Listen Now

Last Saturday and Sunday were the NFL's new expanded "Super Wild Card Weekend," featuring (much to the chagrin of my wife) THREE games on each day.  While the NFL has had to adapt during COVID, so have the the television networks.  Due to Coronavirus concerns, NBC's Mike Tirico did the play-by-play of Saturday's Tampa Bay-Washington game from home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Then, on Sunday afternoon, CBS's Tony Romo did the color commentary side from his home in Dallas.   In both of these cases, you had announcer teams in separate locations, describing very fast action simultaneously.  And I don't know about you, but I don't think either broadcast missed a beat.  If they hadn't announced these setups in the pregame, I wouldn't have even known.What does this have to do with your podcast? If two broadcast partners can describe a football game from remote locations, you can easily do a high quality podcast the same way. You may not have a national television network's budget, but there are now a number of different online recording platforms that will record your audio on your local machine, free of internet buffering, THEN upload it to match your cohosts.  I've long been a user of Squadcast, but I also know folks who use Zencastr and others.  And some folks still use Zoom.  Now I think of Zoom as a last resort, but some people are comfortable with If you're going to use Zoom, make sure you use the "original sound" option and, if you're going to edit the audio, be sure to record everyone on a separate track. You'll thank me later.For folks who want to record a video copy of their podcast as well, apps like StreamYard and Riverside are gaining popularity quickly.  And Squadcast is rumored to be adding video this month.Pandora worth a BILLION less, due to music royalty issues. Sorry, SiriusXM. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9508785/siriusxm-pandora-royalty-costs-impairment-expense/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-01-11Update: Told you last week about Breaker joining Twitter.  Now it turns out their TEAM is, but the Breaker app itself has been acquired by Los Angeles based Maple Media: https://blog.breaker.audio/the-breaker-team-is-joining-twitter-f8c1721d66c6Finally, podcasting is not a free for all. What you say and do - both on and off "the air" have consequences.  By now you've heard that YouTube banned Steve Bannon, and President Trump was kicked off of basically every platform out there. This week, Cumulus Radio threatened to fire any talk show hosts that perpetuate misinformation about the 2020 Election.The big drama in podcasting surrounds the team at The Daily from the New York Times. Two years ago, they did a riveting mini-series, released on Saturdays, called Caliphate, which was the story of a radicalized Canadian turned ISIS fighter.  The only thing wrong with the story - it wasn't real.  In an interview published December 18th on Caliphate's feed, Michael Barbaro sat down with Times head honcho Dean Baquet, who said his organization was duped - the supposed ISIS fighter made it all up.  The interview seemingly owned up to the organization's mistakes, explained what happened, and what they will do better.I didn't hear the interview this week, a month later. Why? Yes, it was in the Caliphate Feed, but not in The Daily's feed, where the podcast was repeatedly promoted.  Seems the Times wanted to create separation between The Daily and Caliphate, despite the fact that Caliphate was produced by the team at The Daily, which includes Lisa Tobin, now engaged to Michael Barbaro, and Andy Mills, who has had a bevy of #MeToo allegations levied against him in recent weeks.  And perhaps most egregiously, there are reports of Barbaro privately encouraging reporters to back off their stories on the SNAFU.   I once had a boss say, "You Eff up, you Fess Up."  And while I'm a huge fan of The Daily, it seems they really missed the mark here.  Again, behavior matters.https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955873886/public-radio-stations-rebuke-times-for-ethical-lapses-related-to-caliphate-podca?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-01-13If you'd like help with your podcast, I've now added video recording to my services. You can check them all out here. https://bit.ly/39wRF0D

In my 2020 recap, I mentioned that we need to keep an eye on the big podcasting behemoths - Apple, Spotify, Google, and now Amazon.  In the time between when I recorded the show and when it was published, Amazon announced they are buying Podcast studio Wondery for $300 million.  According to James Cridland of PodNews, Wondery has had international success where many other studios haven't.   And they also have 11 of 2020's Top 25 podcast. And could Amazon Prime's need for content be a good fit for Wondery?  Here's a link to Cridland's analysis: https://podnews.net/update/amazon-buys-wonderyAlso getting into the podcast/audio world - Twitter.  Podcast app Breaker is folding after 3 years, and joining Twitter.  Now Breaker had positioned itself as social media for podcasts, but by joining Twitter, that's going to expand Twitter's audio only tweet capabilities.  If you use Breaker as your podcast listening app or host, they've posted instructions on how to move elsewhere: https://blog.breaker.audio/the-breaker-team-is-joining-twitter-f8c1721d66c6What do all of these big moves by big players in podcasting mean?  Well, former Jag Show podcast guest and OG podcaster Evo Terra thinks it means a dethroning of Apple as king of podcasting, but the flip side is that podcasters are going to have to make sure their shows are available on many, many different platforms as they get market share.  https://podcastpontifications.substack.com/p/the-death-of-podcasting-dominanceOf course, Apple falling from the dominant spot might not be a bad thing - back to James Cridland of PodNews - who understands the tech side of podcasting far better than I do.  He highlights that Apple Podcasts may be sharing more of your data than anyone else.  See, other podcast apps check the RSS feeds of shows you subscribe to, then give you new content when available. Apple Podcasts, however, check in a way that reveals your IP address and other info - and does it frequently.  Cridland explains: https://medium.com/curious/apple-podcasts-poor-for-privacy-db7a826a6123While Spotify has made strides toward getting copyrighted music into podcasts, there is a downside.  It's now becoming, like Soundcloud, a place for bootleg - and questionably legal - songs.  Variety has an article about the loophole that people are exploiting: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/spotify-podcast-remixes-bootleg-songs-1234853328/Finally, the first time you hear your voice "on tape" - or recorded in some way, you'll almost always be surprised - it often sounds nothing like you'd expect.  Why? Physics.  The way you hear your OWN voice is how it rattles around in the bones between your jaw and your ear canal.  That's not how it comes out to the rest of the world.  I always tell clients that, but there's a nice deep dive on medium from Ryan Fan. https://medium.com/publishous/i-still-hate-how-my-voice-sounds-in-recordings-464d6e56cfb9If you enjoyed today's show, feel free to share it with your network, and For help with your podcast, or with creating a new podcast, feel free to reach out.https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/

