Starting a podcast in 2025 is really pretty simple. Podcasting changed my life for the better in so many ways. If you want to start a podcast, here are the 10 things that will help you make it happen in 2025! I’ve been in the podcasting world for almost 4 years and I’ve been helping a lot of women start their own podcasts in the past year. Here’s what I would do if I was starting a podcast in 2025: Do video from the beginning Use Descript Figure out your niche Have a...

I didn’t reach my download numbers goal…and I thought I was embarrassed about it, but I’m actually not. I didn’t take my own advice about goals around download numbers and it shows. In this episode I talk about: How many download numbers I got last month How much money I made as a podcaster  How close I am to my podcast coaching call goal You’ll also hear about the experiments that I tried out last month. Which ones worked and which ones didn’t. Along with the experiments that...

Almost HALF of podcast listeners find new shows through YouTube, according to research done by Sounds Profitable. I wanted to take advantage of all of those eyeballs that are using YouTube to find new shows so I’ve been putting my podcast on YouTube for the past two months and I’ve learned a bunch about how to do it. I’ll answer common questions like: Why podcasters should put their podcast on YouTube How to put your podcast on YouTube in less than 15 minutes How I easily edit my...

There is so much we can learn from this history podcast with a unique twist. Rachel is one of the creators of the history podcast Don’t Drink the Milk, a podcast that traces the unexpected backstory of everyday things. We talk about the pros and cons of choosing a unique name, bringing variety and fun to tough topics and Rachel gives amazing advice to podcasters at every stage of our podcasting journey. Topics discussed in this episode include: How to name your podcast Choosing a...

Creating a community around your podcast can be tricky, but this week’s host has figured it out and shared the secrets to her success. Tehya is the host of the For the Love of History podcast. She has a thriving community of loyal listeners after being in the podcasting game for the past 4 years. In this episode she talks how she helps her listeners feel like friends, her journey to finding a network and many other behind the scenes info about her and her show. Topics discussed in this...

Are you frustrated because you haven’t made money with your podcast yet? This week I interviewed Monique, the host of Time Traveling Tonya, a kid history podcast. We talked about having a mission for your podcast, writing a kid podcast, the unique ways that your podcast can help you make money, along with other podcasting tips and tricks Topics discussed in this episode include: How to make money from your podcast Inclusivity in podcasts Creating an entertaining podcast Having a...

Learn about the podcast experiments that worked (and didn’t work) for me in September! I’ve been podcasting for 4 years and I am still constantly experimenting and figuring out what works best for me and for my people. I talked about my download numbers for last month, how much money I’ve made this year so far and how many podcast coaching calls I’ve done.  You’ll also hear about the experiments I tried last month, which ones went well and which ones didn’t. Along with the experiments I’ll...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with Meagan, the host of The Search for the Silver Lining, a kid podcast about Isla who wants to become a girl knight for King Arther. During this conversation I tell Meagan that her podcast is one of our favorites at least 3 different times…I wasn’t trying to fan girl, but it just happened. Here's what I learned from my chat with Meagan: - Lean on others, don’t do it all yourself - Get creative with the connections and assets you have - Make a shoot for the...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with one of my kids’ all time favorite kid podcast creators. His name is Mr. Jim and he and his team are helping kid podcasts become as popular as YouTube Kids. I didn’t just talk to Mr. Jim, I also got to talk to Steven who is the creative director of Mr. Jim’s company Storybutton, he’s the creative genius behind many of the Storybutton original shows that my kids and thousands of other kids absolutely love, including Pixel Quest, which is the show we’re...

I’m sharing a conversation I had with Alexa Lewis, who is a veteran in the creative space. She and her family have a very successful kid YouTube channel and I can’t wait for you to hear about how the YouTube audience translated to podcast listeners. Table of Contents (0:00) Introducing Alexa and Lively Lewis Stories (0:35) Introducing Alexa (3:48) Using Trello to stay organized (5:48) Having fun with the podcast (9:39) How Alexa comes up with podcast story ideas (11:47) Evolution of...

Get a peak behind the curtain to see how the Friendly Podcast Guide is doing. You will learn how many downloads I got last month, how much money I've made so far this year and the experiments I'm trying out to improve my show. GIVEAWAY INFO This week I am doing a Giveaway to celebrate Season 2 of the Friendly Podcast Guide! The grand prize winner will get a month's worth of podcast coaching sessions (4 one hour sessions) and a $25 Amazon gift card. And two other winners will each win...

Friendly Podcast Guide: Season 2 launches September 3rd! Hi! I’m Andi Smiley, the Friendly Podcast Guide, and I’ve been in the podcasting world for 4 years. I’ve learned so much during that time, but I still don’t know everything. That’s why on my show I talk to podcast hosts I admire about their skills and insights so that you and I can improve our shows in a way that leaves us feeling empowered and not bogged down by more busy work. Podcasting is such an amazing tool for us to amplify our...

