100th Podcast Episode: What 100 Episodes Taught Me

The 100th Podcast Episode of the Brand and Market Podcast is more than just a milestone. It represents two and a half years of showing up consistently, refining my message, serving hospitality entrepreneurs, and learning what it truly takes to build a business through content.

When I launched this podcast in January 2024, I had no idea it would become one of the most impactful lead generation tools in my business. In fact, I almost didn’t start it at all.

Today, I’m sharing the story behind the first 100 episodes, the pivots that shaped the podcast, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

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Celebrating the 100th Podcast Episode Together

Before we dive in, I want to say thank you.

Whether you’ve listened to one episode or all 100, left a review, shared an episode with a friend, sent a message, or trusted Brand and Market with your business, you’ve played a role in this milestone.

However, podcasting can sometimes feel like speaking into a void. Hearing how these conversations have helped you strengthen your brand, improve your marketing, or gain confidence in your business is what keeps me showing up every week.

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Why I Almost Never Started a Podcast

Believe it or not, there was a time when podcasting was a hard no for me.

I remember sitting at a business retreat and confidently telling a friend that starting a podcast didn’t align with my business goals. It felt like another task that would pull me away from serving clients and running my business.

Everything changed when I read Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley.

One concept from the book completely shifted my perspective: the 7-11-4 Rule.

According to Priestley, potential clients typically need seven hours of interaction across eleven touchpoints on four different platforms before they’re ready to buy.

That realization forced me to ask an important question: How was I going to create seven hours of meaningful connection with someone?

The answer wasn’t more Instagram Reels. It was long form content. It was podcasting.

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Launching the Podcast and Finding My Voice

The podcast officially launched on January 24, 2024.

Back then, it wasn’t even called the Brand and Market Podcast. It was the Ali Rae Haney Show, and my business was built entirely around my personal brand.

The podcast looked very different in those early days.

Every episode was scripted word for word. Every pause was edited out. Every imperfection was removed.

I was producing, editing, and publishing everything myself while trying to run a business at the same time.

To make it manageable, I released episodes in seasons. I’d publish eight episodes, take a break, batch content, and repeat the process.

While that system worked temporarily, it wasn’t sustainable.

Looking back, one of the biggest lessons from those early days is that you don’t need a perfect plan before you begin. I didn’t know exactly where the podcast would lead. I simply knew it was worth trying.

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The Rebrand That Changed Everything

A major turning point came in 2025.

As my business evolved, I realized I needed a brand that could grow beyond me personally. That led to the transition from Ali Rae Haney to Brand and Market.

The rebrand wasn’t just about changing a name. It was about getting clear on who I wanted to serve.

I began focusing on hospitality entrepreneurs, short term rental owners, and the vacation rental industry.

The more I leaned into hospitality, guest experience, and intentional branding, the more aligned my business became.

Ironically, I was finally taking the same branding advice I had spent years giving to my clients.

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The Power of Strategic Support

Another major shift happened when I hired Haley Gaffin as my podcast producer and strategist.

Since bringing Haley onto the team, I haven’t missed a weekly episode.

More importantly, she helped me stop treating the podcast as simply content and start treating it as a strategic business asset.

Together, we focused on:

• Podcast SEO
• Keyword strategy
• Audience alignment
• Stronger calls to action
• Revenue generation

Instead of creating content and hoping it worked, we became intentional about every episode and every topic.

That strategy changed everything.

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How the 100th Podcast Episode Became a Business Milestone

One of the biggest surprises over the last 100 episodes has been seeing how the podcast has impacted my business.

What started as a way to educate and connect with people has become one of the strongest lead generation tools at Brand and Market.

The podcast has introduced me to incredible clients, including:

• Simi and her Austin property, La Palomita
• Eden and her upcoming short term rental near Hunter Mountain
• Alexis Gindy and the beautiful Victoria House Boutique Hotel & Suites in Sevierville

These projects are reminders that great branding doesn’t just create beautiful businesses. It creates meaningful guest experiences and long term business growth.

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Lessons Learned From 100 Podcast Episodes

After 100 episodes, a few lessons stand out above the rest.

Consistency Beats Perfection

The first episodes certainly weren’t perfect. Likewise, the branding still had room to grow, and the strategy was evolving in real time. However, consistency created momentum.

Clarity Comes Through Action

You don’t have to know exactly where something is headed before you begin.

Many of the biggest opportunities in my business only became visible after I started moving.

The Right Support Accelerates Growth

Hiring help wasn’t a luxury.

It was one of the best investments I’ve made.

Having the right people in your corner changes what’s possible.

Data Is a Gift

Analytics tell a story.

When you pay attention to what your audience responds to, you can create more of the content they actually need.

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What’s Next for the Brand and Market Podcast?

Reaching the 100th Podcast Episode reminded me that consistency often matters more than perfection.

While bigger download numbers are exciting, they’re not the ultimate goal. Instead, my focus remains on serving hospitality entrepreneurs, short term rental owners, and business owners with practical strategies that help them grow.

The next chapter of the Brand and Market Podcast will be guided by the same mission that inspired the first episode: helping people become the best in their brand and their market.

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One hundred episodes ago, I almost talked myself out of starting a podcast.

Today, I can’t imagine my business without it.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start the thing that’s been on your heart, let this be it.

You don’t have to know every step before you begin.

You just have to start.

Then keep showing up.

One episode at a time.