Grow Your Podcast’s Reach With Crossover Episodes
Your Weekly Association Podcast Boost
Summer is rolling along. My aunt lives on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Our family headed over, as we do every year, to visit her. My daughter and I went surfing daily. I spent most of the day pushing her into gentle waves and reapplying sunscreen to her and my bald head. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we grow and teach things. Surf instructors surround us, and most of them help out teaching my daughter. In between waves, we chat as my daughter paddles back out to me. I, in turn, am always referring them to folks who want to learn surfing.
This might be a stretch, but it's sort of a crossover. They help me and I help them.
The one proven way to grow your association’s podcast is through crossover podcast episodes.
Think of it like borrowing someone’s audience and giving them yours in return.
Win-win for everyone.
Podcasting Insight of the Week
Topic: Cross-Promotion Through Podcast Crossover Episodes
Why It Matters:
Crossovers are similar to a potluck: everyone brings something to share.
Here are two simple ways to do a podcast crossover:
Interview swaps: You host their expert, they host yours.
Feed drops: You publish one of their full episodes with a short intro, and they do the same with yours.
We helped make this happen in Denver at AAPD’s annual conference, between two of our association network podcasts.
There was a live recording in front of an audience featuring association executives, Dr. Joel Berg from Little Teeth Big Smiles (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), who interviewed Dr. Marcus Johnson, the host of the American Association of Endodontists' podcast, EndoVoices. That one episode will reach both membership communities. Bringing more member engagement and discovery to the dental industry.
Bottom line: Your next big audience boost might be behind another association’s podcast microphone.
Actionable Tip
Pick 2–3 associations or industry podcasts in your niche. Reach out with this note:
“Let’s help our members or the industry discover new perspectives by collaborating on a podcast episode crossover. We could swap interviews or share an episode in each other’s feed. Open to brainstorm on opportunities?”
This is especially timely before annual meetings or campaign launches. Think: more reach, less effort.
Tool Spotlight
Tool: Podchaser
Why You’ll Love It:
It’s like IMDb for podcasts. Search by topic, audience, or keywords and find great crossover podcasts. We use this for our clients when scouting guest spots or feed drop fits.
Pro Tip: After the episode’s live, cut 2–3 short clips using Descript or Riverside. Post on LinkedIn, tag your guest or partner.
Inspiring Resource
Podcast Crossover Example: Freakonomics x No Stupid Questions
Why It’s Worth a Listen:
These two shows, which have very different formats, did a feed swap and introduced their audiences to fresh voices and ideas. It worked beautifully. Both are well-known shows and also busts the myth that only similar shows should cross-promote.
Takeaway:
Even if you don’t share an industry, you can share values. Tech, leadership, burnout, innovation—your members care about these topics. A good crossover identifies those overlaps and highlights them. So, instead of asking “Who’s in my exact industry?”, ask “Who’s talking about the same big themes? Try to crossover by theme, not format. If your members are grappling with a contentious issue (AI, mental health, business, sustainability), consider finding a podcast that approaches the same topic from a different perspective.
Podcasting Prompt
Start your next recording with this:
“What other podcasts do you listen to regularly, and why?”
Not only is it a good warm-up, but it also gives you a guest-curated list of potential future crossover episodes.
Right now, I’m deep in planning our new
Podcasting4Associations show, and crossovers are high on the list.
You’re not just growing a show, you’re building the community in your industry.
Bring it up at your next internal podcast meeting.