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The cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show highlights a major shift in the media landscape as expensive TV production gives way to more cost-effective, audience-focused podcasting formats. When Stephen Colbert's show got axed, the immediate cultural response wasn't "start a YouTube channel" or "join TikTok". It was "launch a podcast." This reaction speaks volumes about where audience attention and creator opportunity now resides.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why Colbert Got Canceled by Nate Silver
• 100 Best Podcasts of All Time

Our thoughts:

• The Late Show cost $100 million annually with 200 employees, making it financially unsustainable
• Traditional TV's aging audience (average 68 years old) doesn't appeal to advertisers seeking younger demographics
• Conan O'Brien's successful transition from TV (280,000 viewers) to podcasting (1.3 million listeners)
• Podcast production costs dramatically lower at $20,000 per episode for major networks, often under $100 for independents
• Creative freedom in podcasting allows hosts to maintain their authentic voice without network interference
• Many former TV personalities finding success in podcasting: Trevor Noah, Bill O'Reilly, Rosie O'Donnell, and Keith Olbermann, for example. 
• Podcasting becoming synonymous with independent media creation in public consciousness

Send us your podcast artwork questions for next week's episode by hitting the fan mail button to texting the show!

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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We celebrate hitting 500,000 downloads for Buzzcast and discuss the most effective podcasting gear setups for different needs, from beginners to professionals. 

Check out Alban's Podcast Equipment Guide!

Mentioned in this episode:

Microphones

• Samson Q2U (USB/XLR dynamic mic)
• Shure SM7B (dynamic mic)
• Shure MV7+ (upgraded USB-C/XLR dynamic mic) 
• Zoom ZDM‑1 (dynamic mic)
• Earthworks Ethos (condenser mic)
• SE Dynacaster DCM8 (dynamic mic)

Audio Interfaces & Mixers

• RODECaster Duo
• RODECaster Pro 2
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
• Vocaster
• Zoom PodTrack P8
• Zoom LikeTrak L-12

Boom Arms

• Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP 
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro
• OC White ProBoom Ultima 

 Headphones

• OneOdio A71
• Apple EarPods (wired)

In our next big episode, we'll be covering podcast cover art and want to hear from you what artwork you think really stands out! Feel free to send your tips or hot takes when it comes to creating cover art for your podcast, as well!

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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It's a nice summer day, so Jordan and Kevin are recording this quickcast from the great outdoors and putting Power Clean to the test!

Today's discussion is about how YouTube is updating its monetization policies to combat AI-generated videos cluttering search results, addressing the growing problem of low-quality content flooding the platform.

Also, if you're attending Podcast Movement, find Jordan, Alban, or Kevin and mention you're a Buzzcast listener to receive special limited Buzzsprout swag!

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

Thanks for listening and Keep Podcasting!

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Podcasting is all about serving your audience, and finding the perfect guest who can provide value to your listeners is essential for a successful interview show. We explore what makes a great podcast guest and how to streamline the booking process with our special guest Alex Sanfilippo, host of Podcasting Made Simple and founder of Podmatch!

We also reveal two new features in Magic Mastering! 

Filler Killer: Cautiously detects and removes filler words like "ah" and "uhm" to achieve a high-quality listening experience.

Power Clean: For particularly bad recordings, Power Clean can remove complex noises like chatter, wind, traffic, or reverb.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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Apple celebrates 20 years of podcasting with a list of 20 influential shows that shaped the medium across four eras, highlighting podcasts that pushed boundaries and set standards for creativity and storytelling.

Check out 20 Podcasts We Love by Apple Podcasts, and find out why they made the list!

• 2005-2010 pioneering era includes 99% Invisible, This American Life, and Love + Radio
• 2011-2015 podcasting boom features Serial, Song Exploder, Mystery Show and Acquired
• 2016-2020 includes mainstream hits like The Daily and Call Her Daddy
• 2021-2025 showcases expert-led content like Huberman Lab and narrative journalism like Sweet Bobby

Text us your tips for finding guests and making sure they're a good fit for your podcast, and we'll share them on the next episode!

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The Buzzsprout team shares 10 essential podcasting tips gleaned from their collective 40+ years of experience behind the microphone. Drawing from personal insights, listener contributions, and industry observations, they reveal what truly matters for podcast sustainability and growth.

Your Podcasting Tips

1. Focus on listener experience, not download statistics, as quality content precedes numeric growth
2. Create podcasts that a hundred people will love rather than something thousands merely like
3. Pick a publishing cadence you can consistently maintain, starting conservatively and scaling up
4. Produce shorter, tightly-edited episodes that respect listeners' limited attention spans
5. Expect slow, non-linear growth with small "viral" moments rather than explosive popularity
6. Use podcasting as a networking tool to connect with people otherwise difficult to reach
7. When recording, restart entire sentences if you make a mistake to create clean edit points
8. Choose co-hosts who share your commitment level and enthusiasm for the project
9. Be selective about guests and don't feel obligated to publish every interview you record
10. Design your podcasting workflow to maximize enjoyment and sustainability

For our next full episode, text us your tips for finding, vetting, and working with podcast guests. We'll be sharing your insights on what makes someone a great guest and how to create memorable interview experiences.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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What determines whether celebrity podcasts succeed or fail, and what can indie podcasters learn from their mistakes? We explore the surprising patterns behind celebrity podcast success stories and the ever-growing celebrity podcast graveyard.

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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We're discussing a powerful shift in podcast discovery: trusted recommendations from real people instead of algorithms. With Pocket Casts now surfacing creator-curated suggestions, listeners have a new way to uncover shows they’ll actually love. We share how this works behind the scenes and why podcaster-driven discovery offers something smarter and more authentic than charts and rankings ever could.

We also highlight a creative summer listening challenge for kids, reflect on Apple’s unexpected role in preserving open podcasting over the last 20 years, and share updates on remote recording reliability. 

Sound-Off Question: What is something you wish you knew when you started podcasting?

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

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After a flawless escape room victory, we're tackling a puzzle we can't solve: why remote podcast recording software still fails so often. From audio glitches to browser limitations, these are our frustrations of creating studio-quality content online. 

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• Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods

Thanks for listening and Keep Podcasting!