Joe Casabona, a software engineer by training and a natural extrovert, has found his true calling in podcasting. With a mind that operates like a computer, Joe harnessed his unique skill set to carve out a niche in the podcasting world. The pivotal moment came during the pandemic when Joe, who then had one small child and a wife working long hours as a nurse, experienced a personal crisis. In November 2020, faced with dwindling podcast production and a significant loss of income, Joe had a panic attack. Motivated by this challenging period, and now a father of three, he decided to double down on his podcasting career, recognizing its vital role in his family’s livelihood.
00:00 Background in software, extrovert, podcast income panic attack.
06:10 Found video editor, now releasing videos efficiently.
08:05 Front loading and tools help structure and edit.
11:26 Setup, conflict, resolution: addressing marketing in journalism.
14:12 Pre-call steps: Google Doc, Notion, email reminder.
19:28 Zapier's automation costs $20/month annually, $30 monthly.
21:08 Using Notion and YouTube to grow mailing list.
25:32 Automate post-event follow-up: use Airtable only.
28:42 Recommend hiring editor; Descript eases solo podcast editing.
31:32 Family compromise: we'll get a dog.
35:11 Movies require post-production; live shows require pre-production.
37:41 Adapt content to suit the intended platform.
42:23 Encouraging guests to promote podcast cross-promotion.
46:28 Focus on unique moments, not traditional interviews.
48:25 Developers interviewed; same questions repeated; interest declined.
1. Introductions and Guest Welcome
- Introduction of Joe Casabona
- Noting Joe’s distinctive hats transition from fedoras to a Castro cap
2. Joe's Background and Entry into Podcasting Workflows
- Software engineering background and extroverted nature
- Balancing work and family life through podcast workflows
- Importance of automation and delegation
3. Automations and Delegation
- Extensive use of automation tools
- Delegating tasks to a virtual assistant
- Personal responsibility for recording and writing intros
4. Podcast Editing and Early Experience
- Initial self-editing challenges
- Finding and switching editors
- Current editor handles both audio and video
5. Cost of Production
- Average monthly cost for editing services
6. Handling Podcast Editing and Guest Collaboration
- Lynette's manual podcast editing method
- Challenges in ensuring guest participation in cross-promotion
- Discussing the obligation of guests to promote the podcast
7. Joe’s Suggestions for Guest Collaboration
- Extracting unique stories from guests
- Guests' primary obligation of providing time and content
- Example of discouraged promotion due to altered images with AI
8. Lynette’s Approach to Authentic Storytelling
- Emphasis on unique storytelling
- Handling book discussions without reading the entire book
- Focusing on key moments and challenges
9. Learning and Evolving Podcasting Methods
- Joe's adaptation from static interview questions to engaging content
- Lynette’s use of pre-calls for deeper stories and vulnerabilities
10. Automation in Podcasting and Tools
- Joe’s preference for Make over Zapier for automation
- Cost comparison between Make and Zapier
- Complexity and learning curve differences
- Developing an automation course for podcasters
11. Other Software and Tools
- Notion for organizing workflow
- Scheduling with cal.com
- Sarah’s use of TidyCal for scheduling
- Cal.com’s features, including no-show fee and seamless integration
12. Recording and Editing Tools
- Joe uses Riverside for recording
- Recommends Descript for solo shows editing
- Utilizing Logic Pro for audio processing and preproduction strategies
13. Social Media and Promotion Strategies
- Joe’s preference for creating platform-specific content
- Effective short-form content creation
- Coca Cola’s branding strategy as a model
- Limited reliance on social media posts for promotion
14. Audience Engagement Insights
- Tailoring content to audience’s current context
- Differentiating between spontaneous engagement and long-form content
15. Editing Workflow and Show Details
- Joe’s three shows: audio and video, strictly audio, technical interviews
- Efficient workflows to minimize editing costs and time
- Strong preference for solo episodes
16. Preproduction and Preshow Workflow
- Automation of processes with Google Docs templates
- Breakdown of episodes into a narrative structure
17. Postproduction and Completion Tasks
- Use of Notion for guest management and summarizing interviews
- Incorporation of AI tools for refining takeaways and personal notes
