Note: I published this interview with Jeff Kurkjian as part of The Jag Show. But I wanted to share it here, because Jeff drops such an incredible amount of knowledge!
Most podcasts chase downloads. Jeff Kurkjian built something better - a show people actually return to because it feels personal, consistent, and worth their time. If you're trying to grow a podcast, monetize one, or turn short-form clips into real audience loyalty, this conversation pulls back the curtain.
Jag sits down with Jeff Kurkjian, co-host of Is This a Great Game or What with his father, Hall of Fame baseball writer Tim Kurkjian, to unpack how the show evolved from a weekly baseball conversation into a three-episode-a-week brand with a clear identity and a loyal niche. Jeff reveals why the biggest growth driver was not Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it was repeatable, scroll-stopping video, ruthless consistency, and understanding that discovery starts with attention, not audio.You'll discover:
- Why Jeff and Tim decided they were not just a baseball podcast, but a father-son show that happens to talk baseball
- How grief, family, and baseball shaped the heart of the show after the loss of Jeff's uncle and the family's ongoing ALS advocacy
- The shift from one long weekly episode to a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday cadence that changed everything
- Why YouTube completion rate matters more than vanity download numbers
- How Jeff approaches clips, hooks, and short-form video so people stop scrolling and start listening
- What joining the Foul Territory Network changed behind the scenes, from production support to sponsorship opportunities
Jeff also shares the tools and workflow he uses to produce the show, including Riverside, Ecamm, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition, and a Stream Deck, plus his philosophy on what makes podcast marketing actually work: say something real, make it personal, and give listeners a reason to care beyond the topic itself.This episode is essential listening if you're a podcaster, creator, broadcaster, or brand trying to build something that lasts. The message is simple: don’t build for clicks - build for the people who come back.
(00:00) Intro
(03:29) - The origin story of Is This a Great Game or What?
(07:14) - Why the format changed from weekly to three times a week
(10:16) - Building an audience before expecting revenue
(11:00) - Why podcast discovery starts on social media, not apps
(13:54) - What download numbers do and do not tell you
(15:59) - Why the show works as a father son podcast, not just a baseball podcast
(23:20) - Why personal perspective makes expert content more compelling
(24:06) - “We’re only expert on one thing, ourselves”
(25:54) - Joining the Foul Territory Network
(27:51) - How network support helps with production and promotion
(30:35) - Why sponsorships and brand partnerships take time
(33:21) - Advice for podcasters without a team
(36:08) - Why Riverside, Ecamm, and other tools matter
(39:53) - Editing workflow in Premiere, Audition, and podcast hosting
(41:43) - Why podcasting should still be fun
Want to be on the show? Email JAG at jag@jagpodcastproductions.com
Connect with the WJPZ Alumni Association: https://wjpzalumniassociation.org/
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