Welcome to the Pivot Ball Change podcast.
I’m your host, Krystle Frey. Pivot Ball Change is a podcast editing and production business built from what started as a simple side hustle and turned into my full-time career. On this show, I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes ins and outs of podcasting, entrepreneurship, creativity, and what it actually looks like to build a business while raising a family.
I’m a mom of two young boys, a former professional ballerina, and I spent over a decade working as a dental professional before completely pivoting my career. Along the way, I taught myself how to podcast, how to build systems, how to grow a business, and how to trust myself when the path wasn’t always clear.
This podcast is part education, part encouragement, and part real-life check-in.
You’ll hear lessons I’m learning in real time, honest conversations about growth and burnout, and practical takeaways you can apply to your own business or creative life.
I’m deeply passionate about supporting women and cheering you on as you make your own pivots — big or small. So whether you’re here for podcasting tips, business insight, or just to feel a little less alone, you’re in the right place.
78. How to Launch a Podcast Step 3: Cover Art Guidelines and Royalty-Free Music
Part three of a nine-part series on launching a podcast, this episode breaks down everything you need to know about podcast cover art and music. Krystle walks through the technical guidelines that platforms require for cover art approval, plus her own take on what makes cover art work (and what to avoid). She also covers why consistency across episodes matters for brand recognition, and recommends Audio Jungle as a go-to source for royalty-free music that sets the right tone for your show.
77. How to Launch a Podcast Step 2: Equipment, Tools, and Platforms for Beginners
Launching a podcast doesn't require a fancy studio or expensive equipment, and Krystle Frey proves it in this second installment of the nine part podcast launch series. Recording from her home in rural Wisconsin as a mom of two, Krystle walks through exactly what you need to get started: lighting, video recording, hosting, scheduling, branding, and website tools, most of which you probably already own. She breaks down her go to platforms for editing and hosting, the design tool she uses for brand images, the website builder that made building her own site simple, and the organization and communication tools that keep her show (and her client work) running smoothly. If you're overwhelmed by the idea of gear and tech, this episode will put your mind at ease.
76. How to Launch a Podcast Step 1: Title, Concept, and Content Pillars
I am kicking off a brand new nine-week series designed to walk you through launching your very own podcast, step by step. If you've been sitting on a podcast idea but have no idea where to begin, or you're feeling completely overwhelmed, this series was made for you. Each week, you'll walk away with actionable, bite-sized homework so that by the end of all nine episodes, you'll have a fully launched show. This first episode dives into how to choose a compelling title, develop your overall concept, and land on three to four content pillars that will anchor your show. I share thought-provoking questions, helpful insights, and a few go-to resources to get your creative wheels turning right away.
75. Virtual Pelvic Floor Therapy, Podcast Swaps, and Women's Wellness with Dr. Jessica London
Dr. Jessica London, a pelvic floor physical therapist, is breaking the mold by offering all of her services remotely, and she's here to explain exactly how that works. Many women assume pelvic floor therapy requires hands-on, in-person treatment to be effective, but Dr. Jessica is proving otherwise. She also expands the conversation beyond the most commonly known symptoms, sharing lesser-known signs that your pelvic floor may need attention. Beyond her therapy practice, Dr. Jessica hosts her own podcast, What About Mom?, and offers a refreshingly simple strategy for coming up with episode topics that any podcaster can use. She's also a big advocate for podcast and YouTube swaps, and shares the real benefits she's seen from being a guest on other shows and welcoming those hosts onto hers. Whether you've been dealing with pelvic floor issues for years or have never given it much thought, this episode just might be the nudge you need to explore a new path forward.
74. How Podcasters Are Actually Making Money in 2026
The podcasting world is undergoing a major shift, and if you're still measuring success by download numbers alone, it's time to rethink your strategy. I break down how monetization in the industry has changed, sharing real examples from shows we work with directly, including how some previously sponsor-heavy podcasts have completely pivoted their revenue approach. I also make the case for treating your podcast as a content engine rather than a destination, using Amy Poehler's podcast as a prime example of how repurposed clips can generate 6x the views of the original episode. Plus, learn how something as simple as adding a subtitle to your show can help you niche down, attract the right audience, and grow faster.
Key Topics Covered:
How podcasters are moving away from big sponsorships and finding new ways to monetize their shows.
Why the mindset shift from "driving listeners back to your podcast" to "using your podcast to fuel all other content" is essential right now.
How Amy Poehler's podcast reels generate 6x more views than the podcast itself and what that means for your strategy.
Monetization ideas you can start implementing regardless of your download numbers.
Why niching down attracts the right audience, and how adding a subtitle helped one client do exactly that.
