Content & Writing

I translate technical concepts and emotions into copy that people understand and feel. I have current experience in completing full length publications up to 80k words (my longest word count project). I currently ghostwrite primarily for mental health professionals. I have authored two of my own books and am working on another. I create digital assets such as pdf workbooks, guides, instructional materials, social media posts, articles, email campaigns, scripts, and informational booklets for my clients. My background—from an Aircraft Mechanic and Technical Writer to B2B Industrial Sales to an Experienced Freelance Writer—gives me a really broad perspective to quickly specialize and create relevant, high-quality content.

Technology & AI

I personally build my own websites, sales funnels, and lead magnets using platforms like Systeme.io and Google Sites. I’ve used Dreamweaver and Wordpress in the past, but find the integrations of these other platforms essential (especially with Systeme). I use Cloudflare to manage my DNS and am always learning more about URL/DNS security through that robust platform’s many capabilities. I have a basic understanding of databases and JSON, enough to edit and create small snippets for getting data into the right format. I work daily with AI as a collaborator for brainstorming, editing, writing code, backend engineering, learning new skills, graphic/image creation, video content generation, and lots more. I feel AI has opened up so many paths that previously would have took me hours of digging for answers (especially with DNS settings, web security, bugs in code snippets). Leveraging my years of experience as an AI Data Trainer and Prompt Engineer to improve workflow, I utilize AI to it’s full potential as much as possible. I even used AI recently to create all the animations for a community theater performance I co-directed!

Software

I have the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and a general knowledge of all of the apps included. I have varying levels of competency throughout, and am working on learning more with Premier Pro currently. I also use Premier Rush, Photoshop, and InDesign in my projects. I am not expert level at any of these, but I am functional and learn easily. The tutorials are amazing, and I can always ask AI for assistance when I cannot figure something out. When I was a Sales Engineer, I used SalesForce and was proficient with the CRM platform. It’s been several years but most CRMs are similar, and I learn new software easily. 

Sales & Business

I enjoy the thrill of sales calls and converting leads. Solution based sales is where I perform and feel my best. I like to help people and solve problems. When writing sales material, the PASTOR method is my favorite framework. I excelled in B2B industrial sales (pneumatics and hydraulics) with a long sales cycle. Relationship building is key. I am very motivated by financial rewards to deliver results.

Additional Interests

Your opening for Podcast host is very appealing to me. I love listening to and watching podcasts, I have one playing in the background during most of my activities and work. I have been interested in starting my own Podcast for a couple years, but have yet to get the ball rolling. I have experience with posting on TikTok, and I have made a few small YouTube videos. I love making content. My main problem has been justifying the time to make videos. I am well spoken and have a background in successful public speaking. I would love the opportunity to be a Podcast host in an already-functioning system.

Cultural Fit & Proposal

I am genuinely excited by the prospect of joining a positive team environment and participating in the monthly book club and masterclass group. Have you read The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success? I really love that book and it aligns with how I feel working as a leader and as part of a team should be. I strongly resonate with your requirement for "Nice" people! To me, this element is essential for a productive, long-term partnership.

Availability

I am available for a flexible, project-based partnership, dedicating 20 - 40 ish hours a week. I do not require minimum hours and can dedicate extra effort to meet deadlines when needed. I thrive with the freedom to produce the best results, sometimes in the early morning hours, sometimes late at night, creating content with passion for the people I work with.

https://www.murphyfreelance.com/ My Ghostwriting Services 

https://medium.com/@MurphyFreelance My personal writing on Medium

https://www.selftobe.com/ My coaching and author page

https://www.debmurphy.com/ My personal writing and projects site

https://www.mindinitiative.org/ My sci-fi world for the fiction book I am writing

https://www.linkedin.com/in/murphyfreelance My LinkedIn Profile

My excellent attention to detail drives my work (and perhaps my perfectionism complex lol). Sometimes, I can’t not-see inconsistencies and errors. It led me to notice two opportunities for improvement in your material, which I address in the package, following the writing samples:

• Website Inconsistency: I noted an inconsistency regarding years of experience on your website's home page.

