Monetize This! Where Podcasting Best Practices Come to Die

Dave Jackson has been podcasting since 2005, which means he’s had almost two decades to watch podcasting advice evolve.Or, more accurately, watch the same advice get recycled with increasingly expensive microphones.Dave joins Monetize This! to talk about the podcasting advice industry, and naturally, we find plenty to disagree with.We take a swing at:* “Just start.”* “Just keep going.”* The promise that your audience is just around the corner.* The promise that your podcast can easily make money.* The apparent requirement that every podcast now become a video podcast.* AI-generated shows and whether they can manufacture the human connection that makes podcasting worth listening to.* The endless obsession with audio quality, promotion, growth, and doing everything “right.”Dave also shares some genuinely useful advice about audio, promotion, collaboration, and what he’d do if he had to start a podcast from scratch today.Then we get into what happens when a podcaster has opinions strong enough to make people unhappy.Spoiler: Dave has opinions.And because we apparently hate our own advice, this conversation runs 39 minutes.That’s much longer than our usual episodes. According to podcast best practices, we should probably apologize.We won’t.Links:School of Podcasting (schoolofpodcasting.com)Monetize This! (monetizethispodcast.com) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Paul and Ellyn Mock didn’t start their podcast with a business plan, a growth strategy, or a monetization funnel. They started with something they actually had: 37 years of marriage, a shared history, and a story worth talking about.In this episode, we talk about what podcast success looks like when you stop measuring everything by downloads, followers, revenue, and growth. Paul and Ellyn share how E Says, P Says came about, what they’ve learned from making the show, the listener feedback that means the most to them, and their encounters with the people eager to sell them podcast promotion.We also talk about learning the craft without spending thousands on courses, finding useful free resources, and the difference between optimizing a podcast and simply getting better at making one.Maybe your podcast doesn’t have to become something else before you can call it successful.Links:E Says P Says Podcasthttps://monetizethispodcast.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcast awards are supposed to recognize great work. But what are they actually worth to the people who win them?In this episode, we speak with John Leschinski of the Canadian Podcast Awards about what podcast awards are really for, how nominations and judging work, whether winning can actually lead to money or opportunities, and why some awards can start to look a lot like pay-to-play.We also get into celebrity podcasts, popularity contests, the $2,000 course you could apparently create about winning awards, and some surprisingly important advice.And if you’re wondering whether your podcast is “ready” for an award, John has some thoughts on that too.Guest: John Leschinski, Canadian Podcast AwardsLearn more about the awards at: https://canpodawards.ca/Monetize This! is the podcast that takes a contrarian look at podcasting, questions the conventional wisdom, and occasionally admits that the gurus have a point.Find more at monetizethispodcast.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Stand-up comedy looks effortless until you realize every laugh has been engineered.This week, comedian, veterinarian, and author Matt Evans joins Monetize This! to talk about what actually goes into writing comedy. We get into joke structure, storytelling, callbacks, and why making people laugh is a lot more like learning a craft than waiting for inspiration to strike.Along the way, we accidentally wander into some surprisingly useful advice about creativity, overcoming resistance, and why the hardest part of making something is often just sitting down and starting. Don’t worry—we make fun of ourselves for it.If you’ve ever wondered why some podcasts feel effortless, why some stories stick with you, or why every creative project seems to begin with procrastination, this episode is for you.Guest: Matt Evans — stand-up comedian, equine veterinarian, and author of Chomping at the Bit.Find Matt at: mattevanscomic.comLearn more and follow us at: monetizethispodcast.comMonetize This! is the podcast where podcasting best practices come to die. Host David Beckemeyer takes a lighthearted, contrarian look at podcasting, creator culture, and the endless stream of advice telling you you’re doing it wrong. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Everyone wants to sell transformation.In podcasting, it’s “Launch in 30 days.” “Grow your audience.” “Build a six-figure business.”In leadership coaching, the promises aren’t all that different.This week, I sat down with executive coach Kathy Hadizadeh to talk about something that quietly challenges both industries: the idea that real change can be packaged into a weekend workshop, a seven-step framework, or a single blueprint.Kathy doesn’t coach podcasters, and she isn’t trying to sell you the latest podcast growth strategy. Instead, she works with engineering and technology leaders, helping teams navigate change in the real world. Along the way, we discovered that leadership coaching and podcast guru culture have more in common than either of us expected.We talk about why one-size-fits-all frameworks fall short, why “transformation” is often oversold, why ambition can become a runaway train, and why the best coaches ask better questions instead of pretending to have all the answers.If you’ve ever felt like every creator newsletter is telling you to post more, hustle harder, and optimize everything... this one’s for you.GuestKathy Hadizadeh is an executive coach who works with engineering, product, and technology leaders to build stronger teams and more thoughtful leadership practices. Rather than offering cookie-cutter solutions, her work focuses on understanding people first and designing approaches that fit the challenges they’re actually facing.Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn and let her know you heard her on Monetize This!Also Discussed* Bill Monty - Tales From South Florida Podcast* Dave Campbell’s Meetup CommunityMonetize This! is the podcast where podcasting best practices come to die. Every episode takes a lighthearted look at podcasting gurus, creator advice, and the strange pressure to optimize everything—because sometimes the best thing you can do is ignore the blueprint and just make something worth listening to. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