Podcasting is getting bigger - monthly podcast listening went over 100 million Americans this year, before pandemic.Overall/Technology:Pandemic paused things, we all scattered but came back. Desktop listening ticked up, overall listening shifted later in day as we got up later and didn't get in our cars, but new routines formed. Another pandemic affect - technology. Grandparents are now on Zoom, Facetime, and more. Which means more people listening.  It also means more people creating. We went over a million podcasts in 2020, and at our current pace, we could hit 2 million in 2021.   The key will be quality -  anybody can create a show with mediocre content or audio quality.  But if you can excel at both, the cream will rise to the top.Nick Hilton in Medium, tech more accessible: https://medium.com/pod-culture/podcasting-in-2020-the-audit-9b5d495a4b3aAlso, look at  shorter shows - increasingly on demand world, with more online content competing for our attention. Better too short than too long.  Leave your audience wanting more.Advertising:Over $1 billion industry in 2021 - woulda been 2020.  Top Tier shows are starting to hit a saturation point - Bank of America and McDonalds dropped $3.5 million on podcasting in November.  Blubrry CEO Todd Cochrane tells Podcast Business Journal that  "second tier" shows will start seeing more advertisers - those are shows between 1k and 20k downloads.https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/8150-2/Something to keep an eye on in 2021 is dynamic, or targeted advertising. The industry is getting better at sending custom ads to you based on your location, interests, and more.  (YouTubeTV). But privacy concerns are growing - opt in/opt out? How much info will advertisers have access to?Music in Podcasts:Anchor/Spotify allowing - kinks to work out - but could position them as leader in 2021.Diversity:Podcast Movement looked different last year, international online this year, and with the racial reckoning we've seen this year, more and more voices.  More countries too.Big Names in Podcasting:Spotify on fire - Apple is going to have to do more - Google finally getting it together - iHeartRadio all in - big one to watch is Amazon - Prime had big year, Alexa integration.    I do think there's a medium market - me, as opposed to $25k per showFinally, Soul Stories on Spotify: Trent Reznor, Jon Batiste, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett: https://open.spotify.com/show/1bGcQtW0E298G8N4xQo4hG 

Merry Christmas from your friendly neighborhood Jew.  While I don't celebrate the religious aspect of the holiday, I do enjoy the holiday spirit.  And in 2020, whatever brings you joy - do it.My tip of the week - using your smartphone as a webcam.  Now again, I'm more focused on the audio side of things, but there will always be some folks who want a video component.  So I've been working with Abel Grunfeld and the folks at Riverside FM to begin offering this to my clients.   When I started, I wasn't wild about my new HP laptop's built in webcam, nor the USB one that I got on Amazon.  Well, turns out, the best camera I own is my iPhone Xs.  And there are apps that will allow you to sync your smartphone to your laptop and use that as a camera.  I've done some testing, and now my video quality can match the audio quality in my studio.   Abel recommended Camo for Mac users.  For Windows, I like an app called iVCam.  There's a free version, but the high end version was a one time cost of only about 25 bucks.Next week, I'll do a look back at 2020 and a look ahead to 2021 in terms of podcasting, but for now, some quick news tidbits if you're looking to plug in your headphones and get some "me time" over the holiday.  Incidentally, that's what tell new clients.  Everyone's burnt out on Zoom, so give them a podcast and a chance to walk away from their screen.Speaking of families, nice primer by Lindsay Harris Friel from The Podcast Host for how to deal with different family members as it relates to your podcasting career.  Those relatives include the "I Don't Get It," the "Reckless Cheerleader," the "Unintentional Underminer," the "Intentional Underminer," and of course "The Partner."  Lindsay breaks down each of these types, and how to deal with them. https://www.thepodcasthost.com/mindset/what-my-family-thinks-of-podcasting/Is spoken word audio cutting into music streaming?  An article in no less than Billboard suspects that may be the case.  While music streaming subscribers are up, time spent listening is flat.  Also, the article cites research from Edison that spoken word streaming was up 20% from 2014 to 2019 - with music down 5%, and that's before the pandemic and 2020 Election Cycle. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9500546/streaming-music-growth-stalled-factors-attention-economyI opened this show talking about audio producers wanting to include video, but turns out, the opposite is also true.  There's a big video producer...wanting to do audio. Netflix, after months of rumors, has debuted an audio-only mode on their Android app.   The idea is you can "watch" a show by just listening to dialogue and narration.  Not sure if this will take off, but if Netflix is taking notice of audio consumption, that's worth noting.If you like this show, please feel free to share it with a fellow podcast enthusiast - that will help it grow.  As always, if you need help with your podcast, you can reach me at jagindetroit.com. I leave you with my Uncle Jeff's two rules for life - today seems a good time to mention them.Know Your Audience.Be Kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle Depending on when you listen to this, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy new year. 

