Daniel Im

Pastor + Author

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3 Skills to Maximize Podcast Listening

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Malcolm Gladwell is famous for saying that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve world-class expertise in any skill.

Since first writing about the “10,000 Hour Rule” in his book, Outliers: The Story of Success in 2008, the theory has come under much debate. Now regardless of your viewpoint on the rule, the fact is, 10,000 hours is a lot of time. After spending that much time on one thing—while you may not be world-class or an expert—you’re probably half decent.

And if there’s anything I’ve spent 10,000 hours on, it’s probably podcasting.

I’ve listened for 10+ years, I’m a regular guest on others, and I co-host three:

  1. New Churches Q&A Podcast: Church Planting, Multisite, Multiplication, Leadership Development, and Discipleship
  2. 5 Leadership Questions Podcast: Leadership
  3. IMbetween Podcast: Marriage, Parenting, and Faith

Two years ago, I wrote an article on The Power of Podcasting. Last year, I wrote one entitled, Thinking of Starting a Podcast? Don’t! Until you read this…. So this year, I wanted to focus on the listener and offer you a few skills to maximize your podcast listening.

Skills to Maximize Podcast Listening:

1. Listen on Overcast

While the Apple Podcasts app has gotten better, and Spotify is just getting into it, the best free app for podcasts is Overcast by far. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Not only can you adjust your speed, but they have something called “Smart Speed,” which shortens silences.
  • They have a feature called “Voice Boost,” that normalizes the volume so every show is loud, clear, and at the same volume.
  • Their playlists are genius. By using the playlist feature on Overcast, I don’t have to constantly search for what to listen to next. I just cue them up and go. They also have a Smart Playlist feature that is quite intelligent.

2. Don’t listen to every episode for every podcast

I know it’s quite dangerous for me to say this. After all, not only do I co-host three podcasts, I’m also the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network, which recently hit 200,000+ downloads last month.

But it’s true.

Other than a few of my favorite shows, I always pick and choose which episodes to listen to based on the titles. There’s just not enough time to listen to everything.

So if you host your own podcast, work on your episode titles!

3. Engage with your favorite podcasts

Honestly, it makes my day whenever listeners engage with me on social media. After all, it’s not like I’m recording in front of a live audience where I can feed off of their reaction.

Podcasting can feel very solo and siloed for the hosts.

So take the time and reach out to them—it’ll make their day. Tell them what you like about their show, your favorite episodes, and suggestions for future topics and interviews! Not only will this benefit them, but it’ll engage you deeper with the show as well.

Now before you go, I’d love for you to comment below and tell me what podcasts you’re listening to!

Also, I did this last year, and the year before, but here are all the podcasts that I was interviewed on in 2018 in case you’re interested:

If you’re interested in having me on your podcast, you can shoot me some information here.

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