If you’ve ever questioned your podcast’s name or felt stuck in the rebranding process, you’ll get a ton of value from this episode with Cheryl Fisher, host of Mind Your Midlife. Cheryl shares her honest journey from launching a show with a broad focus to finding clarity and doubling her listener numbers through a strategic rebrand — plus, some surprising truths about what it actually takes to grow your podcast audience.
Listen in to learn:
Why niching down your podcast makes a world of difference (including real numbers on growth after rebranding).
Practical, budget-friendly strategies Cheryl used to boost downloads and what actually moved the needle (spoiler: not just social media). There’s also a thoughtful look at how to know your show’s “how” and why it matters for growth, plus listener-first advice on experimenting with ads and partnerships. Whether you’re considering a rename or struggling with slow audience growth, Cheryl’s story gives you both permission and practical ideas to take the next step.
Connect with Cheryl Fisher
Website: https://www.mindyourmidlifepodcast.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylpfischer/#
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindyourmidlifepodcast/
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Chapters
00:00 Meet Cheryl Fisher & Her Podcast
01:12 The Naming Struggle: Podcast Purgatory
02:30 Researching and Renaming the Show
03:16 What Mind Your Midlife Is Really About
04:25 The Old Name and Why She Rebranded
07:43 Niche Down for Growth
08:18 How Cheryl Helps Her Audience
10:47 Podcast Formats: Solo vs Interviews
11:17 Why Cheryl Started Podcasting
12:26 Hopes, Expectations & Podcast Goals
13:58 Rebranding When You’re Small
15:22 Advice for New Podcasters on Naming
16:16 Two Years In: Consistency and Growth
16:32 Choosing a Podcast Category
18:45 Dreaming Up a Custom Category
21:40 Audience Size & Growth Numbers
22:54 Marketing Tactics That Really Worked
24:02 Results from Paid Ad Campaigns
26:12 Download vs Follower Strategies
28:47 Budgeting Time vs Money
30:08 When Should You Spend on Growth?
34:28 Podcast Cross-Promos: What Works
36:05 Podcast Recommendation Newsletters
39:06 Borrowing Audiences to Grow
40:26 The Power of Specific Podcast Missions
42:02 Balancing Content, Growth, and Editing
46:30 Does the Podcast Make Money?
47:37 Podcasting as a Personal Brand Builder
51:45 Authority, Thought Leadership & Guesting
54:15 The Podcaster’s Confidence Boost
55:17 Where to Find Cheryl’s Podcast
56:07 Wrapping Up & Invitation for Chapter Two