Podcasting Isn't Dead: PodFest CEO Nick Pavlidis on Turning a Podcast Into a Business Asset in 2026

Is podcasting dying? New show launches have cratered since the 2020 boom, but 58% of Americans now listen monthly, and podcast ad revenue hit $2.9 billion, up 18%. Fewer shows, more listening, more money. This isn't a graveyard. It's a wide-open runway. In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, Julie Lokun, JD, and Dominick Domasky sit down with Nick Pavlidis, CEO of PodFest Expo, former New York big-law attorney, and ghostwriter of 100+ books, including seven Wall Street Journal and eight USA Today bestsellers. Nick breaks down why podcasting has shifted from a broadcast channel to a community engagement channel, and why the shows winning in 2026 treat a podcast as a product, not promotion. Nick's story is a masterclass in strategic career change. A 13-year attorney on the partnership track, he negotiated a predictable schedule, made a lateral move, signed his first ghostwriting client in December 2015, and left law in 2016. His parents, who just marked 50 years running their sandwich shop, came around once his book was translated into 21 languages. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why "pod fade" kills most shows, and what the survivors do differently The P-I-G-S framework: prospects, influencers, gatekeepers, and support, the four groups your content should build relationships with Why writing the wrong book (or launching the wrong podcast) is worse than failing How Nick left a corner-office law career with a plan, not a leap The three-year momentum rule every new business needs His no-business-card rule for turning event conversations into booked meetings Are panels dead? How to run one that delivers value How AI is reshaping podcasting, ghostwriting, and publishing JULES RULES: What makes an event unforgettable? Food, drumlines, and a follow-up on the calendar before you leave the hallway. KEY TAKEAWAY Start with the end in mind. Decide who you need in your corner three years from now, then create content that earns those relationships. The best shows invite people into your world and advocate for your listener. MEET THE GUEST Nick Pavlidis, CEO, PodFest Expo: https://podfestexpo.com Authority Ghostwriting: https://authorityghostwriting.com MEET YOUR HOSTS Julie Lokun, JD, media entrepreneur, podcast strategist, and brand consultant: https://julielokunconsulting.com Dominick Domasky, bestselling author, publisher, and founder of Motivation Champs: https://motivationchamps.com JOIN US LIVE AT CRE8TIVE CON Cre8tive Con is the traveling conference for podcasters, authors, speakers, and creative entrepreneurs. Cre8tive Con 2027 is coming to Chicago, and Cre8tive Con OTR lands in Orlando on January 17, 2027, as we head to PodFest. Find your stop: https://cre8tivecon.com Own your ecosystem, don't rent your audience: https://cre8tivepower.com More episodes: https://cre8tiveconpod.com FAQ Is podcasting still worth starting in 2026? Yes. Monthly listening is at an all-time high and ad revenue is climbing, while far fewer new shows are launching. That means less competition for your audience. What is PodFest Expo? PodFest is a podcasting conference in Orlando for independent creators, led by CEO Nick Pavlidis. How do you turn a podcast into a business? Build it around a clear goal, invite guests your audience needs, and turn listeners into a community. Will AI replace ghostwriters? Nick uses AI for ideation and checking work, but says high-end clients pay for strategic guidance, not words. TOPICS: podcast growth, podcast monetization, PodFest Expo Orlando, ghostwriting, book marketing, event networking, personal branding SUBSCRIBE Follow, rate, and review The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Keep creating. #podcasting #PodFest #NickPavlidis #CreativeEntrepreneur #Cre8tiveCon #podcastgrowth #ghostwriting #entrepreneurship #JulieLokun #DominickDomasky Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.