Gail Fraser is a DIY podcaster who has built her show on her own, and she’s sharing what she’s learned along the way! We talk about everything from whether you need a separate Instagram account for your podcast to getting honest about download numbers and finding creative ways to approach your intro and outro music. Gail is passionate about keeping the human side of business alive in an increasingly AI-driven world, and she explains why podcasting is such a powerful way to build genuine connections. We also chat about how she uses AI in her own podcasting process and her advice for anyone who feels a little cringey showing up on social media to market their business.

Ashley DiBiase has built something many podcasters struggle to achieve: a show that has lasted for more than 200 episodes. As the host of Right Here in Mass and owner of the marketing agency Dash of Social, Ashley shares the systems and strategies that have helped her sustain her podcast, from batch recording and building a bank of episodes to her start-to-finish production process. We talk about how she lands guests, why she invites potential guests to pitch themselves through her website, and the intentional thought she puts into featuring businesses and voices from across Massachusetts. Ashley also shares why video and YouTube are becoming increasingly important for podcasters, the editing tools she recommends, and the numbers she actually looks at when measuring the success of her show. We wrap up with a more personal conversation about homemade granola, running, books and a TV recommendation you’ll want to add to your list.

Jo Piazza is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and longtime podcaster who has spent years telling stories across books, podcasts, and journalism. We talk about her newest novel, The Parisian Heist, her recent book tour in Paris, and why connecting with readers is one of her favorite parts of being an author. Jo shares how her journalism background shapes the way she writes fiction, including her love of research and her commitment to grounding her stories in historical fact. We also get a sneak peek at the novel she is currently working on, inspired by the Natural Science Museum and the memories she made there during early motherhood. As one of the OGs of podcasting, Jo also takes us behind the scenes of her podcasting career, from launching Committed in 2015 to working with iHeartMedia, navigating the changing podcast industry, monetizing Under the Influence, and deciding what parts of podcasting to delegate. We wrap up with a conversation about the evolution of Under the Influence, the changing role of women online, the end of the trad wife era, celebrity podcasts, and Jo’s concerns about AI influencers and what AI could mean for both podcasting and publishing.

Jillian Murphy, host of the Jillian Murphy Podcast and self-proclaimed “queen of sales,” joins me for a candid conversation about using your podcast as a tool to grow your business. Jillian shares why she intentionally keeps her episodes under 25 minutes, how her podcast generates revenue even without sponsors, and why she believes your show should evolve as your business evolves. We also dive into the personal side of podcasting, creating boundaries around your time, and what makes a guest worth inviting onto your show. I even get vulnerable about sales opportunities I’ve left on the table in my own business, and Jillian coaches me through what I can do differently moving forward.

Pivot Ball Change is growing, and that means we’re looking to expand our team! I’m sharing all the details about the new position, including what we’re looking for, what the role will involve, expected hours, and how to apply. Hint: if you consider yourself a social media expert, you’ll definitely want to tune in. I’m also sharing two quick and easy dinner recipes, a local outdoor theater that has me excited to go back for a second time, a nostalgic TV show I’ve been watching in the background, and all of my thoughts on the latest season of Dancing With the Stars, including who I was glad to see go home, who I think could be a frontrunner, and the contestant I think might be a dark horse.

You can be a deeply devoted mom and still love your work, have big ambitions, and want a life outside of motherhood. Dr. Anne Welsh, clinical psychologist, certified executive coach, and author of Ambitious Mother, joins me to unpack why so many high-achieving moms feel like they’re failing, even when they’re doing objectively well. We talk about the ambition paradox, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and pretending, along with the guilt that can come with putting your child in childcare, prioritizing your career, or simply putting yourself first. Dr. Anne also shares how our own ambition can spill over into the expectations we have for our children, from youth sports to college, and why it’s worth asking whether those expectations are really theirs or ours. Plus, we talk about using podcast guesting as a powerful way to grow your reach, promote a book or business, and connect with new audiences without relying entirely on social media.

Summer is officially over, the kids are back in childcare and school, and I’m ready for a little reset. I’m recapping what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ll be doing differently next summer, from childcare and screen time to behavior strategies, summer lunches, and finding a better rhythm for working from home. I’m also sharing a behind-the-scenes look at Pivot Ball Change, including how my team has helped me manage the workload, where most of my business actually comes from, how my nine-week podcast launch series performed, and a brand-new client who has landed some incredible guests. And of course, I’m bringing back the 4 F’s with dinner inspiration, a 20-year-old appetizer recipe, fall fashion favorites, a trip that finally made it out of the group chat, a wedding-crashing story, and my latest and current reads.

Launching a podcast is exciting, but what happens after the launch is what really determines whether your show has staying power. In this episode, I share practical strategies for staying consistent, growing your audience, and making podcasting more sustainable long after your first few episodes go live. From batching episodes and setting clear goals to using analytics, repurposing content, delegating tasks, and appearing as a guest on other podcasts, these strategies can help you take the pressure off while continuing to build momentum. I also talk about the emotional ups and downs that come with podcasting and why learning to ride the waves is just as important as having a solid strategy.

We’re almost there! If you’ve been following along for the last few weeks, you know I’ve been walking you through my step-by-step process of how to launch a podcast. This week’s episode is episode eight of nine and we are breaking down what it actually takes to launch and grow a podcast that people stick with. From nailing your planning and timing to building buzz through social media, collaborations, and giveaways, I share practical, tested strategies for getting your show in front of the right ears and keeping listeners coming back for more.

Editing a podcast can take much longer than simply recording an episode, especially when you’re working with both audio and video. I’m breaking down how I use Riverside to edit podcast episodes efficiently, from cleaning up the conversation and adding intros, outros, music, and transitions to creating clips and audiograms for social media. I’ll also walk through which Riverside AI tools I use, where I still prefer manual editing, and how I export high-quality audio and video for different platforms. Whether you’re editing your own podcast or trying to understand what goes into professional podcast production, these tips can help you create better content while making your editing workflow more efficient.

Launching your podcast successfully starts before you ever hit publish. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to plan your first three episodes, why releasing multiple episodes on launch day can help your podcast gain momentum, and how to create a strong foundation for your show. You’ll learn how to batch record, prepare for guest interviews, determine the right episode length, and why having future episodes ready before launch will help you stay consistent as a podcast host.

Every episode is someone's first episode, and that changes everything about how you should structure your show. I break down the essentials of episode architecture: what a master intro is and why you need one, why pre-recording multiple outros will save you in a pinch, and how to build an audiogram that hooks listeners in the first 30 seconds. I walk through the ideal flow for your episodes, why asking for ratings and reviews in your outro matters more than you think (plus a real client example that worked), and why you don't need sponsors on day one to have something valuable to offer your audience. I also cover the difference between pre-roll and mid-roll ads, a smarter way to pitch sponsors, and why recording your intros and offers on video gives you reusable content for your PR package down the road.

Launching a podcast starts long before episode one, and this conversation breaks down the one step so many new podcasters skip: the trailer. You'll learn what a podcast trailer actually is, why it matters for building an audience before you're even live, and how it protects you from the frustrating reality that hosting platforms don't let you control exactly when your first upload goes public. From there, the discussion covers how long a trailer should run, whether to add music, and what content needs to be included so listeners know exactly what to expect from your show. You'll also get a real world example of how inconsistent release schedules can hurt a podcast's growth, plus a walkthrough of the technical checklist your hosting platform will require before submission. Categories, rankings, and what they mean for discoverability round out the episode, along with practical next steps for what to do once your trailer is finally live.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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