Episode 441 - Podcast Tool - Voicemaker.in - A Voice Tool for Podcasters, Speech to Speech, Voice Cloning and Text to Speech

We're excited sharing our latest update of Voicemaker version 1.7.1! - bringing you powerful new tools including Speech-to-Speech, custom voice cloning, and enterprise-ready features.

Introducing Speech to Speech (AI Voice Changer):

• Record or upload your voice and transform it into any AI voice from our library.
• It retains your original emotions, style, and vocal character.

Introducing ProV2 Voices – Multilingual Mastery:

• Next-gen ProV2 Multilingual Engine optimized for Indian languages, Crafted for emotional depth, phonetic clarity, and cultural nuance.
• Supports 28+ languages including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, and more.
• Note: Currently, ProV2 voices consume 3x character usage.

Self-Serve Custom Voice Cloning:

• Just a few minutes of your audio is all it takes.
• Clone your voice, instantly – ready for TTS and STS in over 30 languages.
• Available in all paid plans.

On the Horizon:

• Voice Enhancer: Turn your raw, noisy, or low-quality vocals into studio-grade audio recordings with our AI-powered noise cancellation and intelligent vocal enhancement.
• MusicSense: Deconstruct music with AI - isolate vocals, drums, piano, bass and more. Karaoke, remix, or sample like never before.

SSO Integration for Enterprise Plans:

• SSO via SAML2 is now available for business and enterprise accounts.
• Securely connect your company’s login infrastructure with Voicemaker to streamline team access and account security.

https://voicemaker.in/

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 440 - Rekindling Your Passion for Podcasting - From Obligation to Inspiration

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
— Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Creating something out of love—like learning an instrument because you adore music or podcasting because you have a story to share—fuels creativity, resilience, and joy. When podcasting shifts from a passion to a chore, the spark fades, and so does the quality and authenticity of your work.

• Reconnect with Your “Why”

  • Reflect on what drew you to podcasting in the first place. Was it the thrill of sharing stories, connecting with listeners, or exploring new ideas? Revisit your earliest motivations and let them guide your next steps.

• Shift Your Mindset: From Tasks to Vision

  • Instead of focusing on the mechanics (editing, scheduling, promoting), immerse yourself in the bigger picture: the impact your voice has, the community you’re building, and the conversations you’re sparking. Let your longing for the “endless immensity of the sea” drive you, not the pressure to collect wood.

• Experiment and Play

  • Try new formats, topics, or guests that excite you. Give yourself permission to create episodes just for fun, or even take a break from your usual routine to reignite your curiosity.

• Celebrate Small Wins

  • Notice and appreciate the moments that bring you joy—an insightful interview, a heartfelt listener message, or a creative breakthrough.

• Connect with Other Creators

• Surround yourself with passionate podcasters who remind you of the possibilities and excitement of the medium. Share stories, challenges, and encouragement to keep your creative fire burning

  
  

  3 Questions to consider:

• • “What first inspired you to start podcasting, and how can you reconnect with that inspiration?”

  • “How do you keep your creative process playful and exciting?”

  • “What would your podcast look like if you made it for the sheer love of it, not out of obligation?”

  To move from “have to” back to “love to,” fall in love again with the vast possibilities of your creative journey. Focus less on the tasks and more on the vision—let your passion for the “sea” of podcasting guide you, and the work will become a joyful adventure rather than a duty.

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  https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 439 - Introverts Podcasting, Start Listening at Episode one with Co-Host Mista Yu

About Yusef Marshall

Yusef Marshall (Mista Yu) was born in Brooklyn, NY and has multiple degrees in Business Admin and Mgmt as well as degrees in Computer Programming, Certified Business Coaching, and Culinary Arts. Mista Yu has also authored his first and only published book "The Heart of The Stepfather" in 2016. His story on blended families and the challenges of building family without a personal context is awe-inspiring! You probably won't be able to find the book these days though. Mista Yu's career has been centered around serving others and attempting to make the world around him better. He has worked for a decade in the food service industry as a Chef in the LowCountry kitchens, serving in the State Government as a Passport associate and Department Supervisor, as well as currently serving as a Licensed and Ordained Minister, teaching leadership development, biblical principles, and community service.Mista Yu and his wife have three grown daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild they have yet to meet formally. He believes that strong families create strong communities and strong communities create strong cities and states and strong cities and states create strong nations and a strong world.Mista Yu escaped death multiple times and has two stories that he calls "conversion stories" that are instrumental in shaping the man, the father, and the leader he is today. Feel free to ask about them.Yusef is the founder of Mirror Time Media, LLC, and the "They Call Me Mista Yu" podcast/media brand, as well as the Co-Founder of a non-profit organization, Save The Children SC, dedicated to the advocacy and awareness of the needs of children in our community. We endeavor to teach financial and reading literacy, how to conduct oneself wisely and become an asset to our communities and not a liability, as well as partner with local organizations who share our desire to see our children grow healthy and strong, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They Call Me Mista Yu is a podcast brand with three shows currently airing (live and recorded):Inspiration Station - Teaching and encouragement with a personal touch and taken from the challenging stories Mista Yu has overcome as well as current topics and issues in our time that are relevant to every listener. The goal is to be "Your Weekly Mirror Check before you change your world". This is where Mista Yu is most transparent and where he shoots the straightest!One On One with Mista Yu - our flagship interview show where Mista Yu interviews everyone from former CEOs to former and current athletes to Mompreneurs to best-selling authors. If there is a compelling story that resonates with his viewers, Mista Yu is ready to have that conversation. Big Blue Lifers Podcast - where Mista Yu gets to discuss his childhood team, the New York Giants, and all things football. This is where he is reminded most of his hometown of NYC and the good things about his city, along with a deep love and appreciation for competitive sports and the connections he has made through those experiences.The TCMMY brand is dedicated to being the All-Purpose Pod for an All-Purpose Life. Our YouTube channel even has content on gardening and how to plant and grow your own food.

