Podcasting Q&A: The 5 Things You Need to Grow in 2026 + What Podcast Equipment is Actually Worth it

If growing your podcast in 2026 is one of your New Years Resolutions then welcome, you’re in the right place. Today I’m answering your most commonly asked podcasting questions, and walking you through the five things that truly matter if you want a podcast that people come back to every single week. You’ll hear: 🎙️The 5 non negotiables if you want to grow your podcast in 2026 🎙️How long your episodes should be (and how to know when they’re too long) 🎙️Your podcast equipment - where you should invest your money (and where you’re wasting your time) 0:00 - Should you start a podcast in 2026? 1:58 - Where the majority of people are focusing their attention right now  3:13 - Does longform or short form perform better?  8:45 -#1 - Most people never answer this question 9:36 - #2 - Why does THIS podcast need to exist? 10:49 - #3 The question that helps you find your dream listeners 12:32 - #4 - How to decide on your growth strategy  14:02 - Alex Coopers masterclass on Social Media  14:53 - #5 - The most important question to ask yourself  18:24 - Podcasting equipment 101 - What to buy and what’s a waste of money 21:37 - The most important part of your setup regardless of budget 22:39 - How long should your podcast episode be?  24:33 - The best way to get rid of podcast nerves when you’re starting out  27:29 - Why podcasts are great for anyone who is just starting to do speaking gigs and interviews 28:57 - The content you should be posting on social media in 2026 to grow your podcast  30:05 - The content that has performed the best for us in 2025  31:37 - If you’re doing this with your podcast, it will be SO hard to get people to care about (and engage with)  34:55 - Gary Vee’s guide to repurposing long form 36:17 - If you’re still stuck, listen to this  Grab your podcasting equipment checklist here - https://project-c-2.kit.com/equipment-list  (What to buy, what to skip and discount codes too!) Ready to go all in on your longform? Get the worksheet with your 5 questions here - http://project-c-2.kit.com/five-questions Want your podcast to be something people can’t wait to listen to in 2026 that positions you as the go-to? Send me the world LMP over on instagram - www.instagram.com/alyciachapman_ Listen to Anita’s episode 10x Your Podcast Growth without Spending Any Money on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. Listen to Monique’s episode The Strategy to Get MORE People to Listen to Your Podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. Grab Gary Vee’s Guide on how to turn long form video into 64 pieces of content here. Have a guest you want to hear from? Question you want answered? Send me a DM over at  www.instagram.com/alyciachapman_ or https://www.instagram.com/howdoipodcast  Watch the podcast on Youtube  - https://www.youtube.com/@HowDoIPodcast