Starting a podcast sounds exciting… until you’re in it.

In this special anniversary episode, Dr. Sapphire reflects on one full year of running a podcast sharing the real behind-the-scenes of what it took to stay consistent, build systems, and grow a global audience.

From recording with just a laptop mic to managing guests, tools, and workflows, this episode breaks down the process, mistakes, and lessons that most people don’t talk about.

INSIDE THE EPISODE

1. Starting Before You’re Ready: Why you don’t need fancy equipment to launch your podcast.

2. The Real Podcast Workflow: From sourcing guests to recording, editing, and publishing weekly episodes.

3. Tools for Podcasting: Hosting platforms, recording tools, and what actually worked (and didn’t).

4. Lessons from Year One – What worked, what didn’t, and what she would do differently.

5. Podcast Growth & Visibility – Why promotion matters more than you think.

6. Repurposing & Content Strategy – How to reuse episodes strategically for more reach.

7. Building Systems & Teams – The support, automation, and structure behind consistency.

RESOURCES:

Podcast SEO Challenge Link:

https://www.podcastmarketinghub.com/glow

Podcast boot camp link:

https://stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/eg-profitable-podcast-bootcamp/

EPISODE TIMELINE

[02:01] Why she started the podcast and what year one looked like

[05:19] How she sourced guests and structured each episode

[07:57] The full podcast workflow (from idea to publishing)

[11:56] Tools she used (and why you don’t need expensive gear)

[17:43] The biggest mistake: not promoting the podcast

[18:56] Repurposing episodes for growth and visibility

[22:07] Podcast SEO and choosing the right keywords

[24:43] Automating systems and reducing manual work

[26:18] Why you always need a backup plan when recording

[27:04] What’s changing in year two (strategy, structure, growth)

Connect With Host

Hi, I’m Dr. Sapphire (Ayebanoa Sapphire Benwari), and I’m always excited to help you start and grow your list with my team. My goal is to help you build community, conversations and conversions all through email marketing.

Work With Me: https://forms.fillout.com/t/mjZ8unuvtyus?

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sapphirelearninghub/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayebanoabenwari/

Online Email Marketing School -

I believe anyone, including YOU can master email copywriting and marketing and get paid to offer it as a service to local and foreign clients.

Our online school uses the PIE framework to ensure you practically implement and gain experience. You see, confidence and skill come from doing. And in here, that’s how we roll.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sapphirelearninghub

Instagram - https://www.instagram

.com/sapphirelearninghub

Store - https://sapphirelearninghub.nestuge.com/

If your emails keep landing in spam, the problem might not be your content — it might be your deliverability.

In this episode, Dr. Sapphire sits down with email marketer Chijioke Chukwuekem to unpack how he diagnosed a serious deliverability issue and used AI (Gemini) to uncover the hidden problems affecting his campaigns.

From segmentation mistakes to overlooked technical issues, Chijioke shares the exact process he used to move emails out of spam folders and back into subscribers’ inboxes.

If you’re struggling with low open rates, poor deliverability, or confusing email analytics, this episode will show you how AI can help you troubleshoot and optimize your email marketing strategy.

1. Diagnosing Email Deliverability Problems – How Chijioke discovered his campaigns were landing in spam.
2. Using AI to Analyze Email Performance – The specific way he used Gemini to identify the root causes of low open rates.
3. Segmentation That Improves Deliverability – Why separating engaged vs. unengaged subscribers matters more than you think.
4. AI Prompts for Email Marketing – The exact prompts he used to get useful insights from Gemini.
5. Small Fixes, Big Results – Deliverability improvements beyond AI that helped boost engagement.
6. Adapting to Changing Email Rules – How marketers can stay ahead as inbox algorithms evolve.

Guest: Chijioke Chukwuekem

Website:

https://reputationengine.com.ng/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chijioke-chukwuekem-7a637a27a/

[11:39] His biggest email marketing mistake and open rates confession

[16:23] How he discovered emails were landing in spam

[21:25] The two problems Gemini identified in his campaigns

[24:14] The AI prompts he used to diagnose the issue

[27:14] Deliverability fixes that improved open rates

[41:48] How marketers can adapt to changing email deliverability rules

[48:58] His top email deliverability tip for beginners

[50:55] How to connect and work with him

Freebie: Send These Emails to Build Trust

Send these Emails is a pack of 12 emails you can send to your email list to start building trust today and ahead of any launch.

👉 Download the 12 emails here.

Tired of welcome sequences that just “introduce” you but don’t actually sell?

Your welcome sequence is more than a hello. It’s your first opportunity to turn a new subscriber into a paying client.

In this episode, Prerna Malik shares how she builds sales-focused welcome sequences that convert from day one. From segmentation and psychology-backed messaging to email structure and automation tools, she breaks down what’s actually working right now in email marketing.

If you want to increase sales without relying on live launches, ads, or complicated funnels , this is the strategy to master.

INSIDE THE EPISODE

1. Why a Sales-Focused Sequence Works – The shift from traditional nurture emails to intentional revenue-driven messaging.

2. The Structure of a High-Converting Sequence – How many emails you really need and how to format them.

3. Segmentation & Psychology – Using conditional messaging and buyer behavior to increase conversions.

4. Social Proof & Authority – Why certain emails outperform others in a sales sequence.

5. One Offer or Many? – Deciding whether to sell a single product or multiple offers.

6. What’s Working Right Now – Real insights from active sales sequences.

GUEST RESOURCES

Guest: Prerna Malik

Free Guest Resource: https://contentbistro.com/welcomefreebie

📲 Connect with Prerna Malik:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contentbistro?igsh=MXU0a21tYjViaWdkMg=

PS: Learn how to 5X your sales without live launches, funnels, affiliates, or ads on her website.

EPISODE TIMELINE

[3:42] Why she created a sales-focused welcome sequence

[13:44] Using segmentation and conditional messaging for conversions

[18:35] The highest-performing email in her sequence

[24:08] Selling one vs. multiple products in your sequence

[31:34] Top 3 tips for writing high-converting sales emails

[40:22] Writing subject lines that increase open rates

[45:20] Capturing brand voice and authenticity in email

Freebie: Send These Emails to Build Trust

Send these Emails is a pack of 12 emails you can send to your email list to start building trust today and ahead of any launch.

👉 Download the 12 emails here.

An email list was ghosted. Engagement was low. Expectations were even lower.

Yet one campaign generated $8,000 in revenue.

In this episode, Dr. Sapphire sits down with a strategic email marketer to break down how deep research, competitor analysis, behavioral insights, and smart personalization turned a “cold” list into paying customers.

If you’ve ever worried your email list is too disengaged to convert, this episode will challenge what you think is possible.

INSIDE THE EPISODE

1. Research as Revenue – How he used deep audience and competitor research to shape one of his most memorable email campaigns.

2. Open Rates vs. Brand Reputation; Why obsessing over open rates can hurt your long-term credibility and what actually matters more.

3. Competitor Intelligence – The exact research approach he uses to identify opportunities and increase client revenue.

4. Personalization Beyond First Names – How to use behavioral patterns and emotional triggers to create emails that truly connect and convert.

GUEST RESOURCES

Guest: Chinele Anyanwu

Website: https://thebeardedshaman.notion.site/Portfolio-21e4d25bd5c78055ba76d140dda1614e?source=copy_link

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyanwu-chinele

EPISODE TIMELINE

[4:43] His most memorable email marketing experience

[9:37] His open rates confession: His biggest mistake

[17:49] The tools he uses for competitor research

[18:27] The strategy behind the $8K campaign

[26:42] His top 3 tips for identifying audience behavior patterns

[32:58] Balancing logic and emotion in email copy

[41:45] His take on real personalization in email marketing

[44:31] Key takeaways from the episode

[45:41] His course that helps professionals land jobs through LinkedIn

[48:44] How to connect and work with him

Freebie: Send These Emails to Build Trust

Send these Emails is a pack of 12 emails you can send to your email list to start building trust today and ahead of any launch.

👉 Download the 12 emails here.

Tired of the social media hamster wheel? In this episode, Dr. Sapphire sits down with Jenn, a sustainable marketing strategist and the force behind the Visibility Ecosystem. Jenn pulls back the curtain on a 20-day launch campaign that had record-breaking open rates but nearly zero sales—and the one critical shift in email strategy that changed everything for her 2025 launches.

From the proactive power of podcast tours to the high-intensity influx of virtual summits, you’ll learn how to build a visibility ecosystem that grows your brand while you sleep.

