Everyone wants to know how to grow a podcast, but most are looking in the wrong places. In this episode of Profitcast, The Real Brian and Seth Silvers introduce a simple but powerful framework: The Podcast Growth Matrix.

It breaks podcast growth down into four strategic paths, helping you cut through the noise and focus on what actually works.

From organic word-of-mouth to smart paid strategies, this episode clarifies how podcasts really grow and why it's not about going viral.

The Real Brian brings a decade of podcasting wisdom and an eye for authentic connection. Seth Silvers, founder of Story On, specializes in helping businesses use podcasts as marketing and relationship tools.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) Why growing a podcast feels so complicated

(01:07) Start vs. grow: why no one’s searching “how to grow a podcast”

(03:33) Why podcast discoverability is broken

(06:31) What really works: the power of a confident pitch

(10:42) Why none of this matters if your content sucks

(12:36) Introducing the Podcast Growth Matrix

(14:44) Why people don’t talk about your podcast

(19:38) The second quadrant: others sharing your show

(23:39) The hidden power of audience connection

(25:49) The third quadrant: paying to promote your podcast

(31:28) The fourth quadrant: paying others to promote your show

(36:28) Why organic sharing always beats paid

Thanks for listening to Profitcast! For more tools to grow your podcast, check out BusinessPodcastRoadmap.com —a free resource we update monthly with everything we’re learning about successful podcasting for businesses.

Thanks for joining us on Profitcast! If you’re serious about growing and monetizing your podcast, reach out to The Real Brian and Seth Silvers to learn more.

Seth Silvers:

storyon.co

Seth's LinkedIn

The Real Brian:

realbrianmedia.com

TRB's LinkedIn

realbrianshow.com

TRB's YouTube Channel

Subscribe and Listen to The Real Brian Show Podcast HERE:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profitcast-helping-businesses-start-a-podcast-that/id894979986

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IahJnf3FJjOSvomfjGwRv?si=0458e8a8579b46d1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLomuMlItmjjdWoo6VQQvBg

Any time you purchase something off of Amazon, please consider using the Profitcast affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4kyVYfz

Affiliate links mean we earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel at no additional cost to you!

Ecamm Live for Streaming:

The trend in 2025 is shifting. Audiences seem to crave unfiltered, authentic content over highly produced, polished podcasts. Should your podcast follow this new trend, or should you give your podcast a highly-detailed edit?

In this episode, The Real Brian and Seth Silvers dive into the debate over whether podcasts should be raw and minimally edited or if a polished, professional production still reigns supreme. They explore the pros and cons of both approaches, how content strategy affects editing needs, and what makes the most sense for different types of podcasts.

The Real Brian has been podcasting since 2014 and has hosted numerous business and entertainment shows. Seth Silvers is the founder of Story On, specializing in helping businesses grow through podcasting.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) Welcome – The shift toward raw, unedited content

(02:30) The radio vs. podcasting mindset on editing

(06:00) Does heavy editing make your podcast seem inauthentic?

(09:45) The impact of audio vs. video formats on editing

(12:50) The balance between authenticity and professionalism

(16:10) Editing for content vs. editing for perfection

(19:30) What’s the right approach for business podcasts?

(21:40) The Business Podcast Roadmap – A free resource for podcasters

To learn more about The Business Podcast Roadmap, visit this website! - BusinessPodcastRoadmap.com

Thanks for joining us on Profitcast! If you’re serious about growing and monetizing your podcast, reach out to The Real Brian and Seth Silvers to learn more.

Seth Silvers:

storyon.co

Seth's LinkedIn

The Real Brian:

realbrianmedia.com

TRB's LinkedIn

realbrianshow.com

TRB's YouTube Channel

Subscribe and Listen to The Real Brian Show Podcast HERE:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profitcast-helping-businesses-start-a-podcast-that/id894979986

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IahJnf3FJjOSvomfjGwRv?si=0458e8a8579b46d1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLomuMlItmjjdWoo6VQQvBg

Any time you purchase something off of Amazon, please consider using the Profitcast affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4kyVYfz

Affiliate links mean we earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel at no additional cost to you!

Ecamm Live for...

Podcasting continues to be popular for businesses, but how do they know if they are successful or not? Most businesses quit podcasting, unsure of if they ever had an ROI.

In this episode of Profitcast, Seth Silvers and The Real Brian talk through the Business Podcast Roadmap and identify what businesses should be paying attention to know if they are on the right track. If you want to start a podcast that is profitable, this is the roadmap.

Seth Silvers is the founder of Story On, a podcast production company helping businesses leverage podcasting as a powerful marketing tool.

If you’re serious about growing and monetizing your podcast, reach out to The Real Brian and Seth Silvers to learn more.

Seth Silvers:

storyon.co

Seth's LinkedIn

The Real Brian:

realbrianmedia.com

TRB's LinkedIn

realbrianshow.com

TRB's YouTube Channel

Subscribe and Listen to The Real Brian Show Podcast HERE:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profitcast-helping-businesses-start-a-podcast-that/id894979986

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IahJnf3FJjOSvomfjGwRv?si=0458e8a8579b46d1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLomuMlItmjjdWoo6VQQvBg

Any time you purchase something off of Amazon, please consider using the Profitcast affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4kyVYfz

Affiliate links mean we earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel at no additional cost to you!

Ecamm Live for Streaming: https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=realbrianshow