Your Mic

Finding listeners for your podcast can feel impossible, even when you have a big brand or a well-known name behind you. I talk with JJ Ramberg, co-founder of Good Pods, about why discoverability is a challenge for every host and what you can do about it. On this episode, you will hear:

• How social features and word of mouth help podcasts reach new audiences
• What Good Pods is doing for indie shows and bigger names alike
• Steps yo...

What if your podcast could rank higher and reach new listeners just by making a few changes?
Andrea de'Marsi, founder of PodSEO, joins me to talk about:

• How keywords, episode titles, and show descriptions help your show get found on platforms like Apple and Spotify
• What rankings mean for independent podcast hosts looking to grow
• Ways to use simple tools and strategies to reach more people

Learn more about PodSEO here.

In this episode of Your Mic, Freddy Cruz sits down with Bruce Chamoff, founder of the World Podcast Network and host of Become a Successful Podcaster.

With over 1,200 shows in his portfolio and nearly two decades of experience, Bruce shares his journey from the early days of podcasting to the current landscape, where video, syndication, and discoverability are more important than ever. The conversation covers the evolution of podca...

How does a love for authentic conversation turn someone into a standout interviewer and podcast host?

William Garay Jr.’s path was shaped by curiosity and a genuine interest in others’ stories. He built his interviewing skills simply by doing the work and caring deeply about his guests. Embracing imperfection and authenticity, he now uses podcasting to connect, lead, and inspire.

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What happens when you leave corporate America behind and bet on your own idea? Have you ever wondered if you could go from applying for hundreds of jobs to creating something from scratch?

In this episode, I'm sharing the real story behind Speke Podcasting's journey, including:

• Why your greatest rival in business might just be your own reflection
• What it takes to launch a business without loans or credit
• Speke Fest 2025 will b...

How can you manage stress in your podcasting journey or professional life?

Lolita Guarin joins Freddy Cruz to share stress management strategies. She introduces the CALM method—control, acceptance/appreciation, limiting what doesn’t work, and multiplying what does. Lolita explains how childhood experiences and learned behaviors shape adult stress responses. She describes the importance of emotional regulation and recogn...

Why do so many new podcasters fail to grow their audiences and give up so soon?

Freddy Cruz argues it's because their shows are unfocused, dragging on without delivering value quickly. With listeners bombarded by countless distractions, no one has time to wait five minutes for the point. His solution: get clear, strategic, and to the value proposition within sixty seconds.

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What happens when one bold move puts an unknown name next to legends? Tommy Hilfiger was just another guy until a single Times Square billboard changed everything.

• We’ll look at why perception drives success before proof does.
• We’ll find out how podcasting today lets you bypass the gatekeepers.
• And we’ll see what it takes to stick with your message until the world catches on.

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Think about the last time you tried to get on a podcast. Maybe it was a cold email, or you spent hours crafting a pitch and still ended up with silence. Today, we'll break down what makes a podcast guest pitch stand out and the mistakes that send it straight to the rejection pile.

You’ll hear:

• What happens when a pitch misses simple details about a show

• Why building relationships matters more than a templated email

• ...

What happens when two podcast creators meet years ago, each taking a different path in Houston’s podcast scene? Raul Moreno, once in radio, set out to build a community for independent stories. Freddy Cruz began with military apparel, then turned his journey of recovery into a podcast that grew into something more. 

Together, they talk about:

• How trial and error shapes every episode and business move
• Supporting each...

Are you overwhelmed trying to promote your podcast on every social media platform?

So many of us wonder if we need to post several times a day, everywhere, just to get noticed. Today, you’ll hear why you can grow your show smarter by:

• Focusing on just two platforms instead of all of them

• Analyzing where your audience spends time

• Doubling down on what’s working for your podcast

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What makes retention rate a crucial metric in podcasting success?

Freddy Cruz explains that while reaching the first 1000 downloads is an exciting milestone, it's the retention rate that truly matters. Retention shows how engaging and valuable your content is to listeners. This insight helps podcasters refine their shows and attract potential sponsors.

Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your p...

Speke Fest 2025, October 10 and 11 at the National Museum of Funeral History, promises an energizing mix of marketing, networking, and personal development. 

With keynotes from industry leaders and workshops aimed at empowerment, attendees will leave inspired to elevate their shows—or even launch something new.

Early bird tickets are available all June, making it the perfect time to join the revolution.

Why should podcas...

What do you do when a podcast guest goes off script, delivers content that clashes with your values, or shows up unprepared?

• Learn why being the gatekeeper of your podcast matters for your brand and reputation.

• Hear when and why you might have to shelf an episode—even if the guest spent time recording.

• Get tips on setting expectations and protecting your show before major problems hit record.

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What does it take to go from nervous interviewer to skilled podcast host with more than 250 episodes? 

D.C. Gomez shares what’s changed since her first podcast, how she connects with guests—even those who are shy—and why a little structure goes a long way. We also get into managing a busy creative life, and how giving away a million books became her mission.

You’ll also learn:

• The real process behi...

What does it mean to create a successful podcast?

It's not just about the numbers. It's the quality of the listener's experience. Today, we dive into what makes a show truly engaging.

• Discover why retention is as important as downloads.

• Learn how shorter episodes might be the key to higher engagement.

• Hear real examples from my journey in podcasting.

Stick around as we break down the analytics and discuss the art o...

This episode is a client spotlight of The Lighthouse of Houston's podcast Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential.

Host Jennifer Parrish went from checking charts and stressing about rankings to connecting with people in ways she never expected. In this conversation, she shares what she’s learned about vibe checking, preparing her notes in braille, and what it takes to adapt when things get heavy.

We talk about overcoming publ...

What can Apple's marketing philosophy teach podcasters?

Empathy, focus, and impute.

It transformed Apple; it can transform your podcast. Get into the listener's head. Stick with one brilliant idea. Polish your show's sound and look. Join us as we dive into how these principles can grow your audience. 

Subscribe to Your Mic on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.c...

What can a 41-year old movie teach you about communication in the 21st century?

A lot, actually. 

You know, there are lessons buried deep inside classic films like The Karate Kid that go unnoticed by many. Mastering a craft is rarely glamorous, and sometimes it involves tasks that seem mundane. Finding a mentor is crucial, someone who guides without fanfare. And yes, setbacks are part of the process, but they prepare us for su...