Live Coaching: Podcast Growth Strategies with Rafer Owens Jr

Turning Podcast Potential Into Real Growth

Behind the Scenes of a Real Coaching Session with Rafer Owens Jr.

Leah Bryant:
Welcome back to The Podcasting Problem Solver. I’m Leah Bryant—podcast producer, no-fluff growth coach, and your guide to transforming your podcast into a high-performing, low-overwhelm marketing tool.

Ever feel like your podcast is steady but… stuck?
Downloads aren’t terrible, but visibility, discoverability, or impact feel off?

You’re not alone—and in today’s episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a real coaching session with Rafer Owens Jr., a mindset coach and host of Shifts and Giggles.

Meet the Podcaster: Rafer Owens Jr.

A Coach with Heart, Humor, and a Framework That Works

Rafer is a speaker, certified mindset coach, and creator of the Simple Shift Method—a powerful framework for helping people move forward with clarity and intention. His show, Shifts and Giggles, combines humor, coaching, and personal stories to make mindset growth approachable and sustainable.

In this session, we focused on:

• Creating a strong trailer 
• Improving discoverability with SEO 
• Optimizing show structure and titles 
• Making content more actionable and aligned with his future niche 

Step One: Create a Trailer to Drive Engagement

Why First Impressions Matter in Podcasting

Leah:
Rafer had a solid “Welcome” episode—around 11 minutes long—but no trailer. I recommended trimming it into a 2–3 minute trailer episode and labeling it accordingly in Buzzsprout.

Trailers give new listeners a quick way to understand who you are, what you do, and why they should stay.

We also discussed how to use Buzzsprout’s episode footer and how to reduce friction by including direct links (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) instead of just a Linktree.

Step Two: Clarify Your Cover Art and Title

Clear Beats Clever for Organic Discoverability

Leah:
Rafer’s current podcast title—Shifts and Giggles—is clever, but doesn’t explain what the show is about. We explored adding a tagline under the title for context and clarity.

We reviewed mock-ups showing how small design tweaks and clearer messaging can help the cover art stand out in podcast apps and encourage more clicks.

Step Three: SEO Optimization for Long-Term Growth

How to Make Your Podcast More Discoverable

Leah:
We walked through how podcast SEO works similarly to Google. I suggested:

• Including keyword-rich language in episode titles 
• Expanding episode descriptions with relevant terms 
• Updating the podcast description to reflect Rafer’s Simple Shift Method and the results listeners can expect 
• Adding top Google-searched questions to the show description 
• Including a brief host bio for context and trust-building 

We also talked about using Buzzsprout’s Advanced tab to add SEO keywords for the overall show.

Step Four: Optimize Podcast Categories

Choosing the Right Categories for Visibility

Leah:
At the time, Rafer’s show was listed under “Self-Improvement” and “Education.” Based on his brand and content direction, I suggested updating or expanding to include:

• Self-Improvement 
• Mental Health 
• Education: How-To or Society & Culture → Personal Journals 

Categories matter. They affect who sees your show and where it appears in search.

Step Five: Make Content Promotion Easier

Using Templates and Tools to Stay Consistent

Rafer was using creative, low-effort methods like “push-up promos” tied to download stats. Brilliant. But he admitted that promoting episodes beyond that felt like a chore.

Solutions we discussed:

• Use Riverside’s AI tools or ChatGPT to generate captions, takeaways, and carousels 
• Create reusable Instagram carousel templates with a consistent CTA 
• Repurpose episode highlights or past episodes during busy weeks 
• Keep visuals simple (solid backgrounds + bold text + brand elements) 

Step Six: Anchor Your Messaging in Your Method

Weaving Your Framework into Every Episode

Rafer has a powerful framework (the Simple Shift Method) and a growing podcast library. We brainstormed how to:

• Reference the framework naturally in intros, outros, and content 
• Create a playlist or mini-series around each component of the method 
• Tie in coaching prompts to drive engagement and authority 

Listeners return to shows that teach, connect, and reinforce the host’s unique value.

Step Seven: Define the Dream Listener

Niche Down to Stand Out

Rafer had a lightbulb moment before our session: his dream listener is a millennial Christian who feels a disconnect between Sunday messages and everyday life.

Next steps we discussed:

• Update keywords and show description to include faith-aligned terms 
• Consider podcast categories like “Christianity” or “Religion & Spirituality” 
• Use storytelling and Rafer’s pastoral background to speak to that person 

When you get specific, your content gets sharper—and your growth gets easier.

Step Eight: Expand Visibility Through Guesting

Don’t Just Host—Start Guesting on Other Shows

As a mindset coach and speaker, Rafer is a great candidate for podcast guest appearances. We discussed:

• Using guest spots to tap into new audiences 
• Reusing clips for social proof 
• Linking guest appearances on his speaker one-sheet 

Step Nine: Add Clear Calls to Action

Don’t Be Afraid to Invite Your Audience In

We reviewed ways Rafer could improve his CTAs to invite listeners to:

• Book a discovery call 
• Submit a question 
• Join his future email list 
• Work with him via his coaching interest form 

Leah:

“If you don’t ask, they won’t do it. People like to be asked.”

Make it obvious, easy, and actionable.

Leah:
This session with Rafer was packed with energy, ideas, and practical action steps. If you’re struggling to grow your podcast, remember:

• Clarity attracts 
• SEO supports discoverability 
• Frameworks build authority 
• Niche = visibility 
• Progress > perfection 

What’s Next?

Rafer will be back in September for a follow-up coaching session where we’ll review his podcast growth and make further strategic tweaks.

Want a coaching session like this one?
Click the link in the description to book yours.

Need help launching or relaunching your show?
Grab the SEAMless Podcast Launch Roadmap + Private Podcast—my signature step-by-step guide to launching a podcast that grows your business without the burnout.

Until next time:
Keep it consistent. Keep it aligned. Keep it seamless.