► Tell us about you and your podcast
When I'm sitting on the beach thinking about it, The Host With The Most podcast is the culmination of everything I've done in my thirty-plus years of television and radio. And it is all me. I get to choose the guests and the topics that I believe THWTM subscribers would be most interested in or entertained by. And I love that freedom. Each interview focuses on what I believe to be a "fascinating person doing fascinating things." And all within 30 minutes! You can start your day with some compelling conversation.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I began my career in radio so sharing my life and my thoughts into a microphone is second nature for me. When I saw the digital medium exploding about ten years ago I wanted to be at the forefront of it. The Host With The Most has gone through a few incarnations-as any passion project will do-but what we deliver now on a weekly basis is a discussion show that I'm very proud of.
Demystify the podcasting process
Get the weekly email where the podcasters share their creative experience of podcasting. Stay informed and inspired, for free.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I believe when you believe in something you always find the time to give it the love and attention it needs. We've created the Razzle Dazzle Studios to make recording each weekly episode as convenient as possible not only for me but also for our guests. But the thirty minutes on air is the easy part. The real work happens behind the scenes but I also get a rush from that. I never regret putting in the hustle when the finished product is something people enjoy. Ultimately the subscribers are my boss. When they are happy, I am happy.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Of course we welcome sponsorships from reputable companies. A little money in the pocket is always a good thing, isn't it? But what I gain is the satisfaction of knowing my brand is continuing to grow with each episode. If someone enjoys The Host With The Most podcast then maybe they will venture over to our YouTube channel. Then perhaps they'll want to watch a TV project I'm working on. Fans and followers become friends very quickly today and life (and business) are about having as many good friends as possible.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
Well, it all begins with an idea. When I read, hear, or see something or someone that interests me I will dig a little and see if it becomes something that our listeners will enjoy. If that is the case, then we begin researching the topic and reaching out to credible guests who can contribute to the conversation. All of our interviews are currently conducted over Zoom so we have the audio as well as the video. I let the interviews run as long as necessary so they are a true conversation without time restraints or commercial breaks. Once the interview is completed, I'll read up a little more on the topic and produce an intro to the guest. The entire editing process takes approximately three hours per show once we add our drops, music beds, etc. I try to update our intro, outro, and toss to breaks every few weeks to keep things fresh. And when the finished product posts a week or so later everything sounds hot and topical.
► How do you market your show?
Admittedly, I am not a fan of social media. I don't have a Facebook page or an Instagram account. I don't like them! Time spent posting a photo of my tuna sandwich is time that could be better spent pre-interviewing a guest or editing videos. Our main sources of promotion are our YouTube channel and creating content that inspires the sharing of links to our show. In addition, links to the episode and YouTube videos are sent to our guests with a nice "Thank You" so they might share them with their fan base and introduce The Host With The Most to an entirely new audience each week.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
A wise man once told me "There is no greater sin than being forgettable." I think about that before I crack the mic on a new episode. I want and need to engage with the audience, to get the very best out of every guest, and deliver thirty minutes of content that I would want to listen to myself. Everyone will tell you to find a niche or pay hundreds of dollars for fancy equipment, but if you're not focused on the needs and wants of your audience there is no point. Record every episode as if it were your last. And always strive to up your game. There are thousands of podcasts available but I believe the cream will always rise to the top.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
I think everyone at The Host With The Most takes pride in the fact that we are not a subscription-based podcast. People can enjoy our shows and be entertained, informed, or inspired by our guests without having to open their wallets. We're available on all major digital platforms and we also have a killer YouTube channel on which we post video highlights of the interviews. Links to everything can be found at toddnewtononline.com. I hope you all enjoy it!