How to Plan Podcast Growth for 2026

Welcome to Podcasting Problem Solver: Strategic Podcast Planning for the New Year

Leah Bryant [00:00:00 - 00:00:00]: [00:00:00] Foreign.

Leah Bryant [00:00:03 - 00:01:13]: [00:00:03] Welcome back to the Podcasting Problem Solver. [00:00:06] I'm Leah Bryant, your go to podcast growth strategist, here to coach you to podcast strategically with more clarity and better results. [00:00:16] So, have you ever hit December, looked back at your podcast and thought, well, I mean, I did a lot, but did any of that actually move the needle? [00:00:30] If that sounds like you, you are in the right place, my friend, because this episode is where we stop the cross your fingers, hope it works approach and start setting your podcast up for real momentum in the new year with clarity. [00:00:46] You know, the kind that replaces vibes and guesswork with a strategy. [00:00:51] You can see that's working. [00:00:54] I'm showing you the exact questions I have my clients ask themselves, especially when things feel messy, inconsistent, or just kind of meh. [00:01:04] And by the end, you'll know the strategic areas that really matter. [00:01:08] So you can walk into January with direction, purpose, and a whole lot more confidence.

Why Most Podcasters Struggle With Clarity (Not Content)

Leah Bryant [00:01:14 - 00:02:11]: [00:01:14] Okay, so here's what I see all the time. [00:01:18] Most podcasters, they don't really have content problems, because you know what you're talking about, right? [00:01:26] What I see is, and I've said this before on the podcast many times, is that the clarity is the problem. [00:01:35] So, like, you're creating episodes, you're posting clips, you're updating all the links, but when someone asks you what's really working for your show, you freeze because it's hard to tell. [00:01:47] It feels like everything is in motion, but nothing stands out as the thing that's bringing the most traction. [00:01:53] And listen, that doesn't mean that your podcast isn't working or that the podcasting space is out to get you. [00:02:01] What that signifies is that you've been operating without a strategic pulse check. [00:02:07] And that is what we are doing today. [00:02:09] Okay? [00:02:10] So I hope that you have a pen and paper.

Setting Up Your Podcast Foundation for Sustainable Growth

Leah Bryant [00:02:12 - 00:02:53]: [00:02:12] If not, save this episode, come back. [00:02:14] Because we're going to focus on two things that matter most, your foundation and how you grow sustainably. [00:02:21] And if either of these feel shaky, everything else, well, then it's going to feel harder than it has to. [00:02:28] So these are the three questions that I ask clients that give them clarity. [00:02:32] And I ask this at the end of every year. [00:02:36] And when I ask these questions, and when you ask yourself these questions, it's going to tell you exactly what needs to shift before January hits. [00:02:46] Question one, is your podcast still aligned with your current business goals? [00:02:51] So I want you to really sit with this for a second.

3 Essential Podcast Strategy Questions for Year-End Review

Leah Bryant [00:02:54 - 00:04:23]: [00:02:54] Your business is more than likely evolved in the past year. [00:02:58] Maybe your offers have changed, maybe your pricing has shifted, your messaging has probably gotten a little sharper. [00:03:05] But if your podcast did not evolve with that, then you're going to end up creating content that doesn't really support your goals. [00:03:14] So what I want you to ask yourself is, what's my number one business goal for Q1?

Leah Bryant [00:03:20 - 00:04:23]: [00:03:20] And is my podcast pointing people to that goal, or am I talking about everything else except the thing that I need to? [00:03:30] Because your podcast should be the warmup to your offers, right? [00:03:34] We want you to think of it as the first conversation that's going to get people ready to work with you. [00:03:40] All right, so question number two. [00:03:43] What episodes or topics created the most traction this year? [00:03:48] And when I say traction, I don't necessarily mean just downloads. [00:03:52] Okay? [00:03:52] I want you to think about DM responses, people joining your email list, someone referencing a specific episode during, like, a consult, or even clients saying, this episode is the one that made me reach out to you. [00:04:08] You need to know what's resonating before you actually start planning for the next year. [00:04:12] Because if you don't, you're only going to keep guessing. [00:04:15] And you know what that means. [00:04:18] Guessing is the thief of momentum and our joy, and we don't want that.

Leah Bryant [00:04:23 - 00:04:34]: [00:04:23] Right? [00:04:23] I want you to enjoy podcasting. [00:04:26] All right, so question number three. [00:04:28] Where did you feel the most friction? [00:04:30] Because, believe it or not, friction is data in disguise.

