My name is Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy. I started my first podcast back in 2019 as a hobby, but it soon grew into something much bigger. Now, through my business, Seven Million Bikes, I help people all over the world create and grow their own successful podcasts.
Smarter Podcasting features experts in the podcast industry, to share tips and insights on how to improve your show.
In this episode, I welcomed Radim Malinic. Radim is a creative designer, bestselling author, and host of the highly successful podcast Creativity for Sale.
Listen to the episode now to learn more about active listening, podcast engagement, and how podcasts can help your business grow.
Radim Malinic’s Podcasting Journey
I first met Radim when he was a guest on a podcast that I was editing. A few months later, we connected through that podcast, and I was thrilled to start working with him. Seven Million Bikes is now editing his show, Creativity for Sale. Radim shared that when he first started podcasting, he felt a bit scattered and unpolished. He even joked that he probably gave the editors (like me) a headache because he used to jump around too much with his topics.
Radim’s journey into podcasting wasn’t straightforward. He first got the idea to start a podcast back in 2018 after releasing his second book. He had listened to someone else’s podcast and thought, “That sounds like something I’d like to do.” So, he gave it a try. He opened up QuickTime on his laptop, recorded about five sentences, and then listened back to it. Almost immediately, he dismissed the idea, thinking, “No, this isn’t for me. I can’t do this.”
But as his publishing journey shifted—moving from visual books to more text-based ones offering advice to creatives—he started thinking bigger. Radim wanted to provide more than just surface-level content. He realized he was drawn to the untold stories, the “middle” part of people’s creative journeys—the messy, behind-the-scenes part that often gets skipped over when people only talk about their success.
That curiosity to dig deeper and share the real stories of creative professionals pushed him to revisit the podcast idea. He eventually launched Creativity for Sale, a podcast that tells these nuanced experiences, focusing on how people go from humble beginnings to success. It became a platform for him to have meaningful conversations about the realities of creative careers.
The Importance of Active Listening In Podcasting
As we chatted, Radim and I both agreed that a big part of podcasting is learning the art of active listening. When you’re a host, it’s easy to get caught up thinking about your next question, but we’ve both found that being fully present in the conversation leads to better insights and unexpected stories.
Radim mentioned how in the past, he would be so focused on his next question—like asking about apples—while the guest was still talking about oranges and possibly sharing something golden that could be missed if you’re not paying attention. He said learning to really listen brought him “inner peace,” and I couldn’t agree more.
The more I practiced podcasting, the more I realized that active listening is about slowing down, being present, and letting the conversation unfold naturally. When you listen actively, you’re not just hearing words; you’re picking up on nuances, emotions, and subtle cues that can lead to more meaningful and deeper conversations.
When a guest asks me if I have a preset set of questions, my answer is always no. I prefer to keep things organic and let the conversation flow naturally. While some podcasters might prepare a rigid list of questions and stick to it, I believe the best moments come from curiosity and spontaneous dialogue.
How Podcasting Can Help Your Business
Radim Malinic shared how starting his podcast, Creativity for Sale, has been a game-changer for his business and personal brand. When he first launched the podcast, his main goal was to promote his books, but it quickly evolved into something much bigger. Rather than just focusing on his own content, Radim found himself letting go of the structure and diving into deeper, more organic conversations. He realized that when he stopped trying to control the narrative, the best insights and connections started to emerge.
- Global Reach
Podcasting has also opened up opportunities for Radim that he didn’t expect. In just 33 weeks, his show has been listened to in 85 countries, and within the first nine weeks, it had already reached 64 countries. This global reach has been incredible, especially since it has helped him connect with people from different industries and walks of life.
- Evergreen Content
Radim talked about how podcasting has not only boosted his brand but also helped him create more evergreen content. Unlike social media posts that come and go, podcast episodes live on, allowing people to discover them months or even years later.
- Brand Authority
Additionally, podcasting has helped Radim establish brand authority in his industry. His podcast, which focuses on creative careers, allows him to explore topics beyond his books, and in turn, showcase his expertise to a wider audience. It has given him the chance to focus on more meaningful, evergreen content rather than spending time on social media, resulting in stronger engagement and long-term growth for his brand.
