Freddy Cruz
Your Mic
Playlist by Freddy CruzYour Mic is a podcast for new and aspiring podcasters. Hosted by Freddy Cruz, founder of Speke Podcasting, Your Mic offers insights, tactics, and mindset strategies. Each episode features practical a…60 clip(s) in playlist
How to Build and Grow a Thriving Podcast Community
Ozeal DeBastos built his vibrant network of over 4,500 podcasters by focusing on authentic connection, both online and in-person. Through consistent events and understanding his audience’s needs, he fostered real relationships beyond the mic. His journey proves that showing up and prioritizing peop…
35:53
The Power of Listening to Your Audience: Lessons from...NESTLE
Nestle, despite being a global powerhouse, stumbled hard when they tried to launch coffee in Japan because they didn’t account for local tastes. I walk you through how the campaign flopped and how they finally rebounded by listening to the culture, rolling out Kit Kats tailored for the Japanese mar…
16:14
Breaking the Ice: Tips for Making Your Podcast Guests Comfortable
Reena Friedman Watts returns to the show to reveal her inside secrets for killer interviews. She primes every session by scoping out guests on social, hitting up LinkedIn recommendations, and connecting with people in their orbit for the real scoop. By finding common ground, Reena flips nervous ch…
22:00
Your Mic, Your Moment: Channeling “The Weeknd” Energy in the Podcast Arena
During this episode, we talk about a Super Bowl halftime show, a childhood football season, and what that means for podcasters investing in themselves. Discover why putting in the work before a win makes a difference Hear about the lessons learned from losses, not just the victories Find out …
09:29
Building Podcast Resilience: The $20 Million Lesson from Pepsi’s Blunder
Pepsi’s infamous “number fever” fiasco in the Philippines led to chaos, riots, and even tragedy, yet the brand ultimately survived and thrived. I found a powerful parallel, reminding creators that even their biggest failures will fade into obscurity. The real victory is choosing to keep going and …
08:27
What George Washington Teaches Us About Podcasting
What does George Washington have to do with podcasting? Maybe more than you think. Today, I'm looking at the story of Washington, a battlefield, and a lost dog, and how that moment connects to the way we handle debate and ideas on the mic. You'll hear: Why long-form podcasts push us past surfac…
06:50
I Went to Podcast Movement for the First Time, Here are My Thoughts
What does it take to host your first ever podcast event? That’s the question I had before my trip to Podcast Movement. I met podcast hosts building their shows to share stories with the world. I discovered how artificial intelligence is changing the way we make content. I learned what the cor…
18:43
Scaling a Niche Podcast into a Media Brand
Freddy Cruz welcomes Victoria Meyer, host of the #1 podcast in the chemical industry, The Chemical Show. Victoria shares her journey from corporate chemical engineer to entrepreneur and podcast host, discussing the challenges of starting from scratch, cultivating community, measuring success, and l…
29:18
Building a Strong Podcast Brand: Promotion, Newsletters, and Engagement
Freddy is joined by veteran podcaster, coach, and radio alum Ana Xavier, host of The Podcast Space. Ana shares her journey from Portugal’s radio studios to podcast consulting, the evolution and democratization of podcast creation, and strategies for sustainable, impactful shows. They address buildi…
27:32
The Future of Podcasting: Insights from a Podcast Hall of Famer
Freddy speaks with Rob Greenlee, podcasting OG and Hall of Famer, who launched one of the world’s first podcast radio shows in 2004. Rob reflects on the evolution of podcast tech, the move from legacy to on-demand media, the shifting definitions of podcasting success, and what’s next as AI and vide…
37:56