Our indiepod legends have given us many insights, tips, and words of advice this season. They're speaking from positions of authority and experience, but they didn't get there overnight. On the final episode of Season 20, we'll dig into what they wish they'd known before they started and ask about some mistakes they see new podcasters make.

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On last week's episode of Podcraft, we agreed that sponsorship was broadly overrated for the average indie creator.

But... that doesn't mean it isn't the right fit for you.

Maybe you podcast within a specialist hobby, professional field, or enthusiast community.

In many niches, sponsorship fits naturally because you're talking about certain tools, products, or services anyway.

Getting paid for those endorsements can help support your work without any disruption to your content. It's only a matter of reaching out and asking.

But that's the tricky part. Does the person you speak to understand the power of audio? And do they want to make a split-second decision based on comparing your download numbers to the social media metrics of your average "influencer"?

On this quick episode of Podcraft, I run through what I learned after creating a 2026-proof media kit for my own hobby podcast. If you're even considering sponsorship, I think you'll get a lot from it...

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Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?

In this episode, we take a deliberately opinionated look at common podcasting advice, tools, and assumptions, and decide whether each one holds up in practice.

• Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?
• Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?
• Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?
• High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?
• Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?
• Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?
• "Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?
• Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?
• Intro music - underrated or overrated?
• Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?

We also tackle a thoughtful listener question on how to relaunch a podcast with existing episodes. The answer outlines a practical two-week sprint focused on SEO, guest sharing, collaborations, email lists, and early momentum, without relying on social media.

Mentioned

• Beamley
• Rephonic Graph
• How to Title Your Episodes
• SCALE: Podcast Growth Framework
• How to Write a Great Podcast Description
• Hire a Podcast Producer
• Kit vs Beehiiv for Email Newsletters

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

What will podcasting actually look like by the end of 2026, once the hype settles and habits stick?

In this episode, we make grounded predictions about where the medium is heading and what creators may want to do less of. We examine the growing pushback against video-first shows that neglect audio listeners, why audio-only content may regain strength, and how screen fatigue could reshape creator priorities.

We also look at the future of tools and platforms. Where AI editing genuinely saves time, where it risks flattening personality, and why rougher, more human solo content may become more valuable rather than less. We explore distribution too, including what might come next from Spotify, whether Apple Podcasts is likely to evolve, and why open RSS still matters even as video grows.

Finally, we wrap up by looking ahead. Which formats are likely to thrive, how monetisation and advertising may shift, and how creators can decide what is actually worth their time.

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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

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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