firsthand what separates the podcasts that grow from the podcasts that fade out—and in this conversation, he gives you a roadmap you can apply immediately. Key Takeaways • “Simple but not easy”: growth comes down to content + delivery—great ideas don’t land if the execution doesn’t match • If you have to explain your show name, it’s too “cute”—clarity wins (especially for search) • The fastest improvement lever is feedback: you can’t always “see your own stuff,” and audience insight makes you someone’s favorite Timestamps • 00:00 — Introduction: the top mistakes that keep podcasts from growing  • 02:10 — Dave’s mantra: Jeremiah 29:11 and trusting the long game  • 05:00 — “I need more listeners”: why growth problems usually trace back to content  • 08:30 — Naming mistakes: why “cute” titles hurt search and confuse new listeners  • 12:30 — Niche vs broad: why deeper often beats wider (and how this differs from YouTube)  • 18:00 — New podcaster strategy: start with audio, time your process, and choose a sustainable schedule  • 23:00 — Content research hacks: Amazon reviews, YouTube comments, Reddit, and community listening  • 29:00 — Building an audience: go where they are, make friends first, and stop spamming  • 35:00 — The missing feedback loop: why most podcasters publish “rough drafts” and wonder why they stall  • 41:00 — Shy? Afraid to start? “Nobody can punch you in the face” + Zig Ziglar’s advice  • 47:00 — Burnout + quitting: reconnecting to your “why,” and why it can take years to grow  • 54:00 — The #1 lever: knowing your audience (and how segmentation makes marketing easier)  • 59:00 — Engagement that works: specific CTAs, deadlines, and “question of the month” tactics  • 01:05:00 — Recommended books + where to find Dave Connect with Dave Jackson • Dave’s website: https://schoolofpodcasting.com | Instagram | Facebook Resources • Podcasting for Profit by Dave Jackson, • The Audience Is Listening by Tom Webster• Big Podcast by David HooperIf this episode helped you, share it with a podcaster, creator, or founder who’s overwhelmed, stuck at the same download numbers, or ready to quit—because the fix is usually simpler than they think. I’ll see you next time on Overcoming Anything. ❤️ AnneDisclaimer The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy, diagnosis, legal, or medical care.#overcominganything #midlifetransformations #energyhealing #resilience #podcasting #podcaster #podcasttips #podcastgrowth #podcastmarketing #podcastlaunch #contentstrategy #audiencegrowth #nichingdown #storytelling #publicspeaking #creator #creatorcommunity #contentcreator #entrepreneur Send us Fan Mail