#61 Creating Your Own Role: Podcast Industry Leader Valentina Kaledina's Insights

Have you ever thought about your ideal role and approached the company to create it for you? Well, that’s what Valentina Kaledina - Director of Business Development at Castbox did. Having had a career spanning journalism and headhunting, Valentina found her true passion in podcasting, and is now a prominent figure in the industry. She runs key markets for Castbox - a podcast platform which has revolutionised the way we discover new podcasts. Valentina and I share some similarities, both having grown up in the former Soviet Union and having experienced running executive search businesses. We talk about taking professional risks and challenges, like building a new career from scratch and creating your own role. As a podcaster, I (of course) had to ask Valentina for some tips! We talk about: - What makes an excellent podcast - Starting your podcasting journey - Understanding your audience - Monetising your podcast - The future of the industry What I admired most about Valentina was her entrepreneurial spirit. She is a woman who recognised her skills and interests, and wasn’t afraid to create her own role that aligned with them. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, if you’re keen to find your niche, or whether you’re inclined towards entrepreneurship, this episode is for you! Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 01:52 - Who is Valentina Kaledina? 10:15 - Executive Search in Business Management 12:50 - Headhunting: Keeping Secrets, & Building Trust 16:06 - Growing Up in the Soviet Union 23:13 - What Makes an Excellent Podcast? 25:20 - Embracing the Visual Dimension in Podcasting 27:50 - How to Make Listeners Listen for Longer 29:09 - Monetising Your Podcast 35:00 - Getting Your Audience Involved 45:17 - Future of Podcasting 52:51 - Risks, Rewards, and Reflection Valentina Kaledina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentinakaledina/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinakaledina/  Castbox: https://castbox.fm/  Follow Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.... Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.