• YouTube Video Timestamp: I noticed an error in the Whispr Flow timestamp on your YouTube video (the detailed discussion of WhisprFlow starts several minutes before the 9:20 mark).

Additionally, I feel like your current low engagement on YouTube is a missed opportunity for your excellent content to reach more viewers!! I have researched this for a previous client and my own personal gain, and believe we can implement a strategy to significantly increase views and followers. I only recently discovered you (via Youtube) and I listen to/watch podcasts on YouTube daily. Surely there is a solid way to get that algorithm pushing your videos into new audience sectors.

The first section of this package includes custom samples of my writing I created from your Podcast episode The Biggest Issues Impacting Podcasts Today and How to Stay Ahead With John Corcoran. (11/26/2025)

Voice: John Corcoran

Content Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5jZ4or66c

• PODCAST Transcription Reformatted for Readability: Cleaned-up version of the verbatim transcript, edited for flow, reading experience, and clear message conveyance (removing filler words and speech patterns).

• Medium Style Article: A 760-word piece, "Your Podcast Doesn't Need to Be Perfect. It Needs to Be Real," applying the podcast's key takeaways on the explicit label, authenticity, and revenue generation.

• Email Campaign Strategy: A three-part campaign (Hook, Authenticity Principle, Case Study) built from the podcast content; designed to be conversational, short, and build trust to drive CTA.

• Social Media Posts: A series of posts derived from the podcast's core takeaways for better social engagement and reach.

Reformatted for Readability: Please note that the original transcript verbatim has been edited for the reader experience. This means that filler words and speech patterns have been cleaned up for better flow and reading, to convey the messages clearly without the interpretation boundary between spoken and written words.

Smart Business Revolution: Recommendations & Industry Insights

“The Biggest Issues Impacting Podcasts Today and How to Stay Ahead With John Corcoran”

John Corcoran / Chad Franzen

November 26, 2025

Welcome to a slightly different format! Today, I (John Corcoran, your host) am being interviewed by Chad from Rise 25. We're diving into my recommendations for a book, a productivity tool, a story of a thought leader I respect, and discussing a few key issues affecting the podcasting industry today.

A note from the host: The Smart Business Revolution Podcast features top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and thought leaders, exploring how they built key relationships to get where they are today. This show is brought to you by Rise 25, your easy button for launching and running a profitable B2B podcast. We handle strategy, accountability, and full production. Learn more at rise25.com or email us at support@rise25.

Recommendations & Insights: An Interview with John Corcoran

Chad: Thanks so much, John. Great to be here. I'm looking forward to getting a few recommendations from you: a book/podcast, a helpful tool, a thought leader you respect, and your insights on a B2B podcasting industry issue. Let’s start with a book or podcast. What have you been reading lately?

Book Recommendation: Michael Pollan

1 min 50 sec

John: Absolutely. I’ve been on quite the Michael Pollan kick. He's known for The Omnivore's Dilemma and a number of other books. He calls himself a "garden writer" and mostly writes about plants and human interactions with them. I recently read The Botany of Desire, How to Change Your Mind, and his most recent one, This is Your Mind on Plants.

He breaks down different plants—like the cocoa bean in coffee—and examines the cultural and legal history around them. For example, he did an experiment where he went off caffeine while writing that chapter, which he describes as a bit of a disaster! They are very well-researched, well-written, and mind-boggling when you think about the weird laws we have around naturally growing plants.

Chad: Regarding the book on plants—as someone who drinks coffee straight from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.—was there anything that personally affected you or changed the way you think about consumption?

John: The interesting thing about caffeine is that it's generally been determined by society that it affects us in a positive way. It makes our society much more productive because it allows workers to work longer hours. The downside, of course, is that it affects our sleep, which researchers say impacts our longevity and lifespan. It's a vicious cycle: we take more caffeine to stay up, which affects our sleep.