What's your podcast doing over Christmas? You have options, especially this year. You could re-publish a great episode or interview from earlier in the year.   You could do a year-end recap. Or, you could take a week off.  Whatever you decide, today's piece of advice comes from my colleague Johnny Peterson of Straight Up Podcasts and the Pod Logic podcast. TELL your audience what you're going to do - you want to manage their expectations.  For example, every Friday before a long weekend, on The Daily, Michael Barabaro says "See you on Tuesday, after the holiday."   If you tell your audience not to expect an episode until January, you won't leave them waiting for something that won't show up.  Of course, this year is different from all other years, in that many of us won't be travelling over the holiday.  And while that may mean less time in cars and waiting at airports, it may mean more free time around the house between December 24th and January 1st.  So, make a decision, and tell your audience.  For example, I plan on releasing an episode next week, perhaps on Christmas Day.  After all, I'm Jewish, I usually volunteer to work December 25th, so my co-workers can stay home.Steve Goldstein, a brilliant radio turned podcasting mind, writes about the resurgence of audio in his 2020 recap. Highlights include Apple, Amazon, and Google all getting into the space, as well as C-suite executives now seeing the power of audio.  https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/s5yixzq7ir85mclsvw6tewrxy8nyq9?mc_cid=d5cf6b7f30&mc_eid=0629248349Speaking of which, Spotify and The Drum have partnered on a three part podcast series on the future of audio, and how powerful it is.  https://www.thedrum.com/news/2020/12/10/spotify-and-the-drum-launch-podcast-series-educate-the-future-audioAnd of course, Spotify continues to land the biggest names in the world.  They've announced a new podcast hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Maybe their friend Michelle Obama had something to do with it. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-15/spotifys-new-multiyear-partnership-with-the-duke-and-duchess-of-sussexs-archewell-audio-promises-podcasts-that-will-inspireThere's an effort to create a universal definition of every role in podcasting - from host and guest to editor and producer.  There's a white paper on this called Podcast Taxonomy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pkkb6_Kg7Dc33IVgTopJO7QNka3FnH7m/viewI tell all my clients not to sweat downloads, and building your podcast is a process, a marketing tool.  But there will always be folks who want some way to measure success.  Bryan Barletta of $ounds Profitable, a weekly newsletter, does a nice job of breaking down "Lift Reports." https://soundsprofitable.com/update/understanding-podcast-lift-reports?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-16Substack, a popular email and blogging platform, has gotten into the podcast hosting space. https://library.substack.com/p/how-to-use-substack-for-podcastsIf you want to start a podcast but have zero budget to do it, Tal Minear has a piece that shows how he created audio drama with 10 free tools.  https://talminear.medium.com/free-tools-ive-used-to-make-my-audio-drama-81746291d1beAnd finally, this episode is being released Friday, December 18th, which happens to be...gulp....my 40th birthday.  It's crazy to think what a difference a decade makes.  The night I turned 30, I rented out the back of a nightclub in Burlington, Vermont, and had a bunch of friends in from out of state. 6 months later, I got my dream radio job here in Detroit.  Three months after that, I met the woman who I'd later marry, even though I didn't know it at the time.   The last decade has been filled with travel, a huge career change to start my own business, dogs, and of course a global pandemic.   At 40, a nightclub has no appeal to me, COVID aside.  But a nice night in, with steak, lobster tails, and Johnnie Walker Blue should do just fine.  Thanks in advance, honey.I hope that whatever your holidays look like this year, you enjoy them in good health, and here's to a much better 2021.  I'll talk to you next week.

As an early 40th birthday present, my wife bought me (us) a new TV for our living room.  It's gorgeous - it's a Samsung 55" QLED Q8DT 2020 model (the Costco version).  Our previous TV was an 8-year-old Vizio that she bought when she moved into the house.  And it was fine.  In fact, as a sports fan, I'm a little embarrassed to say that SHE noticed the old TV's age before I did.  But when we got this new television mounted on the wall, the difference was JAW DROPPING.  We wish we had watched the first 200 episodes of Hawaii Five-O on this new screen.  I watched a special about the  volcanos of Iceland - the visuals were spectacular.  And the built in surround sound was so good - when there was a thunderstorm on Grey's  Anatomy, our dog ran to the basement.Why do I bring this up?  It's easy to think your podcast sounds fine - until you are presented with a much nicer alternative.  Your sound can be better.  Your content can be better.   Your music can be better.  And by you, I mean all of us.   If you'll indulge me for a quick plug, I am running a special through the end of the year.  If you want a professional critique of your podcast, I'll listen to an entire episode and give you detailed feedback and suggestions for improvements.  Normally I charge $99 for this - but it's only $49 through the end of the year.  Here's a link: https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/If you read one podcasting article this week, make it this one from Pacific Content: 14 Predictions for podcasting in 2021. They talk to experts about an increase in diversity, tech, ad revenue, and more. https://blog.pacific-content.com/14-podcast-predictions-for-2021-from-industry-leaders-60e2b63f477eYou may have seen your "Spotify Wrapped" for the music and/or podcasts you listened to most in 2020.  Turns out the product has some pretty good advertising insights too. https://www.adweek.com/media/spotify-first-2020-wrapped-for-advertisers-listening-insights/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-09Spotify also says most Podcast listening in India happens at night. I wonder if that corresponds to daylight hours in the US, when content is released.  I had a consult with a gentleman in India this week - at noon my time. It was 11pm there. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-08/new-insights-reveal-podcast-patterns-in-india/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-10Tom Webster of Edison Research says before you ask your listeners to take a survey, consider all of these: https://tomwebster.substack.com/p/what-do-listeners-wantpart-oneForbes says Amazon is in exclusive talks to by podcasting's Wondery.  That could set up an interesting war between Amazon and Spotify in podcasting: https://www.forbes.com/sites/billrosenblatt/2020/12/04/amazons-acquisition-of-wondery-would-put-podcasting-on-a-path-to-a-crossroads/?sh=4ce5ef144e33Two thirds of advertisers feel that podcast advertising is either as effective or better, as compared to a year ago. http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/advertisers-have-growing-confidence-in-podcast-advertising-survey-shows/article_aff86ae2-38b2-11eb-be60-3393b6765951.html?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-08It used to be that TV Shows and movie ideas came from books. Now, ideas are increasingly coming from podcasts and other audio intellectual property, says Deadline.com. https://deadline.com/2020/12/podcasts-hollywood-film-tv-adaptations-trend-deals-1234636040/UK podcast host Podiant is offering a workshop on how to grow your podcast for 2021- it's next Wednesday at 11am Eastern. https://uk.podiant.co/xp/dec20/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-09The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards will be virtual this year.  Memo to anyone who works at that company. Nobody cares. :)And finally, the website Midroll (owned by Stitcher) has a case study on the company Manscaped - and its increased spend on podcast advertising.  They have really seen a value in host-read ads.  So Manscaped, if you're listening, and you wanna send me a few bucks, my listeners can learn waay more about me than they ever wanted.  https://www.midroll.com/manscaped-and-podcasting-are-growing-together/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-04As always, if I can help you with your existing podcast, edit it for you, or help you design and create one, I'm here to help. https://jagindetroit.com/Or by email: jag@jagindetroit.com

This weekend, I was caught up on all my subscribed podcasts and wanted something to listen to while walking the dog.  So I actually opened my SiriusXM app and found the week's "Pop2Kountdown" - a snapshot of the Top 30 songs this week during a specific year in the 2000's.  It's hosted by my former Syracuse classmate and all around good guy Rich Davis, who does a phenomenal job.  For me, the sentimental value is off the charts.  I graduated college in 2002, and started full-time in radio in 2004.  So if there's a song from that time, I can generally tell you which radio station I played it at, and there's usually a funny story too.   My point is this.  I listen to a LOT of people talking - podcasts about the news, politics, sports, you name it.  And it can burn you out.  And with us spending less time in cars, we may not listen to music as much.  Throw something on once in awhile, and escape.OK, this is a podcast about podcasts, so let's get caught up.  Apple still has the lion's share of in-app listening, but there are actually MORE podcasts now in Spotify.   Apple has roughly 1.7 million shows, but Spotify is up at 1.9 million.  So that's who has the most shows - what about the most listening? I told you in November that Buzzsprout says Spotify listening is quickly catching up to Apple.  Well, not according to Libsyn.  Apparently the jury is still out. https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/libsyn-apple-still-dominates-by-far/?vgo_ee=MYFFchsNQquCI9pBrYt34RwUnRnlmwiuCIJkd9A7F3A%3DAlso, Spotify released their top shows of 2020.  They are, in order:The Joe Rogan ExperienceTED Talks DailyThe Daily (New York Times)The Michelle Obama PodcastCall Her DaddyAll the stress of 2020 got you up at night?  Some would suggest listening to a light hearted podcast in bed.  But here's a podcast designed to help you fall asleep,  It's called Sleep Cove - here's the story from PodNews. https://podnews.net/press-release/sleep-cove?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-27A service called Poise claims to turn your text into speech - not with AI, but with professional voice actors - with rates of $11 for every 500 words.  I'm intrigued, but don't know much about them: https://www.narratedbypoise.com/And finally, Resonate Recordings says it's best to publish your podcast super early in the morning, and in the middle of the week.  As for me, I'm sticking to my current schedule for 5 Minute Fridays - partly for consistency, and partly because I don't want to change the name. https://resonaterecordings.com/2018/05/when-to-release-your-podcast/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-27

I've been saying this for a decade now.  For local media to survive and thrive, the corporate giants need to leave the space, and local talent needs to be free to cultivate their personalities and relationships within the community.That's exactly what happened here in Detroit with Woodward Sports, the brainchild of former Detroit radio personality Sam "Stick" Day.   Stick takes us through the personal tragedy in his life that spurred him to finally start this passion project, his partners, and the personalities that left traditional radio to join the enterprise.What started as an idea for a podcast blossomed into a full blown network, thanks to a partnership with Chad Johnson of Lady Jane's, a men's salon chain.  Woodward Sports currently boasts a three-person morning show, the aptly named "Morning Wood,"  broadcast digitally every day from 8-10am.  Stick hosts with Joey Namou and Krissy T.   Soon, Detroit sports talk veteran Sean Baligian will team up with former Detroit Lion Joique Bell for a midday show, and an announcement of an afternoon show will come soon enough.Stick and I (and Joey, who joined us for the first half of the conversation), talked about the quickly changing media landscape.  Stick and Joey were able to leverage some of their relationships that started at the radio station - and turn them into station vehicles, paid sponsors, and more.  We talk about digital ad spend, and its value over traditional media.We also covered the out-dated model of music radio stations, who often have room to cultivate only one personality, with the rest of the airstaff being a jukebox.  Woodward Sports hopes to bring dynamic personalities back to Detroit.  And as for the sports station in town - Stick sees plenty of weaknesses there too.Finally, I asked the face of Woodward Sports who he thinks is capable of bringing the next Championship to the Motor City.Detroit's newest media entity may only be a few months old, but sports teams and other media outlets alike are taking notice.   This will be a story worth watching.Resources:Woodward Sports Website; https://woodwardsports.com/JAG In Detroit Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

No Friday episode today with the holiday, so here's a "5 Minute Wednesday."As 2019 ended, my wife and I were trying to maximize our time with our first dog Brady. He'd had a leg amputated and was dying of cancer.  We were extremely lucky to have him as long as we did, and he wasn't suffering.  But as the months wore on, this cloud hung over our head.  We always wondered, "will today be the day he decides he's ready to leave?" That's how we spent the last quarter of 2019, with New Year's Eve fireworks being the moment that he decided to give up the fight.  New Year's Day, we had the whole family over to say goodbye, and that's what we did the morning of January 2nd.  My wife and I looked at each other and said, "we're gonna chalk this up to 2019, the worst year ever.  2020 will be better, and it starts now."Famous last words, right?You don't need me to tell you how bad 2020 has been.  We've been isolated, we've lost friends and relatives, jobs, and more.   And as we approach the holiday tomorrow, maybe the advice of "Be thankful for what you do have, it's 2020" rings hollow.   Maybe you're struggling and it's not easy to have "perspective."But at the risk of being cheesy, be grateful not to appease your mother, or your friend who's had it worse than you this year, but for yourself.  According to Positive Psychology.com - the health benefits of gratitude are countless.  They include a reduction in depressive symptoms, a drop in blood pressure, improved sleep, and just overall well being.  https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-gratitude-research-questions/I'm not here to preach perspective.  But in this giant turd-burger of a year, we could all use a pick-me-up.  Find something, however small, and be thankful - not for anyone else, but for your own physical and mental health.With that in mind, if you'll indulge me for a moment.   I'm thankful, of course, for my health and my business, and the fact that my wife and I are both still working.  And of course I'm thankful for her - we've been here together, all day, every day, in our small house for the last 8 months...and here's the thing.  We still LIKE each other.  In fact, it's been the running joke.  I really can't think of another person on the planet I could have been confined with for this long and still genuinely like.   And we are almost through our big pandemic project - 220 episodes of the Hawaii Five-O reboot down, 30 to go.  Because you gotta have goals.  Also, I'm thankful for our new dog, Jules.  She's the sweetest thing ever...shows pure love, and keeps us honest and moving, with twice daily walks of 2 miles or more.This year in particular, I'm grateful for all things podcasting.  The ability to record remotely, some amazing clients - both new and established - and the fact that after leaving a career I knew for almost two decades, I was able to find my new passion in the field.   I'm also thankful for my peers in podcasting and podcast editing.  There's Steve Stewart's Podcast Editors Club on Facebook, Editing courses from Carrie Caufield Arick, Tom Kelly, and Tanner Campbell, and of course my monthly meetup with Catherine O'Brien in Baton Rouge, Johnny Peterson in Fort Worth, Matt Cundill in Winnipeg, and David Yas in Boston.  In fact, Johnny's podcast this morning about thankfulness, in part, inspired today's show.I was listening to The Daily from the New York Times this morning - they profiled a food bank in New York City.  There was a woman who had fallen on hard times and was so thrilled to get cucumbers for salad and chocolate milk for her kids.  Look, there's no doubt that 2020 has been anything BUT sunshine, puppies, and rainbows.  But find something - anything - to be grateful for.   As we prepare for a long winter, we have to take care of our mental health.  So be thankful - not because someone told you to.  But because it will help.Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

No matter what business you're in, it's crucial to superserve your clients.  I'm told there are two ways to build a business - the Amazon model (scale) and the Ben & Jerry's model (do one thing really well, then build on it).  I'm a Ben & Jerry's guy, and it has nothing to do with Phish Food or the fact that I lived in Vermont for 7 years.Something I pride myself on is above-and-beyond customer service. This relationship building has allowed me to build my business organically, without paid marketing or ads.  I was reminded of this twice in the last few weeks.  First, I had a non-profit client who's been with me since the beginning.  She never had much money, but I helped her out wherever I could.  Well, she got a grant for 2021 and is now going to pay me above my normal rate to produce a series of shows for her.  Turns out the time I invested in her was well spent.This week, one of my clients told me she was giving me a raise.  I had been on the fence about raising my rates with her, but she felt my work was worthy of additional compensation.  Some might say "if she's offering you more money, you're not charging her enough."   But I say, which makes her more likely to recommend me to a colleague?  Me asking her for more money, or her telling me I deserve more money?Onto this week's podcasting news....Apple now allows you to embed a podcast onto your website - something Spotify did long ago. https://tools.applemediaservices.com/apple-podcastsNice to see Apple do something as Spotify keeps closing the gap between them. According to Buzzsprout (and as reported in PodNews), Apple now accounts for LESS than half of their total downloads. It's still far and away #1 at 47%, but second place Spotify is at 24%, and Google Podcasts still lags in third place at 2.4%. After that is everyone else.  See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuzzsproutCommunity/permalink/3800456513307468Nielsen, the ratings people, say Podcasting will be a $1 billion industry in 2021. And with 20% annual growth, total audience is on pace to double by 2023. https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/news-center/2020/nielsen-at-podcast-movement-2020-opportunities-in-a-skyrocketing-industry/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-18Podcasting event tomorrow, Saturday November 20th.  Audio Recess from PRX and the Google Podcasts Creator Program: https://googlecp.prx.org/audio-recessTwo new podcasts that I WON'T be checking out - That's Messed Up - which breaks down episodes of Law & Order: SVU - and Hunting Ghislane, about Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislane Maxwell.  2020 has been depressing enough.  Hard pass on both of those.Finally, the ex-radio guy in me would be remiss if I didn't pour one out for 89X, the Windsor Ontario based rock station that served Detroit for thirty years.  Their owners, Bell Media (now, shockingly, owned by iHeartMedia), flipped the station to country yesterday.  In response, Entercom flipped a frequency I used to be on 98.7, from soft rock to alternative to fill the hole.  What does all of this mean?  Music radio has spent the last two decades squeezing out most of its personality.  So today, if you don't have a spoken word (news, talk, sports) station, or at least an outstanding morning show, you don't have a chance.If you need help with your podcast, feel free to reach me here. https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/

