Why Podcasters Should Recommend Each Other (Even If They Don’t Know Each Other Personally)

Podcasting is often described as a lonely endeavor. You sit in your studio, speak into a microphone, and ship your work out into the world, hoping someone on the other side is listening. But at its best, podcasting isn’t an isolated pursuit at all, it’s a community. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen this community is by recommending other podcasts, including shows hosted by people you’ve never met.

Why Recommend Other Podcasts?

1. It builds trust with your audience.
When you recommend quality content, your listeners see you as a trusted curator. They come to rely on you not just for your own expertise or entertainment, but for guiding them toward other voices worth hearing. Your willingness to point them elsewhere demonstrates that you’re not just trying to keep them locked into your ecosystem — you’re genuinely invested in their growth, enjoyment, or education.

2. It strengthens the podcasting ecosystem.
Podcast discovery is notoriously difficult. Algorithms aren’t nearly as helpful as on other platforms, and many listeners rely heavily on word-of-mouth. When you highlight other shows, you help build a more robust network of connections, and you also tap into those shows’ audiences in return.

It’s a subtle but effective way of cross-pollinating listeners. Rising tides lift all boats: the more great podcasts people discover, the more likely they are to stay engaged with the medium itself, discovering you along the way.

3. It encourages reciprocity.
Many podcasters remember who lifted them up or helped them grow. By making a habit of promoting other shows — even those hosted by people you’ve never met — you plant seeds of goodwill. That generosity often circles back.

I also frequently ask my own guests if they’d like to be introduced to other podcasters I think would be a great fit for them. It’s another simple way to support both your guests and your peers. Podcasters pay close attention to who’s actively nurturing the community, and when opportunities come up to recommend someone in return, your name is likely to be the one they mention.

4. It models abundance over scarcity.
Some creators shy away from highlighting other podcasts out of fear they’ll lose listeners. I’ve never quite understood that attitude. Audiences simply aren’t that fragile. People who love podcasts tend to have long listening lists, bouncing between different hosts, topics, and styles. Sharing other great shows doesn’t mean your audience will abandon you — it actually reinforces that you’re a trusted guide who has their best interests at heart.

Recommending other creators also sends a powerful message: there’s more than enough space for all of us. It shows you’re secure in your own voice and value. And that kind of confidence and generosity? It often inspires others to do the same.

Why Recommend Shows When You Don’t Know the Host?

It’s easy to recommend friends. It’s more radical — and sometimes more impactful — to spotlight shows where you don’t have a personal connection. Here’s why:

It keeps your recommendations honest and audience-first. You’re not just doing favors for friends; you’re sharing what you genuinely think is great.

It expands the circle. If we only ever promote people we know, we risk keeping the spotlight narrow and insular. Recommending lesser-known voices or new perspectives enriches the whole space.

It can lead to meaningful new relationships. Often, hosts you’ve championed will reach out to thank you. This can blossom into collaborations, guest swaps, or new friendships that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. As a highly committed introvert, I rarely put myself in situations where I have to meet people. One of the biggest blessings of hosting Your Partner In Success Radio is that it gives me the chance to meet and get to know fascinating people from all over the world. These are people I would never bump into at my local Walmart, and it is a gift I deeply value.

