🎙️Would You Take a $100 Million Deal?

👋Hey there Podcaster!

Let me ask you the same question I asked the Podcasting Morning Show team last week:

If someone offered you $100 million for your podcast, but the deal meant removing your full video episodes from YouTube AND lose some control of your show, would you take it?

💰Would You Take a $100 Million Deal?

I would seriously consider it.

That question came up after Jay Shetty reportedly signed a $100 million agreement involving Netflix and Spotify. As part of the deal, new full-length episodes of On Purpose will no longer appear on YouTube.

Some members of our team wondered whether leaving one of podcasting’s biggest discovery platforms could hurt the show. That’s a fair concern.

But Jay Shetty has already spent years building his show, his audience, and his influence. Maybe his next chapter isn’t about reaching the largest possible audience. Maybe it’s about what that money allows him to build next.

Most of us won’t have a $100 million offer sitting in our inbox tomorrow. But we’re still making smaller versions of that decision.

Is this opportunity moving me toward the show and business I want?

What am I willing to give up in exchange for it?

And what does success look like for me now?

Would you take the deal? Hit reply and tell me.

Listen to Jay Shetty’s $100M Deal: What Can Podcasters Learn?

Empowered Podcasting 3

Every Wednesday at 1:00 PM EDT, we sit down with podcast creators and industry professionals for Empowered Podcasting Live.

We talk about what’s happening in podcasting, share ideas you can apply to your own show, and answer questions from the live audience

Visit the Empowered Podcasting website for this week’s guest and viewing information.

💰Your First Sponsor May Require 100 Pitches

When sponsorship strategist Losh Moodley joined us Tuesday, one number caught my attention.

She said podcasters may need to approach 50 to 100 potential sponsors to land one deal.

My first reaction was, “That feels like a lot.”

Many podcasters contact five or ten companies, hear nothing, and assume their show is too small to attract sponsors. Losh’s advice was to cast a much wider net.

She also reminded us that a strong sponsorship begins with understanding your audience. What do they already buy? Which businesses want to reach people like them? What could a sponsor offer that would genuinely help them?

Don’t limit your search to the large brands you hear on major podcasts. Look at local businesses, companies already serving your niche, and businesses that share your audience.

Then start conversations.

If it takes 50 to 100 thoughtful approaches to find the right partner, those first ten responses are simply the beginning.

Listen to A Practical Guide to Podcast Sponsorships

🤝Media Partner Spotlight: Podpage

I’m excited to have Podpage as a media partner for Empowered Podcasting 3.

Podpage makes it easy for podcasters to create a professional website for their show without needing to design or build one from scratch. It’s a platform I regularly recommend to podcasters who want a stronger home for their episodes, email list, reviews, and audience growth. Plus, I’m a very satisfied Podpage user myself!

I’m grateful to have their support as we continue building EPC3!

Check them out here: https://www.podpage.com/?via=ironickmedia

Please note: this is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you sign up through it.

🎙️ Your Podcast Practices Deserve a Check-In

On Thursday, we played “Keep It, Dump It, or Change It.”

I put several familiar podcasting practices in front of the team, and everyone had to vote before explaining their answer. No hiding behind “it depends.”

A few of my biggest takeaways:

Keep the intro, but earn attention first

I still believe an intro helps set the table, especially for someone discovering your show for the first time. If it takes several minutes before your episode delivers anything meaningful, your intro probably needs an update.

Introduce your guest, then start talking

I can’t stand hearing a host read a guest’s entire formal bio. I’ll usually tune out or skip ahead.

Tell your audience who the guest is and why you invited them. Do it in a few natural sentences, then let the conversation demonstrate their value.

Make your calls to action useful

A call to action works best when it connects naturally to the conversation and helps the listener take a meaningful next step.

The bigger lesson is that intentional choices can slowly become habits we stop questioning.

Choose one part of your podcast that you’ve been doing the same way for at least a year and ask:

If I were starting this podcast today, would I still do it this way?

Keep what’s working. Change what still has potential. Dump what’s draining your time without giving you or your audience a meaningful return.

Listen to Which Podcasting Best Practices Still Work?

🎙️ Join Us at Empowered Podcasting 3

Indie podcasting can get lonely.

You’re trying to improve your content, grow an audience, understand video, explore monetization, keep up with AI, and remain consistent. You’re often figuring out all of it by yourself.

That’s why we created the Empowered Podcasting Conference.

It’s a weekend where indie and DIY podcasters can learn from one another, talk honestly about what’s working, and build relationships with people who understand the work.

Empowered Podcasting 3
August 21-23, 2026
Charlotte, North Carolina

Use discount code EPCMARC20 to save 20% on your ticket.

Learn more and get your EPC3 ticket.

🎙️ Podcasting Morning Show Highlights 🌅

Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights. The Podcasting Morning Show is a daily show that's by creators, for creators. Hosted by yours truly and a dynamic team of experienced creators, entrepreneurs, and producers, each episode peels back the curtain on the art and science of podcasting. Recorded live every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8 AM EST on Clubhouse, YouTube, LinkedIn (and more) and available via podcast a couple of hours later, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. The PMS is your source for inspiration, empowerment, and actionable insights. Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.

In case you missed last week's conversations:

• Tuesday: A Practical Guide to Podcast Sponsorships

• Wednesday: Jay Shetty’s $100M Deal: What Can Podcasters Learn?

• Thursday: Which Podcasting Best Practices Still Work?

The Podcasting Morning Show is recorded live every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:00 AM EDT during our summer schedule.

You can watch, listen, join the live conversation, and find the podcast at:

PodcastingMorningShow.com/joinus

I’m grateful to be connected with you and to be part of your podcast journey.

Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you.

All my best,

👋Marc Ronick

This content was composed with assistance from OpenAI.

Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you.