What happens when a Hollywood storyteller discovers podcasting?Alan Katz spent decades working in film and television, including creating and writing for Tales from the Crypt, where getting a story from an idea to the screen could take years, endless approvals, and giving up a lot of control along the way.Podcasting changed that.In this episode of Monetize This!, Alan talks about why the microphone might be the ultimate storytelling tool, why authenticity matters more than formulas, and why the best podcasts come from creators who understand the story they’re actually trying to tell.Alan also shares the story behind his podcast How Not to Make a Movie, his approach to honest storytelling, and why some of the most interesting stories are the ones traditional media might never have let through.Maybe the thing worth optimizing isn’t your downloads.Maybe it’s making something worth listening to.About Alan KatzAlan Katz is a writer, producer, and storyteller who has worked across film, television, and podcasting. He is the founder of Costard and Touchstone, a storytelling company built around the idea of using stories to make the world a better place.Learn more about Alan: https://costardandtouchstone.comMonetize This! is the podcast where podcasting best practices come to die. A skeptical, slightly ridiculous look at the advice, rules, and “growth hacks” surrounding podcasting — especially the ones that deserve a little roasting. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcasting exists in this strange space where creators are told the medium is exploding, the opportunities are endless, and success is right around the corner — usually after buying one more course, one more microphone, one more strategy, one more growth framework.Meanwhile, most podcasters are making little to no money, fighting discouragement, staring at download numbers, and wondering whether anybody actually cares.This week on Monetize This, I talk with Rory Paquette — podcaster, coach, self-described “podcaster advocate,” and someone with very strong opinions about how the industry treats creators.This conversation moves between satire, frustration, philosophy, and practical reality — which honestly feels pretty true to podcasting itself.About RoryRory Paquette hosts multiple podcasts including:* Power of Man* The Podcaster Nation* Wake Up the LionsHe works with podcasters on monetization, growth, and creator mindset, while advocating for what he sees as a more creator-respecting podcast ecosystem.Find him on Facebook: @rory.paquette Final ThoughtOne of the recurring themes on Monetize This is that the internet loves success stories because they sound clean and repeatable.Real creative work usually isn’t.Most creators live somewhere in the middle:building things,questioning themselves,trying ideas,working side jobs,figuring it out as they go.Podcasting may be one of the clearest examples of that.And maybe that’s part of why people keep doing it anyway. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcasting used to be relatively simple. You recorded some audio, uploaded it somewhere, and hoped another human being voluntarily listened to it.Now podcasting apparently includes Netflix shows, vertical video clips, content funnels, algorithm strategy, six-camera YouTube setups, and at least one person online insisting you need a specific microphone before you’re allowed to speak publicly.This week on Monetize This!, David talks with audio fiction creator Jonathan Marsh about the strange modern universe surrounding podcasting — a place where nobody can fully agree on what a podcast even is anymore, but everyone still seems very confident about the rules.The conversation wanders through expensive microphones, Netflix “podcasts,” RSS evangelism, Reddit legal advice, creator economy panic, and one surprisingly intense reaction to the phrase “fair use.”Somewhere underneath all the chaos is a quieter question:What if podcasting was never supposed to become this complicated?Jonathan Marsh is the creator of Afterlight Fictions, an audio storytelling podcast featuring original fiction and public domain adaptations.Follow Monetize This!Monetize This! is a lighthearted, contrarian podcast about podcasting culture, creator advice, guru nonsense, and the increasingly bizarre economy surrounding “content creation.”Subscribe at monetizethispodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