I say this as someone who enjoys coffee every day, but I have cut down on my intake since reading the book. If you read it, you'll probably feel the same impulse to cut back a little.

Chad: Is there a line you can walk? If you cut off all coffee after 1:00 p.m., would that impact your sleep less?

John: An interesting statistic I read was about the half-life of coffee. Twelve hours after you've consumed coffee, about 25% of it is still in your body affecting you. Cutting it off earlier in the day is definitely a move toward improving your sleep that evening.

Recommended Tool: The Productivity Game Changer, Whispr Flow

6 min 12 sec

Chad: All right, let's move on to a tool you might recommend to listeners.

John: This is one I've been crazy about, especially after I recently hurt my finger playing football with my kids and have been hunting and pecking while typing. I'm using it even more now: Whispr Flow.

It's a speech-to-text tool where you hold down a key and dictate your words. You can actually dictate about twice as fast as you can type. When you get in the habit of using it, you’ll be surprised how much more productive you can be, and it helps with things like carpal tunnel.

The amazing thing is its accuracy. It's much more accurate than any other tool I’ve used, including the built-in technology on iPhones and Androids. It can even format things—if you correct yourself, it often picks that up and will insert the other words. You can even say "list three things in a row" and it will format them as bullets.

Chad: I used to work with someone who dictated all their emails, and we often had to ask them to translate their messages because they weren't clear. I'm guessing Whispr Flow helps work around that?

John: It does. I get a lot of dictated messages now where the text clearly didn't spit out well. With Whispr Flow, it is far more likely to be accurate.

Thought Leadership & Authority: Jordan Harbinger

9 min 43 sec

Chad: Who is a thought leader you respect and admire?

John: I have to mention my old friend, Jordan Harbinger. Jordan is an OG in the podcasting space. He is like the Edward Murrow of Podcasting. When we write the history of podcasting, his name has to be up there. He does an amazing job with interviews, going to a depth of vulnerability that I aspire to reach. He's had a huge variety of experts on his show, from William H. Macy recently to Kobe Bryant back in the day.

Podcasting Industry Issue: Explicit Ratings 

10 min 45 sec

Chad: What's an issue affecting the B2B podcasting industry right now?

John: A common question we get is about swear words and explicit ratings. People often ask if they should label their B2B podcast as "explicit."

My advice is: If your podcast is not aimed at kids, just label it as explicit.

The reason is that if you don't label it, inevitably an episode will slip through where a guest says a swear word, or the algorithm thinks there's a swear word, and Apple or Spotify will label only that single episode as explicit. This single, randomly labeled episode stands out more and drives people crazy because they think it will deter listeners.

If you label the whole show as explicit, the tiny "E" symbol is generally unnoticeable on platforms, and your listeners (who are adults anyway) are focused on the content and the guest, not the rating. It prevents an unnecessary distraction.

Chad: From a B2B standpoint, should hosts generally avoid swearing?

John: You want your podcast to be an accurate reflection of your brand. The highest compliment you can get is when someone meets you after listening to your podcast and says, "You seem just like you are on your podcast."

If your brand is professional and clean, then you should avoid profanity. However, if you would naturally swear in a conversation with a client, you probably have no issue putting it in your podcast. Just make sure the show is an accurate reflection of who you are and who you want your brand to be.

Case Study: Podcasting for Revenue

14 min 20 sec

Chad: Finally, can you share a case study of a business using a podcast to establish thought leadership and authority?

John: I have to give a shout-out to our client, Samir. He has a digital agency in the e-commerce space. Like many businesses, he wanted an authentic way to get into conversations with his ideal clients (ICPs).

He was really disciplined and kept it simple when he started. He didn't get hung up on the artwork or perfect intro music. He used the podcast as a tool to get into conversations with prospective clients, demonstrate his expertise, and build trust.

The result? He told me recently that he could attribute $2 to $3 million in revenue to his business directly from the podcast. That's what happens when you are disciplined, you don't overthink it, and you use the podcast as a highly effective B2B tool.

