For the latest episode of Podcasting For Humans, I spoke with Jamie Golden, co-host of The Popcast, about her fascinating journey in podcasting.

Jamie and I talked at length about the unexpected turns and constant changes she's faced throughout the years, and how she's learned to embrace the chaos and find her own unique voice along the way.

We dive into her how she’s adapted to a constantly shifting landscape, what she loves about collaborating with incredible people, the ups and downs of partnership, and the importance of staying true to yourself in a world that often feels anything but predictable.

Last week, I had a conversation with Danielle Desir Corbett, a seasoned travel creator and the host of 'The Thought Card' and 'Road Trip Ready.’ We talked about Danielle's transition from blogging to podcasting in spite of her audience’s initial opposition, and the ways her career has changed after years of podcasting.

Danielle has some lived experience to share, particularly in the ways she’s learned to define success outside of downloads, and I was especially taken by her articulation of how she runs all podcasting advice through her “filter of self.”

If you’re struggling with the tension between the podcasting advice you’re hearing and doing what you love to do, take a moment to listen to this conversation.

This week, I spoke to Kirk Hamilton, a co-host on Triple Click and the creator and host of Strong Songs. Strong Songs is a critically acclaimed music podcast that has been recommended by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and won the support of popular podcasters Merlin Mann and Leigh Sales.

I spoke to Kirk about how the decentralized nature of podcasting made Strong Songs possible, how his unique set of skills translate to podcasting, and how the simple fact of loving what he does translates into being a better podcaster:

“I hear from a lot of people that it sounds like I'm smiling when I talk. That's a very common thing that people will say, which is true. I am smiling a lot when I talk, especially when I'm making Strong Songs."

In the first edition of a new, more open-ended approach to Podcasting for Humans, I spoke to Katelyn Beaty, the co-host of Saved By The City. In addition to her podcasting work, she’s also a writer, and the difference between writing and podcasting is not lost on her:

“I’m a lefty. And writing will always be my left hand. Podcasting has been like trying to write with my right hand. I'm getting at things that I couldn't get at with my dominant hand.

I think podcasting is about relationship and what's emerging between two or more people.

Writing is solitary. Writing just feels like I have these things in my head and my head's about to explode, so I need to get the things out of my head so it doesn't explode.”

To hear more about how Katelyn Beaty grew more and more comfortable with the art of podcasting and the relinquishing of control, listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to Katelyn’s newsletter: The Beaty Beat.

Listen to Katelyn and Roxy’s podcast, Saved By The City.

Podcasting for Humans is known for “honest conversations about podcasting problems,” but we're making a slight pivot this year. In our new format, we’ll be featuring “honest conversations about the art and heart of podcasting.”

Starting next week, the podcast will have a slightly different feel, but the core will remain the same: exploring human side of podcasting through open and honest conversations.

Why am I making this pivot now? Listen in to find out.

This week, I had the opportunity to speak to Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Yons. This has been an eventful year for Yons. In addition to finding himself with his first-ever Grammy nomination, he’s been producing two extremely distinct podcasts, helping them with everything from the technical side of recording and production, to providing creative insight and advice on content and promotion.

And it’s with the promotion where, he’s found, things can start to get a little sticky:

“I’m dealing with how to create content that's interesting and entertaining without like being cheap, salacious, or sensationalist.

With Divorce Talk with miss Angie, she wants to be responsible with the content that she's putting out. But at the same time, she wants it to be interesting and inviting for people that may be interested in it. It's just kind of hard to catch people's attention without click bait stuff.”

If you’d like to hear more about how to play up tension without courting controversy, take a listen to my conversation with Yons.

Find out more about Yons at spaceghostyons.com.

Listen to his music on Bandcamp or Spotify.

This week: Jessica Schroeder is preparing to start an entirely new podcast, and she’s trying to figure out how to best find her people.

I very much appreciate this framing more than the typical “how do I grow my audience” question, not only because it’s simply more interesting and asked less often, but because it’s a question that gets to a deeper idea: one of belonging.

When we’re creating a podcast designed to “find our people,” we’re raising the idea of belonging. We’re acknowledging that deep relational ties can happen when we connect with others who share our particular struggles, proclivities, and goals in life.

In this case, Jessica is looking to connect with people who are looking to navigate a plant-based diet, both for health and sustainability reasons. And there are aspects of her interests, approach, and personality that you’ll have a hard time finding in the mainstream.

That may seem like a bad thing, but there is deep community to be found among people who perceive themselves as “weird.” And in this conversation, we talked about how that feeling of weirdness can be an assett. There’s a reason both the cities of Louisville, KY and Portland, OR wear the label as a badge of honor.

If you’re weird, and you’re secure in your weirdness, then you’re actually just onto something everyone else is missing out on. From there, the only thing you’re missing is a community in which to enjoy that status.

Check out Jessica’s website and sign up for her mailing list at Eden And Me.

Podcasting for Humans is an Area Code Audio production.

Want to start a podcast the right way? Check out our Podcast Creation Package and let Area Code Audio help you get started on the right foot.

I hate monologuing (i talk more about why in this episode), but I’m devoting an episode to just talking to you, the listener, about what I learned from this year about the art of podcasting. Here’s what I came up with:

* We Don’t Even Know What Podcasting Really Is Yet

* Podcasting and Video Are Having a Moment: One of the most significant developments of the year has been the growing synergy between podcasting and video content.

* You Don’t Have to Follow the Moment

* Not Consistency but Sustainability

* Experiment, But Don’t Lose Your Core

As we approach the new year, I'm excited to continue this journey with you, and in this moment I’m feeling incredibly grateful to have each and every one of you as a subscriber.

If you're considering starting a podcast or need guidance in refining your existing one, remember that Area Code Audio is here to help, from conceptualization to production.

Thank you for being part of this incredible year. Let's keep the conversation going and promise to try a bunch of stuff, and fail a lot in the upcoming year. Feel free to reach out to me at richard@areacodeaudio.com – I'd love to hear from you.