Creators from TrueFans: Showcasing Independent Podcasting

<p>In this new-year mixtape episode, guests that have featured on Creators from TrueFans in 2025 share their personal hopes for their indie podcasts and for the independent podcasting landscape as a whole.</p><p><br></p><p>Aspirations range from continued growth and increased listener engagement to securing sponsorships and expanding into new formats, including in-person series. A recurring theme is the desire for better support and recognition for independent podcasters, and many express a wish for clearer categories, more meaningful listener statistics beyond just downloads, and a shift away from the dominance of celebrity or AI-generated content towards valuing authentic, human-made stories.</p><p><br></p><p>The episode underscores the vital role of independent creators as the ‘lifeline of the podcast industry’, advocating for an environment where depth, honesty, creativity, and the impact of storytelling are valued above mere numbers. </p><p><br></p><p>Listeners are invited to join the conversation and share their own aspirations for independent podcasting in 2026 directly on the TrueFans app, reinforcing our show's commitment to community and interaction.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sam Sethi</strong> and <strong>Claire Waite Brown</strong> started Creators from TrueFans in early summer 2025 with the aim of amplifying the creative endeavours of independent podcasters and highlight how TrueFans supports discovery, interactivity, and monetization for indie voices.</p><p><br></p><p>See below for links to the podcasts featured, which will also be linked to in the chapters!</p><p><br></p><p>What are indie creators hoping for:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Year of the Indie Voice</strong></p><p>There’s a strong collective hope for 2026 to be the year where independent podcasts gain greater recognition and are valued for their depth, creativity, and authentic storytelling, rather than just download numbers or celebrity status.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Beyond Downloads </strong></p><p>Creators are yearning for improved analytics, specifically asking for metrics like listener retention, actual listening time, and engagement data, to better understand their audience and the impact of their content.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sustainable Growth and Monetization</strong></p><p>Many indie podcasters hope to find more sustainable ways to fund their passion projects, seeking sponsorships that align with their show’s values and clearer pathways to remuneration, moving beyond a "labor of love" into financially viable endeavours.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Enhanced Listener Engagement</strong></p><p>A strong desire exists among creators for more direct feedback and interaction with their audience, emphasizing the need for accessible platforms and features that facilitate two-way conversations, like those offered by TrueFans.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Rethinking Podcast Categorization</strong></p><p>Calls for better, more descriptive podcast categories and formats are made, arguing against, for example, broad ‘arts and entertainment’ tags that lump diverse indie shows with celebrity content, hindering discoverability for unique or niche productions.</p><p><br></p><p>Listen to the podcasts featured in this episode by clicking on their links:</p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-failing-writers-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Failing Writers Podcast</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-story-of-woman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Story of Woman</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/indie-business-club-with-barfield-and-mckinney" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indie Business Club</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-late-bloomer-actor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Late Bloomer Actor</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/multispective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Multispective</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/in-ten-years-time" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In Ten Years Time</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/watts-on-your-screen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watts on Your Screen</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/exhibitionistas-conversations-about-contemporary-art-exhibitions-artists-and-theory-for-everyone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exhibitionistas</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-adult-ballet-studio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Adult Ballet Studio</a></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-cashflow-show" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Cashflow Show</a>&lt

<p>Ever felt deeply connected to a story, even if it's vastly different from your own?</p><p>Jennica Sadhwani shares the compelling origins of her show, Multispective, which aims to amplify diverse voices sharing stories of overcoming adversity, fostering connection through shared human experience. She details how her personal journey of being a good listener evolved into a podcast idea after a stranger's suggestion, highlighting the universal desire for people to be heard.</p><p>Jennica delves into the practicalities of indie podcasting, from finding unique guests through her network and directories like Podmatch, to efficiently managing her workload as a full-time teacher by outsourcing tasks, leveraging AI, and maintaining a structured schedule. The conversation also explores the challenges of standing out in a saturated social media landscape and the inspiring, supportive community within podcasting.</p><p>Sam and Claire expand on the future of podcasting, discussing the transformative potential of Podcasting 2.0 features like automated transcripts, chapters, and innovative monetization methods such as value-for-value payments and micropayments, emphasizing TrueFans' commitment to supporting independent creators in their discovery and financial sustainability.</p><p><br></p><p>Listen to <a href="https://truefans.fm/multispective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Multispective</em> here</a></p><p>Ear Worthy's <a href="https://podalization.substack.com/p/ten-of-the-best-new-indie-podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">top 10 new indie podcasts</a> for 2025</p><p><br></p><p>Creators from TrueFans on <a href="https://creatorsfromtruefans.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Substack</a></p><p> </p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>

<p>Friendship files and the future of podcasting.</p><p>In this week's episode of Creators from TrueFans, Claire chats with Jayne Morgan, the creative mind behind <em>The Friendship File</em> podcast. Jayne shares the unique premise of her show, where two friends independently answer 17 questions about their relationship and then react to each other’s responses. She explains how the podcast delves into the unsung yet incredibly vital role of friendship in our lives, from the heartwarming to the hilariously surprising.</p><p>Jayne opens up about the personal journey of bringing <em>The Friendship File</em> to life, starting it during lockdown as a true ‘labour of love’. She discusses the self-selecting nature of guests who are eager to explore their friendships in this intimate format, emphasizing how recording alone fosters candid and often transformative conversations.</p><p>A professional podcast producer herself, Jayne also shares her industry insights, including her passion for audio-first storytelling amidst the growing push for video content and the challenges of sustaining a passion project.</p><p>Sam and Claire then delve into exciting developments at TrueFans, including a sneak peek at the new Listen Time dashboard, offering unparalleled analytics for creators.</p><p>They also cover major upcoming events in the podcasting world, such as PodFest, The Podcast Show London, and The Rest is Fest, and celebrate TrueFans’ recent recognition by the Podcast Tech Stack blog for its innovative monetization approach. Claire also takes a moment to champion a crowdfunding campaign for <em>On Spec</em> podcast, an independent show doing crucial investigative work.</p><p> </p><p>Listen to <a href="https://truefans.fm/the-friendship-file" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Friendship File</em> here</a></p><p>Read the <a href="https://thepodcasttechstack.substack.com/p/podcast-hosting-in-2025-editors-pick" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Podcast Tech Stack</em> article here</a></p><p><a href="https://chuffed.org/project/onspecpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Financially support <em>On Spec</em> here</a></p><p><br></p><p>Creators from TrueFans on <a href="https://creatorsfromtruefans.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Substack</a></p><p> </p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>

<p>Books that change lives and tech that changes podcasting.</p><p>This time Claire welcomes <strong>Rebecca Thandi Norman</strong>, the creative force behind the <em>Book Imprint</em> podcast. Rebecca shares the evolution of her show, from the Agatha Christie-focused <em>Tea & Murder</em> to <em>Book Imprint</em>, which explores the profound impact of books on individuals before the age of 25. She delves into her unique approach to guest selection, ensuring a diverse range of voices, and opens up about the dedicated team behind Audi Productions that makes her podcast a reality, highlighting the importance of collaboration in independent podcasting.</p><p>Claire and Sam provide expert insights, detailing TrueFans' innovative approach to hosting, including transparent cost analytics, listener micropayments, and advanced features designed to empower independent creators.</p><p>Plus, find out which books have left an imprint on Sam.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Creator</strong></p><ul><li>While Rebecca is a writer she considers herself "first and foremost a reader," and the podcast provides an outlet for constant reading and writing.</li><li>The motto of <em>Book Imprint</em> is "<strong>everyone is interesting</strong>," and Rebecca intentionally seeks diverse guests from different industries to show that books can change the lives of people outside of the publishing or intellectual world.</li><li>The show's production team, Audi Productions, opts to take <strong>healthy breaks</strong> in between seasons to recalibrate, research guests, and avoid burnout.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Beyond the MP3</strong></p><ul><li>Sam and Claire discuss the <strong>alternate enclosure</strong> feature, a Podcasting 2.0 extension to the RSS feed that can point to supplementary content, such as video, a soundbite, or a translated file.</li><li>Sam gives an update on TrueFans hosting, including highlighting that the analytics dashboard will show the <strong>total listen time</strong> and the number of apps that consumed the episode.</li><li>Sam and Claire discuss the possibility for creators to set a <strong>suggested value for episodes</strong>, designed to cover a podcaster's hosting costs. Listeners have the final decision on how much they choose to contribute (including giving less, zero, or more than the suggested value).</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Don't forget:</strong> You can support this show by <strong>streaming SATs</strong> from your TrueFans wallet or leaving a <strong>super comment</strong>!</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/book-imprint" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to Book Imprint here</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guests-and-recommendations?&new-list-page=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Books Sam and Claire talked about</a></p><p><br></p><p>Creators from TrueFans on <a href="https://creatorsfromtruefans.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Substack</a></p><p> </p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>

<p>Powerful storytelling, innovative documentary production and vital discussions on the future of podcasting metrics.</p><p>This time, Claire interviews <strong>Anna Stoecklein</strong>, creator of <em>The Story of Woman</em>, to find out more about her critically acclaimed new documentary series:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Story of Woman: Finding Strength in Kenya</strong></p><ul><li><strong>A Harrowing Topic, a Powerful Message:</strong> Hear how Anna travelled to Kenya to create a three-part series on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), telling the human stories behind the statistics and research.</li><li><strong>Rewriting Tradition:</strong> In this series Anna speaks with survivors, activists, and community leaders in a Somali community in Nairobi and a Maasai community in rural Kenya, showcasing the strength and untapped potential of those working to rewrite tradition from the inside out.</li><li><strong>Splitting the Sats:</strong> Learn how TrueFans enables creators like Anna to use the splits feature in their digital wallet to distribute listener-streamed payments (SATs) between herself and partnering organisations, such as the Orchid Project.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Creator Strategy: Funding and Features</strong></p><ul><li><strong>New Metrics for Success:</strong> Sam explains how hosting on TrueFans provides creators with valuable metrics, including actual listen time and percent completion, that are far more useful to sponsors than traditional download numbers.</li><li><strong>Apple Joins the Chapter Party:</strong> Sam and Claire discuss the major industry news that Apple Podcasts will soon support chapters, whether their own or ones provided by the podcaster, including those that carry the Podcasting 2.0 format. Apple will automatically generate chapters using AI/transcripts, but creators are advised to make their own chapters for full control, dynamic updates (even weeks later), and the ability to include images and links that appear in all supporting apps.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Don't forget:</strong> You can support this show by <strong>streaming SATs</strong> from your TrueFans wallet or leaving a <strong>super comment</strong>!</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-story-of-woman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to The Story of Woman here</a></p><p><br></p><p>Creators from TrueFans on <a href="https://creatorsfromtruefans.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Substack</a></p><p> </p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>