What happens when a podcast isn’t a funnel for a business… and the podcast itself is the thing?In this episode of Monetize This!, David Beckemeyer talks with Andrew Lewin, host of How to Protect the Ocean, a podcast with nearly 1,900 episodes built around ocean conservation, science communication, and helping people care about the ocean a little more than they did yesterday.No mastermind.No “high-ticket offer.”No podcast growth empire.And yet, somehow, the show changes lives.Andrew talks about:* why most podcast advice doesn’t apply to mission-driven shows* the problem with podcast guru culture and fake metrics* why podcasting is a long game* trying (and failing) to force traditional monetization models onto a niche show* building an audience around impact instead of scale* the strange reality of being “successful” in ways the industry doesn’t really measureAlong the way, we hear stories about listeners changing careers, starting environmental organizations, pursuing PhDs, and even influencing institutional policy after hearing episodes of the show.This conversation is ultimately about a kind of podcaster that rarely gets represented in podcasting discourse:people making shows because the subject itself matters to them.GuestAndrew LewinHost of How to Protect the OceanSpeak Up For BlueMentioned in This Episode* How to Protect the Ocean* Beyond Jaws* Podcast SEO* “Top 1%” podcast rankings* Mission-driven podcasting* The long game of podcastingFollow Monetize This!If you’ve ever felt like podcasting advice assumes you’re secretly trying to become a business coach, this show is for you.Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.More essays and episodes at:Monetize This! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

What happens when you take perfectly reasonable advice about “better audio” and follow it… way too far?This episode of Monetize This! features voice actor Jodi Krangle—whose thoughtful insights on sound, emotion, and listener connection are immediately (and aggressively) overproduced.We talk about why sound matters, how it shapes what people feel, and how quickly “good production” turns into… whatever this episode is.Along the way:* Duck sounds become a creative philosophy* Bacon replaces rain* Podcast gurus promise a million dollars (again)* And we test the limits of how many sound effects one conversation can surviveUnder the chaos, there’s a real point:Good audio enhances.Bad audio announces itself.And most podcasts don’t need more polish—they need more personality.Things We (Accidentally) Learned* Sound is emotional, whether you notice it or not* Great production disappears; bad production performs* Most “cinematic” podcast advice doesn’t survive contact with reality* Templates can help—but they can’t replace having a point of view* People come for information… but they stay for the hostAbout the GuestJodi Krangle is a professional voice actor who helps brands sound like themselves (without the duck effects). She’s also the host of the podcast Audio Branding, where she explores how sound influences perception, memory, and connection.Connect with Jodi* Podcast: Audio Branding* Website: voiceoversandvocals.comAbout Monetize This!Monetize This! is a lighthearted, contrarian podcast about podcasting—where growth is optional, monetization is suspicious, and “best practices” are treated as… suggestions at best.If it’s overhyped, oversold, or overproduced, we’re probably talking about it.Final ThoughtYour podcast does not need more duck sounds.(Probably.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Most podcasts don’t fail because people run out of things to say.They fail because people start chasing something they never clearly defined in the first place.In this episode of Monetize This, I talk with Donald Dunn—who runs multiple shows, built a podcast network… and makes exactly $0 from podcasting itself.Not as a failure. As a choice.We get into why monetization advice often misses the point, how burnout actually happens, and why the most important decision you can make about your podcast has nothing to do with downloads.A Few Takeaways1. Most podcasts don’t fail—they driftThey start with one intention and slowly absorb expectations from the outside.2. Burnout isn’t about talking—it’s everything elseEditing, promotion, distribution. That’s the real job.3. Monetization comes later (if at all)Trying to force it early usually leads to disappointment—or worse, bad decisions.4. The podcast might not be the businessFor some creators, it’s the portfolio, the proof, or the entry point—not the revenue stream.5. You have to decide what this is upfrontBecause the work, expectations, and outcomes are completely different depending on that choice.About the GuestDonald Dunn is the founder of Barracks Media and host of multiple podcasts, including Spirits and Stories. His work focuses on storytelling, mental health, and helping others share their experiences—often outside of traditional monetization models.Mentioned in This Episode* Barracks MediaMonetize This! is for podcasters who are tired of being treated like a funnel, a brand, or a growth chart.Sometimes the podcast is the thing.And that’s enough. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

What if your podcast… isn’t a strategy?In this episode, I talk with Travis Rhoden, co-host of Bestie Approved—a show that breaks just about every “rule” in podcasting. No niche. No growth plan. No real monetization to speak of.And yet—it works.Not in the way the industry usually defines success. But in a way that’s a lot harder to measure: they actually enjoy making it.We get into the reality behind podcast advice, the pressure to turn everything into a funnel, and what happens when you just decide not to play that game.This isn’t a “how to grow your podcast” episode.It’s more like: what if you didn’t?Links:https://www.bestieapproved.com/Key takeaway:Your podcast doesn’t have to lead to something else.More from this conversation:There’s a lot more from Travis that didn’t make the main cut—extra rants, tangents, and behind-the-scenes chaos. Those will be dropping as bonus episodes, so keep an eye out.About the show:Monetize This! is a podcast about podcasting—minus the guru playbook. No fluff, no funnels, no “10-step growth hacks.” Just real conversations about what this medium actually is… and what it isn’t.If this episode resonated (or irritated you), share it with someone who’s overthinking their podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcasting advice usually follows a predictable script:* Grow your audience.* Monetize the audience.* Sell a course teaching other people how to monetize their audience.But today’s guest accidentally breaks that formula.Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch and host of Podcasting Made Simple, builds tools for podcasters, teaches podcasting, and works with thousands of hosts… yet he argues something that sounds almost heretical:Stop focusing on growing your audience.Instead, focus on the listeners you already have.In this episode of Monetize This!, we dig into the strange economics and mythology of podcasting — from inflated rankings to fear-based platform advice — and why your listeners might be your best marketing team.Along the way we talk about:* The surprising origin story of PodMatch* Why “Top 1% Podcast” probably doesn’t mean what you think* The moment a YouTube executive predicted podcasts would become irrelevant* Why niche podcasts outperform “shows about everything”* The myth that every podcast needs social media* The rise of obvious AI-generated podcast episodes* Why 100 listeners might be far more valuable than 100,000If you’ve ever felt like podcasting advice sounds suspiciously like internet marketing advice… this episode might be for you.Links• PodMatch• Podcasting Made SimpleAbout Monetize This!Monetize This! is the podcast that looks at podcasting advice with a skeptical eye.Because if every guru strategy worked, every podcast would already be rich. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

It feels slightly off for this show to be talking about ethics.But here we are.This episode digs into a tension at the heart of modern podcasting:* Be vulnerable. Tell your story. Go deeper.* Ship fast. Don’t overthink it. Repurpose everything. Scale the system.Those two philosophies don’t peacefully coexist.Tonya just launched a deeply personal storytelling podcast built on radical empathy. Real stories. Messy communication. No heroes. No villains. No tidy “lessons learned.”And when you’re asking people to tell stories that cost them something, the usual advice starts to break down.This episode is slightly more thoughtful than usual. Don’t panic. We still question the guru economy.But underneath the snark is a real metric worth considering. Listen to the end to find out.Guest: Tonya PieskeWebsite: https://www.howtotellsomeone.comPodcasts: How to Tell SomeoneMonetize This! — the podcast about podcasting and the strange economy we’ve all decided to participate in.If this episode resonated, follow the show wherever you’re listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Most advice about podcast guesting assumes you want to sell a course.This episode assumes you want to get invited back.Russell Van Brocklen doesn’t host a podcast. He doesn’t want one. He ignores most guesting “best practices” — and somehow keeps landing interviews, speaking slots, and follow-ups anyway.In this short case file, we look at what actually breaks when guru advice meets real hosts, real shows, and real audiences.In this episode:* Why most podcast guesting advice fails outside the guru economy* How guest appearances can lead to real credibility, not just exposure* Using podcasts and speaking as a path to becoming an Amazon bestselling author* What preparing for a TEDx talk reveals about authority and expertise* Why usefulness beats funnels, hacks, and “personal brand” strategiesAbout the guest:Russell Van Brocklen is The Dyslexia Professor. He translates structured-literacy methods proven most effective for struggling readers into bite-size actions parents can use immediately.Learn more and download his free guide at dyslexiaclasses.comAbout the show:Monetize This! is not a podcast about podcast advice.It’s about the advice industry surrounding podcasting, speaking, and creator work — and what survives contact with reality.Short episodes. Long skepticism. Completely serious podcast.monetizethispodcast.comLinks & Resources* dyslexiaclasses.com* Monetize This!An email to [email protected] might or might not get you a t-shirt. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