The Engagement of Podcasting: More Than Just Numbers
When it comes to podcasting, engagement goes far beyond the number of downloads or views. While these metrics are valuable, they only tell part of the story.
Feedback and Comments: Priceless Validation
Radim mentioned how he often gets feedback through direct messages or conversations with people who casually mention they’ve been listening to his podcast. It’s not always immediate or overwhelming, but when it comes, it’s deeply rewarding. He shared a story about someone who, after a few back-and-forth messages about one of his books, casually added, “Oh, by the way, I love your podcast. I listen to every episode.” This kind of feedback is something numbers can’t fully capture.
Similarly, I mentioned my own experience. I love seeing download numbers increase, but what truly hits home is when someone approaches me in real life and tells me they love my podcast.
For me, one of the most powerful experiences came when I was out having drinks with my wife and her sister. A guy came over, interrupted our conversation, and said, “You’re Niall Mackay from A Vietnam Podcast, right? I just want to tell you, I love your podcast.”
That moment gave me goosebumps. It’s happened maybe less than ten times in the five years I’ve been podcasting, but I remember every single instance. There’s something about hearing directly from someone who listens to your work that can’t be captured by any number of downloads or views. It’s the best feeling—knowing your content has genuinely resonated with someone—and those moments are truly priceless.
Podcasts Have Higher Engagement Rates
Radim and I both agreed that podcasting tends to have much higher engagement rates than other platforms. On average, 80% of podcast listeners finish the episodes they start, a stark contrast to platforms like YouTube, where engagement can drop as low as 10-15%. I’ve had YouTube videos with only a 4% engagement rate! The difference, we believe, lies in how people consume podcasts versus other media.
With podcasts, listeners are often multitasking—they might be commuting, working out, or doing chores. This means they are more likely to stay engaged for the entire episode. There’s less temptation to “click away” because they’re not bombarded with other video suggestions like they are on YouTube. This allows for a much deeper, more sustained connection with the audience.
Let’s see the difference between Podcasters VS Youtubers
The Difference in How Content is Consumed
We also discussed how podcast listeners tend to consume content differently than on YouTube. YouTube is designed to encourage quick consumption—viewers can easily get distracted by the next suggested video, or skip ahead to something else entirely. The platform thrives on short, snappy content that keeps people jumping from one video to the next.
Podcasts, on the other hand, offer a more immersive experience. Once listeners hit play, they’re typically in it for the long haul. The focus is on the conversation and content, not on visuals or distractions, which helps retain their attention for longer periods. Radim pointed out that many times, the conversation gets even more interesting in the second half of the episode when the guest loosens up and starts sharing deeper insights.
In short, podcasting offers creators a unique opportunity to build loyal audiences that not only listen but stay engaged throughout the episode, something that can be much harder to achieve in the fast-paced world of video content.
Podcast vs Public Speaking
We also talked about the advantages of podcasting compared to public speaking.
One of the standout benefits is global reach. During our conversation, Radim Malinic shared that his podcast reaches listeners in 85 countries. Without ever leaving his home, he’s been able to speak to people all over the world. This level of reach would be nearly impossible to achieve consistently with public speaking or in-person events.
Podcasting also provides convenience and flexibility. Unlike public speaking, which requires travel, scheduling, and preparation, podcasting allows you to record and release content at your own pace. You can consistently share your message with your audience from anywhere, making it easier to balance other professional and personal commitments.
Finally, podcast episodes serve as evergreen content. Once published, they remain available indefinitely, allowing new listeners to discover past episodes long after they’ve been released. This long-lasting impact means your content can keep reaching people for years, building a loyal audience over time.
Final Thoughts
It was my pleasure to have Radim on this episode, to talk about podcasting benefits and engagement.
If you need any support with your podcast, Contact me or book a quick Consultation!
Podcasters out there, if you have your podcast community with dedicated listeners, it’s time to turn them into loyal buyers! Let me help you with 5 secrets in my FREE E-book!
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