https://theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 438 - Interview Basics for Your Podcast and Going Local with Guest Co-Host J Hall - Okie Bookcast

Are you waiting for the “perfect” moment or more information before launching your podcast—or could taking action today be the key to your growth?In this episode, Dave sits down with J, host of the Okie Bookcast, for a deep dive into the art and strategy of podcasting within the literary world.

Key Moments & Takeaways

• Inside the Okie Bookcast: J describes his mission to amplify Oklahoma authors, booksellers, and poets, and shares how he and his daughter Hannah provide monthly book reviews and recommendations

• Author Interview Preparation: J explains his streamlined intake process, the importance of guest comfort, and how he prepares guests with a clear episode structure and standard closing questions

• Audience Engagement Strategies: Discussion on how lesser-known authors often become enthusiastic promoters, and why diversifying content helps reach a broader audience. Dave shares his analytics-driven approach to targeting both authors and readers

• Organic Conversations & Guest Relations: Tips for keeping interviews natural, redirecting talkative guests, and maintaining long-term relationships through event attendance and social media support

• Revitalizing Old Episodes: Dave’s technique of updating publication dates to boost visibility and downloads for older episodes, with J noting the benefits for new subscribers

• Guest Engagement Post-Episode: J’s use of personalized Canva artwork and direct communication to encourage original guest promotion, and Dave’s strategy of providing early-access YouTube videos to capitalize on guest excitement

• Action Over Perfection: Both hosts stress the importance of starting with what you have, embracing the creative process, and not letting perfectionism stall your podcasting journey

Tune in to discover how J and Dave break the cycle of over-preparation and share practical steps to help you start, grow, and revitalize your own podcast, no matter where you are in your journey

https://www.okiebookcast.com/

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 437 - Taking Action, Starting a New Podcast, Learning on The Job with Co-Host Will Routledge - Wildlife Quests

Will started as a listener of this show - finding it via a search, Will hit play, listened to the show and then did something that many seem to struggle with - Will took action. Will started.

Some gurus will tell you that search is terrible for podcasts - Will's experience is proof that you can be found, search does work and action is always better than just gathering information without a plan to implement what you are learning

Check out Will's podcast here

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498967

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 436 - Applying Lean Learning by Pat Flynn to Podcasting, Breaking the Cycle of Information Overload

Pat Flynn’s Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less offers a timely and actionable blueprint for creators—especially podcasters—who find themselves trapped in endless cycles of research, preparation, and information gathering without ever taking decisive action. The book’s core message is clear: in an age of information overload, success comes not from knowing more, but from doing more with what you already know

• Just-in-Time Learning: Rather than hoarding information “just in case,” focus on acquiring knowledge only when it’s immediately relevant to your next step or challenge

• Action Over Preparation: Momentum and growth come from taking action, not from exhaustive preparation. Real breakthroughs happen when you move forward before you feel completely ready

• Essentialism: Identify what’s truly essential for your growth and eliminate distractions and nonessential information that bog you down

• Community and Iteration: Leverage community support and feedback to solve problems as they arise, rather than trying to anticipate every possible challenge in advance

Podcasters, especially those striving for quality and authority, often fall into the trap of endless research—listening to other shows, reading articles, and seeking the “perfect” angle or guest. While thorough research has its place, too much can lead to paralysis and delay real progress

The abundance of resources and advice can make it feel like you’re never fully prepared to launch, record, or publish.

• Set Clear Boundaries: Decide in advance how much time you’ll spend on research for each episode or project.

• Define Your Minimum Viable Episode: Identify the minimum amount of information you need to confidently deliver value to your audience.

• Use Just-in-Time Learning: Only seek out new information when you hit a specific roadblock, rather than trying to anticipate every potential challenge upfront

1. Shift from “Just-in-Case” to “Just-in-Time” Learning

• Instead of stockpiling resources, ask yourself: “What do I need to know to take my next step?” If you’re preparing to interview a guest, focus only on what’s necessary for a great conversation—not every detail of their biography

2. Prioritize Action

• Start recording, editing, or publishing even if you feel slightly unprepared. Real learning and improvement come from doing, not just planning

• Remember, listeners value authenticity and progress over perfection. Iteration is part of the process

3. Limit Research Time

• Set a timer or calendar block for research. When the time is up, move to scriptwriting or recording, trusting that you can fill in gaps as needed later

4. Curate Your Information Sources

• Choose a few trusted sources rather than trying to consume everything. This reduces overwhelm and helps you focus on actionable insights

5. Build in Reflection and Feedback

• After each episode, reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Use listener feedback and analytics to guide your next steps, rather than chasing every new trend or tip

6. Leverage Community

• When you encounter a challenge, reach out to podcasting communities or mentors for targeted advice, rather than trying to solve every problem alone

• You’ve met your minimum research threshold and are starting to repeat information.

• You feel diminishing returns from additional research—new sources aren’t adding significant value.

• You’re delaying action out of fear of imperfection, rather than genuine need for more information.

Pat Flynn’s Lean Learning is a call to action for podcasters: stop letting information overload stall your progress.

Growth comes from action—not exhaustive preparation. Serve first, step forward before you feel ‘ready,’ and the path will emerge.

By embracing Lean Learning, you’ll not only break the cycle of information overload but also accelerate your growth, confidence, and impact as a podcaster.

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Celebrating a Milestone for My Living The Next Chapter Podcast - 20,000 Downloads and Some Lessons Learned

Well, well, well - slow and steady wins the race! I just wanted to share with you a milestone reached in one of my other podcasts (yes, I have many!)

Living The Next Chapter is my author podcast - in just over 3 years and 580+ episodes this little podcast is just humming along - great authors share their stories - the people that I have met because of this show are amazing!

My podcast just crossed the 20,000 download mark and also 2000 watch hours (for an audio only podcast on YouTube btw)

I love this show, well I love all 9 of my different podcasts, so I reflect on this show, how it is different and how it goes against many of the podcast guru's "rules in podcasting" and this show just works!

If you love to read and you know someone that does, please send them over to Living The Next Chapter!

https://livingthenextchapter.com/

Episode 435 - What is and What Isn't A Podcast and Why Does This Even Matter and to Whom

What Is—and Isn’t—a Podcast? Why Definitions Matter

The Evolving Definition of Podcasting

Traditionally, a podcast was defined as an episodic series of audio files distributed via RSS feeds, allowing listeners to subscribe and receive new episodes automatically

For many, “podcast” now simply means any on-demand, creator-driven series—regardless of format or platform

Who’s Driving the Change?

Advertisers, marketers, and major platforms are playing a significant role in this redefinition. As podcasting has become big business, these stakeholders seek clear, measurable definitions to better target audiences and track analyticsWhy Does This Matter—and to Whom?

For Creators

• Audience Targeting & Monetization: Understanding where and how listeners consume content is crucial for creators.

• Content Strategy: The evolving definition means creators can experiment with formats, but must balance authenticity and audience expectations

• Community Building: Social media integration is now essential for distribution, discovery, and building loyal communities around podcasts

For Listeners

• Discovery & Consumption: Listeners benefit from more choices and formats, but may be confused about what “podcast” means—especially as video and social media become dominant

• Community Engagement: Social media and live podcasting allow for direct interaction, making podcasts more participatory and community-driven

For the Industry

• Measurement & Analytics: The move away from open RSS feeds to platform-specific distribution can complicate stats and analytics, making it harder to get a unified picture of listenership

Open vs. Closed Ecosystems: The rise of “walled gardens” (platform-exclusive content) threatens the open nature of podcasting, which was built on the freedom of RSS and broad distributionDoes This Hurt the Podcast Industry?

Potential Downsides

• Dilution of the Medium: As everything gets labeled a “podcast,” the term loses specificity.

• Platform Enclosure: The shift toward closed platforms (YouTube, Spotify exclusives) risks undermining the open RSS ecosystem, potentially limiting creator freedom and audience access

• Fragmented Analytics: With content spread across multiple platforms, tracking true audience size and engagement becomes more challenging

Potential Upsides

• Broader Reach & Accessibility: Video and social media integration have brought new audiences into podcasting, especially younger demographics like Gen Z

• Innovation & Growth: New formats, interactive features, and cross-media extensions (like live podcasts, TV adaptations, and merch) are expanding what podcasts can be

• Creator Empowerment: More tools, monetization options, and ways to connect with audiences can empower creators—if they can navigate the complexity

Are More New Creators Coming to Podcasting, or Is Video a Gatekeeper?

• New Creators Are Arriving: The podcast audience continues to grow, with more creators entering the space thanks to easier tools, social media, and the appeal of video

• Video as Both Opportunity and Barrier: While video podcasts attract new demographics and offer creative possibilities, they also raise the production bar.

• Niche Audio Communities Still Thrive: Despite the video surge, niche audio-only podcasts remain popular, especially for those seeking connection and community around specific topics

The Future Is Flexible

The definition of “podcast” is no longer fixed. It’s shaped by creators, audiences, and platforms alike. While the expansion into video and social media brings both opportunities and challenges, the heart of podcasting—independent, on-demand storytelling—remains strong. For creators, the key is to stay adaptable, focus on quality, and build genuine connections with their audience—regardless of format or platform___

https://howtopodcast.ca/