First of all… apologies.This episode contains actual advice… sort of.A listener asked us to talk about microphones — the most over-Googled, over-YouTubed, over-affiliate-linked topic in podcasting. So today we’re doing something radical:We’re simplifying it.Instead of a Top 10 list.Instead of a comparison chart.Instead of a 47-minute deep dive into capsule patterns.We’re answering the question:Do you even need a microphone to start a podcast?And if you insist on buying one… we give you exactly one recommendation.No affiliate link.No drama.No endless options.You’re welcome.Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone $99.99 USSennheiser XS Lav Omnidirectional clip-on lavalier microphone $69.00 USFor Real, Structured Podcasting AdviceIf you’re new and want a step-by-step roadmap, check out Dave Campbell’s How To Podcast Series.He recently released a 24-episode series covering what he calls the 24 Steps from Beginner to Pro, starting at Episode 574.Find it at:howtopodcast.ca This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcasting advice loves certainty.Rules. Checklists. Launch plans. Guarantees.This episode is for the people who already know that most of that… doesn’t really matter.We hear from Julie Marty-Pearson, a podcast coach and host of multiple shows, about why podcasting has become overcomplicated, how guru culture sells confidence instead of interesting audio, and what happens when you stop treating your podcast like a funnel.They talk about:* The “launch” that never actually happens* Why checklists don’t make podcasts better* Breaking every rule and still finding an audience* The difference between podcasts as businesses and podcasts as joy* Why not everything needs to be optimized, monetized, or taken seriouslyThis isn’t an episode about how to podcast.It’s about why making the show might be enough.Guest: Julie Marty-PearsonWebsite: https://juliemartypearson.comPodcasts: The Story of My Pet, Podcast Your Story, Still Becoming Women UnmutedMonetize This! is a short, contrarian podcast about podcasting advice, guru culture, and the quiet relief of ignoring most of it.If this episode resonated, follow the show wherever you’re listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

What if you’re not a guru…you’ve never taken a masterclass…and you’re still somehow surrounded by podcast advice culture?In this episode, we talk with Chris Castanes, host of You Are Gonna Be Great at This — a proudly demotivational business podcast with a six-minute attention span and zero interest in “the Top 10.”Chris isn’t selling a course. He’s not optimizing funnels. He’s just making a podcast he enjoys — and somehow still attracting AI-generated emails, ranking promises, and merch-for-reviews tactics.This is a field report from the civilian zone:* Why podcasting advice keeps finding people who didn’t ask for it* How five-star reviews became a barter economy* What happens when the bar is so low that “not terrible” feels revolutionary* And why enjoying what you’re doing might be the most suspicious move of allNo tips. No growth hacks. No motivation.Just observational comedy from inside the podcast industrial complex.About the GuestChris Castanes hosts You Are Gonna Be Great at This, a short-form, completely demotivational business podcast for people who want tools—not hype. Episodes are intentionally brief, mildly cynical, and allergic to hustle culture.Links & Resources* You Are Gonna Be Great at This podcast* Chris Castanes* Monetize This!An email to [email protected] might or might not get you a t-shirt. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Who gets to be a podcaster — and who quietly gets told they don’t belong?In this episode of Monetize This!, David talks with Dave Campbell, a Canadian podcaster behind nine shows and the creator of The How to Podcast Series, about the growing gap between podcasting as a creative medium and podcasting as a gated, guru-driven industry.They dig into how “best practices” turn into gatekeeping, why monetization is treated as a credibility test, and how most podcasters are being excluded by advice that assumes everyone wants the same goals.This is a conversation for hobbyists, indie creators, and anyone who’s ever felt pressure to optimize, scale, or quit.Notable Idea“Stay small enough, long enough, and you’ll be big enough soon enough.”About the GuestDave Campbell is a Canadian podcaster and producer behind nine shows, including The How to Podcast Series. His work focuses on pushing back against rigid podcasting advice, highlighting diverse creator paths, and keeping podcasting open, accessible, and human.About the ShowMonetize This! is a lighthearted, contrarian podcast that pokes fun at podcasting gurus, advice culture, and the pressure to optimize everything. It’s a space for creators who want permission to make the show they actually want to make. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