Chad: Hey John, it's been great to talk to you as always. Thanks so much for having me today.

John: Chad, thank you so much. Thanks, everyone.

I have a client who generated over $2 million in revenue from his B2B podcast. But if you think his secret involves flawless production or the perfect intro music, you’re overthinking it.

The funny thing is, "overthinking" is also behind the most common question I get asked: Should a B2B Podcast carry the "Explicit" label?

In this article, I’ll give you my answer to the explicit label question based on my successes with my B2B Podcast Service, Rise 25. Then, I’ll break down the secret that led to my client's multi-million dollar formula.

I get asked at least once a week about swear words in podcasts. Should you label your show as explicit? What if a guest drops an F-bomb? Will it hurt your business?

If your podcast is aimed at adults, it's not a big deal to label it as explicit. 

The real question isn't about the label, or about swearing in general. It's about authenticity.

Your podcast should be an authentic reflection of your brand. If you want your brand to be clean and professional without profanity, that's completely fine. If you're edgier and that's how you naturally talk with clients, then that's fine too. The key is to be your authentic self. 

There are plenty of B2B brands that are edgy and have profanity throughout a conversation, or they swear naturally when talking to a prospective client. The key is to have it be an accurate reflection of who you are. If you would naturally swear in a conversation with a client, then you probably have no issue with putting it into your podcast episodes. But if your brand includes an image that is in conflict with profanity, make sure your podcast reflects the voice and image you desire to uphold.

The highest compliment you can get from someone is when they meet you after listening to your podcast and they say, "You seem just like you are on your show."

That's the benefit of doing a podcast. It gives you this tool that allows you to capture a piece of you and broadcast it. Thousands of people can listen and get to know you. So just make sure it's an accurate reflection of who you are and who you want your brand to be.

Now, back to the swearing/explicit question. Honestly, you should just label your podcast as explicit from the start. Let me tell you why.

That little "E" on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It's tiny. Most people won't even notice it. Your listeners are looking at who your guest is or what the topic is. They're not scanning for that little E on the side.

But if you don't label your show as explicit and then one episode gets flagged—either because someone swears or the algorithm thinks they did—that one episode stands out. It looks different from all your other episodes. And that bothers people.

Let's say that someone thinks they hear a swear word and flags your podcast, or a guest accidentally drops a swear word and you forget to add the explicit label. This can open up an issue and create problems with your podcast that are easily prevented simply by adding the explicit label on everything from the start.

My advice? Just label it as explicit from the beginning. It's intended for adults anyway.

I recently worked with a client who runs a digital agency in the e-commerce space. When he came to us to start a podcast, he kept it really simple. He didn't get hung up on making the artwork perfect or having his sister-in-law spend two months creating original intro music. It was raw, authentic, and beautifully effective. 

He started with the same seven questions for each episode. Simple. But there was a deeper, hidden secret. He used his podcast as a tool to get into a conversation with prospective clients, demonstrate his expertise, share some wisdom, and build trust.

Recently, he told me he could attribute over $2 million in revenue directly to his podcast.

That's what happens when you don't overthink it. When you are authentic. When you have a multi faceted approach and you use podcasting effectively in a B2B context.

The Secret

Your podcast doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be real. It needs to sound like you. And it needs to help you get into conversations with the right people.

My advice? Don't get caught up on the details that don't matter. Focus on the content. Focus on the relationships. And make sure that when someone listens to your show, they're hearing the real you.

Because that's what builds trust. And that's what generates revenue.

Want to watch the full podcast episode? Check it out on YouTube

Ready to stop overthinking and start building a B2B podcast that drives revenue and relationships?

We help B2B businesses get more clients, referral partners, and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast service.

Learn how Rise25 can help you launch and run a profitable podcast. Visit RISE 25 to find out how you can increase your revenue with podcasts.

---

John Corcoran is the host of the Smart Business Revolution podcast and co-founder of Rise25, where he helps B2B companies launch and run profitable podcasts.

Email 1: Hook with the explicit content question, Tease the bigger issue (overthinking)

Email 2: The authenticity principle, Show how podcasts build real relationships

Email 3: The $2-3M case study, CTA to Rise25

Each email is conversational (designed to match John's voice), short enough to read in 2 minutes or less, and builds toward the service offering/CTA.

Subject Line Options:

"Should you swear on your B2B podcast?"

"The hidden benefit of using the Explicit label on your Podcast"

"Here's the number one question I get asked about Podcasts"

Body:

Hey [First Name],

I get asked this question at least once a week:

"Should I label my podcast as explicit? What if someone swears? Should I warn my guests? Edit it out?"

Here's my short answer: Yes, just label it explicit from the start.

That little "E" on Apple Podcasts? It's tiny. Nobody notices it. But you know what people DO notice? When ONE episode gets flagged and stands out from all your others because the algorithm thought it heard a swear word or someone accidentally lets one slip.

So save yourself the headache. Label it explicit. It's for adults anyway.

But here's the deeper issue...

If you're worrying about explicit labels, you're probably overthinking a bunch of other stuff too. The artwork. The intro music. The "perfect" format.

Overthinking and perfectionism is what actually stops people from launching!

Tomorrow I'm going to tell you what matters more than any of that.

Talk soon,

John

P.S. - Want to skip overthinking entirely? That's literally what we do at Rise25. We help B2B businesses get more clients, referral partners and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast service. Reply to this email or  book a call here and let's talk.

Subject Line Options:

"The highest compliment you can get as a podcaster"

"Forget perfect. Make it real."

"The secret to authenticity in your Podcast"

Body:

Hey [First Name],

Yesterday I told you to stop overthinking the explicit label on your podcast.

Today, let me tell you what you SHOULD be thinking about:

Does your podcast sound like you?

The highest compliment I've ever gotten is when someone meets me and says, "You're exactly like you are on your podcast."

That's the whole point!

Your podcast is a tool that lets thousands of people get to know you. The real you. Not some polished, corporate version of you.

So here's my advice:

If you naturally swear when talking to clients, swear on your podcast. If you don't, then don't. If you're edgy, be edgy. If you're buttoned-up, be buttoned-up.

Make it an accurate reflection of your brand.

Because when people listen to your show and then meet you (or hop on a sales call with you), they should feel like they already know you. That's how you build trust. That's how you shorten the sales cycle. That's how podcasting actually works for B2B companies.

Tomorrow I'm going to share a case study of a client who did this right. He kept it simple. He stayed authentic. And he generated $2 to $3 million in direct revenue from his podcast.

Stay tuned,

John

P.S. - If you want help creating a podcast that sounds like YOU (without overthinking it), we should talk. Rise25 handles the strategy and full production so you can focus on the conversations. We help B2B businesses get more clients, referral partners and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast service. Book a call here or just reply to this email.

Subject Line Options:

"This podcast generated $2-3M in revenue"

"He used the same 7 questions for every episode"

"Simple makes millions."

Body:

Hey [First Name],

Let me tell you about Samir.

Samir runs a digital agency in the e-commerce space. When he came to us a couple years ago, he wanted to start a podcast to get into conversations with ideal clients.

Here's what he DIDN'T do:

• Obsess over perfect artwork

• Wait two months for his sister-in-law to create original intro music

• Overthink the format

Here's what he DID do:

• Kept it simple

• Used the same 7 questions for every episode

• Focused on getting into conversations with prospective clients

• Demonstrated his expertise

• Built trust and authority

Recently, he told me he could attribute $2 to $3 million in revenue directly to his podcast. 

That's what happens when you don't overthink it. When you're disciplined about it. When you use podcasting effectively in a B2B context.

Your podcast doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be real. It needs to sound like you. And it needs to help you get into conversations with the right people.

Because that's what builds trust. And that's what generates revenue.

So here's my question for you:

What would it be worth to your business if you could generate even a fraction of what Samir did?

At Rise25, we help B2B businesses get more clients, referral partners, and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast service. We handle the strategy, the accountability, and the full production.

