89. Bestselling Author Jo Piazza on the Evolution of Podcasting, Writing Historical Fiction and AI
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.
Key Topics Covered:
Jo’s journey from award-winning journalist to bestselling author and podcaster
The inspiration behind The Parisian Heist and her recent book tour in Paris
Why research is Jo’s favorite part of writing novels and how journalism influences her fiction
A sneak peek at Jo’s next novel and the meaningful connection she has to the Natural Science Museum
Jo’s podcasting journey, from Committed to Under the Influence
The “glory days” of podcasting and what it was like working with iHeartMedia
How Jo monetizes her podcast with the help of a sales team
Why you should delegate the parts of your podcast that don’t bring you joy
How Under the Influence has evolved from influencer culture commentary into a broader conversation about women and life online
Jo’s thoughts on the trad wife era, women’s presence online, and the future of influencer culture
The potential impact of AI influencers on podcasting, publishing, and human connection