<p>Are you struggling to break into the media industry or advance your career? David Spencer, who created The Media Mentor brand twenty years ago, shares why he launched <em>The Media Mentor podcast</em> as a powerful audio tool to help people navigate the "mystifying world of recruitment".</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Highlights You Won't Want to Miss:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>The Power of Audio:</strong> Discover why David, a long-time lover of audio who always dreamt of working in radio, believes podcasting is a "beautiful powerful way to communicate". </li><li><strong>The Video Frustration:</strong> Hear David's strong feelings on the general trend that "everything has to be video," arguing that a podcast is inherently <em>not</em> video and that the industry risks losing the magic of audio storytelling by becoming too fixated on video.</li><li><strong>Structuring Success:</strong> Learn how David structures his show to provide maximum value, balancing direct advice (theory on CVs and cover letters) with client case studies (brilliant stories and great learning experiences), and expert industry interviews (including a crucial episode on AI and recruitment).</li><li><strong>The Business of Podcasting:</strong> David explains how his podcast functions as a form of "soft power," helping to build the brand of The Media Mentor and showing the value of being a human character behind the brand. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Plus, Sam and Claire Dive into Exciting TrueFans Updates:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Fairer Podcast Hosting is Coming:</strong> Sam shares exciting news about the progression of the new TrueFans hosting service, with the waitlist expected to open at the end of the month.</li><li><strong>Value-for-Value Pricing Explained:</strong> Learn about TrueFans' innovative hosting plan based on <em>listen time</em> rather than fixed fees or downloads. Sam reveals how the pricing works: you are charged a <em>maximum</em> amount (e.g., $15/£15), but if you use less listen time, you are charged less. Any unused allocation rolls over into the next month.</li><li><strong>Boosting Discovery: </strong>Claire praises the TrueFans' homepage, which highlights the latest episodes rather than shows promoted by huge PR budgets.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Hear more about why Sam believes independent podcasters are the "bread and butter" and "lifeline" of the industry, and stick around after the main interview for more from David and Claire on authenticity in audio and the difficulty of not spreading yourself too thinly across social media.</p><p><strong>Don't forget:</strong> You can support this show by <strong>streaming SATs</strong> from your TrueFans wallet or leaving a <strong>super comment</strong>! </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/the-media-mentor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to The Media Mentor here</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2470292/open_sms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Send us a text</a></p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>

<p>Connecting cats and the creator economy!</p><p>This time Claire Waite Brown chats with Amanda B, AKA Captain Kitty, the creator and host of the brilliantly inventive and award-winning <em>6 Degrees of Cats</em>, the podcast that explores deep, cat-themed questions such as 'Are cats cuter than babies?' and 'Did Sir Isaac Newton really create the cat door?'.</p><p>Amanda shares the frustration of the industry devaluing 'human, handcrafted work', but offers a powerful, optimistic theory that the rise of AI-generated content is pushing the industry toward a new economy requiring 'proof of humanity': advertisers will ultimately demand host-read ads and genuine human interaction because 'nobody wants to pay for a bunch of robots listening to their stuff'.</p><p>We also contemplate a fun new way to use the Podcasting 2.0 Person tag and give Binky, Snuggles and Peanut the credit they deserve!</p><p>In this episode you'll discover how TrueFans is driving interactivity by teaching people 'that there are different ways to help listeners become fans'. Sam reveals how creators can use a marketing budget to incentivize listener engagement with small sats payments that show podcasters value the listener's time and attention.</p><p>Plus, learn about new TrueFans discovery features, including a dedicated Awards page that turns winners and nominees into dynamic playlists.</p><p>We also cover critical industry news, including a warning about rising production costs from hosting platforms, and the positive prediction that podcast advertising is expected to top $3 billion in 2025!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://truefans.fm/6-degrees-of-cats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to 6 Degrees of Cats here</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2470292/open_sms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Send us a text</a></p><p>Find <a href="https://truefans.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans here</a></p><p>Music: How It Is from <a href="https://ketsa.uk/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ketsa Music</a></p><p>Feedback: <a href="https://truefans.fm/feedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueFans Support</a></p><p>Read: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Blog</a></p><p>Recommendations: <a href="https://truefans.fm/creators-from-truefans?tab=recommendations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creators Podroll</a></p>