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What Happens When You Experiment With Your Podcast?

Every podcaster reaches a point where they wonder, “Is this the best way to do it, or could I try something different?”

That’s exactly what Karen Covy, divorce coach and host of Off the Fence, decided to find out. She came back on the Business Podcast Spotlight to talk about the changes she’s made to her show since our first conversation and the surprising results she’s seen because of them.

From Spare Room to Studio

Karen thought turning a spare basement room into a studio would be simple. A little paint, a couple of foam panels, and done, right?

Not quite.

Her first recording sounded like it was happening in a tin can. After a lot of trial and error (and some soundproofing on the ceiling), she finally got the audio right. Add better lighting, a dedicated camera and mic, and suddenly she had a space that not only worked beautifully but also made recording easier.

And that matters. Because when your studio is ready to go, you actually use it. No setting up gear every time, no fussing with lights – just sit down, plug in, and record.

Inside Karen’s New Studio!

The Guest’s Perspective – Beautiful View and Background

Additional Experiments

Testing New Formats

One of the biggest changes Karen made was trying out a mini-series on her podcast. Instead of replacing her regular weekly episode, she added a second one for four weeks in a row.

The result? A 40% bump in downloads during the series. And when it ended, her audience didn’t drop back down to where it started – she kept about a 25% lift overall.

That’s huge.

Now, she’s running a new experiment: live coaching sessions on air. Real people, real challenges, and real-time advice. It’s a little vulnerable, but it’s already proving to be a powerful way to connect with listeners.

Making Solo Content Work

Like a lot of hosts, Karen found solo episodes tough. Talking straight into the camera felt awkward, even though the episode itself performed really well.

Her solution? Structure and support. Having someone prompt her with questions makes it easier to stay on track and sound natural and it keeps the editing from turning into a nightmare.

Repurposing for Reach

Karen doesn’t just let her podcast live as a podcast. Each episode becomes clips for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Some shows turn into dozens of great snippets, others just a handful – but every time, it helps extend the life and reach of her content.

She’s also using her episodes to promote what she’s working on, adding short pre-rolls and post-rolls to invite listeners into her programs, books, or free coaching opportunities.

The Big Lesson

Podcasting doesn’t have to stay the same forever. A small experiment – like adding a mini-series, testing live coaching, or upgrading your setup – can lead to lasting growth.

And you don’t have to double your workload to see results. Once your systems are in place, it’s about making smart tweaks, not starting from scratch.

Ready for the Next Level?