The Christian Podcaster

Tracy Winchell of The Reboots Podcast

Tracy Winchell is the podcaster behind the Reboots Podcast, an avid journaler, and former television reporter. Today, Tracy shares how she created the podcast she needed, how she overcame technological nerves, and why she wanted people to know that change is possible. Tracy's journey reminds us that podcasting is as much about personal development as it is audience development. Listen to Tracy's story now! Stories Tracy shared: How conversations surprised her after she started podcasting What has changed since her television reporter days Why baseball is awesome and a community activity Why she started Reboots Podcast Getting nervous to produce a podcast even though she was broadcast professional Why she wanted to tell people that change is possible How community has helped her What she's learned from interviewing people  Why she is into ROAM Great quotes from Tracy: It's terrifying to key a microphone. Change is possible. Hope exists. Without community, I don't make it this far. The same is true for doing anything difficult and podcasting ain't no easy thing. Resources we mentioned: Tracy's website Tracy's favorite episodes:When Grief is Your Story Ada Floyd An Addict Comes Clean with Mason Floyd Roaman Journals Related episodes: Tim Winders of SeekGoCreate Michelle Rayburn of Life, Repurposed Michael Woodward of JumbleThink

Tim Winders of SeekGoCreate

Tim Winders is the host of SeekGoCreate where he seeks to redefine success. Today, Tim shares how he started with the "minimum viable podcast," why you should worry more about content than technology, and the surprising authority you can build as a podcaster. Tim's story reminds us that getting started with a commitment to iteration is a powerful thing. Listen to Tim's story now! Stories Tim shared: Living in his RV with his wife while they travel Being a reluctant podcaster Recording his early episodes in the RV Starting his show after resisting for some time Creating a minimum viable podcast Why you should worry more about your content than your technology The people he is trying to reach Getting clear on who you serve Tim's favorite episodes of his show The authority you can build as a podcaster Great quotes from Tim: We are creating content and we are hopeful that it encourages people. Content is the business we are in. Part of what we've had to purge the last seven years is how do we really define success? The thing that shocks me is how many doors podcasting opens up. Resources we mentioned: Tim's website  Tim's favorite episodes: How We Recovered from Economic Collapse and Bankruptcy Origin story of SeekGoCreate Jim Cook, co-founder of Netflix Related episodes: Amber Cullum of Grace Enough Michael Woodward of JumbleThink Michelle Rayburn of Life, Repurposed

Michelle Rayburn and Life, Repurposed

Michelle Rayburn is the podcaster behind Life, Repurposed. Today, Michelle shares how her podcast grew from her blog, how to know your audience, and why you have to make a commitment to showing up for every episode. Michelle reminds us to be faithful to what the Lord called us to even when the numbers aren't what we'd hoped. The Lord still wants to use your content so keep going. Listen to Michelle's story now! Stories Michelle shared: How her decorating blog turned into a larger ministry Living in Wisconsin and gradually moving North Starting her podcast as a way for people to experience her content while they are doing other things Switching from video to audio only The specific way she defined her audience How she got to know her audience How she chooses guests for her show Michelle's favorite episode of her show Why you have to make a commitment to show up Looking at next steps and praying for what God wants Great quotes from Michelle: I discovered [when doing video and audio] that I had to cultivate two different audiences and that was more work than I had time to do. If you don't know your audience in some way, I don't know how you can produce content for them. If I use the numbers as an indicator of success, then I lose sight of my mission. Links we mentioned: Michelle's website Michelle's episode with Courtney Ellis