My tip this week - now, more than ever, force yourself to do the hard things. For me, it's working on my business.  The only way I'm going to do it, is to block some time, sit down, and do it.  What does that mean for you?Riverside.FM has officially launched, as a remote video recording platform.  Plans go from $20 to $50 a month, depending on if you want video and how much.  I haven't tried it yet - but it's getting good reviews, including from Hillary Clinton.https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/09/rverside-fm/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-12Spotify has its biggest acquisition yet - buying podcast host Megaphone for $235 million.  Spotify has already bought The Ringer, Anchor, Gimlet and more.  Reaction to the deal is mixed.  It really seems Spotify is, to paraphrase Pinky and the Brain, trying to take over the world.Also this week, Spotify seemed to float the idea of a subscription model - surveying its listeners to see if they'd pay anywhere from $3 to $8 monthly. https://gizmodo.com/looks-like-spotify-is-considering-a-subscription-servic-1845613780Anchor is now IAB certified - meaning your downloads are real, not just from bots.  I still don't trust them, but here's their press release. https://blog.anchor.fm/updates/iab?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-06Daniel J. Lewis of MyPodcast Reviews says Apple added another 100,000 podcasts in October, bringing its total to over 1.6 million shows. https://mypodcastreviews.com/podcast-industry-statistics/But don't be intimidated - as Libsyn's Rob Walch reminded us at Podcast Movement Virtual, 8 of 9 new shows don't even make it to a tenth episode.  If you can commit to good quality content for the long haul, you've got much less competition than you thought.As always, if you want help launching, editing, consulting or anything else with your podcast, you can find me online at www.jagindetroit.com - send an email to jag@jagindetroit.com, or find me on social @JAGinDetroit. 

This episode is a repurposing of audio from a podcast I previously hosted, "The Quizzo Cast," which was put out my bar trivia company Quizzo. I've worked with then for three years.One of our hosts, Jason Idalski, is a game show master.  He went on Jeopardy, and won two days in a row.  He joined hosts Tom Whittaker and myself to talk about the experience behind the scenes, including his interactions with the late, great Alex Trebek.This seemed an appropriate time to re-share this audio. Enjoy.

It's been a long week.  It started with two familiar foes in conflict with each other.  If only they could work together, the sky would be the limit, but one side is so obsessed with the other, that they seem to have lost their own way.   Of course I'm talking about radio and podcasting.On Monday, iHeartMedia laid off another bucket of local radio employees. (Edit: More came Thursday.)  It's no secret that the radio industry has been hard-hit by the pandemic, and radio revenue is way down.  In a vacuum, you can understand the tough decision to have layoffs.  In 2020, that's not unique to radio.  But consider this.  Last week I told you that iHeart just bought Voxnest - rumors have the price tag around $55 million.  Voxnest is big in podcast analytics, and also owns the Spreaker platform.  Once iHeart filed bankruptcy in the face of its $22 billion debt, it freed them up to re-work their business ventures.Radio's strength has always  been its personality -the ability to connect to listeners.  And a big part of that is its on air talent.  But when a company decides its priority is to invest in podcasting, and keep slashing radio assets, that tells you where their priorities are.  I just hope they don't destroy podcasting like they did radio. iHeart owns the most shows in Top 200 podcasts, according to Podcast Business Journal, largely because they pimp them out across their radio network.https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/media-monitors-iheart-is-1/Stitcher launching new app.  Instead of Favoriting a show, you'll follow it to subscribe.Magellan's AI Blog tracked the Election, and how the Biden and Trump campaigns utilized podcast advertising. https://www.magellan.ai/blog-posts/how-have-the-presidential-candidates-used-podcast-advertising-in-the-election?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-30Nielsen has more data about host-read podcast ads being more effective: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/host-read-podcast-ads-pack-a-brand-recall-punch/Finally, two great courses I took this week in my professional development.Tom Kelly from Clean Cut Audio did a "Beginner's Guide to Equalization for Podcast and Voiceover on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/share/103H9oAEASdFhTR3gJ/Tanner Campbell's "Learn to Edit Your Own Podcast" on AppSumo. https://appsumo.com/learn-edit-your-own-podcast/?utm_source=sendfox&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=this-week-in-podcast-editingBoth courses were very helpful as I work to improve my skills in Compression and Equalization.

My tip this week doesn't explicitly related to podcasting -  We are all stressed.  Find your escape, and lean into it - especially over the next week or so.I'm recording this on Thursday, the final day of Podcast Movement virtual.  While it's impossible to duplicate the in-person excitement of an event like this, the organizers did a great job under the circumstances.  A couple additional takeaways:Shante Holley did a nice session, The Gift of Transparency: Fostering Connections with Your Listeners.  She talked about being real with your audience when life throws difficulties at you.  This will create a bond with your listeners.  I can attest to this - when my best friend was killed by a drunk driver in 2006, I went on the radio and talked about it.  People called in all night.  Be real.  It's what made radio great, and why podcasting can be so powerful. Late last week, Rob Walch from Libsyn echoed my sentiments that your podcast doesn't need video. According to Rob, ONLY 14 of the top 50 Aggregator Apps fully support Video, and ZERO of the Top 200 Episodes in Apple Podcasts are Video. (10/18/20)Again, the power of an audio podcast is that it goes where video can't. Still don't believe me?  NETFLIX is testing out an audio-only version that will let you listen to something on the go without actually watching it. https://www.protocol.com/netflix-testing-audio-only-modeSpeaking of conferences, PRX and Google Podcasts are partnering for a free one-day seminar called Podcast Recess, set for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 21. https://hopin.to/events/audio-recessiHeartRadio bought Voxnest, which owns the Spreaker platform. https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/iheart-purchases-spreakers-parent-company-voxnest/Stitcher is redesigning its platform: https://routenote.com/blog/podcasting-app-stitcher-gets-a-redesign-with-useful-new-features/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-27The Athletic is now partnering with Megaphone for hosting and dynamic ads. https://podnews.net/press-release/athletic-megaphone?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-27Shure has released a mid-price point microphone, the MV7, for $249.https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/mv7?utm_source=podcast-movement&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podcastmvmt-prospecting-newsletter-reveal&sfid=mv7&ptnr=podcastmvmtI haven't tried it, but Forbes has a great review on it. It's got USB and XLR, it's a dynamic mic, software control, and you can even record into an iPhone or iPad with it. https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2020/10/26/shure-has-created-a-classic-podcasting-microphone-and-its-a-real-thriller/#75468ce16e1bAs always, if you need help starting/launching your podcast, or if you  have a podcast but don't have the time for a detailed edit, I'm happy to help.  Find me on social @JAGinDetroit or on my website, https://jagindetroit.com/You can also email me: jag@jagindetroit.comI'm always happy to chat.

