My name is Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I run this show, “Smarter Podcasting,” to share tips and interview other podcasters. One of the most exciting parts is “Podcast Audit”, as I have a chance to help other shows improve.
Today is a podcast named Own It: The Comeback, hosted by Tim. His podcast is already doing really well — about 1,000 downloads per episode. But as I discovered, even strong shows have blind spots. And fixing those can take a podcast from good to great.
Why Podcast Audits Matter
Podcasters put so much effort into recording and releasing episodes. But it’s easy to miss small details that make a big difference. When you’re deep in your own show, you can’t always see what’s holding it back.
That’s where an audit comes in. I don’t look at the content itself — that’s the host’s expertise. I look at the technical side, the branding, and the way the show is presented to new listeners. Those are often the areas where small changes can unlock big growth.
Tim and The Comeback Podcast
Tim started his podcast for a personal reason. He had been on another show, The Upward Spiral, and that inspired him to give up alcohol. The experience of being a guest felt therapeutic, and he wanted to do the same for others.
His audience is clear: men in their 40s and 50s who may feel stuck, out of shape, or unsure of their direction in life. He wants to show them that change is possible through real stories from real men.
That’s a great foundation. His niche is clear, his purpose is strong, and his numbers prove there’s demand. But like I told him, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
Branding and Discoverability
The first thing I noticed was the name. The Comeback sounds powerful, but it’s also too broad. There are dozens of other podcasts with similar names, and some of them have nothing to do with self-improvement. If a potential listener searches for “The Comeback Podcast,” they’ll see a mix of unrelated shows, including one from the Church of the Latter Day Saints. That makes it harder for Tim’s show to stand out.
The artwork also needed work. The text was thin and hard to read, especially on mobile. And since most people listen on their phone, that matters a lot.
On top of that, Tim didn’t have a dedicated website. He was only sharing links to Apple and Spotify. That meant all his traffic was going to someone else’s platform, not to a place he owned.
My tip: refine the name or add a tagline that makes it clear what the podcast is about. Drop the word “podcast” from the title — people already know it’s a podcast. Redesign the artwork with bold, simple text that pops on a phone screen. And set up a website so he can own the traffic, build SEO, and give listeners a central hub.
Show Notes and SEO
When I looked at the show notes, they felt generic. Like many podcasters, Tim was using AI to help write them, and I could tell right away. They often started with “In this episode…” which makes it obvious it wasn’t written with a personal touch.
The bigger issue was discoverability. Without blog posts or a website, there was no way for people to find his podcast on Google. If someone searched for “men’s health podcast” or “fitness after 40,” his show wouldn’t come up.
My tip: write show notes in the first person to make them feel personal. Start with a hook — a strong quote or moment from the episode — to grab attention. Then, turn each episode into a blog post. Take the transcript, clean it up, add some keywords, and publish it. That way, people searching for those topics can find his show through Google.
Audio Quality and Editing
One of the most important parts of any podcast is sound. Tim’s intro sounded great — short music, clear introduction, strong energy. But then the quality dropped. The gain was too high, which created distracting mouth noises.
I also noticed a lot of filler words. In the episode I checked, there were more than 1,000 filler words like “um” and “you know.” When I removed them using Descript, it cut 10 minutes off the episode without losing any meaning.
The last issue was data. Tim was tracking downloads, but he wasn’t checking consumption rates — how long people actually listened. Without that, it’s impossible to know if listeners were dropping off early.
My tip: adjust mic gain and prep guests (a glass of water helps a lot). Use filler-word removal tools like Descript to clean up the audio and tighten the flow. And check Apple and Spotify analytics for consumption data to see where listeners are dropping off.
Episode Structure and Engagement
The structure of each episode could also be improved. There was no hook at the start. Listeners were dropped straight into the intro, but in podcasting, the first 30 seconds are critical. If people aren’t engaged right away, they’ll leave.
Some of the questions were too open or repetitive. That made parts of the conversation drag. Also, at the end, Tim signposted when he was asking the last question. That often leads to listeners tuning out before the episode finishes.
Finally, the call-to-action was given to the guest, which diluted the message. If you want people to subscribe, share, or follow, that should come from the host.
My tip: add a 30-second highlight reel at the start with the most interesting soundbites. Ask pointed questions that invite specific stories. End episodes without announcing the “last question” to keep engagement high. And always keep the call-to-action host-driven and simple: subscribe, share, turn on notifications.
Growth Potential
The funny thing is, even with all these problems, Tim’s show was still doing amazing — 1,000 downloads per episode with only seven episodes released. That’s a huge achievement.
But without adjustments, there’s a risk of hitting a plateau. Growth in podcasting comes from consistency and small improvements over time.
My tip: keep building a back catalog. Most downloads come from older episodes, so the more you publish, the more your audience will grow. Combine that with the tweaks above, and Tim’s podcast could reach a whole new level.
Key Takeaways for Any Podcaster
Auditing Tim’s podcast reminded me that the basics matter. Here are lessons any podcaster can apply:
- Make your show easy to find. A clear name, bold artwork, and a website go a long way.
- Respect your listener’s time. Edit out filler words and keep the audio sharp.
- Hook them fast. The first 30 seconds decide if someone stays or goes.
- Be personal. Write notes in your own voice and connect directly with listeners.
- Use data. Check consumption rates and SEO performance, not just downloads.
Conclusion
Auditing The Comeback Podcast was a great reminder that even successful shows can improve. Tim has an inspiring mission and a strong audience already. With some small but important changes, his podcast can grow even bigger and reach more men who need to hear his message.
