If you’ve ever thought, ‘I want feedback, but I’m terrified of the internet,’ stay tuned—I’ll show you how to get useful criticism without letting trolls live rent-free in your head.
Two Types of Feedback
I’m sharing how I handle trolls, reviews, and feedback—and how you can turn all of that into fuel to grow your show instead of reasons to quit. I’ll walk you through when to ignore, when to engage, and how to build a trusted focus group that helps you make your podcast better without letting anonymous strangers live rent‑free in your head.
Trolls, Critics and Focus Groups
I break down the difference between true trolls, genuine critics, and helpful focus groups—and how each one fits (or doesn’t) into your growth as a podcaster. I share real stories about nitpicky typo trolls, cyberbullying from years ago, people who send you two and a half pages of “do a different show,” and how other podcasters are using their audience—and even Snapchat—to get honest, constructive criticism.
By the end, you’ll see why I say feedback is the “breakfast of champions,” and why your fear of judgment shouldn’t keep your show stuck on your hard drive.
What You’ll Learn
Trolls vs. Focus Groups
- How I define a troll: unsolicited, emotionally charged feedback that’s mostly about getting a reaction.
- How I define a focus group: people who actually want to help shape and improve your show.
- Why some “trolls” are really just frustrated fans who want attention.
Classic Troll Bait Topics
- The three topics that almost guarantee you’ll attract trolls:
- Politics
- News / current events
- Religion
- Why I’m okay with pushback when I brush up against these—and why you should expect it if your show leans into them.
My Rules for Dealing with Trolls
- Rule #1: Don’t feed the trolls.
- I talk about why I always try to wait before responding.
- How I “kill them with kindness” when I choose to reply.
- Why I often simply say, “Thanks for the feedback,” and move on.
- How I remind myself that sometimes people are just having a bad day, and I happened to be standing in front of them.
Turning Feedback into a Tool for Growth
- The key question I always ask: “Do they have a point?”
- An example: being told, “You interrupt your guests too much,” and how I go back, listen, and honestly assess if they’re right.
- How I respond when someone clearly just wants me to do a completely different show than the one I want to make.
How I Engage Without Losing My Cool
- Why I sometimes ask, “How could I have done this better?” to separate useful advice from empty criticism.
- How I ask for evidence or sources in a non-defensive way:
- “I’m interested in digging into this—can you share a link?”
- When I’ll share my sources and politely stand my ground.
- When I decide it’s time to block, report, and move on, especially on platforms like YouTube.
Knowing My Audience (and My Why)
- How knowing who my show is for makes it easier to ignore the wrong people.
- Why I consider the nastiest haters as “not my target audience.”
- The math I look at: out of hundreds of reviews, only a tiny percentage are negative—but they love to hog my attention if I let them.
Stories and Examples I Share
Mark Maron on Trolls as “Frustrated Love”
- A clip from Mark Maron talking about trolls who keep coming back.
- How he describes repeat trolls as people who are weirdly in love with you and just want you to get mad so they feel seen.
The Typo Troll
- The listener who went absolutely ballistic over typos and sent me 5–6 paragraph rants.
- How I handled it when the comments got personal.
- How I eventually “trolled the troll” with humor and kindness and watched him disappear (and reappear…and disappear again).
Madame Strangeways & Fear of Feedback
- A conversation with Madame Strangeways who was reluctant to ask for feedback because of a cyberbullying incident 20 years ago.
- How I encourage her (and you) to start with trusted fans and patrons as a safe focus group.
- My “too much salt in the bread” analogy: people who love what you’re making will still tell you if something’s off, because they have to consume it.
Jr. Sparrow & Building a Focus Group
- How Jr. Sparrow used Snapchat’s Snap Map to find brutally honest listeners.
- How he turned “this show is crap” comments into a small group that now:
- Helps him curate which episodes to release.
- Shapes themes and content months in advance.
- Why he says you need “skin like Shrek” (thick skin, many layers) if you want to attach dollar signs to your show.
Using Feedback Before You Publish
- How experienced podcasters (including me) use feedback on topics, guests, and angles before episodes ever hit the feed.
- Why I’d rather kill an episode early than spend years promoting something that doesn’t resonate with my audience.
SnapChat's Snap Map Feature
Snapchat’s Snap Maps
https://youtu.be/l4R-wu42gZk?si=BVhAiDeB_Tq6anoO
Getting Data From Snap Map
https://youtu.be/qGxblSXvEbU?si=KoeDP8aI32uKvKjS
My Key Takeaways for You
- You are already being judged—at Home Depot, in the grocery line, everywhere—so a few online comments shouldn’t paralyze you.
- A tiny slice of reviews will be negative; they don’t outweigh the huge percentage of people who get value from your show.
- Feedback is how you get better. You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.
- Learn to separate:
- Trolls – don’t feed them, or reply calmly and briefly.
- Constructive critics – look for the truth in what they’re saying.
- True fans / focus groups – invite them in and let them help you refine the show.
- If someone hates your show and clearly isn’t who you’re trying to reach, there’s a simple name for them: not your audience.
Mentioned in This Episode
- School of Podcasting – Where I help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast, including listener parties to get safe, constructive feedback.
- Ask the Podcast Coach – My live call-in/chat show for free podcast consulting.
- Podpage – Website platform for podcasters (I’m the Head of Podcasting there).
- Madame Strangeways – True strange stories at madamestrangeways.com.
- Jr. Sparrow – WVU Uncommon Place – Society and culture in West Virginia.
Call to Action
- Tell me what you think:
- Let me know one thing you love and one thing you’d change about this show at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact or schoolofpodcasting.com/voicemail.
- Need help with your podcast?
- If you want a safe place to get honest feedback and improve your show, join me at SchoolOfPodcasting.com and use the coupon code LISTENER for a discount. It comes with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee.
Mentioned in this episode:
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Podpage
Take Live Classes at the School of Podcasting
Podcasting in Six Weeks is BACK! (and this time it's free!)
We are continuing to experiment with marketing, and we had so much fun helping people launch their show that we are going it again (and dropped the fee). If you don't have a show but want to start one this is THE place to get going in the right direction.
Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks
Growing Your Podcast Live Course
For members of the School of Podcasting we are all banding together to go through the steps of growing your show (so sign up now!). This will including feedback and strategies to get your show growing faster. You will write down your typical downloads before you start, and compare it to the final numbers. Use the coupon code listener when singing up to become a member and receive a discount.
These live classes start August 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions at schoolofpodcasting.com/contact
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Live Appearances
I love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at
Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC
Podcast Movement in NYC
Podindy in Indianapolis In.
For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where
To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt
Where Will I Be?
Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads
We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why?
Does the size of your audience matter?
Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)
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