The Real Behind the Scenes of Starting—and Rebranding—My Podcast Story — Cheryl Fischer | Ep 104

If you’ve ever questioned your podcast’s name or felt stuck in the rebranding process, you’ll get a ton of value from this episode with Cheryl Fisher, host of Mind Your Midlife. Cheryl shares her honest journey from launching a show with a broad focus to finding clarity and doubling her listener numbers through a strategic rebrand — plus, some surprising truths about what it actually takes to grow your podcast audience.Listen in to learn:Why niching down your podcast makes a world of difference (including real numbers on growth after rebranding).Practical, budget-friendly strategies Cheryl used to boost downloads and what actually moved the needle (spoiler: not just social media). There’s also a thoughtful look at how to know your show’s “how” and why it matters for growth, plus listener-first advice on experimenting with ads and partnerships. Whether you’re considering a rename or struggling with slow audience growth, Cheryl’s story gives you both permission and practical ideas to take the next step.Connect with Cheryl FisherWebsite: https://www.mindyourmidlifepodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylpfischer/# LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindyourmidlifepodcast/If 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 Cheryl Fisher & Her Podcast01:12 The Naming Struggle: Podcast Purgatory02:30 Researching and Renaming the Show03:16 What Mind Your Midlife Is Really About04:25 The Old Name and Why She Rebranded07:43 Niche Down for Growth08:18 How Cheryl Helps Her Audience10:47 Podcast Formats: Solo vs Interviews11:17 Why Cheryl Started Podcasting12:26 Hopes, Expectations & Podcast Goals13:58 Rebranding When You’re Small15:22 Advice for New Podcasters on Naming16:16 Two Years In: Consistency and Growth16:32 Choosing a Podcast Category18:45 Dreaming Up a Custom Category21:40 Audience Size & Growth Numbers22:54 Marketing Tactics That Really Worked24:02 Results from Paid Ad Campaigns26:12 Download vs Follower Strategies28:47 Budgeting Time vs Money30:08 When Should You Spend on Growth?34:28 Podcast Cross-Promos: What Works36:05 Podcast Recommendation Newsletters39:06 Borrowing Audiences to Grow40:26 The Power of Specific Podcast Missions42:02 Balancing Content, Growth, and Editing46:30 Does the Podcast Make Money?47:37 Podcasting as a Personal Brand Builder51:45 Authority, Thought Leadership & Guesting54:15 The Podcaster’s Confidence Boost55:17 Where to Find Cheryl’s Podcast56:07 Wrapping Up & Invitation for Chapter Two