Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin - Podcast for Podcasters about Podcasting

Hosted by Haylee Gaffin, Growth Strategist for Podcast Hosts

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Episodes

263

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Clocking In is the podcast for podcasters, entrepreneurs, and professionals making their way in the working world, while building their own personal brand in the podcasting industry. If you're a podcaster (or even just dreaming about launching your own podcast someday), this podcast about podcasting was built to help you merge your love of conversation, education, and business. On this show, you'll discover essential tools for podcasters and explore podcast growth, whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your podcast. We cover everything from podcasting for beginners to advanced podcast strategy, offering podcasting tips that can help you at any stage of your journey, while also exploring the concept of podcasting for business. Learn about launching a podcast, developing a content plan, and monetizing a podcast effectively. Each episode is packed with podcasting education to empower you with the knowledge you need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of podcasting. If you've been asking yourself, "How can I grow my show?," this is the podcast for you! Join Haylee Gaffin each week to hear stories and advice for podcasters on life, entrepreneurship, business, and podcasting! Haylee is the owner of Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. This show is brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production agency for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about launching and growing your podcast with Gaffin Creative gaffincreative.com . Let's Connect: gaffincreative.com instagram.com/hayleegaffin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 27, 202621 min

232: Are You Letting AI Ruin Your Authority as a Business Owner?

What happens when a client runs your work through AI and sends you back an 18-page document of feedback? Well, it happened to me, and it sparked a much bigger conversation about how we're using AI in our businesses. I'm a huge fan of AI. I use it in my own business, and I've seen firsthand how much time it can save. But I've also caught myself relying on it a little too much, especially when creating podcast content, emails, and social media posts. And when I started noticing my own content sounding just like everyone else's, I knew something needed to change. In this episode of Clocking In , I'm sharing some candid thoughts about the overuse of AI, what happens when we let it make decisions for us, and why protecting your voice and authority matters more than ever. I'm also sharing a few real experiences from my work as a podcast producer, including what happens when AI becomes the one giving feedback instead of the actual client. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: I have overused AI (2:17) I noticed the same AI content everywhere (3:59) Your audience wants to hear from YOU (7:46) I got feedback from an AI agent (9:18) Other instances where AI did not best serve my client (14:25) You are the expert, not AI (19:04) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcasting for Business (aka 1x1 Coaching): gaffincreative.com/coaching Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 20, 202615 min

231: The Anti-CPM Sponsorship Strategy

Is it possible for small podcasters to make money off of their podcast? Yes! But in today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the traditional ways of media sponsorship don’t work for smaller podcasts. Instead, I’m sharing the anti-CPM approach that has created success for podcasters and their sponsors alike. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: Where CPM came from (1:58) Why CPM doesn’t work today (3:14) Why CPM isn’t for independent podcasters (4:38) The better model (6:29) For the sponsors listening (11:04) Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 6, 202618 min

230: Why I'm Rebuilding Podcast Launch Kit

What is the Podcast Launch Kit, and why am I rebuilding it? Today’s episode is a behind-the-scenes look into my decision to completely re-record my course for launching your podcast. I’m sharing the history of the course, why a simple refresh wasn’t enough, plus what’s changed this time around. If you’ve been thinking about launching a podcast, listen in to this episode and be sure to add your name to the waitlist today. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: Where this course has been (1:13) Why a refresh wasn’t enough (9:01) What’s actually changing (13:02) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcast Launch Kit: gaffincreative.com/podcast-launch-kit Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 22, 202614 min

229: The Tech and Tools I Recommend for Podcasting

With dozens of tools available to create your podcast, which ones should you choose? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the current platform stack we use at Gaffin Creative, plus what we recommend to our clients. I’m covering our choices for recording, hosting, editing, and audio cleanup. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: Recording (2:49) Hosting (4:36) Editing (6:58) Audio Cleanup (9:53) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcast Launch Kit: gaffincreative.com/podcast-launch-kit Riverside: use code GAFFIN15 for 15% off at checkout: creators.riverside.fm/ClockingIn Acast: acast.com/en Logic Pro: apple.com/logic-pro Descript: descript.com Buzzsprout: buzzsprout.com Auphonic: auphonic.com Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 8, 202623 min

228: Here's What’s Changed in Podcasting in the Last Decade

I’ve seen a lot of change in the podcasting industry over the last decade. For business owners especially, these changes have created greater opportunities for your podcast to support your business. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the most significant changes from the past decade, plus what it means for your podcast in 2026 and beyond. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: The gear and barrier to entry (2:48) From “content” to “asset” (7:05) Discovery has completely flipped (11:02) The rise of AI (14:29) What hasn’t changed (19:14) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcast Launch Kit: gaffincreative.com/podcast-launch-kit Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching Podcasting Gear List: gaffincreative.com/podcast-gear-list-for-clocking-in-with-haylee-gaffin Episode 170: Why I’m Not Scared of AI as a Podcast Producer: gaffincreative.com/170-why-im-not-scared-of-ai-as-a-podcast-producer Episode 124: An Introduction to Private Podcasts: gaffincreative.com/124-an-introduction-to-private-podcasts Connect with Haylee: Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboard Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 3, 20261 min

Podcasters: I need your help!