1. Sustainable Marketing Defined: Why keeping up with algorithms is unsustainable and how to turn speaking engagements into marketing assets.
2. Podcasts vs. Summits: Jenn breaks down why she starts clients with a proactive podcast tour for evergreen growth before moving into the "one fell swoop" influx of a summit.
3. The Launch Post-Mortem: A behind-the-scenes look at Jenn's 2023 "Evergreen Summit" launch—why 40% open rates didn't equal dollar signs.
4. The "How-To" Pitfall: Why giving away your "special sauce" in free emails convinces your audience they don't need to buy your course.
5. Mindset vs. Instruction: How to pivot your email copy from "how to do it" to "why it matters," creating a belief shift that drives sales.

1. Freebie: Interview Questions Generator — Come prepared for any podcast guest spot.
2. Connect with Jenn: Follow her on Threads (@VisibilityEcosystem) for sustainable growth tips.
3. Website: Visibility Ecosystem — Learn how to land 20-30 podcast guest opportunities.

1. [02:00] Using collaborations to grow your list without social media.
2. [03:00] Choosing between podcast tours and virtual summits.
3. [07:05] Pre-launch essentials and the reality of "cold" launches.
4. [10:01] Email frequency: When does "too many" actually work?.
5. [10:51] Tracking metrics: Why open rates can be "unreliable" benchmarks.
6. [18:56] The Danger Zone: Oversharing intellectual property in your marketing.
7. [26:57] Short vs. Long launches: Finding the "runway" that fits your lifestyle.

This episode is the final call to join the Email Marketing Mentorship Class of 2026.

The one program that will hold your hand to ensure you build skill, experience and confidence in email marketing.

It's 80% practice and 20% theory. You get to do and get your hands dirty.

We give you feedback and push you until something happens in your email marketing journey.

For too long you've been circling round this mountain, now it's time to move forward.

If you want to start, grow and transition into Email Marketing and you're finally ready to start.

This is for you.

Dr. Sapphire explains what the mentorship is about, who it’s designed for, and what students will learn over the 12-week program. You’ll also hear directly from a past Best Graduating Student (BGS), Tena, as she shares her real experience inside the mentorship.

To help you decide with clarity, Dr. Sapphire breaks down 7 key things to know before signing up, so you can be confident about taking the next step in your email marketing journey.

📌 The mentorship kicks off on the 19th.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODE

⏰ 3:00- A sneak peek into what this episode covers

⏰ 4:00- What the Email Marketing Mentorship is and why it exists

⏰ 4:43- The 3 core industries the mentorship focuses on

⏰ 5:20- Career paths available after completing the mentorship

⏰ 6:29- Key niches within the email marketing industry

⏰ 7:28- A breakdown of the 12-week mentorship curriculum

⏰ 14:56- What’s new in the 2026 mentorship (additions you didn’t get last year)

⏰ 17:05- The mentorship through the eyes of BGS, Tena

⏰ 54:48- 7 important things to know before signing up

⏰ 57:31- Dr. Sapphire’s final words for prospective students

WHO THIS MENTORSHIP IS FOR 👇

Beginners looking to break into email marketing

Creatives and marketers who want a clear structure and accountability

Anyone tired of random courses and looking for hands-on mentorship

Professionals who want to build confidence, clarity, and real-world skills

READY TO JOIN? 🔔

This is your sign to stop sitting on the fence. Secure your spot in the Email Marketing Mentorship Class of 2026 before doors close.

Join the Mentorship Here👇

https://sapphirelearninghub.com/mentorship

Congratulations!!!!

Here's the discount code: "GET PAIDPod"

It gives you 25% off your ticket price.

Before you use the code please note this:

1. Discount expires 11:59pm GMT +1 on the 18th of January
2. The code gives you 25% off the price of the ticket.
3. 25% = N50,000 off the Regular ticket and N87,500 off the VIP + Ticket

Note that you can pay in Naira, USD, Kenya Shillings, Tanzania, and other currencies

Now here's the breakdown of payment options:

(Regular Ticket) 12 Weeks Email Marketing Mentorship Program Only -

Pay Once (N200,000/$200)

Pay Twice: Today and 1 Month Later - (N100,000/$100 x 2)

Pay Thrice: Today, 1 Month Later, and 2 Months Later - (N66,666.67 x 3)

Get Your Ticket

(VIP + Ticket) 12 Weeks Email Marketing Mentorship Program + 6 Weeks Client Acquisition Challenge

Pay Once...