Markus Watson of Spiritual Life and Leadership

Markus is the host of Spiritual Life and Leadership. He's a pastor and wanted a way to help Christian leaders lead from a healthy inner life. Today, Markus shares how he overcame imposter syndrome, the clarity of his message and audience, and how it feels when you finally book that popular guest. Listen to Markus' story now! Stories Markus shared: The problem he saw that needed solving Why he chose the podcast name that he did Being a fan of Star Wars Starting in 2018 whether people liked it or not Why he didn't get spiritual formation until later in life Getting over the idea of being a podcaster Buying Podcasting for Dummies The clarity of his audience and mission Learning from others on his show Booking great guests and how that makes him feel Getting books from publishers How podcasting connects you to others Great quotes from Markus: I started with less than 10 listeners for months. Then it doubled. Then it doubled again. Nobody else is going to help you get started. So I'm like "Okay, Lord. If this is what you want me to do, I'm going to pick myself to do it." The goal is to help leaders lead in a help leaders lead from a healthy inner life. Resources we mentioned: Spiritual Life & Leadership Website Markus' favorite episode: Growing Hearts Not Attendance Podcasting For Dummies, 4th Edition Beyond Thingification: Helping Your Church Engage in God's Mission by Markus Watson Related episodes: Michael Woodward of JumbleThink  Meg Glesener of Letters from Home Chris Staron of Truce

Ruthie Gray of Instagram Insider Hacks

Ruthie Gray is a blogger and host of the Instagram Insider Hacks podcast where she makes Instagram "so easy your mom can do it." Today, Ruthie shares how she overcame understanding all the technology, why you need to share your life on Instagram, and the episode that proves a little work can pay off big. Ruthie says you just need to get started—both podcasting and Instagram—or you will never improve. Listen to Ruthie's story now! Stories Ruthie shared: Why she is passionate about helping moms Overcoming the obstacle of technology How her podcasts help moms pursuing a vision Why you need to share yourself on social media Making Instagram accessible to moms so they can get their message out The episode that proves how powerful Instagram is Why she doesn't take a ton of time with show notes Why you should just get started Great quotes from Ruthie: I don't need to work for five hours on show notes because no one will read them anyway. You can always delete and do it again. But eventually you have to put it out there. Resources we mentioned: Ruthie's website Ruthie's favorite episodes: Jamie Bailey Secured a Book Deal Wren Robbins, Ruthie's podcast coach Arabah Joy

Jerry Dugan of Beyond the Rut

Jerry Dugan is one half of the team behind Beyond the Rut. Today, Jerry shares how podcasting has changed in the eight years he's been doing it, how specific to get on your audience, and the value of networking. Jerry is committed to always improving and his podcast helps men do just that.  Listen to Jerry's podcast journey now! Stories Jerry shared: Meeting up at Podcast Movement and networking How guesting on other shows grows yours Living apart from his family during a pandemic How podcasting has changed since he started 8 years ago The growth of the industry in awareness Getting started with others and overcoming objections His ideal audience (listen to this specificity!) The five areas he wants to influence men to improve Choosing not to be in the Christian category How one great guest connected them to multiple others The guests that impressed him The goals he has for next year Great quotes from Jerry: Christ isn't meant to be kept inside this bottle. We are calling ourselves out because our show is called Beyond the Rut. Resources we mentioned: Jerry's website Jerry's favorite episodes: Sarah McDaniel Jody Maberry Outwitting the Devil: The Secrets to Freedom and Success (Official Publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation) by Napoleon Hill Related episodes: J. Parker of Sex Chat for Christian Wives Michael Woodward of JumbleThink Chris Staron of Truce Podcast

Jennifer Eikenhorst of Accidental Hope

Jennifer Eikenhorst is the host of Accidental Hope. She is a mom of four, wife, and a middle school math teacher. Her story changed when she caused an accident that killed someone. Today, Jennifer shares how her podcast gave her a place to share her story, help people like her, and create good out of a tragic situation. Jennifer's podcasting journey reminds us that we can do big things even when we are scared. Listen to Jennifer's story now! Stories Jennifer shared: Her crazy house including a quarantine puppy Loving dance fitness Getting on bikes with the family Starting her podcast in 2018 Tools she didn't know she had that helps with podcasting The tragic car accident that changed her life The pushback she expected when she started her podcast Wrestling with Imposter's Syndrome Reaching for guests she thought would never say yes Her favorite guests on the show Opening up on mental health in the church Starting scared and the joy as a result Starting a YouTube channel next Writing her memoir Great quotes from Jennifer: God put a bunch of tools in my tool belt before I even knew. I'm only there for one, anyway. I'm only there for God and he can work out the rest. I did it while I was scared and now it's one of the things that brings me joy. Resources we mentioned: Jennifer's website Jennifer's favorite episodes Alice Gregory Darin Strauss The Sorrow and Shame of the Accidental Killer in the New Yorker Related episodes: Amber Cullum of Grace Enough Podcast Seth Price of Can I Say This at Church Meg Glesener of Letters from Home

Seth Price of Can I Say This at Church?

