As podcasting changes, creators who build authentic communities and stay flexible are finding new ways to grow and monetize.
At On Air Fest Brooklyn 2026, Jackie Maroney brought the same energy to the stage that listeners know from her hit podcast, She’s All Bach—conversational and deeply connected to her audience. With more than four years of professional podcasting experience and nearly a decade across other media, Jackie has built a community that goes beyond a recap show.
“I was drawn to podcasting as a creative outlet where I didn’t have to wait for permission—unlike so much of the industry,” Jackie shares. “It gave me the ability to create on my own terms.”
That sense of ownership shaped the foundation of She’s All Bach, which she created with co-host Stefanie Parker. What began as a creative outlet quickly evolved into a show with a distinct voice and loyal following. The podcast’s success speaks to why podcasting continues to resonate with audiences today.
A defining part of She’s All Bach is how it feels to listen. The show stands out for its familiarity and personal touch, which helped turn casual listeners into devoted fans. Jackie describes her listeners as “truly the best,” pointing to the shared culture that has grown around the show.
“We’ve built inside jokes with our audience, and so many listeners say the show feels like chatting with girlfriends.”
That sense of connection is intentional. Early growth came from guest interviews, particularly with members of the Bachelor franchise, but with a clear strategy to differentiate the show from others.
“We focused on asking questions they hadn’t already answered elsewhere, which helped us stand out and offer something new to listeners,” Jackie explains.
Jackie sees podcasting’s influence as part of a shift in how people consume media.
“Podcasters are so influential because audiences are smart. There’s growing skepticism around traditional media and corporate-backed messaging,” she says. “Independent podcasters offer a level of trust and authenticity that larger media companies have struggled to replicate.”
That trust is built over time through consistency and transparency. For Jackie, it has been a major factor in turning listeners into a community that continues to show up episode after episode.
Like many creators, Jackie’s biggest lessons came from experience. While building a strong show is only one part of the equation, making sure people can discover you is just as important.
“Marketing and visibility are just as critical as the show itself. You can create a great podcast, but if people can’t find it, it won’t perform.”
Her sentiment is a common challenge for independent creators who are balancing content creation with everything else that goes into building a sustainable show, and it continues to be important for creators looking for new approaches to growth.
As the show grew, monetization became an important focus. Jackie initially relied on baked-in ads, a common starting point for many podcasters, but later realized there were more efficient ways to scale revenue. The podcast shifted from focusing solely on monetizing new releases to creating revenue opportunities across its full library of episodes. Older episodes were able to continue generating value over time.
“We didn’t begin using Simplecast until about two years into our run, which meant we likely left significant revenue on the table early on.”
What stood out about Simplecast was how easy it was to get started.
“Simplecast was incredibly user-friendly and enabled us to monetize right away. With so much on our plate, we needed a platform that was easy to onboard and could get us up and running quickly.”
Since joining Simplecast, Jackie has gained clearer insight into performance, helping her make more informed decisions about her content and strategy.
“We’re able to track monetization down to the day, giving us a comprehensive view of what content is resonating most with our audience. We love it!”
As the podcast continues to grow, Jackie is once again leaning into change and opportunity. She saw an opening to explore a new creative direction while staying true to her strengths as a host and storyteller.
“Given the recent shakeup with The Bachelorette being pulled, I’ve decided to pivot into a new fandom space,” Jackie says. “I’ll be launching a new podcast, Theater Girl which is a return to my roots as a theater kid.”
Her new podcast, launching this spring, will cover Broadway and theater culture and feature interviews with actors and industry voices.
The move brings Jackie’s interests into a new format and highlights what makes podcasting such a dynamic medium right now. Creators are able to explore new ideas and bring their audiences with them. The ones who succeed are those willing to evolve while staying grounded in what makes their voice unique.
“I’m really excited for this next chapter. Stay tuned.”
If you’re like Jackie and you’re looking for a platform with easy onboarding, great monetization options, and so much more, join Simplecast today.