The New Way To Grow a Podcast in 2026

Chris Hutchins, host of the wildly popular All the Hacks podcast, joins us to crack the code on podcast growth. Most creators dream of building a brand, attracting millions of listeners, and monetizing their passion, but Chris has actually done it, transforming his podcast into a powerhouse through meticulous optimization. If you've ever wondered how successful podcasts truly scale beyond the initial buzz, or how to inject startup-level strategic thinking into your creative venture, this episode is a masterclass. Chris reveals the behind-the-scenes tactics that catapulted his show to millions of downloads, sharing the unconventional strategies that maximize reach and impact. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 07:08 The Underrated Power of Networking 11:09 Leveraging Your Inner Circle for Connections 15:08 Crafting Pitches That Stand Out 20:00 The Value of Deep Expertise 23:44 Podcast Growth: Beyond the Numbers 28:07 Gauging Podcast Potential with Overcast Ads 32:20 Strategic Guesting on Other Podcasts 37:57 The Art of Asking to Be a Host 42:04 Maximizing Value in Podcast Collaborations 46:19 The Untapped Potential of Post-Roll Ads 51:00 Subsidizing Growth for Maximum Scale 54:15 Reinvestment and Strategic Retreats 58:24 Optimizing for Leverage, Not Just Revenue 1:01:52 Gaming the Podcast Charts 1:08:14 Essential Personal Finance Hacks 1:10:00 The Ultimate Hotel Upgrade Hack If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram:   / nathanbarry   LinkedIn:   / nathanbarry   X:   / nathanbarry   YouTube:    / @thenathanbarryshow   Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com/?utm_campaign=2966155... Follow Chris: Website: https://allthehacks.com X: https://x.com/hutchins LinkedIn:   / chrishutchins   Instagram:   / chrishutchins   YouTube:    / @chris-hutchins   Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com All the Hacks: https://allthehacks.com Highlights: 02:22 Shifting from Entrepreneur to Creator Identity 08:31 The Power Move of Ending a Conversation 12:12 Networking by Adding Value to an Inner Circle 26:35 Podcast Downloads vs. YouTube Views: Engagement Matters 34:04 Treating Your Creator Business Like a Startup 45:15 The Strategy of Buying Post-Roll Ads 1:08:29 Why You Should Never Leave Cash in a Checking Account