In this episode of Press Play, I’m getting really honest with you about something that a lot of people don’t want to hear when it comes to launching a podcast: how many episodes you actually need if you want your launch to work.

Here’s the truth—your podcast launch is a numbers game. And if I were launching a brand new podcast today, knowing what I know now, I would do it very intentionally. I’d launch with at least 10 episodes already recorded and ready to go, and I’d plan to release two episodes per week for the first eight weeks. That eight-week window matters more than most people realize because that’s when podcast platforms consider your show “new” and are deciding whether or not to push it to more listeners.

I walk you through why more episodes at launch increase your chances of ranking, getting suggested by podcast apps, and building real momentum early on. We also talk about how downloads actually work—especially auto-downloads—and why having more episodes when someone follows your show can instantly multiply your download numbers without you doing any extra work.

This isn’t about vanity metrics for the sake of ego. It’s about understanding how podcast platforms work and using that knowledge strategically. One person finding your show when there are 10 episodes available can instantly become 10 downloads instead of one. That kind of activity signals to podcast apps that your show is worth promoting.

I also explain why front-loading the effort matters. When you start with strong momentum, you’re not just launching an episode—you’re building a follower base that your future episodes get pushed to automatically. That’s how podcasts grow faster, with less effort over time.

If visibility, growth, and long-term success matter to you, this episode will help you rethink how you approach your podcast launch—and why doing a little more work upfront can completely change your results.

If you have questions or want to talk through your launch strategy, come find me on Instagram at @AngieMSpearman.