On this special final New Media Show tribute episode from 9/10/2025, we honor the life and legacy of Todd Cochrane, podcasting pioneer, podcast hall of famer, founder of Blubrry and RawVoice, host of Geek News Central podcast, author of one of the first podcasting books, and co-host on The New Media Show for 13 years.
Todd’s influence on podcasting was profound: from launching one of the earliest shows in 2004, to creating the Podcast Awards, to championing open RSS and independent podcasters. His voice, conviction, and generosity shaped the medium and inspired countless creators.
Joining host Rob Greenlee Podcast Hall of Famer are Adam Curry is also a Podcast Hall of Famer, Mike Dell, VP at Blubrry, and Rob Walch, VP at Libsyn who is also a Podcast Hall of Famer as we reflect on Todd’s extraordinary journey and life, from Navy service to podcasting leader, and discuss his impact on the industry, his unwavering advocacy for creators, and the lessons he leaves for the future of podcasting.
The Power of Being Human in an Increasingly AI World
Podcast Tips with Rob Greenlee – Episode 66
Rob returns with a personal and thought-provoking conversation centered on the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.
Following a series of in-person events in New Jersey and an appearance on a nationally syndicated radio show in New York City, Rob shares heartfelt reflections on what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by AI, AGI, and ASI technologies.
In this solo episode, Rob explores the irreplaceable role of human storytelling in an age where AI can replicate voices, mimic tone, and generate content on command. He makes a compelling case for why authenticity, emotion, and lived experience will always set creators apart in an increasingly artificial landscape.
Rob discusses:
The spiritual and emotional dimensions of human expression
Why creators must lean into their personality and uniqueness
How AI will never match the experiential depth of human storytelling
The future of content creation with AI as a tool—not a replacement
His vision for a new show, Spoken Human, exploring the human-AI convergence
This episode is a reminder and call to action for podcasters, storytellers, and creators to remain rooted in what makes us human. Whether you’re excited by AI’s possibilities or concerned about its implications, this conversation offers grounded insight into how we can all adapt while staying real.
Be sure to comment with your thoughts and stay tuned for Rob’s upcoming new show, Spoken Human.
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Join Rob Greenlee in Episode 65 of Live Podcast Tips as he explores the dynamic growth opportunities emerging with video content for podcasters and creators. In this deep-dive session, Rob discusses the powerful combination of short-form and long-form videos, highlighting new platforms and creative ways video is reshaping online engagement, audience growth, and monetization.
Rob also introduces the role of AI in content creation, featuring insights from an AI co-host Alex from ChatGPT, and discusses how RSS feeds might evolve to better support video podcasting.
Discover practical strategies for leveraging video, including innovative platforms like WhatNot and UScreen.TV, which enable creators to engage audiences directly, sell products live, and create compelling, faceless live videos. Learn how simple tools like smartphones can empower you to build profitable online businesses without heavy investments.
Rob further addresses the continued importance of audio podcasts, sharing insights on balancing audio and video strategies to reach diverse audiences effectively.
In this 64th episode of Live Podcast Tips with Rob Greenlee on April 24th, 2025, we dive deep into the modern strategy of “Audience Farming”—a smarter, data-driven approach to building and nurturing a loyal podcast or online show audience to an Return on Attention (ROA).
Rather than chasing random views or listens, audience farming is about planting content with intention, testing what works, and optimizing based on real engagement data. Rob explores how creators today can use AI tools, attention analytics, and iterative testing to unlock sustainable growth across platforms.
You’ll learn:
-How to use A/B testing for titles, thumbnails, and descriptions to drive higher click-through rates
-Why analyzing attention timelines and listener drop-off points can help you restructure episodes for stronger retention
-The role of metadata and keywords in discovery and how to update them for better algorithmic visibility
-How AI is changing audience personalization, behavior prediction, and content feedback loops
-Why community interaction and engagement channels are the “fertilizer” of long-term audience development
Rob also shares real-world case studies of how one word, color shift, or thumbnail tweak has led to massive growth—and how you can apply those same strategies to your content today.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your podcast or show’s reach, this episode will help you build smarter, more intentional audience growth systems that evolve with the latest tech and insights.
