1393: Rise 25: Build Killer Business Relationships Through Strategic Podcasting with Entrepreneur and Podcast Producer John Corcoran

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

It’s easy to get caught up in the podcasting grind—churning out episodes, tweaking gear, tracking downloads—only to wonder if any of it’s actually moving the needle. For a lot of entrepreneurs, it becomes just another thing on the to-do list instead of something that drives real connections. The frustrating part is knowing your message has value, but feeling like it’s just floating out there with no direction. What’s often missing isn’t content—it’s clarity on what you really want it to do for you.

John Corcoran is a former lawyer turned podcasting strategist and co-founder of Rise25, helping B2B companies use podcasts to grow their client base. With experience writing speeches at the White House and hosting 2,000+ interviews, he’s built a career on connection. Today, he explains how podcasts can drive real business growth by building relationships, not just content. He shares his “Dream 200” method—targeting ideal guests who can become clients or key partners. His focus: use podcasting as a smart, strategic networking tool. Stay tuned!

Quotes:

“If someone held a gun to my head and said, ‘Your website or your podcast?’ I would say, ‘Take my website.’ I will keep my podcast, because a website is basically a glossy brochure on the internet, and the podcast is a tool for building relationships.”

“Business is about who you know. A podcast is a tool for knowing more people, knowing them in a deeper way—getting to know people you don't know right now, who are busy, who are successful, and who aren't going to carve out time for a get-to-know-you call, but will spend time for a podcast.”

“In an era where we can't tell what is real from what is fake, authenticity will be the new currency.”