Hey Reader,

Something funny happened this week.

An article dropped on Entreprenista, written by community strategist Ingrid Zapata Read, all about why podcasting is one of the most powerful community-building tools founders have right now.

She wrote it after a conversation she had with me on the Startups in Stilettos Podcast.

And on the same week that article went live... I officially opened the doors to The Podcast Cafe — the community for podcasters I've been quietly building for months.

The timing is not lost on me. Because what Ingrid wrote about is exactly the problem The Podcast Cafe exists to solve.

Because here's what Ingrid said in the piece that stopped me mid-scroll:

"Content alone doesn't build trust."

People don't hire you from one post. They don't join your world from one Reel. Trust is built through repeated exposure. Through hearing how you think, what you believe, how you show up.

That's the magic of podcasting. Someone spends 30, 45, 60 minutes with your voice before they ever reach out to you. By the time they do, you're not a stranger. You're someone they already feel like they know.

I've watched this happen for hundreds of podcasters over the last six years.

But there's a second part of that story that the article didn't get into.

Knowing this is one thing. Actually growing your show is another.

Because most podcasters aren't stuck on why podcasting works.

They're stuck on:

→ Not knowing if what they're doing is actually working
→ Making every decision in a vacuum with no one to check it against
→ Getting generic growth tips that could apply to literally any show
→ Googling the same questions at midnight and still not feeling sure

The podcasters who break through that ceiling aren't necessarily doing more than you.

They just aren't doing it alone. They have a room. People to test ideas with, get real feedback from, and learn from before making the same mistakes twice.

That's what I've been building.

INTRODUCING: The Podcast Cafe

​The Podcast Cafe is community for podcasters who are done Googling "how do I grow my audience," done asking AI "why did my podcast stop growing," and done YouTubing every tool, tactic, and trick out there... and ready to grow their show alongside a community of real podcasters doing the exact same thing.

Inside, you'll find podcasters asking the real questions

• "does this episode idea land?"
• "why did my downloads drop?"
• "is this pitch worth sending?"
• and actually getting answers from people who've been there.
• Plus monthly expert-led training on the stuff that actually moves the needle: growth tracking that goes beyond downloads, monetization beyond sponsors, social and email strategy built for podcasters specifically.

Imagine those same people eventually guesting on each other's shows. Collaborating on launches. Sending listeners to each other. Opening doors that would've taken years to find alone.

And then watch those same people start collaborating, guesting on each other's shows, and opening doors for each other.

That's what The Podcast Cafe is.

$47/month. No contracts. Cancel anytime.

And because I personally review every application, the people inside are really there to grow. Which means the conversations are sharper, the feedback actually lands, and the room stays alive.

Want in? Apply here: https://espressopodcastproduction.kit.com/8f798e9bc0​

See you in the cafe!
Hayleigh ☕

PS - hit reply and tell me if you have questions! This community is designed for podcasters who have already launched their show and want growth!

PPS - Listen to my episode on Startups in Stilettos podcast here!​