Some of the best, most diverse, and talented audio creators alive make their living creating audio fiction. Shows like Welcome to Nightvale, Limetown, and Alice isn’t Dead, just to name a few, weave complex story arcs, colorful characters, and of course, great production value for listeners. We’re all lucky these shows exist. 

Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is firmly in the realm of audio fiction. But unlike most audio fiction, there are no supernatural elements, heroes, villains, or any traditional story arc. In this podcast series, each episode is presented as a full-length minor league baseball broadcast. The teams, the players, the sponsors, all of it is made up. The catch? There is none. It’s just nine innings of fictional baseball.

Created by a podcaster known only as Mr. King, Sleep Baseball is a work of fiction that feels very much like it’s a real broadcast. And if that seems boring, it’s the point. This “boring” show is resonating with listeners. Fans of the show support it through Patreon and merch sales. It’s even been written up in The New Yorker. 

In this episode, Stuart and “Mr. King” chat about the inspiration for making the show, the process of producing fake baseball broadcasts, and how listener support makes a project of this size financially viable.

Links

Full Episodes and Merch:  sleepbaseball.com

A piece on Sleep Baseball in the New Yorker:  newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/the-rapture-of-listening-to-a-fake-baseball-game

Connect your Podcast to Stripe with Castos:  castos.com/integrations/stripe/

***Between the time of this recording and the publishing date, legendary baseball broadcaster Vin Scully passed away. Read more HERE 

On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re diving into the archives to show you an older but important episode of the 3 Clips Podcast called, “Making a Living in Podcasting.” This episode was hosted by the 3 Clips original host, Jay Acunzo with business partners Kinsey Grant and Josh Kaplan as guests. 

3 Clips is a show that focuses on the craft of podcasting. It showcases specific podcasts in each episode and breaks down their processes, three clips at a time. 

In this episode, Jay talks with Kinsey and Grant about what it takes to turn your podcasting passion into a successful career. Instead of dissecting their podcast and the process they use to create the show, Jay talks with them about their passion and career and how they’ve melded those things together. 

If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. Interested in private podcasting? Check out Castos’ private podcasting service at https://academy.castos.com/private/. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe.

Today you’ll learn about:

• Individual strengths and weaknesses as podcasters
• The myth of the solo creator
• The development of the Thinking is Cool podcast
• How they leveraged their brand for sponsorships
• Showcasing ad content and sponsors through various mediums (including podcasting)
• Finding a healthy balance between selling everything to being too discriminatory with ads
• Disagreements with partners
• • Strengths and weaknesses as partners
• Vetting creative (behind the scenes) people and building a great team
• Self-worth as a podcaster and putting your ambitions into perspective

Are you curious about subscription podcasting? Do you know what a private podcast is? Are you scared about jumping into private podcasting?

On this episode of the Audience podcast, Jonathan Jones and Matt do a little experiment with subscription podcasting. Jonathan is going to build a subscription podcast (at Castos) in public, with Matt. Today they go through the initial brainstorming process as Jonathan submits his membership and audiobook ideas for his private podcast. 

Jonathan also talks about the process he went through when publishing both of his books, and he shares the story behind his latest book, Get Paid with Podcasting.

If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe.

Today you’ll learn about:

• Jonathan’s apprehensions about private podcasting
• Uses for subscription podcasting: audiobooks and behind the scenes bonus material
• The story behind “Get Paid with Podcasting”
• Tips for writing and publishing a book
• Putting stock in your own success
• Jonathan’s initial idea for his private podcast
• Anticipating possible challenges with memberships

Resources/Links:

Your Podcast Mentor Show: https://www.yourpodcastmentorshow.com/ 

Breaking a podcast funk w/ Jonathan Jones: https://castos.com/podcast/breaking-a-podcast-funk-w-jonathan-jones/ 

Get Paid with Podcasting: A Blueprint For Speakers & Coaches On How to Start, Manage and Monetize Their Message Through Products and Services by Jonathan Jones: https://jonathanjonesspeaks.com/products [Type “30OFF” after you click purchase, for 30% off]

JonathanSpeaks, Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonathanJSpeaks