The Podcast Pioneer: 20 Years of Lessons in Creating, Teaching and Building Tools | #114: Colin Gray

Produced By with Tommen

Colin Gray is a podcaster, educator and founder behind two of the most trusted names in the audio space: ThePodcastHost.com, a go-to hub for podcast education, and Alitu.com, a podcast-making app designed to simplify every step of the process. With a background in higher education and a doctorate in online learning, Colin has spent the past 15 years helping creators share their voice, through tools, guides, speaking, and hands-on support.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Colin discovered podcasting nearly two decades ago, long before it became mainstream. We explore what it’s like to support thousands of podcasters through his blog, software and courses, and how he stays creative while running businesses, raising a family and showing up with consistency. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation with someone who’s built a career around making podcasting more human.
Connect with Colin:
http://colingray.link/
Timestamps:
00:00 – How to capture and repurpose ideas
01:17 – Colin’s intro and career background
01:54 – Discovering podcasting in 2006–2007
02:49 – From blogging to building Alitu
04:10 – What podcasting was like in the 2000s
05:35 – How podcasting has evolved (and will)
06:00 – Why AI won’t replace podcasting
07:36 – The power of human connection in audio
10:07 – How to repurpose podcasts for LinkedIn
11:17 – Using AI as a creative assistant
12:19 – Colin’s favourite podcasting and video tools
14:16 – Why he prefers manual clips over auto-tools
15:42 – What’s next for Alitu (AI features coming)
16:46 – Why most auto-clipping tools fail
18:43 – The surprising story behind the name “Alitu”
19:42 – Alitu’s robot logo and podcast assistant role
22:17 – Childhood dream: Becoming an astronaut
24:07 – How audience feedback shaped Alitu
25:01 – Using email lists to find content ideas
30:00 – A typical day in Colin’s life
33:09 – Why newsletters still matter
34:47 – Why LinkedIn is Colin’s top social platform
36:03 – How LinkedIn helps creators build brands
38:38 – Colin’s favourite podcasts to listen to
40:13 – What he loves most about podcasting
41:38 – Turning spontaneous ideas into frameworks
43:45 – Using AI to identify unique content angles
44:47 – The part of podcasting Colin dislikes most
47:18 – The “live recording” mindset for new podcasters
51:03 – Colin’s hobbies and life in the Scottish Highlands
52:35 – Book and board game recommendations
54:28 – Where to find Colin and Alitu
55:15 – Colin’s final advice: Keep it simple

Connect with Tommen:
X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠
Stan: https://stan.store/Tommen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠
More:
FenPost: https://fenpost.com/
Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProducedByPodcast⁠⁠⁠/
Podcasting tools I recommend:
JamX: https://jamx.ai/podcasters-offer?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=e02d48af-ef66-4e76-b804-c2e8d282a8bf
Riverside: ⁠https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=tomas-loucky
Adobe Podcast: https://adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l584tU/creativeref:1011l150787
FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomas
Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZK
Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find these tools helpful, using these links supports the show. Thank you!