In Episode 63 of Live Podcast Tips from Thursday, April 17th, 2025, Rob Greenlee dives into “The State of Video Podcasting,” offering essential insights and strategies based on the latest Coleman Insights and Amplify Media survey results presented by Steve Goldstein (Amplifi Media, NYU) and Jay Nachlis (Coleman Insights), sponsored by ESPN.
Explore the rapid rise of video podcasting, consumer acceptance (85%), and why audio remains fundamental despite growing video trends.
Discover why YouTube dominates with 70% usage among podcast consumers and how social media has overtaken “friends and family” as the primary podcast discovery method.
Rob provides valuable commentary on key findings like the growing smart TV viewership (46%) and smartphone engagement (79%).
Learn about Spotify’s audio-first struggles, creator challenges in adopting video, and Rob’s practical tips to leverage video and short-form content effectively for audience growth.
Join the interactive Q&A session and gain actionable insights for adapting to the evolving video-centric podcast landscape.
Subscribe and stay tuned for more expert podcasting tips!
In this episode, Rob Greenlee explores the meaning and importance of open podcasting—a foundational principle of the podcasting medium since its early days in 2004, when RSS (Really Simple Syndication) enabled the open distribution of podcast content. But with the rise of major platforms like Spotify and YouTube, that openness is now under threat.
What is Open Podcasting?
Open podcasting is built on RSS, allowing creators to publish their content without gatekeepers. It gives creators full ownership and control over their podcast infrastructure, and listeners can use any app to access episodes.
Examples: Hosting your podcast with Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Blubrry, Spreaker, or Captivate; running a self-hosted WordPress site using Podpress or other plugins to create your own RSS feed.
Why It’s Under Threat
Closed platforms like Spotify and YouTube push for direct uploads and media caching, reducing the visibility and importance of RSS. These systems take control over distribution and monetization, locking creators into proprietary ecosystems.
Why It Still Matters
Open podcasting protects creative independence and free speech. It allows creators to reach broader audiences and maintain monetization control.
Examples: “No Agenda” thrives on listener support in the open ecosystem. Value-for-Value models used by apps like Fountain and Podverse empower creators directly.
How to Stay Open
Choose open RSS hosting platforms. Avoid exclusive platform deals unless they offer clear, long-term benefits. Distributed through directories like Apple Podcasts and Podcast Index. Adopt Podcasting 2.0 features such as chapters, transcripts, and listener donations.
In this episode 61 of Live Podcast Tips with Rob Greenlee from April 3rd, 2025 at 7pm EST / 4pm PST, Rob dives into how creators can thrive in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven and video media landscape.
Join Rob as he explores:
-The role of AI in content creation, scripting, editing, and workflow
-Why video seems to be becoming a must-have for growth and discoverability
-How to build a loyal audience as independent creators in a Big Platform-dominated world
-Balancing AI automation with authenticity to maintain trust and connection
-Monetization strategies for modern creators
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to stay ahead, this episode offers insight and practical tips to help you adapt and grow as a creator.
Tonight’s topic: Podcast Market Chaos and Confusion
Welcome to Live Podcast Tips with Rob Greenlee, Episode 60, from Friday, March 28th, 2025.
The podcasting world is facing unprecedented upheaval as industry giants YouTube and Spotify accelerate their dive into video podcasting. Creators, service providers, and listeners alike are navigating through rapidly changing formats, platforms, and audience expectations, leading to confusion and disruption across the market.
In this timely episode, Rob Greenlee breaks down the complexities and challenges reshaping the podcasting landscape. He begins by exploring why video podcasting is creating chaos, especially within the SaaS services market designed for podcasters and creators. Rob analyzes how YouTube’s aggressive push into video is altering audience expectations and redefining creator priorities.
He addresses the critical question: Are traditional podcasts being sidelined by the demand for video?
Next, Rob confronts the confusion among creators and audiences alike. Many creators feel compelled to pivot to video, fearing they’ll be left behind. Others passionately advocate for audio-only podcasts despite emerging research showing audiences increasingly prefer both audio and video content. Rob explores these mixed signals and shares insights on recent findings, highlighting the surprising surge in podcast consumption among the 55+ male demographic.
