Championing independent podcasters and their supporters, each episode features an interview with an indie podcaster to talk about their show and how they make it, and which Podcasting 2.0 features could be of use to them to improve discoverability, interactivity and monetisation for their podcast. Co-hosts Claire Waite Brown and Sam Sethi also discuss what's happening in the podcast world that might be of interest and use to independent podcast creators.
Creating audio fiction on your own terms is all about following spontaneous creative sparks, experimenting with live sound design and protecting original content as AI tools reshape the podcasting landscape.
This time Claire catches up with voice coach, actor and writer Flloyd Kennedy, creator of the audio fiction series Am I Old Yet? Flloyd shares how a lockdown sketch competition evolved into 13 seasons of lighthearted comedy following an outspoken elderly protagonist.
Claire and Sam Sethi then unpack a wave of technical and industry news from demystifying Model Context Protocols (MCPs), exploring the ‘clip economy,’ celebrating recent Signal Award winners, and previewing upcoming creator newsletter tools.
In this episode, we explore:
The Origins of Am I Old Yet?: Flloyd explains how a 10-minute lockdown sketch turned into a multi-season audio comedy podcast.
Decades of Storytelling and Theatre: Looking back at Flloyd's career in Brisbane repertory theatre, founding a women's theatre company in Glasgow and bringing playwriting instincts to podcasting.
DIY Sound Design and Wedgwood Foley: The joy of doing everything yourself, from recording live coffee cup clinks using unpacked teacups to learning crowd noise terminology (‘walla’) on Discord.
Casting and The Person Tag: Sourcing voice actors and how podcasters can use the Podcasting 2.0 Person Tag in TrueFans to feature cast photos and link to actor portfolios.
Demystifying MCPs and APIs: Sam breaks down Model Context Protocols (MCPs) in plain English, explaining how advanced users use tools like Claude to connect workflows, and why TrueFans approaches developer APIs thoughtfully.
AI Agents and The ‘Clip Economy’: Tackling the risk of AI scrapers stripping full episodes into bite-sized clips.
Value for Value vs AI Scrapers: Sam proposes turning the tables on automated web scrapers by requiring upfront value-for-value micropayments before AI agents extract episode content.
Celebrating Indie Wins and Creator Newsletters: Shouting out TrueFans-featured creators who took home Gold, Silver and Bronze at the 5th Annual Signal Awards, plus an update on bringing newsletter publishing directly into the TrueFans Creator Portal.
Listen to Am I Old Yet? here (https://truefans.fm/am-i-old-yet-comedy-audio-drama).
Submit this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJt9AoD9uGYfjoGxARSa8DamF9moKDGcqEw2wOjZLbDWbk2Q/viewform?usp=header) to be featured on the TrueFans home page.
How to claim your show (https://truefans.fm/blog/unlocking-the-creators-dashboard).
Follow @TrueFans.fm on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/truefans.fm/) and/or Threads (https://www.threads.com/@truefans.fm).
Find TrueFans in the App Store or Play Store, or here (https://truefans.fm/)
Read: TrueFans blog (https://truefans.fm/blog)
Recommendations: Creators Podroll (https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations)
Feedback: TrueFans Support (https://truefans.fm/feedback)
Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music (https://ketsa.uk/shop/)
19 Oct 2026
Connection, Contacts and Community
Producer and co-host of Queernecks podcast, Dash shares what it’s like creating a show that blends authentic Appalachian voices with insightful queer perspectives, covering everything from local traditions and current events to humorous anecdotes and meaningful connection.
After relocating to Minnesota, Dash started the show with co-host Beck to stay connected to home. He breaks down how they use front-porch banter to talk about real life without falling into trauma traps, how he edits as a hearing-impaired producer using script-based tools and how they've built an engaged, welcoming listener family.
Plus, Claire and Sam discuss the latest TrueFans platform updates, including the brand-new Contacts Tag, a new requirement for getting featured on the TrueFans home page, listener feedback from Martin Lindeskog, and a reminder for our upcoming Live Network Feed Demo.
In this episode, we explore:
Blending Appalachian Culture and Queer Perspectives: Dash explains how Queernecks explores the intersection of Appalachian traditions, local life and LGBTQ+ issues through humour and authentic, unscripted conversation.
Navigating Displacement and Staying Connected: Using podcasting to bridge distance and stay tied to family roots.
Laughter, Connection and Avoiding Trauma Traps: Using front-porch humour and storytelling to reflect on hard shared experiences without reliving trauma or letting it limit them.
Editing by Ear and Keeping it Fun: How Dash handles editing as a hearing-impaired producer using script-based tools, keeping prep light so recording stays spontaneous and enjoyable.
The New Podcasting 2.0 Contacts Tag: Sam and Claire break down the new @ contacts feature for email, feedback, guest bookings and more.
