Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, shares his journey from starting a podcast about Saigon in 2019 to running a successful, end-to-end podcast production agency. Niall discusses the evolution of his podcast, including rebranding it to focus on Vietnam as a whole, and how he navigated significant challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of setting specific goals, learning to say no, and focusing on one's primary objective for achieving success. Niall also ...

“The reason I’m putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don’t want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay This episode is easily one of my favorites — not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time. Listening to h...

I'm opening up about my podcasting journey and the blunders I've encountered along the way. Join me as I share some valuable lessons learned from my experiences so that you can avoid these pitfalls and create a smoother path to podcasting success. Key Times to Listen: 00:01:00 - The Importance of Hitting Record 00:02:00 - The Power of Headphones 00:04:30 - Communicating with Guests for Video 00:06:00 - Embracing Dynamic Microphones 00:08:30 - Eliminating Interruptions and Disturbances Key Tak...

In this episode, I'm going to cover one of the most important questions you can find on Google. What editing software do I use to edit my podcast? And what is the difference between audacity and gavage band? And this episode, we're going to cover the pros and cons of each of those programs. And the one major difference that you need to know before you decide which program to choose. Send us a text Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcast...

Tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring me, Niall Mackay, a stand-up comedian and teacher in Vietnam with Andrew Durning from That Mental Ginger Show. In this engaging conversation, Niall and host Andrew discuss the challenges of creating a successful podcast course, their experiences in content creation, the importance of finding one's niche, and much more. With insightful advice and inspiring personal stories, this episode offers both practical takeaways and behind-the-scenes glimp...

“I started with the Blue Yeti microphone, put it between me and the guest, and didn’t realize it was picking up everything—even my dog snoring on the couch.” When I recorded this episode, I wanted to share the exact journey I’ve been on with podcast equipment—from the mistakes I made when I first started to what I use today in my studio. Equipment is one of the biggest questions I see from new and experienced podcasters alike, and it can feel overwhelming. My goal in this episode ...

“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.” That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare...

Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.” That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare ...

I've got something special to share with you – an honest review of the Maono PD200X Microphone that's making waves in the content creation world. Join me on this audio journey as we unbox the dynamic Maono PD200X, a versatile USB/XLR microphone with a unique glowing band that sets it apart from the rest. I'll walk you through its technical specifications, ergonomic design, and the powerful Maono Link app, which offers full audio control. And here's the exciting part – I'll compare the PD2...

“I didn’t start this podcast for fame or money — I started it as a tool to help other men.” – Tim When I sat down with Tim Guest for this podcast audit, I knew it would be special. His story is inspiring — from brain surgery in 2020 to completing an Ironman and building The Comeback Plan. What impressed me even more was that his podcast is already in the top 5% globally, yet there are still small changes that could take it to another level. This episode reminded me that even strong show...

In this episode, we explore the benefits and different types of podcast headphones available. We discuss the importance of features like sound isolation, comfort, and accurate audio monitoring in enhancing your podcasting experience and improving sound quality. Here are five key talking points for this episode: Headphone Features for Podcasters: Understand the importance of sound isolation, comfort, and accurate audio monitoring in choosing the right podcasting headphones.Wired vs. Wireless...

In this episode, I provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the best podcast microphone for any budget. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced podcaster, this episode covers various microphone options, explains the differences between dynamic and condenser mics, and compares USB and XLR connectivity. I also shares recommendations for budget-friendly, mid-range, and high-end microphones, highlighting their features and performance. You'll gain insights into microphone types, conne...

This Q&A episode was a little different because instead of gathering listener questions, I turned to my best mate — ChatGPT — to ask me five questions about podcasting. Honestly, I had no idea what was coming, but the questions were spot-on and got me thinking deeply about what works and what doesn’t in podcasting. I shared lessons I’ve learned from years of trial, error, and growth, along with practical advice for podcasters at any stage. What I love about this format is that it forces ...

"Good podcasting is about generously communicating and showing up for your listener and being able to deliver them really good value. " - Mark Steadman If you’re a podcaster, new or experienced, this podpast episode will change the way you approach your craft. This episode with Mark Steadman was an absolute masterclass in podcasting. His insights on putting the listener first have completely reshaped the way I think about crafting episodes. I’ve always believed in respecting the liste...

“Should you ever change your podcast name? I’ve just done this for the fourth time…” I open up about one of the biggest decisions I’ve made recently — changing the name of my first and biggest show yet again. From Seven Million Bikes to A Saigon Podcast, then A Vietnam Podcast, and now Discover Vietnam, it’s been a journey of evolution, mistakes, and lessons learned. Naming a podcast isn’t just about branding; it’s about clarity, growth, audience alignment, and sometimes even sponsorship oppo...

Are you a podcaster looking to grow your audience and measure the success of your show? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of podcast analytics. From basic metrics like downloads and listener retention, to demographic and conversion data, understanding and utilizing podcast analytics is crucial for any successful podcast. I share the importance of tracking retention rates, analyzing your metrics, and focusing on the metrics that truly matter for measuring success. I also share tips ...

“I’ll be honest, when I first started podcasting, I didn’t care what I looked like—because no one could see me. Now? People aren’t just listening anymore. They’re watching.” When I started my first podcast in 2019, it was audio-only. No one cared what I wore, whether my hair was a mess, or if I’d just rolled out of bed. Fast forward to today, and video is unavoidable in podcasting. Like it or not, your audience wants to see you as much as they want to hear you. In this episode of Smarter Podc...

I am joined by audio and video production expert Tomas George. We dive deep into the essentials of setting up a quality podcast studio, debunking common myths about equipment and emphasizing the importance of affordable yet effective solutions. We cover the vital role of lenses over cameras, the benefits of dynamic microphones over condensers, and practical advice for lighting and storage. Thomas shares his expertise on camera settings, explaining concepts like aperture, ISO, and ...

Podcasting has been revolutionized with the integration of AI technologies. Podcasters can now save time and produce better content with the help of AI tools. In this episode, we discover how AI can be used to enhance audio quality, generate show notes, and provide personalized content recommendations. We also explore Descript , an editing tool that uses AI-powered tools to generate voiceovers and speaker labels, and otter.ai, a transcription tool with keyword search highlighting and c...

“Just because someone knows how to edit a podcast doesn’t mean they should.” Thinking of hiring a podcast editor — or going full DIY? In this episode of Smarter Podcasting, I share the real pros and cons of outsourcing editing vs. doing it yourself. From saving time to avoiding costly mistakes, I’ll walk you through what editing actually involves, what to look out for when hiring, and why quality always trumps convenience. This is your no-BS guide to making smarter editing decisions that g...