For years, I've been singing the praises of Podcast Movement - the convention that got me into this space full time.  This year, as with all other things, they've gone virtual.  And I really like the format - the seminars and panels were Tuesday/Thursday this week and next.  Staggering them out allows me to run my business during the off days, and more importantly, avoids the dreaded "Brady Bunch Square Zoom Fatigue."  I watch what I can live.  When I hit my saturation point, I can go back and watch recordings for an hour or two on the off days.  Brilliantly put together.  I'll mention two panels from week 1.1) The always brilliant Tom Webster of Edison Research (Tuesday keynote):43% of the US population listen to spoken word audio dailyIn Q2 of 2020, Podcast Listening at home was up to 73% of total listening.58% of monthly podcast listeners spend time listening to podcasts with others. The pandemic has shifted the podcasting mentality from "intimate" to "sense of community."2) Spotify's panel from Thursday.Spotify - 300 million users, half are premium. 200% increase YoY.Spotify data - which artists your listeners like, notifications for charts and editorial podcasts, social asset, promo cards.Brene Brown's "Dare To Lead" now up as  Spotify exclusive. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-09-23/the-ever-curious-brene-brown-comes-to-spotify-with-two-exclusive-podcasts/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-09-24Billy McFarland - Dumpster Fyre Podcast from Prison, with Jordan Harbinger (via Podnews): https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/10/fyre-festivals-billy-mcfarland-has-recorded-a-podcast-from-prison?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-21Descript launches video editor...stay tuned.https://www.descript.com/video-editingIf you're looking for help launching, refining, or editing your podcast - you can always feel free to reach out to me:Website: https://jagindetroit.com/email: JAG@JAGinDetroit.comPhone: (313) 757-2JAG (2524)Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @JAGinDetroit 

This week's podcasting tip involves prepping your show (which you should always do).  Some folks prefer to have the entire episode scripted out. Others would rather go off of bullet points.  We explore the difference.If you think your podcast is award-worthy, submissions are open for two of them - The Ambies through the Podcast Academy https://www.thepodcastacademy.com/general/custom.asp?page=Awardsand the Webbie awards, which award the best of the web:https://www.webbyawards.com/Google Podcasts are going to start showing analytics on when your podcast shows up in Google Search Results: https://podcastsmanager.google.com/aboutShe Podcasts, which is a 20,000 member community for female podcasters, has launched a virtual membership: https://supersquad.shepodcasts.com/Amazon has bought the domain Podcast.com - James Cridland of PodNews says the asking price may have been $2 million.  So far, the website just points to Audible.Edison Research's Tom Webster says, when naming your podcast, make a name for yourself. Literally.  Don't use a common name that's going to be shared with a ton of other podcasts. https://tomwebster.substack.com/p/make-a-name-for-yourselfPodcast Heavyweights Tanner Campbell, Evo Terra, and Steve Stewart have written an open letter to Apple, calling for the removal of Apple Podcast reviews - they think it should be a heart/like system, so one bad review won't sink a show. https://medium.com/portlandpod/the-case-for-killing-reviews-in-apple-podcasts-66e735cf5f07Finally, Spotify is beginning to play with hybrid talk and music podcasts - that can get royalties to artists when their songs are played.  So far the shows are unique to Spotify and have some kinks to work out. The first one is called "My 90's Playlist" produced by Sony Entertainment, and the first episode breaks down TLC's Classic "No Scrubs."  Here's the release from Spotify: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-10-14/spotify-launches-new-audio-experience-combining-music-and-talk-content/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-15 

I stepped out of my studio this week and recorded today's podcast on my "backup equipment," which is a Shure SM48 Microphone ($48) plugged into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo interface ($116.59).  And I recorded it upstairs in my office.  Truthfully, the sound will be similar to buying a quality USB mic like the Samson Q2U or Audio Technica ATR 2100x, which plugs directly into your USB without an interface.  If you see a small drop in download numbers this week, it's because Apple Watch downloads no longer count.  Those metrics have been pulled because they sometimes result in double downloads.  Podcast guru James Cridland explains: https://adtech.podnews.net/update/apple-watch-os-downloads?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-10-06Joe Rogan says Spotify has not talked to him about censoring his content: https://heavy.com/news/joe-rogan-podcast-censorship/The trough of disillusionment is something that happens after you lose your initial "head of steam" when you start a podcast.  Karen Burgess of Pacific Content explains how to power through it and get to the pleateau of productivity. https://blog.pacific-content.com/warning-trough-of-disillusionment-ahead-6bd93ac410d9Admittedly, one area I struggle with as an editor is "EQ" - or equalization.  This 12 minute video does a great job of explaining the 5 major frequencies in human voice and what it's like to turn each up or down.  https://youtu.be/ltKUTjjESeQGreat article from The Podcast Host on how to use the medium to establish yourself as an expert in your field: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/mindset/expert-in-your-field/Finally, Podcast Movement, the convention that got me into podcasting, is virtual this month, from October 19-29.  If you've thought about going, but haven't because of costs, the ticket is cheaper this year, plus you don't have to worry about airfare or hotel. PLUS, you can save $50 with my referral code. https://podcastmovement.snoball.events/a/jon-gay

My best friend Bill Leaf would have turned 40 this weekend.  Every year I post the story of what happened to him, and the eulogy I gave at his funeral. This year, I thought I would turn it into a podcast, and add in some thoughts from those that knew Bill very well.  Happy Birthday Buddy.(00:12) Meet Bill(00:32) The Story(19:19) My Eulogy for Bill(25:52) Jay Kivela(26:49) Julie Leaf(28:16) Brian Drake(32:10) Bill's Shoutout from his favorite artist Bret Michaels(33:36) Matt DelSignore(35:00) Professor John Nicholson(35:47) Maria Leaf(40:08) Final Words from Bill himself(41:16) Closing Thoughts