Seth Price is the host of Can I Say This at Church?, a podcast about asking the hard questions. Today, Seth shares how he came up with his name, how he gets great guests, and why he has to be interested in every single episode. Seth is an accomplished podcaster who creates space for questions and pondering. It's a great use of the podcast medium and I know you will be inspired to create the space you need, too. Listen to Seth's podcasting story today! Stories Seth shared: How he came up with the name for his show How he gets great guests Guessing at email addresses for guests Getting better at conversations as a result of podcasting How to get people to talk more Learning to follow his curiosity in interviews Monetizing through Patreon How to do things he's interested in His goal for every episode How to write a book from your podcast Making change in communities with his show What's next for his show Great quotes from Seth: I don't care if people think I'm stupid. I'm good at what I'm good at and the rest of it just doesn't matter. I felt like I had to have follow up questions to questions. I'm going to do it in a different way that will make everybody angry which is the only adequate way to do that. Resources we mentioned: Seth's website Seth's favorite episodes: Adam Lewis Green Alexander Shaia The Feed Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris

Amber Cullum of Grace Enough Podcast

Amber Cullum is a mom to three and the podcaster behind Grace Enough podcast. Today, Amber shares how she made the choice to start a podcast, why her favorite episodes are vulnerable, and the joy of book that great guest. Amber's story reminds us that we all start somewhere and grow from there. Listen to Amber's story now! Stories Amber shared: Growing up in Kentucky and how she ended up in North Carolina Her passion for connecting women around faith Enjoying photography and the Bible Teaching her kids how to engage culture Making the choice to get started Why getting behind a mic was uncomfortable Starting her podcast for herself What she wanted to show about God's work in the world What her favorite episodes have in common (hint: vulnerability) Learning to not shy away from difficult questions How she sees God work through her podcasts Why nailing your mission is her best advice for new podcasters Why you should commit to your podcast for a year The joy of booking a great guest Creating a list of dream guests Great quotes from Amber: It fires me up when I can connect people. What better way to learn and connect people than through podcasting? Just because there are shows that are similar, doesn't mean people know about those shows. Resources we mentioned: Amber's website Amber's favorite episodes: Rebecca Bender: Freedom from Human Trafficking Susan Alexander Yates: Creating and Connecting Through Cousin Camp and Extended Family Gatherings Amber's Instagram Related episodes: Meg Glesener of Letters from Home Michael Woodward of JumbleThink J. Parker of Sex Chat for Christian Wives

Eric Nevins of Halfway There and The Christian Podcaster

Eric Nevins is the host of Halfway There, a podcast focused on the Christian spiritual journey. He also founded Christian Podcasters Association in 2017 to bring Christian podcasters together. Today, Eric shares about learning about supernatural experiences with God, how podcasting helped him find his mission, and why short introductions are better than long ones. Eric reminds us that this podcasting is about personal development not audience development. Listen to Eric's story now! Stories Eric shared: Living in Denver with his wife, four kids, and a wonder dog Starting Halfway There to talk about the spiritual journey Learning that stories are more comfortable than teaching Believing in the supernatural The time Eric discouraged his wife  How disciplines serve the goal of formation in Christ How Halfway There has changed Why short introductions are better than long ones Why you should just start now The value of iteration in podcasting (and life) How he discovered his style What to do when an interview is difficult Why he started Christian Podcasters Association The camaraderie of the podcasting industry Great quotes from Eric: The practice serves the goal of maturity in Christ. When did your faith become your own? Resources we mentioned: Halfway There Eric's favorite episodes: John Swanger Brings Light to Dark Places John Schlitt is a Rock Star Redeemed The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg Podcast Magazine Connect with Chris and Meg Related episodes: Michael Woodward of JumbleThink J. Parker of Sex Chat for Christian Wives Neil Matthews of Other People's Shoes