I don’t want to guess what you want from this show—I want to hear it directly from you. While attending the Empowered Podcasting Conference, I had a realization: I don’t actually know who all of you are. I might know the listeners who DM me on Instagram, respond to an episode, or regularly share feedback, but there are so many of you listening quietly behind the scenes. And if I’m going to make this show as useful and relevant as possible, I want to change that. So, I created a quick listener survey that should take about five minutes to complete. I want to know who you are, how you fit into the podcast industry, what you love about the show, what you’d like more (or less!) of, and which episodes have really stuck with you. Take the Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbfDpAbG9o8yZ53mm-gXSVDNzUvtZply2UGhfo2T_ddxmRlA/viewform?usp=header Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/6PdpRpc5xVU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 1, 202614 min

227: 7 Signs Your Podcast Is Out of Alignment with Your Business

How do you know if your podcast is actually helping your business? There are a handful of signs that tell me almost immediately whether a podcast is supporting the business behind it, or just simply existing as another task alongside it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 7 signs that your podcast is out of alignment with your business. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: Your podcast feels like another marketing task instead of an asset (1:28) Your episodes don’t support your current business goals (3:03) Someone could binge your show and still have no idea how to work with you (5:10) Your content attracts listeners, but not your ideal client (6:56) Your calls to action don’t match the journey you’re trying to create (8:14) You’re measuring success with the wrong scoreboard (9:16) You’re making podcast decisions before business decisions (11:04) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 25, 202638 min

226: How Ali Haney Turned Her Podcast Into a Business Asset [Podcasting for Business Case Study]

It's one thing to talk about what strategic podcast decisions look like in theory. It's another thing entirely to watch someone actually make them—and see the results play out in real numbers, real sponsorships, and a real business. That's exactly what happened with Ali Haney, host of the Brand & Market podcast and a Podcasting for Business alumna. Over the last year, Ali went from a podcast pulling in 25 to 30 downloads per episode to one that's landed a paying sponsor, far more than doubled its download average, and become a genuine lead generator for her business. This is a look at how she got there—and what it reveals about what strategic podcasting actually requires. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: Before the program (5:53) Making real connections with listeners (13:16) The impact of niching down and choosing her ideal audience (15:00) The value of entertaining, fun episodes (16:55) Rebuilding the content strategy (19:05) Podcast search optimization and keyword strategy (22:01) The first podcast sponsorship opportunity (26:31) Running podcast ADs (30:03) Ali’s biggest podcast challenge before and after the program (35:16) The biggest mindset shift (35:53) Ali’s proudest accomplishment (37:08) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching Connect with Ali: Website: brandandmarket.co Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/SdnQn6zH2Tj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 18, 202617 min

225: What Actually Happens When Business Owners Start Making Strategic Podcast Decisions [Podcasting for Business]

If your podcast disappeared tomorrow, would your business feel it? Or would it just be one less thing on your to-do list? That question gets at the heart of what separates a podcast that's content from a podcast that's a business asset . If your show isn't intentionally connected to how you attract, nurture, and convert your audience, it's not really functioning as part of your business—it's just something you're creating alongside it. This is a continuation of a bigger idea: your business strategy should drive your podcast, not the other way around. That's the philosophy. Join me in today's episode to hear all about the behind the scenes of podcasting for business. Our program for podcasters looking to leverage their show to drive more revenue in their business. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: It didn’t start with podcasting (3:06) The coaching conversations (4:24) Something starts to shift (6:11) The strategy became personal (7:40) The data told a bigger story (10:43) The transformation I was most excited about (12:27) It’s your turn (14:50) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching 224: Your Business Strategy Should Be Driving Your Podcast—Not the Other Way Around: gaffincreative.com/224-your-business-strategy-should-be-driving-your-podcast-not-the-other-way-around Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/qBYFQQXzg7e Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 11, 202614 min

224: Your Business Strategy Should Be Driving Your Podcast—Not the Other Way Around [Podcasting for Business]

When was the last time you made a business decision before you made a podcast decision? In today’s episode, I’m talking about how your podcast should support your business - not the other way around. Plus, how I’ve seen clarity in business help my coaching clients make better decisions for their podcasts. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Find It Quickly: What I’ve learned in the first official round of Podcasting for Business (3:22) The mistake I see most podcasters making (5:40) 3 questions to help create aligned content (8:23) Why I’m sharing this now (9:58) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcasting for Business: gaffincreative.com/coaching Connect with Haylee: Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Website: gaffincreative.com Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/RP5zipeApb6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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