What Starting (and Ending) Podcasts Taught Me About Finding My True Voice — David McClam | Ep 108

If you’re a podcaster or thinking about starting your own show, this episode is packed with down-to-earth advice you can actually use. I sat down with David McClam, who’s been podcasting for nearly a decade and knows the real struggles behind the scenes. We talked about finding your podcast voice, making production work even when you’re low on budget, and how personal experience can shape the kind of stories you tell.You’ll hear how David moved from YouTube content creation into podcasting, and why he launched a show that spotlights not only true crime but also authors and everyday people with extraordinary stories. One big takeaway: building a podcast is about choosing a niche and standing out, especially in crowded genres. Another: developing your own workflow and finding support can help overcome time and technical challenges—whether that’s learning editing skills yourself or finding the right tools and partners. Plus, you'll get tips on bringing more authenticity and transparency to your episodes so your audience feels truly connected.Connect With David McClamWebsite: https://truecrimeauthors.comIf 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 Opening and guest intro00:52 David’s background and podcast focus01:33 How David’s podcasts are structured02:13 Covering diverse crime stories02:43 Family inspiration and podcast beginnings03:56 David’s YouTube story04:44 True crime fascination explained05:36 Avoiding exploitation in storytelling07:04 Why start a new show?08:32 Personal experience shapes the podcast09:02 Is “A Day with Crime” still live?10:26 Podcasting vs. traditional media11:53 Podcast ads and evergreen content12:53 Father-daughter podcast dynamic13:38 Early technical challenges15:56 Growth through production struggles16:29 Podcast production for creators17:17 Supporting new podcasters18:12 Launching a production company21:09 Building out convenient podcast solutions22:22 Frustrations that lead to business ideas23:24 Why editing and production support matters24:07 Connecting more with listeners25:00 Time—the biggest challenge26:47 Scheduling and flexibility in podcasting27:21 Creating bonus content28:05 How production support frees creators29:53 Researching for true crime episodes31:42 The value of script writers32:01 Linking sources and references33:36 Biggest lesson learned the hard way34:53 Dealing with celebrity expectations36:43 The value of transparency38:02 Behind the scenes: making an episode38:48 Crafting show titles and artwork39:28 Importance of theme music41:22 Sourcing intro and outro music43:43 Adapting intros for different podcasts44:43 Episode creation process46:03 Research and uncovering unique details48:03 Tools and production workflow49:59 Audio vs. video episodes50:41 Using PodPage and other tools50:54 Advice to a new podcaster52:08 Rapid fire questions53:13 Books, habits, and resources54:19 What’s next for David54:41 Wrapping up and future catch-ups55:27 Farewell and listener call to action