In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty talks with podcasting expert Michelle Glogovac, founder of MLG Collective, author of How to Get on Podcasts, and host of multiple successful podcasts including Read the Damn Book, Kitchen Briefs, and Beyond the Campaign.

Michelle explains why podcasting continues to grow despite intense competition, how independent podcasters can compete with major media personalities, and why trust is the secret ingredient that makes podcasts such a powerful marketing and communications tool. She also shares her remarkable journey from selling jet fuel to becoming one of the industry’s leading podcast publicists.

Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, author, activist, or aspiring podcaster, Michelle offers practical advice on launching a show, finding your audience, creating compelling content, and using storytelling to build meaningful connections.

She also discusses the success of her fast-growing Kitchen Briefs news series and reveals how she manages multiple podcasts while helping clients secure guest appearances on shows around the world.

In this episode:

✅ Why podcast listeners trust podcast hosts

✅ How podcasting can help grow a business

✅ The real costs of starting a podcast

✅ Competing against celebrity and corporate podcasts

✅ How Michelle built a successful podcast PR business

✅ Why storytelling is the key to audience Growth

✅ Tips for entrepreneurs and authors seeking podcast exposure

✅ How short-form content is helping Michelle reach new audiences

If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast—or using podcasts to grow your brand—this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

New to Lean to the Left? Subscribe for conversations with authors, journalists, activists, thought leaders, and newsmakers discussing politics, democracy, media, culture, and the issues shaping America.Can a successful podcast create a loyal audience, help grow your business, build trust with customers, and establish you as a thought leader?

👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to support independent journalism and thoughtful conversations.

And, to check out the three episodes in our Truth Under Attack series, here are the links:

✅ Lilli McGregor — Can We Trust Our Elections? https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/election-watchdog-republicans-benefited-voting-irregularities/

✅ Alison Greene — Uncovering Ghost Voters — https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/ghost-voters-florida-investigation-raises-alarm-even-beyond-the-sunshine-state/

✅ Marcel Reid — Whistleblowers, the Free Press & Democracy Under Attack — https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/they-want-us-silent-marcel-reid-on-why-democracy-needs-whistleblowers-and-a-free-pressmarcel-reid-whistleblowers-free-press-democracy-under-attack/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction & Meet Michelle Glogovac

02:42 Why Podcasting Exploded During COVID

04:10 Why Podcast Listeners Trust Their Hosts

06:22 Competing Against Celebrity & Network Podcasts

08:15 Why Independent Podcasters Have an Advantage

09:25 From Selling Jet Fuel to Podcast Matchmaker

11:15 Building a Podcast PR Business

12:05 Beyond the Campaign & Kitchen Briefs Success

13:35 Michelle’s Take on Politics, Trump & UFC

15:20 How Podcasts Help Small Businesses Gain Customers

17:10 Turning a Podcast into a Marketing Tool

18:00 The Pizza Shop Podcast Example

20:25 What You Need to Start a Podcast

21:15 Starting a Podcast for Less Than $100 a Month

22:20 How Michelle Produces Four Podcasts

24:15 Michelle’s Book: How to Get on Podcasts

25:30 Repurposing Podcast Content for Growth

26:20 Why Every Creator Should Own Their Domain Name

27:45 Using Substack and Websites Together

28:45 Do You Need Guests on Your Podcast?

29:45 Bob’s Famous UFO Reporting Story

32:20 Audio vs. Video Podcasts: Which Is Better?

33:30 Do You Need B-Roll, Graphics & Fancy Effects?

34:40 Music, Copyright & Podcast Production Tips

35:25 Can You Actually Make Money Podcasting?

36:25 SEO Tips for Podcasters

37:15 Michelle’s Pod

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Bob Gatty Author, Podcaster, Blogger

For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.

Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).

After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.

His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.

Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.

Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .

In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.

The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.

The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.