Why Creators Must Claim Their Show: Claire outlines the requirement for getting featured on the TrueFans home page, whereby creators must claim their show for free as a simple value for value exchange.
Live Network Feed Demo: A reminder for Claire and Sam's live demo on Thursday, October 29th at 5:00 PM UK time (10:00 AM PDT), which will show podcasters how to build cross-promotional networks.
Listen to Queernecks here (https://truefans.fm/queernecks)
Join the Live Demo: Register for the TrueFans Network Feed Live Demo (https://cal.com/truefans-network-feed-live-demo) taking place October 29th.
Submit this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJt9AoD9uGYfjoGxARSa8DamF9moKDGcqEw2wOjZLbDWbk2Q/viewform?usp=header) to be featured on the TrueFans home page.
How to claim your show.
Follow @TrueFans.fm on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/truefans.fm/) and/or Threads (https://www.threads.com/@truefans.fm).
Find TrueFans in the App Store or Play Store, or here (https://truefans.fm/)
Read: TrueFans blog (https://truefans.fm/blog)
Recommendations: Creators Podroll (https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations)
Feedback: TrueFans Support (https://truefans.fm/feedback)
Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music (https://ketsa.uk/shop/)
5 Oct 2026
Metadata, Maps and Marketing
How to breathe fresh life into your podcast back catalogue using 'unsexy text', and how independent creators can eam up in networks to boost discoverability.
Stephanie Fuccio, host of Geopats Abroad, shares how she intentionally wrapped up her expat podcast four years ago, only to realize its 92 evergreen episodes were still ripe for new listeners. She explains how in one-week she retitled all 92 past episodes, and is now concentrating on polishing show notes and planting engagement cues to continue to resurface past episodes.
Claire and Sam then unpack a stack of platform updates, from clever tricks for resurfacing older episodes to the difference between publishers and networks. Plus, they share an update on native iOS/Android apps, map out Independent Podcast Award nominees with location tags, and invite creators to a live demo of the new TrueFans Network Feed! (https://cal.com/truefansnetworkfeeddemo)
In this episode, we explore:
Modernizing Evergreen Audio: Steph shares how she uses AI tools to help cleaned up keywords and update show notes for better search discoverability.
The Power of 'Unsexy Text': Why tweaking episode titles and metadata creates real listener connections, and why podcasting often 'forgets itself' by ignoring past episodes.
Real Connection over Slippery Downloads: Shifting focus away from misleading download stats towards real community building, lead generation and interactive comments.
Resurfacing Gems with Featured Episodes: Claire shares how creators can use the Featured Episode setting in TrueFans to pull back-catalogue episodes right to the top of their feed.
Publishers vs. Networks: Sam breaks down how individual creators can join forces into a Network to pool listener numbers and attract bigger sponsors.
TrueFans Network Feed Live Demo: A heads-up about Claire and Sam's upcoming live demo on Thursday, October 29th at 5:00 PM UK time (10:00 AM PDT) showcasing how podcasters can cross-promote and build networks together. Reserve your spot here. (https://cal.com/truefansnetworkfeeddemo)
Native iOS & Android App Update: Answering fan mail from David John Clark, Sam outlines the shift from web apps to native iOS and Android apps, bringing 'liquid content' to CarPlay, Apple Watch and smart TVs by late October.
Putting Podcasts on the Map: How TrueFans is using the Podcasting 2.0 Location Tag to map nominated shows for the Independent Podcast Awards, and how hosts can drop their pin in their Creators Dashboard.
Marketing Podcasting 2.0: Sam and Claire discuss breaking down the 28 P2.0 tags into digestible steps (Monetization, Discovery, Interactivity) so creators aren't overwhelmed.
Listen to Geopats Abroad here (https://truefans.fm/geopats-life-abroad)
Join the Live Demo: Register for the TrueFans Network Feed Live Demo (https://cal.com/truefansnetworkfeeddemo) taking place October 29th.
Submit this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJt9AoD9uGYfjoGxARSa8DamF9moKDGcqEw2wOjZLbDWbk2Q/viewform?usp=header) to be featured on the TrueFans home page
Follow @TrueFans.fm on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/truefans.fm/) and/or Threads (https://www.threads.com/@truefans.fm).
Find TrueFans in the App Store or Play Store, or here (https://truefans.fm/)
Read: TrueFans blog (https://truefans.fm/blog)
Recommendations: Creators Podroll (https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations)
Feedback: TrueFans Support (https://truefans.fm/feedback)
Music: How It Is from Ketsa Music (https://ketsa.uk/shop/)
Inside a recent episode
Sustaining Creative Communities: With Andreea Coscai and Jullian Androkae
Published 10 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Frustrations. One thing I haven't mentioned in my podcasting journey is that I'm also the creator and the writer of a newsletter talking about newsletters, which is called Eurowaves. And it is the only to date, sadly, European podcasting newsletter. So that's been running for about a year and a half. […]
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