What happens when a podcast starts with a mission before it ever makes money?
In this episode, I sit down with Wild Willie, host of Soul Impact: How Music Saved Us, to talk about how music became a safe place in his life, how that story shaped his podcast, and why he now interviews artists about the real struggles music has helped them move through.
You’ll hear how Wild Willie launched his podcast in June, what it took to get past self-doubt, and why listener feedback became one of the biggest things that helped him keep going. We also talk about the behind-the-scenes work of podcasting, including using StreamYard, AI tools, short-form video tools, social media, podcast networks, and weekly consistency to grow from around 1,500 views to 21,000 views in just a few months. Plus, you’ll get a real look at how his podcast connects with his DJ business, why networking matters, how he thinks about monetization, and why finding your “why” can carry you when the numbers or money are not there yet.
Tune in for an honest conversation about podcasting with heart, building community through music, and learning as you go.
Connect With Wild Willie
Podcast: Soul Impact: How Music Saved Us
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome to My Podcast Story
00:19 Meet Wild Willie
00:48 When Soul Impact Started
01:01 Music as a Safe Haven
01:44 Early Challenges and Self-Doubt
02:39 How Listener Feedback Helped Him Keep Going
03:30 The Impact Soul Impact Has on Listeners
04:18 Behind the Scenes: Tools, Costs, and Production
05:51 Growing From 1,500 to 21,000 Views
06:44 Faith, Family, and Purpose Behind the Podcast
07:13 Consistency, Social Media, and Podcast Growth
08:42 Why Networking Matters for Podcasters
09:34 When the Podcast Started Feeling Real
10:41 My Podcast Story Newsletter Break
11:04 How the Podcast Connects to His DJ Business
12:24 Monetization, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Helping One Person
13:15 Giving Back to the Entertainment Community
14:06 The Benefits of Joining a Podcast Network
15:13 Future Projects and Benefit Festivals
17:13 Why Podcasting Feels Like an Unplugging Space
18:39 Talking About Music Without Always Playing Music
19:31 Navigating Music Permissions and Release Forms
20:11 Reviewing Episodes and Getting Better
21:21 How Podcasting Helps the Host Grow Too
22:32 Advice for New Podcasters: Find Your Why
24:04 Where to Find Wild Willie and Soul Impact
25:24 Final Thoughts