In this honest and refreshing conversation, Dr. Sapphire sits down with Michelle Wintersteen to unpack her unpopular take on email marketing. Michelle shares why email hasn’t always worked for her, what would actually make her enjoy it, and how brands can do better with segmentation, messaging, and relationship-building.

If you’ve ever struggled with email marketing or felt disconnected from your email list this episode will challenge how you think about email as a channel and help you approach it more intentionally.

GUEST RESOURCES:

Guest: Michelle Wintersteen

Website: http://mkwcreative.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkwcreative.co/

Link to Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kissmyaesthetic

Link to podcast episode on aesthetic leadership: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nZPMCGWVftA7c6kFKJxRG?si=fFc2f5ruTFi-iSRapnajvg

LISTEN OUT FOR 👇

✅ How Michelle uses her podcast to support and grow her business

✅ How people subscribe to and enter her email ecosystem

✅ A practical breakdown of email segmentation and why it matters

✅ Dr. Sapphire’s perspective on Michelle’s aversion to email marketing

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODE

⏰ 2:36- Michelle’s journey into business and entrepreneurship

⏰ 11:17- Her relationship with email marketing over the years

⏰ 14:20- Why she feels resistant to email marketing

⏰ 17:29- What would actually make email marketing easier for her

⏰ 28:50- What makes her open an email

⏰ 31:25- Email habits she wishes brands would stop

⏰ 37:25- Different email segmentation styles explained

⏰ 40:20- How to connect and work with Michelle

Important Link👌

The Email Marketing Operating System (OS):

For business owners who want to build community and get clients from email marketing. You're finally ready to start, grow and monetise your list.

https://sapphirelearninghub.com/the-emailmarketingoperatingsystem-os/

Start, Grow or Transition into Email Marketing ad Build Your Career :

https://sapphirelearninghub.com/mentorship

Download The Impact Report of the Last Email Marketing Mentorship: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iBzuuX_Ze_3tTgg8UbRd3UyiLAN-pM7s/view?usp=sharing

Connect With Us👇

LinkedIn (Online Email Marketing School): https://www.linkedin.com/school/sapphirelearninghub/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayebanoabenwari/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.sapphire_/

In this episode, Dr. Sapphire breaks down what email personalization will truly look like in 2026, beyond first names and surface-level tactics. She shares how personalization has evolved, why email marketing must be treated as a system (not isolated campaigns), and how deeper audience awareness is reshaping the way emails connect and convert.

If you’re an email marketer looking to stay relevant, intentional, and effective in 2026, this episode will help you rethink how you personalize, automate, and structure your email strategy.

LISTEN OUT FOR

✅ How email personalization has evolved over time

✅ A behind-the-scenes glimpse into her welcome sequence

✅ Understanding email marketing as a system, not in isolation

✅ How audience awareness has changed the way personalization works

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODE

⏰ 2:52- Her first prediction for email marketing in 2026

⏰ 4:34- What personalization really means today

⏰ 7:25- How she uses birthday automations for personalization

⏰ 10:24- Three things to focus on in 2026 when it comes to personalization

⏰ 10:41- Her second email marketing prediction for 2026

⏰ 12:50- Why email marketing must be treated as a system

We would love to get a feedback on the podcast from you, our dearest listener, send us your feedback here 👇

https://forms.fillout.com/t/kLP1rmm3Hrus

Important Link👌

The Email Marketing Operating System (OS):

For business owners who want to build community and get clients from email marketing. You're finally ready to start, grow and monetise your list.

https://sapphirelearninghub.com/the-emailmarketingoperatingsystem-os/

Start, Grow or Transition into Email Marketing ad Build Your Career :

https://sapphirelearninghub.com/mentorship

Download The Impact Report of the Last Email Marketing Mentorship: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iBzuuX_Ze_3tTgg8UbRd3UyiLAN-pM7s/view?usp=sharing

Connect With Us👇

LinkedIn (Online Email Marketing School): https://www.linkedin.com/school/sapphirelearninghub/

Instagram:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeb

anoabenwari/

LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sapphire_/