A Few Simple Ways to Start

  • Consider mentioning other podcasts at the end of your episodes with a simple line like, “If you enjoyed this, you might also like…” I don’t usually do this myself because I have sponsors on my shows. Still, it can work wonders for newer podcasters who want to build community and goodwill. Just make sure you are making a genuine recommendation. It should be something you truly believe would interest your audience, not just a random shoutout. For example, tossing out Joe Rogan to a podcast audience that wants to learn about small business growth or personal branding wouldn’t make much sense. Always keep your listeners’ interests front and center. Your listeners trust you to point them to content that matters to them.
  • Share short clips or graphics from shows you enjoy on social media. This is one of the simplest ways to introduce your audience to another podcast you think they’ll appreciate. Pull out a quote that struck you, or share a quick audio snippet. Tag the podcast and the host, too. It not only gives them a boost, it also shows your audience that you’re plugged into the broader conversation and always looking for valuable content to bring them.
  • Participate in cross-promotions, even informal ones where you just swap recommendations.
    You don’t need a fancy written agreement or a sponsor-style contract to do this. Reach out to other podcasters whose audiences might overlap with yours. You can each record a quick promo spot or simply agree to mention each other’s shows. It’s a natural way to get in front of new listeners who are already primed to enjoy what you offer.
  • Leave reviews on other shows. It costs nothing and makes a huge impact.
    Most podcasters watch their reviews closely — they’re a public signal of trust and often help with rankings. Leaving a thoughtful review takes just a few minutes, and it’s one of the kindest ways you can support a fellow creator. It also puts you on their radar in a positive way, which can lead to future opportunities or connections down the line.
  • Create a “Podcasts I Love” page on your website. If you don’t have a website yet, I can help. And no, I DO NOT recommend using the website builder offered by your podcast host.

Having your podcast “website” live on your hosting company’s platform is almost always a bad idea, for many reasons.

1. You don’t own it.
At the end of the day, that page belongs to your host, not to you. If they change their terms, raise prices, discontinue features, or even shut down, your online presence goes with them. You lose control over something critical to your brand.

2. It’s terrible for SEO.
Those sites almost always live on a subdomain or subfolder of the host’s main website, which means you’re helping them rank in search, not yourself. If you ever switch hosts, all that tiny bit of SEO authority you built is gone. With your own site, every blog post, guest page, and show note builds your domain.

3. It’s limited and generic.
Host-provided sites are usually bare-bones, offering very few options for design or added functionality. You can’t easily include lead magnets, sales pages, sponsor integrations, or a blog that truly supports your goals. And using an address like my-name.podcast.hostingcompany.com doesn’t exactly look professional. Having your own standalone website under your own domain shows that you’re serious about your brand and your audience.

4. It signals you’re not serious.
When potential sponsors, clients, or partners look you up, seeing a “mypodcast.hostingcompany.com” address or something similar doesn’t exactly scream professional. A standalone website under your own domain shows you’re invested in your brand and your audience.

5. You’re missing huge opportunities.
Your website is your hub. It’s where you collect emails, feature your offers, link to guest businesses, and provide extra resources. It’s also where you can monetize through your own affiliate links or products without restrictions.

Bottom line:

A website on your podcast host’s platform is not truly your digital real estate. It’s rented space, and the landlord makes the rules. Your show deserves better than that.

If you want to know more, I’d be glad to talk it through. You can schedule a free 30-minute chat with me, and I’ll walk you through why owning your own online home is one of the smartest moves you can make for your podcast’s future. Just send me a message at mail@yourofficeontheweb.com or book your free consult at https://yourofficeontheweb.as.me/

In the End, It’s About Building a Stronger Community

Podcasting thrives when creators look out for each other. By recommending other shows — especially those outside your immediate circle — you contribute to a culture of generosity and collaboration. You help listeners discover new favorites. You encourage hosts who might otherwise feel like they’re speaking into the void. And you make the podcasting world a more vibrant, welcoming place for everyone.

So don’t hesitate. The next time you find a podcast you love, tell your audience. Even if you’ve never met the host, your shoutout might be the boost they need — and it reinforces that beautiful truth about podcasting: we’re all in this together.

🎙 Ready to start or strengthen your podcast in a strategic, relationship-first way?

Let’s talk. I offer 1:1 consulting for professionals ready to use their voice — and platform — to build real connection. Book a free 30-minute call with me today. Let’s see what’s possible for you. Let’s talk about your vision, your questions, and how to turn your hard-won knowledge into a podcast that feels like home.

Just send me a message at mail@yourofficeontheweb.com or book your free consult at https://yourofficeontheweb.as.me/