Have you ever tried to get a five year old to sit still and talk into a microphone without touching it?  Let's just say it was an adventure getting my daughter, Clara, to do this interview with me. She desperately wanted to be like her brother and have her own episode where she got to talk about her favorite podcasts. Enjoy these excellent podcast recommendations from my five year old! Links from this Episode: Guide to Kid Podcasts View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast...

This month has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. Introducing you to so many amazing people in the ALS community as part of ALS Awareness Month has been so much fun, but I've also been fiercely missing my brother Ryan, who died from ALS last June.  To cap off a month full of inspiring people, I'm excited to introduce you to Lorri, the host of the podcast, I'm Dying to Tell You. She helps others to find hope through her inspirational podcast guests. Links from this Episode: ...

Erin is a fellow podcast lover who I found on Instagram.  She has a special place in my heart because she has ALS and she is in her twenties. This is just like my brother, Ryan, who Also diagnosed with ALS in his twenties. I knew that I had to have her on my show to talk about some of her favorite podcasts.  This month all of my episodes are centered around the ALS community. It has been so much fun introducing you to the inspiring and lovely people that are in the ALS community. Today you...

May is ALS Awareness Month. If you aren't sure what ALS is, it's a disease that attacks cells in the body that control movement. It's a neurodegenerative disease, meaning cells of the nervous system die over time during someone's ALS journey. It's an absolutely devastating disease with no cure. My brother, Ryan passed away from ALS a year ago next month, and I'm determined to help bring more awareness to this awful disease so that we can find better treatments and a cure. Today, I'm...

For the month of May, which is ALS Awareness Month, I'm dedicating all of the Friendly Podcast Guide episodes to helping raise awareness of ALS and the amazing people in this community such as the I AM ALS organization.  Almost a year ago, my brother passed away from complications with ALS.  Before Ryan was diagnosed, I had a vague knowledge of what ALS is, but that was it. I didn't know that there is no cure and no treatments that are able to prolong the life of someone with ALS.   Now, I...

 I have a very special guest on the podcast today. My son Danny is going to talk about his current favorite podcasts and give kid podcast recommendations. He was a natural with a microphone and it was so much fun hearing about podcasts he enjoys in a longer conversation than we usually have about them. I hope that you can find one of these kid podcasts is one that your kids will enjoy too! Links from this Episode: Kid Podcast Guide  View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly...

 Do your kids listen to other people's advice way better than they listen to your advice? Mine too. This week's episode is all about a kid podcast that shines a light on awesome kids who are doing inspiring things. It can help your kids learn how they can do awesome things too. It's called The Lil' Leaders Podcast and my kids really enjoy it because they love hearing other kids' voices on their podcasts. Links from this Episode: Podcast Guide  View the rest of the show notes on the...

As the weather gets warmer, the itch to travel gets stronger. Sometimes we don't have the capacity, funds, or time off to scratch that itch. Here's some travel podcasts that can help you dream, plan, and save up for your next amazing adventure. Links from this Episode: Podcast Guide View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website  

Between Scott, my partner, and I, Scott is definitely more of a foodie. When I found Gastropod, I realized that while my palate isn't as refined as Scott's, I do love to learn about the history and science behind food. Gastropod feels like the podcast equivalent of eating comfort food. I hope you enjoy learning food science in a fun way as much as I do!  Links from this episode: Kid Podcast Guide   View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website  

We are in the middle of spring break season, and I know many of you are most likely traveling in some form or fashion. I wanted to give you some kid podcasts you can use to entertain your kids on a road trip to help it go a bit smoother. I hope you find a new favorite kids podcast from this episode! Links from this Episode: Guide to Kid Podcasts View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website  

How many times a day do you get asked the question, why or how? Let's just say at my house, if I got a nickel for every time my kiddos asked me a question, I had to Google, I would have a lot of nickels. This week's kid podcast is for all those curious kids out there. It's called DRAC. It's about a vampire who doesn't thirst for blood, but for knowledge and this storytelling podcast is one your kiddos will enjoy! Links from this Episode: Podcast Checklist View the rest of the show...

It's no secret that I love kid podcasts, they have seriously changed my life as a mom! When I found out that there are apps dedicated to kid podcasts, I knew I needed to find out more. That is how I found Rachel Lacey, who is one of the co-founders of the kid podcast app, KidsPod.  She is one of my favorite kid podcast experts, which is why I wanted to get some kid podcast recommendations from her.  Links from this Episode: Podcast Checklist View the rest of the show notes on the...