How We Built This

Writers Elaine Appleton and Lindsey O’Connor founded Podcast Allies in 2019. As lifelong journalists, we were devoted to continuously improving our knowledge of the storytelling craft — and passionate about helping others learn it.

We named our company Podcast Allies because people were increasingly approaching us for guidance on turning an idea into a successful podcast. It was clear that what people really needed —and wanted — was an ally who would take them by the hand and transform a glimmer of a concept into something real, a conversation or documentary or a narrative series that would compel people to tell their friends, “You have to listen to this!”

We opened our doors in February 2019. We taught and spoke about podcasts. Soon, we began developing and producing podcasts for mission-driven organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (Pediatrics on Call) and the Environmental Defense Fund (Degrees: Real Talk About Planet-Saving Careers).

In mid 2021, Lindsey sold her stake in Podcast Allies to Elaine. Elaine leads the fast-growing company, which serves marketing and communications leaders in medium and large mission-driven organizations and offers a wide range of courses, coaching, and custom training to individuals, influencers and teams.