You just show up for the conversations.

If you're ready to stop overthinking and start building relationships that generate revenue, let's talk.

Book a call with our team here or just reply to this email.

Talk soon,

John Corcoran

Co-founder, Rise25

P.S. - We've worked with companies like Salesforce, Mattel, and Einstein Bros Bagels, plus dozens of agencies and B2B companies you've never heard of (but who are crushing it with their podcasts). Want to be next?

Your B2B podcast doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be real.

I have a client, Samir, who attributed $2–3 million in direct revenue to his show. His big secret? He didn't waste time on flawless artwork, perfect intro music, or some over-engineered format.

He used the same seven simple questions every time. He focused on using the podcast as a tool to get into conversations with his ideal clients, build trust, and demonstrate knowledge.

Stop overthinking the details that don't matter. Be disciplined, focus on those core relationships, and let your authentic self shine. That's the stuff that actually generates revenue.

Should you label your B2B podcast as explicit? It’s the #1 question I get asked, and my answer is simple: Yes, just label it explicit from the start.

The little 'E' on Apple or Spotify is tiny—most adult listeners won't even notice it.

The problem comes when the algorithm flags one random episode later because a guest accidentally slipped up or the tech thinks it heard a swear word. That single flagged episode sticks out and becomes a weird distraction. Save yourself the headache.

The real point here is authenticity: Your podcast is a reflection of your brand. If you naturally swear when talking to a client, then swear on the show. If you don't, then don't. Just be real, not some super-polished corporate version of yourself.

The highest compliment you can get as a podcaster is when someone meets you and says: "You seem just like you are on your show."

That’s the entire point of a B2B podcast. It gives you this amazing tool that allows thousands of people to get to know the real you, not some buttoned-up, awkward sales guy.

When people listen to your show and then hop on a sales call, they should feel like they already know you. That's how you shorten the sales cycle and build genuine, powerful trust.

So, are you showing up as your authentic self? Or are you trying to be someone you're not?

Need a productivity jump? Stop typing. I mean it.

I recently hurt my finger (stupidly playing football, by the way—no bar fight story here), which forced me to use Whispr Flow for dictation.

The surprising thing I learned is that you can dictate about twice as fast as you can type, even if you’re a fast typist. It's not just speed; the accuracy is so much better than the built-in iPhone tech. It even figures out what you meant if you correct yourself mid-sentence.

We're leaving productivity on the table by relying only on typing. If you need to capture ideas faster or manage things like carpal tunnel, it’s worth checking out the free plan.

What’s the most non-obvious productivity tool you’re using right now?

(Core Idea: Simplicity and authenticity generate revenue.)

Your B2B podcast doesn't need to be a flawless, perfectly-produced masterpiece to be effective. 

We had a client who generated over  $2 million in direct revenue by keeping his show simple and focusing on real conversations. Stop perfecting the music and lighting. Focus on the people.

Be authentic and let your message speak for itself.

(Core Idea: Labeling your show explicit is a defense mechanism against distractions.)

Should your B2B podcast be labeled 'Explicit'? YES. Just do it from the start.

The little 'E' is nearly invisible, but if the algorithm flags one random episode later, it becomes a HUGE distraction. Save yourself the headache and keep the focus on your great content.

Be real, not polished. That’s authenticity.

(Core Idea: Highlighting the speed and accuracy of the dictation tool.)

My biggest productivity hack right now: Stop typing and start talking.

I discovered I can dictate TWICE as fast as I can type using Whispr Flow. And the accuracy is crazy good—it even fixes my mistakes and formats things for me.

If you want to capture your thoughts faster, try dictation. You’ll thank me. [affiliate link to Whispr Flow]

(Core Idea: Using the compliment as a measure of authentic branding.)

The highest compliment you can get as a podcaster is: "You seem just like you are on your show."

That's the goal. Your podcast is the tool that lets thousands of prospective clients get to know the real you. This builds trust faster than any sales deck ever could!