Editor's Note: Today's show was recorded Thursday afternoon, before news broke that President and Mrs. Trump tested positive for COVID-19.“That was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck."CNN's Jake Tapper recapping Tuesday's Presidential DebateThe sh*tshow that was Tuesday night's debate may have finally gotten us to the change that I've been crying for since at least 2016.  A mute button.  If, in my radio days, I could manage to stop talking after 14 seconds when Katy Perry started singing, a person running for political office should be able to shut it after two full minutes.  It sounds, as of this recording, that the Commission on Presidential Debates may finally give moderators that power.  Nothing was accomplished Tuesday night, and for any undecided voters that still want to cast a ballot on issues, they are no closer to an answer now than they were at the beginning of the week.  If you give each candidate an opportunity to talk, you might learn something.2020 might become, among many other things, the year of the mute button.  Almost all of us have learned to use it on Zoom calls - when we need to cough, sneeze, drink, eat, etc.  At least those with common courtesy do anyway.   In a podcast, the mute button is extremely useful.  For example, I recorded a podcast with a host and 4 panelists recently.  The two things that made it flow very well are that the host called on each panelist individually, and that everyone muted their mic when not speaking.  I had the speakers on 5 separate tracks, and the editing was very straightforward.Yesterday, I recorded a show with a client while my wife and I were dog-sitting.  There was running, and barking, happening upstairs.  I muted my mic when I wasn't speaking, and the edit was easy. Now, all things in moderation of course.  If you're having a lively conversation in a podcast, there's no need to mute yourself in a frequent back-and-forth. But if you're going long periods of time without speaking, mute yourself. Your editor will thank you.Fascinating piece of news this week between the connection in "plosives" and COVID spread.  Podcast editors often have to eliminate plosives, or the little puff of air that comes out of your mouth with hard consonants like P and T.  (For a demo of this, hold your palm in front of your mouth and say the word "pizza.")  You'll feel a little puff of air.  Well those little puffs of air, or "mini jet streams" can carry COVID-19 particles.  This was covered last night here in Detroit by Channel 4. https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/good-health/2020/09/30/how-chance-of-spreading-covid-19-through-air-changes-based-on-what-words-are-spoken/In other podcast news this week, Spotify is testing polls for podcasts - hosts can ask one question per show and have listeners weigh in: https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/23/spotify-adds-an-interactive-feature-for-podcasts-with-launch-of-polls/?guccounter=1Apple bought Scout FM, which turns podcasts into radio stations, and shut down Scout's apps on Apple and Android, possibly to use the technology in its own iOS application: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/09/25/heres-how-apple-could-use-new-podcasting-acquisition-scout-fm/#52b8875a7974Wondery, the company that produced Dr. Death and Dirty John, may be up for sale for the low, low price of $200 million.  https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/podcast-company-wondery-explores-sale-for-at-least-200-million?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-09-28Podcast Movement Virtual's schedule is out.  Ticket prices go up next week. https://virtual.podcastmovement.com/schedule/Locally, the Detroit Podcast Festival is October 16-18. https://www.detroitpodcastfest.com/As always, if you have questions about podcasting, or need help launching (or even tweaking) your show, feel free to reach out - jag@jagindetroit.com or on social at @JAGinDetroit.

Earlier this month, I shot a couple of my "5 Minute Friday" podcasts on video. I wanted to see if "the juice was worth the squeeze." Long story short, it wasn't.  Yes, I got a few views on YouTube, and a handful on IGTV, but as a small business owner and soloprenuer, it just wasn't worth it.  Now, if you have the budget for a multi-camera full production team, absolutely go for it.  Having a video component can't hurt you. But when you have to make decisions about time and resources, I don't think podcast video is worth it.  First of all, video editing is much harder, more time consuming, and less forgiving than audio editing.  If you've only got one camera, you can't edit out flubs - you either have to leave them in, have an awkward looking "jump cut," or "cover" your video with a graphic or something.  And this takes time - time you probably don't have.  So you're dealing with more time, larger files, and possibly a less professional looking product.   Also, in our COVID world, we are all suffering from "Zoom fatigue." How many hours a day do you spend on video calls?  How many times do you watch people struggle with their mute button?  And how long do you have to stare at your screen?  Take a walk, go for a drive, and bring something to listen to - give yourself a break.  Also, audio is more intimate than video.  You have to paint a picture in your listener's "mind's eye."  Think about how connected you felt to your favorite radio morning show growing up. There's power in that.Bottom line, unless your show has a ton of resources, stick to the audio.  Video is just not an efficient use of your time.This week's podcasting news:Amazon Music coming to Alexa - 70% of home smart speakers. Will this be the podcasting boost we've been waiting for in podcasting to smart speakers? https://podnews.net/article/amazon-music-podcasts?https://hotpodnews.com/insider-september-17-2020/Spotify lands Brene Brown: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-09-23/the-ever-curious-brene-brown-comes-to-spotify-with-two-exclusive-podcasts/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-09-24Spotify rolls out notifications for new episodes, and civic engagement effort to increase voter turnout.Spotify employees want control over Rogan content: https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/report-spotify-employees-want-to-control-rogan-content/Apple's new iOS includes improvements to Apple Podcasts: https://podnews.net/article/ios14-apple-podcast-app-updates?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-09-23Mark Cuban to keynote Podcast Movement Virtual: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-09-23/the-ever-curious-brene-brown-comes-to-spotify-with-two-exclusive-podcasts/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-09-24Power of the Podcast - Pod Save America's Get Mitch Or Die Trying Fund raised over $20 million since RBG's passing. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/getmitch?utm_source=podnews.n