How Great Pods is transforming podcast discovery with critic-driven reviews and smarter categorization.

Imran Ahmed—better known as “Captain Ron”—founder of Great Pods, a platform dubbed the “Rotten Tomatoes for podcasts,” joins Neil and Jen to unpack how curated, critic-led reviews are reshaping podcast discovery. Imran shares his journey from college radio to startup founder, revealing the inspiration behind Great Pods and the importance of trust, transparency, and accurate genre tagging. The conversation dives into how higher education podcasters can better position their shows, improve discoverability, and benefit from tools like Great Pods to reach wider audiences. Whether you’re new to podcasting or looking to grow your show, this episode offers thoughtful strategies for building visibility and credibility.

Episode Links:

• Imran A | LinkedIn
• Great Pods | Threads | Instagram | Newsletter | Blue.Sky
• Add Your Podcast: Podcast Screener
• Newsletter & Sites: The Ultimate Guide To Getting Your Podcast Reviewed - Podcast Promotion

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• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (04:29) - Building for Trust and Transparency
• (08:18) - The Business Behind Great Pods
• (09:15) - Rewriting the Rules of Podcast Categorization
• (12:06) - SEO Tips for Podcasters
• (13:32) - The Categorization Challenge for Higher Ed Podcasts
• (17:13) - What Makes a Great (or Bad) Review
• (18:42) - Protecting Against User Bombing
• (22:26) - Why Higher Ed Podcasters Should Join Great Pods
• (24:30) - Creating New Genre Possibilities
• (25:36) - How to Become a Podcast Critic
• (30:22) - Tapping into Campus Resources for Podcast Growth
• (32:20) - Conclusion