Many podcasts don't make it past episode five, according to new data from the Podcast Index. In this episode, Mark, Danny, Dave Jackson, and Ashley Hamer discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding podcasting.TakeawaysMany podcasts don't make it past episode five, possibly due to the rise of free podcast hosting platforms like Anchor, now Spotify for Podcasters.The lack of immediate feedback and community engagement in podcasting can be disheartening for new podcasters.The influx of celebrity podcasts and the perception of difficulty in getting noticed may discourage indie podcasters.To overcome these challenges, podcasters should focus on their internal motivation, have a long list of episode topics, and plan for breaks or hiatuses.Setting realistic expectations is crucial in podcasting, as it takes time and effort to grow an audience and make money.Podcasting is not a quick way to make six figures, and it's important to focus on creating valuable content and building a loyal audience.Our co-hosts this week:Ashley Hamer Ashley Hamer is Managing Editor at Descript, an AI-powered audio and video editor. She's also the author of the Weekly Tweak, a newsletter that helps podcasters improve their show week by week, and the creator/host of Taboo Science, a podcast that examines taboos through a scientific lens. Formerly, she was the co-creator and co-host of Curiosity Daily, a daily science podcast from Discovery. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and toddler daughter where she plays jazz saxophone at venues around the city. @smashleyhamer on X - Ashley on YouTube - Ashley's Website Dave Jackson Dave Jackson began podcasting in 2005 and launched the School of Podcasting (schoolofpodcasting.com). His School of Podcasting show has over 3.1 million downloads. He has helped hundreds of people plan, launch, and grow their podcasts. He is the author of the book Profit from your podcast and is a featured speaker at events. In 2016 Dave joined Libsyn (the largest podcast hosting company) as part of their tech support team.  In 2018 he was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. His flagship show is at www.schoolofpodcast..com @DaveJackson on X - @schoolofpodcasting on Instagram - Dave on YouTube - Dave's Website Dave's Facebook page Links to interesting things from this episodeThe Podcast Launch Accelerator - Free Online Podcast Course | CaptivateNeil Scott | National Association of Addiction Treatment ProvidersTink Media Podfade: surprising reasons why podcasters give up | Ana XavierTotal podcasts in the index - Podcast IndexHow many episodes do podcasts have? - Podcast IndexHow many podcasts make it to 5 or more episodes? - PodnewsIn & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast brought to you by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown.If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too!If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know via Twitter and we'll get you booked!Please tell your friends that the show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, plus wherever else they may listen to their podcasts.If you'd like your podcast trailer featuring in our "Wave File" segment, submit it via this quick contact form, please.The podcast is also available at In & Around Podcasting.Mentioned in this episode:A Breath of Fresh Air with Sandy KayeJoin Sandy Kaye on A Breath of Fresh Air, a podcast that brings you intimate fireside chats with music legends of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Note from Mark: as a rock fan... I mean... you HAVE to check out this podcast!!A Breath of Fresh AirThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy