So many podcasters burn out — not because they’re bad at it, but because their systems can’t keep up.

In this episode, Kevin and Lev walk through how to audit your podcast like a business:

→ Where time is leaking

→ What to automate

→ What to ditch

→ And how to know when you’re doing “busy work” instead of the work that matters

The result is a leaner, lighter process that’s easier to sustain — and easier to grow from.

00:00 – Start with the Mental Audit

→ The first thing most podcasters skip — but shouldn’t.

This quick mindset shift sets the tone for your whole production process.

03:00 – Align Daily Actions to Long-Term Strategy

→ Why setting aside structured time is more powerful than hustling in bursts.

A system you can actually stick to.

05:40 – Balance vs Burnout

→ How to enjoy podcasting and protect your energy.

Includes permission to step back, and a smarter way to think about your production rhythm.

08:31 – Common Myths (That Still Trip People Up)

→ “Just hit record and they will come.”

→ “Social media = growth.”

→ “Downloads = success.”

Nope. This section re-centres the podcaster on what actually moves the needle.

11:46 – Use AI Where It Saves You Time

→ The test: does it save time, make money, or improve quality?

If not, it’s a shiny toy.

14:29 – How to Repurpose Without the Overwhelm

→ Shortform clips that actually work

→ Patreon and paid extras that require almost no extra effort

→ Guesting as a form of free content creation

17:45 – Audio Quality Fixes You Can Do Today (For Free)

→ Lev drops pro tips on improving sound with Audacity and raw WAV files

→ No expensive gear required

20:29 – Why Niche + Consistency = Sustainability

→ Not every listener needs to stay — just the right ones

→ Building your voice for a high-attention audience

This isn’t a beginner podcaster story.

It’s for those who already have traction — but want alignment.

Zanna brings 56 episodes of momentum into The Podcasters Lab to refine the mechanics behind her trusted podcast on customer experience (CX).

We focus on structure, clarity, and conversion — without losing heart.

00:00 – Intro to Customer Experience Transformation

→ Zanna explains why CX isn’t just a niche — it’s a movement.

A strong opening for listeners who care about making business more human.

03:03 – The Journey to Podcasting

→ Zanna shares how podcasting became her most effective channel for trust-building.

Relatable for founders juggling content formats.

06:03 – Engagement and Listener Feedback

→ How she knows the podcast is working — and what feedback actually matters.

This section quietly debunks the myth that you need a flood of comments to know you're resonating.

08:46 – Structuring Effective Calls to Action

→ We break down her current CTA strategy and why it’s almost doing the job — plus what to shift.

A must-listen for anyone unsure whether their call to action is too passive or too busy.

11:59 – Target Audience and Format Shifts

→ Where deep expertise can risk alienating new listeners — and how Zanna’s tweaking her intro to keep both ends of the spectrum.

This is tactical, smart positioning.

14:57 – Defining Success and Future Growth

→ We talk about metrics that aren’t downloads — and what Zanna uses instead.

Great reframe for mission-driven podcasters who want more meaningful data.

17:30 – Promoting the Podcast Authentically

→ What’s working for Zanna in terms of marketing — and where she feels the most friction.

This is all about aligned growth, not hustle.

18:33 – Newsletter Strategy Fixes

→ We spot a subtle point of friction: her newsletter’s structure.

You’ll hear how we flipped it to invite curiosity and engagement.

22:22 – CTA Placement and Episode Flow

→ A mini teardown of her episode format — and where a small shift in pacing could change listener behaviour.

26:08 – Outreach and Relationship-Based Growth

→ Zanna explains how genuine outreach (not just promotion) has helped grow the show.

For podcasters tired of chasing metrics.

30:13 – Wrapping with Strategic Clarity

→ Final reflections on alignment, community, and sustainable momentum.