Podcast Content Planning: Coaching Session with Rafer Owens Jr

Welcome back to Podcasting Problem Solver™! I’m Leah Bryant, certified podcast growth coach. I help busy business owners launch results-driven podcasts that align with their business goals—without the tech stress, content overwhelm, or burnout.

In today’s episode, I’m checking in with mindset coach and host of Shifts & Giggles, Rafer Owens Jr. This is Rafer’s second coaching session on the podcast, and we’re diving into what’s been working, what’s shifted, and how he’s continuing to grow his show with consistency and purpose.

Meet Rafer Owens Jr.

Rafer is a mindset and life coach who helps people live out their Christian values in practical ways. Using his Simple Shift Method, he blends:

• Emotional intelligence
• Everyday strategies
• Sustainable spiritual growth

He’s also the host of Shifts & Giggles, a personal growth podcast that helps listeners create lasting change one mindset shift at a time.

Progress Since the Last Session

Wins from Implementing New Strategies

Rafer shares how he applied nearly all of the strategies from our previous session:

• Repurposing content with quotes and summaries
• Using transcripts for show notes and YouTube
• Adding clickable links to make engagement easier
• Posting regular content on social media

The results? Positive feedback from family, friends, and even new podcast opportunities.

Feedback and Clarity

Rafer’s audience is noticing more clarity in his message and delivery. Even when he felt like he was “winging it,” others saw his podcast as polished and professional.

Building Momentum Without Burnout

Content Creation Systems

Rafer talks about how tools like Riverside and Canva templates have made creating content easier. With simple workflows, he’s able to repurpose episodes into reels, carousels, and quote graphics consistently.

The Pushup Challenge

One unique growth tactic Rafer used was pairing pushups with new city downloads. When he paused this experiment, downloads dropped—proving that small, consistent actions can fuel visibility and momentum.

Season Two Goals

Narrowing the Audience

Rafer is becoming more focused in Season Two, tailoring his content toward Christians who want to put their faith into daily practice.

Practical Christianity

He’s experimenting with Bible study teaching and content testing to blend spiritual insights with practical mindset coaching.

Applying the SEAMless Podcast Framework™

Strategy

• Define your listener clearly
• Create content pillars (e.g., mindset shifts, emotional intelligence, faith in action)
• Map the listener journey so episodes lead toward transformation

Execution

• Build repeatable workflows
• Batch record to cut down decision fatigue
• Use templates and checklists to lighten the content load
• Keep episodes sustainable—sometimes short and impactful works best

The Mindset Hurdle: “Do I Have the Juice?”

Rafer opens up about the doubt many podcasters face—questioning whether they have what it takes. For him, small wins like client feedback or encouragement from his audience helped him push forward.

“Do I really have the juice? That’s the question I keep asking myself—and every time I push through, I realize I do.” – Rafer Owens Jr.

Lessons in Consistency

Content That Resonates

• Personal stories often outperform episode recaps
• Carousels and reels create quick engagement
• Posting consistently—even simple content—boosts downloads

Timing Matters

Leah shares that the first 72 hours after publishing are key for visibility. Driving listeners to players early helps trigger podcast algorithms.

Planting Seeds for Podcast Growth

Rafer emphasizes that podcasting is about planting seeds and trusting the process. From giving away books to creating a speaker page, he’s learned that consistency and obedience lead to bigger opportunities.

What’s Next for Rafer

Rafer’s bold next step is taking his message on the road through speaking, workshops, and church events. His podcast is already reaching seven countries, showing him the power of consistent growth.

Key Takeaways

From Rafer’s Journey

• Consistency comes from systems, not hustle
• Even small experiments can drive big engagement
• Mindset and discipline matter as much as content

From the Coaching Session

• Align your podcast strategy with business goals
• Use content pillars to simplify weekly planning
• Repurpose episodes into multiple visibility assets

Listen to Rafer’s First Coaching Session

💡 If you haven’t heard Rafer’s first coaching session, be sure to check it out! In that episode, we laid the foundation for his podcast growth strategies and bigger vision. You can listen here: Podcast Growth Strategies.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of consistent, intentional action. Whether you’re just starting or refining your podcast, Rafer’s journey shows the power of staying aligned, repurposing wisely, and building momentum step by step.