Rob also tackles the “Monetization Madness” triggered by video podcasting. He delves into the complexities video integration introduces to advertising and revenue streams, revealing the hidden costs and technical challenges many creators overlook. Are podcasters genuinely prepared for the additional expenses and complexities involved in adopting video and new monetization strategies?
Finally, Rob discusses the profound implications of video podcasting on traditional RSS-based audio distribution. He examines how direct uploads, caching, and platform-specific changes threaten the longevity of traditional podcasts. Offering practical advice, Rob provides strategic recommendations for creators to safeguard their content and adapt effectively to these disruptive changes.
Join Rob Greenlee for clarity amid the chaos, equipping you to confidently navigate the evolving podcast landscape.
Tonight’s topic: The Future of RSS if it Supports HLS Streaming Delivery vs. Downloaded Media Files to Big/Small Listening and Viewing Platforms.
Welcome to Live Podcast Tips with Rob Greenlee, Episode 59, airing live tonight, Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at 7pm EST/4pm PST. I’m Rob Greenlee, your host, diving into the future of podcasting with decades of industry insight (LinkedIn.com/in/robgreenlee).
We start with RSS today, the backbone of podcasting. This open standard pushes static MP3s or MP4s to listeners across apps, but it’s limited—no real-time streaming, just downloads. In a streaming-dominated world, RSS feels dated.
How do you see it holding up? Next, enter HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), a game-changer. Unlike downloads, HLS streams media in chunks, adapting quality to bandwidth—think live podcasts with lower latency and interactivity. Could this evolve RSS into a rival for live radio or TV?
Downloading means full files stored offline, fixed bitrate, reliable but rigid. HLS offers real-time chunks—AAC audio or H.264 video—dynamic and storage-light, but needs internet. Downloading prioritizes ownership; HLS, adaptability.
Big platforms like Spotify, Apple, and YouTube dominate with proprietary systems, sidelining RSS. HLS in RSS could counter this, empowering independent creators (like those at AdoreNetwork.com) to bypass walled gardens and connect directly with listeners. Will platforms adopt it, or cling to control?
With years in podcasting, I see a tipping point coming – HLS in RSS could keep creators competitive, fostering an open, adaptive ecosystem.
Tonight, I am diving deep into the big question that has creators, listeners, and platforms asking:“What is a podcast anymore?”
2017 Podcast Hall of Famer Rob Greenlee was LIVE on, March 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST/4pm PST, for a new episode of Live Podcast Tips Show.
“Podcasting once had a clear definition—primarily audio, video, and PDFs delivered through RSS feeds to podcatchers and mp3 players like iPods and Zunes.
However, around 2010, a strategic pivot towards audio-only content inadvertently ceded the rapidly growing video podcast space (30% of the market) to YouTube.”
The Old Definition of a Podcast:
-Primarily audio shows delivered via RSS feeds, with significant early adoption of video podcasts.
-Deeply rooted in independent podcaster communities, originating from commercial and public radio.
-Slow commercialization, largely through host-read ads.
-Distribution initially targeted portable mp3 players and early podcast-specific devices.
The Shift Happening Now:
-YouTube’s dominance as the largest “podcast” platform, driven by video-first content creators.
-Spotify’s strategic shift to embrace video podcasts, blending audio and visual media.
-Expansion of podcast monetization into diverse revenue streams, including live tours, merchandise, newsletters, and social media integrations.
-Decline of radio-rooted personalities in favor of digital-native creators who bypass traditional media.
Perspectives on the Question:
-Podcasting is defined as a multi-channel storytelling medium by creators.
-Alternative terminologies are gaining popularity, such as “VODcast”, “Netcast”, “simulcast” and “video,” reflecting the evolving medium.
-Creating content that is compelling whether experienced through audio or video.
-Community-building and audience engagement as foundational components.
“Rob’s personal reflection on the ongoing evolution: “I’ve been at this forever, and even I’m rethinking it.”
Why This Matters:
-How defining podcasts impacts revenues and distribution across streaming platforms, events, and merchandise.
-The significant financial implications of labeling content as audio or video, especially regarding influencer marketing ($9B market) versus traditional audio podcast advertising ($2B market).
