51. How I Actually Make Money Podcasting (Exact Numbers + Strategy)
If you’ve ever listened to a podcast intro and immediately thought, “Yep… that was written by ChatGPT,” you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing a specific phrase I’ve personally used that’s a dead giveaway and what to do instead if you’re using AI to support your podcast workflow.
After asking you on Instagram what you wanted to hear more of, the response was loud and clear: the finances behind Pivot Ball Change. So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing real numbers, real timelines, and the real story behind how this business makes money.
I walk you through how I structure my podcast episodes, the exact format I use to script my solo shows, and the tools I rely on to capture ideas so nothing gets lost. I also take you back to the very beginning of Pivot Ball Change—what the business looked like when I first started, how I made my first dollars as a podcaster, and the exact amounts I earned early on.
You’ll hear how long it actually took me to reach full-time entrepreneurship (hint: much longer than the internet would have you believe), when and why I started offering podcast editing services, what I charged in the beginning versus what I charge now, and how my income compared to my dental career when I made the leap.
I also break down my current pricing, why I charge a podcast launch fee, and how valuing my time has directly impacted my profitability. I share the systems I use to track profit and loss, invoice clients, accept payments, and manage payroll—along with why payroll is my biggest expense and why this business still has incredibly low overhead.
Finally, I give updates on monetizing my own podcast, including how I’m pitching sponsors, what numbers I recommend sharing, a giveaway strategy I’m testing, and which analytics actually matter. I also explain why I’m now running ads for my own services inside my podcast—and how I’m tracking whether it leads to more one-on-one podcast consultations.
If you’ve ever wondered what podcasting looks like behind the scenes as a real business, this episode is for you.
