When is it okay to pay a guest or pay to be a guest? And when you should you disclose compensation to your audience?

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/payinterviews

Introduction [00:00]

1. It's okay to pay to interview a guest on your podcast [00:54]

2. It's okay to pay to be a guest on another podcast [03:16]

3. Podcasters must disclose if they're getting paid to feature a guest [06:15]

 * You MUST Disclose Whenever You’re Compensated! [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/you-must-disclose-whenever-youre-compensated/]

4. You don't need to disclose if a booking service was used [13:27]

 * Interview Valet [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/interviewvalet]
 * Interview Connections [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/interviewconnections]
 * PodMatch [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/podmatch]

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

428. What Are the Ethics of Paying for Podcast Interviews?

Learn how to smartly handle podcast episode numbers when your title starts with a number, so your RSS feed, website, and podcast apps are optimized.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/combinenumbers

Introduction [00:00]

 * When to Use Podcast Episode Numbers - The Audacity to Podcast® [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-use-podcast-episode-numbers/]
 * When to AVOID Podcast Episode Numbers - The Audacity to Podcast® [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-avoid-podcast-episode-numbers/]
 * Should You Include Episode Numbers in Episode Titles? - The Audacity to Podcast® [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/should-you-include-episode-numbers-in-episode-titles/]
 * Are Episode Numbers REALLY Necessary? - The Audacity to Podcast® [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-podcast-episode-numbers-really-necessary-in-podcasting-show-notes-tap175/]

1. Add a leading word [05:13]

2. Spell the number in the title [07:03]

3. Title your episode differently in your RSS feed [09:10]

Special thanks [19:34]

 * Click here to support The Audacity to Podcast! [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback]

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

427. Three Ways to Combine Episode Numbers with Numbers in Titles

Teleprompters aren't only for newscaster and politicians! They can be great for podcasting—even if you podcast in only audio!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/teleprompter

Introduction [00:00]

 * Get one of my recommended teleprompters: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-should-consider-a-teleprompter-for-your-podcasting-workflow/#recommendations

1. Make "eye-contact" with your audience [02:01]

2. Display your notes or script [07:08]

3. See yourself as the camera sees you [19:01]

4. Look at your remote guest, cohost, or interviewer [20:14]

5. Use as an extra display [22:52]

My recommendation: Elgato Creator's Prompter and Prompter XL [26:50]

 * https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-should-consider-a-teleprompter-for-your-podcasting-workflow/#recommendations

Special thanks [29:10]

 * https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

426. Podcasting with a Teleprompter—Even for Audio Podcasts

Discover when it makes sense to use clever podcast titles instead of descriptive ones, and learn how to protect your podcast SEO while doing it.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/clevertitles

Introduction [00:00]

1. When clever podcast titles have clarifying subtitles [01:41]

 * Kicked from Apple Podcasts? What Happens When You Keyword-Stuff Podcast Tags: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/kicked-from-apple-podcasts-what-happens-when-you-keyword-stuff-podcast-tags-tap334/?utm_source=tap&utm_medium=chapter&utm_campaign=tap425

2. When clever episode titles are for entertainment-based podcasts [08:02]

3. When uniqueness is more important than podcast SEO [11:58]

 * PodChapters: https://podchapters.com/?utm_source=tap&utm_medium=chapter&utm_campaign=tap425

4. When clever-titled podcasts have amazing marketing [16:52]

 * Debunking the Myth: “It’s Not Hurting Their Podcast”: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/debunking-the-myth-its-not-hurting-their-podcast/?utm_source=tap&utm_medium=chapter&utm_campaign=tap425

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

425. When Clever Titles Are Okay for Podcasts and Episodes

Track active podcast metrics from Apple Podcasts, analyze 110 categories, monitor Podcasting 2.0 trends, and easily download beautiful 4K charts!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/newpii

Introduction [00:00]

 * Visit Podcast Industry Insights: https://podcastindustryinsights.com/?utm_source=chapter_1&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424

Track the total number of podcasts in Apple Podcasts, Podcast Index, and YouTube [09:21]

 * https://podcastindustryinsights.com/?utm_source=chapter_2&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424

See how active podcasts are [13:23]

 * https://podcastindustryinsights.com/?utm_source=chapter_3&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424

Discover deeper category details from Apple Podcasts [15:38]

 * https://podcastindustryinsights.com/apple-podcasts-statistics/categories?utm_source=chapter_4&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424

Watch Podcasting 2.0 feature-adoption grow [18:49]

 * https://podcastindustryinsights.com/podcasting-2-0-statistics?utm_source=chapter_5&utm_medium=chapter&utm_campaign=tap424

Download chart images for easy sharing [19:44]

 * https://podcastindustryinsights.com/?utm_source=chapter_6&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424

Special thanks [24:12]

 * https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

424. A New Way to See Podcast Industry Insights!

Explore whether OpenClaw belongs in your podcasting workflow, including the security risks, potential costs, practical use cases, and why you should never sacrifice your humanity for AI automation.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/SLUG

