What really makes a podcast work? Today, I got the real answers from someone who knows the true magic behind the scenes. 🎙️

I sat down with neel panji, the founder of PodLeaF Productions, and the conversation was fascinating.

Here are the key learnings:

💫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐙 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

✅ Neel started in a corporate job but felt uninspired. He found his passion in podcasting and became a master at it by first volunteering to learn the ropes.

✅ He followed a "golden rule": he didn't quit his day job until his side business was earning more and had a solid client base.

✅ His message is to think for long-term plans, whether you're in a business or a job. He believes traditional jobs with the "same people, same process" can stagnate your career, so it's crucial to find a field that keeps you moving forward.

💫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭

✅ Managing Expectations
Neel says that while many clients measure a podcast's success by social media metrics like engagement, the reality is that its value also depends on the content and consistency.

As he puts it, "If your questions are generic, the answers will be generic." The content also matters not just post production.

✅ Clarity is Key
He handles this by setting clear expectations and deliverables from the very beginning, which helps keep the project on track and the client confident.

✅ Choosing the Right Clients
Neel is selective about who he works with. He avoids low-budget clients who demand too much, so he can focus on those who truly understand and value what his team delivers.

💫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

At just 22, he took on a gig doing transcript reviews for a divorce coach in the U.S. While guys his age were busy chasing girls and starting relationships, he was knee-deep in the logistics of them falling apart. 😅

Despite the irony, he loved the project. Your career can take a hilariously unexpected turn sometimes.

From that small, ironic project, he's grown to work with good startups and companies whose content went viral, successfully bringing them new clients through their podcast.

𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞:

✅ In a world full of mentors and social media gurus, Neel relies on his own creativity and instincts. He trusts the process, learns from his experiences, and focuses on what his clients need.

✅ He believes in setting clear, detailed goals, not vague ones. As a founder, Neel’s vision for Podleaf Productions is to scale his team and partner with more clients who want to make a real impact.

✅ His core advice is simple: value time and the process. In an era of instant gratification, we often don't give a new skill or business the years it needs to flourish. He says you have to give it time and learn the ropes.

Interviewing Neel was a fantastic experience. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, neel panji is definitely your guy. 💛