73. I Danced on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months. Here's What Really Happened.
Long before Pivot Ball Change became what it is today, there was a little girl with a big dream of becoming a professional dancer, and she actually made it happen. This episode peels back the curtain on that journey, from landing a contract with Celebrity Cruise Lines to living aboard a ship for six months surrounded by wild rules, unforgettable stories, and some surprisingly audacious Greek officers. The name "Pivot Ball Change" has roots deep in the dance world, and hearing that backstory adds a whole new layer to everything this brand stands for. The episode also gets real about the darker side of a dance career, including the intense pressure to maintain a certain body size, the unhealthy tactics that came with it, and one cruise ship policy around dancers' weight that would absolutely not be acceptable today. Equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and vulnerable, this one is packed with stories you genuinely will not see coming.
Key Topics Covered:
The origin of the name "Pivot Ball Change" and its connection to the dance world.
My journey as a professional dancer and what it took to make that dream a reality.
How I landed a contract with Celebrity Cruise Lines.
What daily life actually looks like living on a ship for six months.
The strict dress code and food rules dancers were required to follow onboard.
The cruise ship's weight policy for dancers and why it wouldn't fly today.
Body image pressures and unhealthy habits in the dance industry.
The bold (and unwanted) invitation from a Greek officer to his private cabin.
72. Spilling the Hot Tea Behind PBC
Pull up a chair because this solo episode is serving all the behind-the-scenes tea on what's really happening at Pivot Ball Change. From clients we've said goodbye to (and the lessons learned along the way) to exciting new additions to the roster, this quarterly business report breaks down the current state of PBC with total transparency. You'll also get a peek into how the work schedule is shifting for summer, what's being delegated, and how the 4 F's are shaping life and business right now.
Key Topics Covered:
Why one client turned into a two-episode "one and done" and how to spot short-term vs. long-term client relationships early on
How the client selection process has evolved and why there's more room to be selective now than in the early days of the business
The story behind losing a long-standing launch client and the direction their show decided to go
A roundup of all the new podcast clients, what their shows are about, and what the editing and production process looks like for each
How one client funds their podcast editing through grant money
The simplest (and most affordable) production package offered, coming in at just $20 per episode
What makes a dream client and which type is the absolute favorite to work with
Summer schedule shifts, childcare realities, and how work hours and tasks are being restructured
The 4 F's: Fiction, Fun, Fashion, and Fitness, and how they're all connecting this season
71. Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families: Free, Fun and Outside the Box
Summer is officially here and this episode is packed with creative, outside-the-box bucket list ideas straight from the Pivot Ball Change Instagram community. From fun family food experiences like table nachos and table spaghetti (plus a game-changing tip for getting picky eaters to try new foods), to local hidden gems, kid-friendly restaurants with great outdoor spaces, and even a nod to all things Green Bay Packers, there is something for every family. The episode also gets personal, touching on what summer looks like behind the scenes as a work-from-home mom of two, the role of part-time daycare, and the return of the beloved "Four F's" segment, covering fashion, food, fiction, and a minimalist wardrobe account worth following.
Key Topics Covered:
Celebrating 1,000 downloads and why ratings and reviews matter for podcasts.
Summer bucket list ideas submitted by the Instagram community.
Family-friendly activities including table nachos and table spaghetti.
A tip for getting kids to try new foods.
Local activity recommendations with alternatives for listeners outside the area.
Kid-friendly restaurant suggestions with outdoor spaces.
A Green Bay Packers summer bucket list item for the football-loving families.
What summer looks like as a work-from-home mom with two young kids.
How and why part-time daycare still plays a role during summer months.
The return of the "Four F's" segment:
Fashion: A minimalist wardrobe Instagram account focused on 20 outfits.
Food: A comforting, old-school casserole recipe.
Fiction: Summer book picks, binge-worthy TV series, and kids' book series recommendations
Key Topics Covered
Rebranding a podcast: the emotional and strategic side of changing your show's name and direction.
Elena's ADHD diagnosis and how it has influenced her workflow, creativity, and approach to organization.
Practical organization tips that actually work for moms with busy, unpredictable schedules.
Nervous system regulation and why it matters for mental health and daily functioning.
Self-compassion as a tool for surviving and thriving in motherhood.
Balancing content creation with family life without burning out.
Building a podcast brand that authentically reflects who you are and who you serve.
70. ADHD, Motherhood, and Finding Your Podcast's True Purpose
Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Elena Willits. She opens up about her decision to rebrand her podcast from Kind Organizing to Encourage Moments and what that pivot really meant for her identity as a creator. She shares her ADHD diagnosis and how it has shaped the way she works, organizes her life, and shows up for her audience. Whether you're a mom trying to keep it all together, a podcaster thinking about a rebrand, or someone navigating mental health while building something meaningful, Elena's honest and practical perspective will leave you feeling seen and inspired.
Key Topics Covered
Rebranding a podcast: the emotional and strategic side of changing your show's name and direction.
Elena's ADHD diagnosis and how it has influenced her workflow, creativity, and approach to organization.
Practical organization tips that actually work for moms with busy, unpredictable schedules.
Nervous system regulation and why it matters for mental health and daily functioning.
Self-compassion as a tool for surviving and thriving in motherhood.
Balancing content creation with family life without burning out.
Building a podcast brand that authentically reflects who you are and who you serve.