Pomp Podcast #414: Jordan Harbinger on Building A World Class Podcast

TL;DR

Jordan Harbinger transitioned from a lawyer to a successful podcaster, sharing fascinating stories from his travels.

Transcript

all right guys bang bang i've got jordan here thanks so much for doing this man hey thanks for having me on appreciate it absolutely let's jump right into your background uh you've got a pretty crazy story before you got into a media in the podcast just talk to us about where you grew up and kind of how you got to uh to do the media stuff sure so i... Read More

Key Insights

• 💗 Growing up in a middle-class family, Jordan Harbinger initially lacked entrepreneurial aspirations until he explored online opportunities in the 90s.
• 🌐 His passion for travel fueled a deeper understanding of global issues, influencing his approach to podcasting and storytelling.
• 🤑 The North Korean experience highlighted the stark contrasts between societies, contributing rich content and insights to his podcast themes.
• 👻 Podcasting allowed Jordan to transform his career while prioritizing content quality and audience engagement over guest appearances.
• 💦 He emphasizes hard work and dedication, believing that maintaining a high standard of content is crucial for success in the podcasting landscape.
• 🍉 Jordan's approach to interaction with his audience is foundational, ensuring that he builds long-term relationships that enhance his podcast's value.
• ❓ He stresses the importance of efficient editing, arguing that listeners benefit from concise and relevant content rather than unfiltered conversations.

Questions & Answers

Q: What motivated Jordan to shift from being a lawyer to a podcaster?

Jordan originally started podcasting to make connections and advance in his law firm. When the firm faced economic challenges in 2008, he chose to focus on podcasting, gradually transforming it into a business by leveraging his growing audience and insights gained during interviews.

Q: Can you describe Jordan's experiences and motivation for traveling outside the U.S.?

Jordan traveled extensively during his youth, influenced by his need to learn and grow beyond the classroom. His experiences in various countries, including working at the U.S. embassy in Panama and visiting North Korea, provided him with unique perspectives that shaped his storytelling and career.

Q: How does Jordan ensure the quality of his podcast content?

Jordan emphasizes thorough preparation, dedicating around 20 hours to researching each guest and their subject matter. He believes that maintaining high-quality, focused content helps maintain audience interest and trust over time.

Q: What advice does Jordan give others looking to grow their podcasts?

Jordan suggests investing in advertising on other podcasts rather than relying solely on organic growth methods. He emphasizes that significant investment is necessary to compete with larger platforms, and he shares his strategies for measuring conversions effectively.

Q: How does Jordan engage with his audience beyond the podcast?

Jordan actively interacts with his audience through social media and email, prioritizing emails due to their direct nature. Over time, he has built rapport with listeners, treating them as integral to his podcast’s success and focusing on valuable content.

Q: What does Jordan believe about editing podcast content?

He advocates for editing to ensure concise and engaging content, arguing that listeners appreciate well-produced shows that respect their time. He believes authenticity doesn’t require leaving in every redundant or irrelevant detail.

Q: What does Jordan envision for the future of his podcast?

Jordan aims to scale his podcast to grow his audience further, enabling him to reduce his workload while maintaining quality. He wants to create a lifestyle where he can have more time for family and personal interests without compromising on quality content.

Q: What is Jordan's perspective on the podcasting industry and partnerships?

Jordan prefers focusing on growing his podcast rather than creating a network with various shows. He highlights the difficulties in managing talent and the impracticalities of sharing profits, opting instead to retain full control and benefits from his efforts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jordan Harbinger grew up in Michigan with middle-class parents, detaching himself from traditional career paths and exploring the internet for opportunities.

• His travels as an exchange student and experiences working in challenging regions, including North Korea, shaped his views and storytelling style.

• He leveraged the podcast medium to network, gaining insights into human behavior and making a living while prioritizing authenticity and audience engagement.