Do you still need all the “must-do” podcasting advice that gets recycled every year, or has some of it quietly expired?

In this episode, we revisit a long list of podcasting essentials and ask one question of each: Does this still matter in 2026? We look at what still earns its place, what has changed, and what you can stop worrying about entirely.

The focus is on practical decisions, not trends. When consistency helps and when it gets in the way, why some advice was never essential to begin with, and how much effort makes sense depending on whether your show is a hobby, a growth project, or a business.

The thread throughout is simple. Understand why you are doing something, not just whether you have been told you should.

Do you still need...

• A podcast website?
• A podcast trailer?
• Apple Podcasts reviews?
• A microphone?
• A consistent format or length?
• To launch with three episodes?
• An email list?
• To add metadata to your files?
• Interview guests?
• An RSS feed?
• To listen back to your episodes?

Also mentioned

• Get in touch
• Podpage
• Podcast trailer guide
• Using Rephonic to find collaborators
• The Samson Q2U mic

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Can you legally use music, TV clips, or radio audio in your podcast, or is it a fast track to takedowns and trouble?

In this episode, we unpack how copyright actually works for podcasters. What fair use really means, why it is a legal defence rather than permission, and where creators most often get caught out. We look at the practical risks, including automated copyright detection, platform removals, and takedown requests from rights holders.

A quick note before you listen: we are not lawyers. This episode is based on our experience and understanding of how copyright is applied in practice, not legal advice. If you plan to rely on a fair use defence, you should understand the risks involved and make that call deliberately.

Our conversation also widens into modern podcasting workflows. We discuss why video podcasts still need to work as audio-first shows, how many “video listeners” are actually listening in the background, and how relying on visuals can quietly break the experience for most of your audience.

Mentioned

• Where to Get Podcast Music
• The Maono PD200W Hybrid Mic (affiliate link)
• The One Essential Rule Video Podcasters Can't Ignore
• Guardian piece on some video podcasts making for bad audio experiences

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Almost all the benefits of podcasting stem from one thing – and that’s consistency. If you publish quality content over a prolonged period of time, you eventually hit a critical mass of episodes you can now call your “back catalogue” – and it’s a powerful tool.

On this episode of Podcraft, we’re going to look at the benefits of this published body of work, which includes the ability for new listeners to binge your content, as well as providing you with a tonne of repurposing options, too.

Following up on our previous episode, From Doubt to Determination, we’ll also continue to explore the barriers and challenges our Indiepod Legends have faced, as well as how they’ve overcome them. It’s another value-packed programme filled with lessons, takeaways, and motivating anecdotes!

The Podcasts

• Bring Your Product Idea to Life
• The Joy of Cruising
• Wild for Scotland
• Travel N Sh!t
• Board Game Design Lab
• She Well Read
• Fighting Through
• Lush Life
• The One Percent Better Runner
• The Savvy Social Podcast
• The Euro Trip
• I Should Be Writing

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

We test your podcasting knowledge in a series of quizzes and challenges. Along the way, we tackle industry stats, listener behaviour, gear trends, and a mix of real and not-so-real podcasts, while reflecting on the numbers and themes that shaped podcasting over the past year.

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Imagine a podcaster who has been publishing for a couple of years. Every time they check their stats, the number is the same.

They assume they have hit a plateau.

So they spend more on marketing. They push harder on promotion. Nothing changes. The number stays flat.

What that number does not show is what is happening underneath. New listeners are finding the show. At the same time, existing listeners are drifting away. Growth and churn are cancelling each other out.

The show is moving. The metric makes it look stuck.

In this episode, we're joined by Dan Misener from Bumper to unpack why download numbers can be misleading, and what better signals actually tell you how your podcast is performing. We also tackle churn head-on. If new listeners are finding your show but not sticking around, we look at what might be driving that drop off and what you can do to change it.

• The Bumper Dashboard
• Colin's tour of the Bumper Dashboard & Podcraft's analytics
• How to Calculate Your Podcast Listen Time
• The 2026 Podcast Launch Challenge

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Fiction podcasts often hold listeners for longer than non-fiction shows. But what can non-fiction creators learn from this?

We break down the simple storytelling tools that keep audiences hooked, including open loops, stronger intros, clearer arcs, and themed seasons. We also highlight some easy wins that improve retention, such as smoother transitions, cleaner audio, and titles that set clearer expectations.

We then dive into a detailed review of a history and policy podcast and explore the lessons it offers for growth. Naming clarity, smarter show notes, and better use of a back catalogue all come up as high-impact opportunities. We also look at ways to reach more listeners through collaborations, community spaces, news-reactive episodes, and in-app promotion. The thread throughout is simple. Strengthen retention first, then build reach with structure, consistency, and relevance.

Mentioned

• Putting the Past to Work: The History-Policy Podcast at UCLA
• How to Record the Perfect Podcast Intro
• Apply to be Featured on Apple Podcasts
• The SCALE Podcast Growth Framework
• The Bumper Dashboard: The Future of Podcast Analytics

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

What if monetising a podcast was simpler than the usual laundry list of tactics suggests? A new model called the Three As breaks earning potential into three clear paths:

• Audience, which includes supporter perks and light ads
• Authority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist services
• Assets, which includes books, products, and affiliate income

The aim is to choose the route that fits your show’s size and purpose rather than copy the strategies used by giants.

Elsewhere, recent Independent Podcaster survey results show creators splitting into two broad groups. Audio-first shows follow flexible production routines, while video-led podcasts often feel the pressure of weekly uploads from platforms like YouTube. These differences show up in formats, production time, and a growing worry that video’s rise could narrow the types of stories podcasters feel able to make.

There is also a look at the event season ahead and how to get more from it. The focus is on going in with clear intentions, using the space to meet potential guests, and treating each venue as a chance to make connections rather than sit through panels all day.

The episode ends with practical studio advice. Creating depth behind you, shaping your light, and mixing fixed and angled shots can all lift your visuals without expensive gear. A bit of planning and a thoughtful layout often matter more than the camera you use.

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host