Using Friction as Data: Turning Podcast Pain Points Into Strategic Wins

Leah Bryant [00:04:36 - 00:05:17]: [00:04:36] So think about which episodes were the hardest to plan, where your schedule maybe fell apart, what kept slipping through the cracks, and what decisions felt heavy or confusing. [00:04:49] Where you feel that friction is usually where a system is missing or where there's a gap in your strategy. [00:04:57] So we're not here making you a New Year New Me podcast. [00:05:02] No, friend, we are not. [00:05:04] We are, however, making a new year. [00:05:07] Still you, but with better information podcast. [00:05:10] And that is a big difference. [00:05:13] So let me give you a quick client story, because this one always sticks with people.

Client Success Story: How a Podcast Growth Audit Brings Clarity and Results

Leah Bryant [00:05:18 - 00:06:13]: [00:05:18] So earlier this year, I had a client come to me and Sarah had, oh, I think she had like 80 plus episodes that she had already published. [00:05:28] Tons of effort behind the scenes, but she said, leah, I'm exhausted. [00:05:33] I'm doing everything I can think of, and I still don't know what's actually moving the needle. [00:05:39] So I did a growth audit for her, and I was able to uncover two big things. [00:05:44] One, her podcast topics were aligned with the last year's offer, not the high ticket program that she had launched this year in her most downloaded episodes. [00:05:56] Interestingly enough, they were on subjects that she didn't talk about anymore. [00:06:00] But when she corrected that alignment and built her Q1, plan around what her audience was already responding to. [00:06:08] She saw a 35% increase in qualified leads within two months.

Leah Bryant [00:06:13 - 00:06:50]: [00:06:13] I know, it's amazing because Clarity did the heavy lifting for her. [00:06:18] She was working strategically, but with better information. [00:06:22] And that, my friend, is the power of having both pieces work together. [00:06:27] Here's what I want you to remember. [00:06:30] Clarity is the foundation for momentum. [00:06:33] Okay? [00:06:33] You can't build a stronger podcast if you don't know what needs strengthening. [00:06:38] And this is exactly why strategy is the first phase of my framework. [00:06:43] Okay? [00:06:44] This is the moment right now before the new year that I want you to pause and look at the truth of your show.

How to Audit Your Podcast For Alignment and Strategic Growth

Leah Bryant [00:06:51 - 00:08:04]: [00:06:51] I want you to ask yourself what's aligned, what's off, what's resonating with your audience, what's draining you? [00:07:00] That one's an important one. [00:07:02] Don't forget the you piece in this, okay? [00:07:05] And where do you want your podcast to take your business next year? [00:07:09] Because you deserve a podcast that's intentional, strategic, and that is actually supporting your goals. [00:07:18] One that makes work easier instead of piling it on. [00:07:21] Right? [00:07:22] And this is why I created my seamless podcast framework and use it with both my coaching and my production clients. [00:07:28] Because we question everything that feels unclear, and then we take those unclear feelings and we rebuild them into the right habits, episodes, and workflows that's gonna move you forward. [00:07:44] So this episode covered questions that spark clarity, okay? [00:07:48] But the actual answers, that is actually where the growth audit comes in. [00:07:53] If you're listening and thinking, okay, Leah, I know something needs to shift, but I have no idea what that is. [00:08:00] That is literally what the seamless podcast growth audit is for.

Book Your Seamless Podcast Growth Audit (And Finish the Year Strong!)

Leah Bryant [00:08:04 - 00:08:49]: [00:08:04] It's a one on one deep dive where I look at your podcast the way a strategist looks at business. [00:08:10] I put those fraud investigator skills that I talk about to good use. [00:08:15] I look at what's aligned, what's missing, what's what's costing you growth, and then what your next step should be. [00:08:23] And if you book before the end of January, you're going to walk into Q1 with a clear growth plan instead of spending the first quarter guessing. [00:08:30] And to celebrate episode 50 today, I'm going to throw in a hundred dollar off coupon. [00:08:35] If you book in the month of December, think of this episode as the questions and the audit as the answer you've been wanting. [00:08:44] You can book yours using the link in the show notes. [00:08:46] Make sure you use the coupon code Seamless.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Podcast Purposeful and Working For Your Business

Leah Bryant [00:08:49 - 00:09:10]: [00:08:49] I'll have all that down below. [00:08:50] But thank you for hanging out with me today. [00:08:53] I'm super excited to cheer you on to finish the year strong plan Q1 strategically and if this episode helped you see your podcast with fresh eyes, come find me on Threads or Instagram. [00:09:04] I'm sharing more podcast strategy tips behind the scenes. [00:09:08] A little unhinged sometimes, especially on Threads.

Leah Bryant [00:09:12 - 00:09:21]: [00:09:12] But I look forward to seeing you there. [00:09:13] And until next time, keep your podcast purposeful, your podcast working for your business and your growth seamless. [00:09:20] And I'll see you next time.