Introduction: What is OpenClaw? [00:00]

 * Try OpenClaw, if you dare: https://openclaw.ai

1. OpenClaw has massive security risks [05:16]

2. Using OpenClaw can be expensive [11:15]

3. OpenClaw is not SkyNet [19:25]

4. Do you actually need AI automation? [25:56]

 * OP3 stats: https://op3.dev

5. Never sacrifice your humanity [30:23]

 * 11 Warnings about Using AI in Content-Creation: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/11-warnings-about-using-ai-in-content-creation-including-podcasting/
 * Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/
 * PodChapters: https://podchapters.com/
 * Magai [https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai]: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/magai

Tell me your uses for OpenClaw (or similar)! [34:23]

 * Send your feedback to https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

423. Should You Try OpenClaw in Podcasting?

Far more exciting than winning "World's Best Cup of Coffee," Edison Research revealed that as of Q4 2025, Americans spent more time listening to podcasts than spoken content on AM/FM radio!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/podcastsbeatradio

Intro: Share of Ear study [00:00]

 * Podcasts Lead AM/FM in Spoken-Word Listening, Marking a First: https://www.edisonresearch.com/podcasts-lead-am-fm-in-spoken-word-listening-marking-a-first/

AM/FM radio is dying [06:55]

Podcasts are thriving [15:21]

Takeaway: embrace a niche [23:59]

If you value The Audacity to Podcast, please consider giving back whatever you feel it's worth to you! https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

422. Podcasts Beat AM/FM Talk Radio in Listening Time!

Following up from my previous episode (#420) about using numbering your podcast episode, here are 5 times and places to not use episode numbers.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/avoidepisodenumbers

Introduction: listen to #420 first! [00:00]

 * When to Use Podcast Episode Numbers: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-use-podcast-episode-numbers/

1. Don't use episode numbers when they would not matter to your audience [00:46]

2. Avoid episode numbers when they conflict with episode titles, or else reword [02:05]

3. Don't use the episode's number within that episode [05:10]

4. Don't use episode numbers in website, social, or SEO titles [09:02]

5. Don't use episode numbers in the tag [13:59]

 * Learn more about how to properly use episode numbers in your podcast metadata: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/should-you-include-episode-numbers-in-episode-titles/

Follow-up to my previous episode [16:55]

Special thanks [19:08]

 * $30 from Stevie Taylor, host of The Gig Life Podcast, saying, "Hey Daniel. Thank you for all you do, sir."
 * $20 from Randy Black, host of Shooting It Straight, saying, "A small amount of support for a friend and podcasting legend who gives so much to the space with little given back in turn. Keep up the good work Daniel!"
 * 696§ from Bryan Entzminger, podcast producer at Top Tier Audio

If you value The Audacity to Podcast, please consider giving back whatever it's worth to you! https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/giveback

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

421. When to AVOID Podcast Episode Numbers

I've changed my mind since 12 years ago in episode 175, when I proposed that episode numbers were unnecessary for most podcasts. Now, I see more cases when you should consider using episode numbers with your podcast.

It comes down to this: use episode numbers when they matter to your audience.

Specifically, here's how to determine when that applies.

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/whenepisodenumbers

1. Use episode numbers for serial podcasts [00:53]

2. Use episode numbers if frequently referencing other episodes [02:58]

 * My original episode 175 about episode numbers: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/are-podcast-episode-numbers-really-necessary-in-podcasting-show-notes-tap175/

3. Use episode numbers for file and folder organization [15:16]

 * Use PodChapters to quickly transcribe and chapter your podcast! https://podchapters.com/

4. Use episode numbers when you can't make better episode URLs [18:15]

5. Use episode numbers correctly and efficiently in episode titles [21:41]

 * Learn how to include episode numbers in your titles: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/should-you-include-episode-numbers-in-episode-titles/

Special thanks [26:42]

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

420. When to Use Podcast Episode Numbers

No matter where you are in your podcasting journey, it's possible to make one of these podcasting mistakes at any point!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/5commonmistakes

1. Striving for "perfect" [00:40]

 * Sony ZV-E10 II mirrorless camera: https://podcasting.deals/Bs4fi
 * Sigma 16 mm f/1.6 lens: https://podcasting.deals/QmPnet

2. Doing too much [10:21]

3. Starting without a plan [13:55]

4. Obsessing over the "launch" [16:25]

5. Not launching at all [19:11]

Supercharge your audience engagement with Podgagement! [21:34]

 * Try Podgagement FREE for 14 days! https://podgagement.com/

———

Start and grow your own podcast for passion and PROFIT! Learn more and follow at https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/

Supercharge your audience engagement and grow your podcast! https://podgagement.com/

FEEDBACK Call (903) 231-2221 Email feedback@theaudacitytopodcast.com Send a message or voicemail through https://podcastfeedback.com/audacity

MAILING ADDRESS The Audacity to Podcast PO Box 739 Burlington, KY 41005

419. Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes New Podcasters Make

Giving you the guts and teaching you the tools to start and grow your own podcast for passion or PROFIT!