Justin tackles the critical question every podcaster should ask: is your content actually resonating with listeners? Moving beyond surface-level feedback from super fans, he introduces a data-driven approach centered on retention metrics—the one metric that's nearly impossible to manipulate or buy. Justin breaks down the three essential retention measurements he tracks on every episode: average consumption (the baseline content quality score), opening retention (whether your intro hooks listeners in the first two minutes), and episode completion rate (who's still there to hear your call to action). He provides specific benchmarks for each metric, explains what high and low scores reveal about your content, and shares actionable strategies to improve performance across all three areas. Plus, he walks through exactly where to find these metrics in Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, and YouTube Studio.

Key Takeaways:

• Retention is the most valuable podcast metric because attention is the hardest resource to capture and nearly impossible to fake

• Average consumption of 70%+ means your content is strong and ready for growth

• The biggest drop-off happens in the first two minutes—opening retention above 75% indicates a strong hook

• Episode completion rates put your call-to-action strategy in perspective—only 1-5% of end-listeners take action

• Making episodes tighter and focusing on one main takeaway per episode improves average consumption

• Standard intros over 30 seconds are likely too long and hurt opening retention

• Shorter episodes (20-30 minutes) are trending as listeners prefer content that fits within single activities

• Access retention data through Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, and YouTube Studio analytics

Key Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Is Your Podcast Content Really Resonating with Listeners?

(00:00:51) - Is Retention the Only Podcast Metric That Matters?

(00:03:45) - Retention Metric #1: Average Consumption

(00:05:35) - Retention Metric #2: Opening Retention

(00:07:46) - Retention Metric #3: Episode Completion Rate

(00:10:58) - How Can Podcasters Improve Their Episode Retention?

(00:14:29) - How to Access These Podcast Analytics

(00:16:33) - Retention is Proof Your Podcast Is Working

Key Topics Discussed:

Podcast Retention, Retention Metrics, Content Quality, Average Consumption, Opening Retention, Episode Completion Rate, Podcast Analytics, Listener Engagement, Podcast Data, Audience Attention, Content Performance, Rating and Reviews, Social Media Followers, Podcast Downloads, Download Quality, Content Marketing, Podcast Strategy, Listener Retention, Episode Pacing, Storytelling, Podcast Intros, Hook Strategy, Call to Action, Conversion Rates, Podcast Benchmarks, Content Improvement, Pattern Breaks, Episode Segmentation, Standard Introductions, Episode Length, Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, YouTube Studio, YouTube Analytics, Video Podcasts, Retention Charts, Podcast Growth, Super Fans, Audience Growth, Listener Loyalty, Content Value, Episode Structure, Podcast Hosting, Justin Peters, SimplePod Studios, Retention Graphs, Analytics Tutorial, Business Podcasters, Content Creators, Podcast Consultation

Transform Your Podcast from Time-Suck to Lead Generator at https://simplepodstudios.com

Reach Out at justin@simplepodstudios.com or kyle@simplepodstudios.com

Get Podcasting Tips Straight to Your Inbox at https://www.simplepodstudios.com/newsletter

Justin shares seven practical strategies to breathe new life into your podcast's back catalog and turn old episodes into consistent download engines. From optimizing episode titles for search to bundling themed playlists, he breaks down how smart podcasters intentionally leverage their existing content instead of letting it gather dust. Justin covers making titles more searchable, integrating episodes into email sequences and sales funnels, promoting during speaking engagements, cross-linking within new episodes, recycling social media content, re-engaging past guests, and creating curated playlists. He emphasizes that podcast episodes shouldn't "die on the vine" 30 days after release—with the right approach, your back catalog can keep working for months and years to come.

Key Takeaways:

• Episode titles should evolve over time—shift from compelling to keyword-rich as content ages

• Descriptive titles outperform clever ones in search, especially for older episodes

• Your email subscribers are warm leads—use welcome sequences and newsletters to resurface evergreen content

• Speaking engagements create perfect opportunities to direct audiences to specific episodes

• Cross-linking episodes within new content guides listeners deeper into your catalog

• Social media followers change constantly—recycling year-old content reaches new audiences

• Past guests need content too—anniversary milestones give natural reasons to re-promote

• Themed playlists act as starter guides and make your back catalog more navigable

• Start small with one or two strategies rather than trying to implement everything at once

Key Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Get More Podcast Downloads Without Recording New Episodes

(00:01:14) - Tip #1: Make Episode Titles More Searchable

(00:03:10) - Tip #2: Add Older Episodes to Your Email Sequences

(00:05:16) - Tip #3: Mention Episodes in Your Speaking Engagements

(00:06:51) - Tip #4: Link Old Episodes Inside New Episodes

(00:07:59) - Tip #5: Recycle Content from Old Episodes on Social Media

(00:09:18) - Tip #6: Ask Past Guests to Reshare Their Episodes

(00:10:48) - Tip #7: Bundle Older Episodes Into a Themed Playlist

(00:12:17) - Podcast Episodes Shouldn't Just Die on the Vine 30 Days After They've Been Released

Key Topics Discussed:

Podcast Back Catalog, Older Episodes, Episode Downloads, Podcast Growth, Evergreen Content, Episode Titles, Searchable Titles, Keyword Optimization, Email Sequences, Newsletter Strategy, Welcome Sequences, Sales Funnels, Speaking Engagements, Conference Speaking, QR Codes, Episode Cross-Linking, Content Recycling, Social Media Strategy, Guest Promotion, Episode Anniversaries, Themed Playlists, Content Curation, Podcast Discovery, Search Optimization, Email Marketing, Content Marketing, Podcast Strategy, Download Strategy, Back Catalog Optimization, Episode Revival, Content Amplification, Binge-Worthy Content, Podcast Feed Optimization, Episode Promotion, Guest Relationships, Content Repurposing, SimplePod Studios, Justin Peters, Podcast Movement, Donor Advised Funds, Open Enrollment, Podcast Analytics, Listener Retention, Audience Growth, Content Strategy, Podcast Marketing

Transform Your Podcast from Time-Suck to Lead Generator at https://simplepodstudios.com

Reach Out at justin@simplepodstudios.com or kyle@simplepodstudios.com

Get Podcasting Tips Straight to Your Inbox at https://www.simplepodstudios.com/newsletter

Justin and Kyle square off in a heated debate covering five of podcasting's most controversial topics—but there's a twist. They don't get to choose their positions. Drawing stances from a hat, they're forced to argue for opinions they might completely disagree with, from interview vs. solo formats to video-first vs. audio-only, seasonal vs. weekly publishing, big-name vs. niche guests, and broad vs. niche podcasts. Through rapid-fire arguments and occasional "jumping ship" moments, they explore the nuanced pros and cons of each approach, ultimately revealing that there's rarely a one-size-fits-all answer in podcasting. Along the way, they share real client experiences, algorithm insights, and hard-won lessons about what actually works—and when to intentionally break the rules.

Key Takeaways:

• Solo content is faster to produce, but guest interviews build relationships and expand reach

• Seasonal breaks risk losing momentum—consistency builds audience habits and algorithmic favor

• Video unlocks discoverability through short-form content, but adds complexity and cost that can overwhelm new creators

• Big-name guests bring authority by association, but niche experts often deliver more relevant value and better promotion

• Niche podcasts create clarity and serve as an on-ramp to broader authority over time

• Testing and pivoting based on results matters more than rigidly following any single formula

Key Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Debating the Hottest Topics in Podcasting

(00:01:35) - Topic 1: Interview vs Solo Format (Solo Format)

(00:03:14) - Topic 1: Interview vs Solo Format (Interview Format)

(00:06:43) - Topic 2: Seasonal vs Weekly Publishing (Seasonal Publishing)

(00:09:14) - Topic 2: Seasonal vs Weekly Publishing (Weekly Publishing)

(00:11:05) - Topic 3: Video First vs Audio Only (Audio Only)

(00:13:26) - Topic 3: Video First vs Audio Only (Video First)

(00:18:16) - Topic 4: Big Guest or Niche Guest (Big Guest)

(00:21:01) - Topic 4: Big Guest or Niche Guest (Niche Guest)

(00:23:02) - Topic 5: Niching vs Broad Topics (Niching)

(00:24:32) - Topic 5: Niching vs Broad Topics (Broad Topics)

(00:28:10) - Which Topics Did We Disagree With the Most?

Key Topics Discussed:

Podcast Formats, Interview Podcasts, Solo Episodes, Guest Collaboration, Podcast Scheduling, Seasonal Podcasting, Weekly Publishing, Podcast Consistency, Content Batching, Audience Habits, Podcast Momentum, Video Podcasts, Audio Only Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Short Form Content, Reels and Shorts, Video Editing, Production Complexity, Camera Equipment, Podcast Discoverability, Social Media Algorithms, Big Name Guests, Niche Guests, Guest Authority, Content Relevance, Podcast Promotion, Guest Sharing, Niche Podcasting, Broad Topic Podcasts, Content Specialization, Podcast Growth Strategies, Algorithm Optimization, Service Based Podcasters, Professional Podcasting, Podcast ROI, Content Marketing, Podcast Burnout, Episode Planning, Podcast Systems, Audience Building, Content Strategy, Podcast Debate, Marketing Strategy, Podcast Production, Content Creation, Business Podcasting, Justin Peters, Kyle Peters, SimplePod Studios

Transform Your Podcast from Time-Suck to Lead Generator at https://simplepodstudios.com

Reach Out at justin@simplepodstudios.com or kyle@simplepodstudios.com

Get Podcasting Tips Straight to Your Inbox at https://www.simplepodstudios.com/newsletter