We were recently listed in Podnews—the calm, global, highly respected podcast industry newsletter read by people who seem to have their lives together. Naturally, the only responsible response was to immediately turn around and bite the hand that listed us.In this episode, we roast Podnews, podcast industry news, and the strange ecosystem of press releases, “industry insights,” watershed years, and inevitable platform predictions that surround podcasting.This is a roast, a thank-you note, and a sincere acknowledgment of the Herculean task of making sense of an industry where everyone is talking at once.Get in TouchHave a take, a roast-worthy idea, or a strongly worded press release you think we should read so you don’t have to?* Substack: monetizethispodcast.substack.com* Email: [email protected] read everything. We don’t promise to agree. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Podcasting advice is loud, confident, and everywhere.Most of it insists there’s a right way to do things — and if you’re not doing that, you’re falling behind.In this episode of Monetize This!, I’m joined by podcasting pioneer Jennifer Navarrete to talk about why that pressure is unnecessary, unhelpful, and often wrong.We talk about podcast gurus, “best practices,” creator overwhelm, and why so many podcasters don’t need more advice — they need permission.Jennifer has been producing audio since the early days of podcasting and brings a grounded, long-view perspective that cuts through the hype. Along the way, we question the obsession with video, the worship of metrics, and the idea that perfection is the goal.This episode isn’t a playbook.It’s a permission slip.Make the show you want. Or don’t.Either way, you’re probably doing it right.GuestJennifer NavarretePodcasting pioneer, community builder, and founder of #NAPODPOMO.Jennifer has been producing audio for nearly two decades and is a vocal advocate for indie creators, open RSS, and making podcasting work for humans — not platforms.About the ShowMonetize This! is a lighthearted, contrarian podcast that pokes fun at podcasting gurus, best practices, and advice culture.If it’s overhyped, oversold, or overcomplicated — we’re probably talking about it.Get In TouchHave a favorite podcast “must,” framework, or guru rule you’d like us to lovingly dismantle?* Substack: monetizethispodcast.substack.com* Email: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

Welcome to Monetize This — the contrarian, anti-guru podcast for creators who are tired of being told they’re “one secret formula” away from going viral. In this short intro episode, David sets the tone for the show by sharing a totally real, definitely legit, absolutely not suspicious email promising the Instagram Virality Formula.Spoiler: if someone is selling you “the formula,” it’s already a punchline.In this episode, you’ll hear:* The satire-filled vibe this show runs on* A dramatic reading of the latest “secret system” hitting creator inboxes* Why the promise of guaranteed virality is always nonsense* A playful jab at the endless parade of gurus, coaches, and schemes* A preview of the humor, honesty, and irreverence you can expect hereIf you’ve ever rolled your eyes at creator “best practices,” felt allergic to guru culture, or bought one too many magical blueprints — this podcast is for you.Follow the show, share it with a friend, or whisper it to a fellow creator in a dark alley — but whatever you do, don’t fall for anyone claiming they’ve got the formula.New episodes coming soon. Stay contrarian.Learn more: https://monetizethispodcast.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com

This is the official trailer for a show that was absolutely not approved by any guru, coach, accelerator, mastermind leader, or LinkedIn “expert.”Here’s what you’ll hear:* Why “best practices” aren’t actually practices or best* Creators who break every rule and somehow thrive anyway* Lighthearted roasting of the guru-industrial complex* Conversations with overwhelmed podcasters, contrarians, and good-sport coaches who can take a jokeIf you’re craving a creative space that values curiosity over funnels, experimentation over optimization, and joy over metrics, you’re in the right place.Subscribe and stay tuned for the chaos. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monetizethispodcast.com