🎤 Podcast Paychecks & Production Myths
Hey Reader,
Let’s talk about the money.
This week I read an article from Kit breaking down 9 ways to monetize a podcast (everything from tip jars to sponsorships) and while it’s a solid starter guide, I found myself muttering “Mmm… not quite.”
The headline numbers are enticing. Median earnings in the $50k–$80k range? Sounds great… until you remember most surveys lump together indie creators with full-blown businesses converting listeners into clients. That average? Heavily skewed by folks with a strategy (and a system). The missing link in this shiny little cake recipe? 🍰 Quality.
The people actually making money from their podcasts have one thing in common: they treat their show like an asset. Not a hobby. Not a hope-and-a-prayer.
And yes... quality includes storytelling, tech performance, *and* delivery. It's not just what you say; it's how you sound when you say it. Most podcast monetization conversations skip this part entirely. But if you want the triple crown (seen, heard, and paid)... you need a show that holds attention long enough to convert it.
There’s no shame in choosing fame over fortune or visibility over income, but you do need to know what game you’re playing.
Famous? Not necessarily wealthy.
Seen? Doesn’t always mean sold.
Paid? That takes intention.
Pick two. Then build toward all three (on your timeline, with your capacity, and maybe with a little studio support). And speaking of... by the time this email lands in your inbox, I’ll be heading into the final walk-through of the studio space (!!). We’re getting close. You’ll be able to watch the setup unfold in real time once the keys are in hand. I have been neck deep in lease term negotiations for the last two weeks and it's still not done. This is NOT a magic process and once I have some breathing room to tell you about the details, I will record it and share it.
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In the meantime, here’s something you can do today to elevate your creativity (and your visibility):
💥 The free CEO Summer Rebellion Reading Challenge is officially open!
If you haven’t joined yet, now’s the time... because next weekend I’m dropping access to all the workshops and you’ll be able to start reserving your seats. You'll also get the line up of prizes you can win by reading anything *other* than thought leadership. Whether you’re joining for accountability, creative fuel, or community (or all of the above), you won’t want to miss what’s coming.
✨ Want to be seen by even more people this summer?
I’m also accepting more giveaway sponsors, perfect if you’ve got a product (physical or digital) you want in front of fresh eyes.
Click the links below to get the details:
📚 Join the reading challenge
🎁 Sign up to be a giveaway sponsor
Let’s make this summer fun, profitable, and anything but boring.
Signals from the Creative Universe…
🎬 Mouse v. Machine: The Lawyers Have Logged On
Here’s what I learned working for the Mouse House: you do not mess with Disney lawyers. They've teamed up with Universal to sue AI art generator Midjourney for copyright infringement. The irony? Studios were just in hot water for using AI to clone actors’ voices and faces, but now they’re crying foul when the tech turns on them. This lawsuit isn’t just about Midjourney… it’s about a long-overdue reckoning with an AI future that showed up before Hollywood was ready.
💼 Regina George Works in HR Now
If you've ever fled a toxic office culture faster than a quarterly review, this article will validate every corporate exit strategy. Being your own boss comes with chaos, sure, but also freedom. And when you see how the ladder is still rigged (especially for women), you’ll remember exactly why you chose the wild path. Spoiler: it wasn’t just about the flexible hours.
🎨 Is it Art or Just AI Slop?
Remember the gorilla who painted? And people were like, but is it art? Welcome to AI Slop Summer, where content is flooding the zone and not all of it is good. I love AI tools when they enhance creativity (this email header is AI-assisted!), but there’s a difference between thoughtful integration and churning out garbage. If your feed is starting to look like a Pinterest board from the uncanny valley, you’re not alone.
💥 Solstice Shake-Up? The Cards Have Thoughts.
The energy this week is loud — and the cards are calling for a midyear course correction.
In this week’s sample from the Sunday Woo Crew private podcast, we’re diving into solstice revelations, a bold Tarot spread, and the fireworks of Mars square Uranus. If you’ve been feeling the tension between rebellion and responsibility… between burnout and breakthrough… you’re not alone.
🎧 Click the image to hear a sneak peek from this week’s reading — and if you’re craving the full ritual every Sunday, you can get it delivered right to your favorite podcast app for just $7/month.
👉 Subscribe here to join the Woo Crew
🛀🏼 Coach Beard teaches us about actual rest.
This week on The School of Moxie Podcast, we’re flipping the script on rest and asking:
🚀 What if the way you recharge doesn’t look “wellness-approved”?
From Coach Beard’s strange joy to my own rest revelations, this episode is for anyone who’s realized that slowing down doesn’t always mean peace and quiet. It might mean weird hobbies. It might mean movement. It definitely means getting honest.
Take this as your neon blinking sign: Rest like you, not like the algorithm.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite app or click to watch below. ⤵️
Let's Hang Out
🌶️ The CEO Summer Rebellion free reading challenge is live! Get rewarded for finding the fun in your business again. Log your reads, earn prizes, rediscover your original thoughts.
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Participate + Join In
🎁 Want your offer in front of a bunch of readers? Sponsor a summer giveaway prize (digital or physical) and I’ll hype you up in this summer's email + social. Just fill out the form to claim your spot!
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The Common Wealth
Megan Dowd’s The Offer Lab helps creative service providers, coaches, and consultants turn one strong offer into a simple, profitable system. In just 6 weeks, you’ll craft your signature offer and test it with real feedback—so you can refine your messaging and sell with clarity (not chaos).
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Affiliate Hub
I might think Kit’s blog post on podcast monetization could use more depth, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have value. But how do you get more context? You can try their summit with entrepreneur celebrities. You can't re-create their paths to success, but seeing how the landscape has evolved IS the value of summits like this.
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Conscious Consumerism
I first came across this content creator for lists of brands with major contracts supporting ICE, and therefore complicit in the unlawful enforcement of raids on persons without due process. It just felt like sharing that this week was... a lot. So we're going with Costco instead.
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