Your go-to for building relationships that mean something - because deep connection is a human requirement.
"Choose a topic you genuinely love and go all in."
Today Tamika Carlton, the creator of The Real Connect shares her story of relationships podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
Hey, I'm Tamika Carlton, a speaker, entrepreneur, relationship expert, and connection enthusiast dedicated to keeping it real. My journey has been shaped profoundly by navigating loss, overcoming fears, and transforming challenges into powerful connections that have changed my life personally and professionally.
The Real Connect Podcast is more than conversations; it's a movement. It's about deep, genuine human connections. The kind that helps us land big opportunities, discover friendships that become family, and nurture love that lasts. I openly share my raw experiences, real setbacks, and big wins alongside powerful insights from thought-provoking experts and authentic guests who've lived the stories they tell.
Our listeners? They’re intentional individuals craving authentic relationships in a world saturated by superficial interactions. They're professionals, entrepreneurs, creators, and everyday people who understand that true connection isn't just nice, it's necessary. Science backs this up my belief. Meaningful relationships can literally increase your lifespan by up to 50% and drastically enhance your mental and emotional well-being.
Whether romantic or platonic, personal or professional, we explore the realness of connection because, at the end of the day, genuine relationships aren't optional; they're essential.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
Starting this podcast wasn't exactly on my vision board. In fact, as someone who's deeply private, the idea of sharing my thoughts publicly felt entirely out of my comfort zone. But then, unexpectedly, I felt this undeniable urge. It was an intense calling to step forward. The name 'The Real Connect' dropped into my mind seemingly out of nowhere, and the urgency was so real that I acted on it within a month.
Launching around the holidays made the timing challenging, especially as a Virgo who's wired for perfection. But once I committed, I went all in. I hired a videographer, secured a professional studio, and planned several episodes upfront. True to my nature, I recorded five episodes in a single day. About 30 days later, in January 2024, I released my first three episodes.
Initially, my goal was clear but ambitious: I wanted to create conversations that mattered, bringing transparency, depth, and authenticity back into relationships for romantic, platonic, and professional relationships. In my mind, real connection isn’t optional; it's essential for well-being. The data supports this. Genuine relationships enrich our lives and can extend our lifespan by up to 50%.
Since launching, I've recorded about 15 episodes, nine of which have already aired. The response has blown me away, and the podcast quickly rose into the top 10% globally, affirming that people crave this kind of honest, meaningful dialogue.
Ultimately, my greatest aspiration for The Real Connect Podcast is to reach and authentically connect one million people around the globe. The momentum we're building gives me confidence that this vision is not just possible but inevitable.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I make the time. Period. I'm intentional about scheduling and prepping episodes, often recording several in one day to streamline the process, and ensure I release an episode once a week. Honestly, the way I'm doing it isn't the cheapest between studio rentals ($300–$500 per session), hiring a videographer ($1,000–$1,500 per shoot), professional editing, branding assets ($150+), and marketing efforts (around $500–$1,000 monthly), I'm investing a good amount even at this level and the time it takes to publish episodes and gather descriptions, do keyword research, all the things, is time-consuming.
But every dollar has been worth it. The momentum and feedback I'm seeing prove the investment is working. And getting guests? It's been easier than I ever expected. The key is to be willing to put yourself out there and ask. People are more open than you think, especially when they resonate with your purpose. This reaffirms my belief that authentic connections matter and often start with just one genuine ask.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I don't have sponsors yet, but that's definitely on my radar as a near-term goal. Considering the incredible traction I've seen, having already ranked in the top 10% globally, I feel confident sponsorship opportunities will happen sooner rather than later. My downloads have consistently grown to a few thousand per month, and that number is steadily climbing.
Beyond just numbers, podcasting has significantly boosted my skills and confidence. My husband and I have done episodes together, which have been fun and rewarding. Bringing our dynamic into the podcast adds a unique energy that listeners love. Being able to have the opportunity for friends of mine to share their expertise has been great, too. I've truly connected deeper with people that I already knew. Not to mention, people are reaching out to me that I didn't know to chat.
Through this process, I've become an even stronger communicator and storyteller. I'm far more comfortable in front of the mic, structuring conversations, coordinating episodes, and ensuring that I'm genuinely sharing valuable insights and not just talking. The podcast has not only strengthened my connections professionally and personally but also made me think differently about connecting as well. Podcasting is truly great!
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
My podcasting process is thorough. I like to have things clear, organized, and well-planned in advance. Before I even start recording, I do keyword research to ensure my episodes reach the right audience and appear in searches. I create detailed sheets for my graphic designer, outlining every graphic need, from Instagram stories and podcast promos to engaging YouTube thumbnails.
For each episode, my video editor creates at least one teaser and several highlight clips specifically for promotional purposes. Spotify serves as my primary distribution platform, and I'm proactive about asking listeners for reviews on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
I'm always exploring new platforms to discover interesting guests, and I rely on Zoom for all my virtual interviews. I do extensive prep, diving deep into guests’ backgrounds to ensure each conversation feels insightful and fresh. Additionally, I consistently watch and listen to other podcasts, read up on emerging tech, and stay current with best podcasting practices to ensure my show stays innovative and relevant.
► How do you market your show?
My listeners primarily discover The Real Connect Podcast through social media. Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube have been especially great for me. Roughly 40% find me directly from social media platforms, while 60% come from organic searches on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google.
I regularly post teasers, episode highlights, quotes, and engaging video snippets. My email list is also great because I can announce every new episode.
Interestingly, word-of-mouth and guest promotion have been huge surprises. When guests share their episodes, it brings in their networks organically, expanding my reach. I've been using ManyChat for great automation as well!
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
My biggest piece of advice for aspiring podcasters? Choose a topic you genuinely love and go all in. Passion makes everything easier, whether it be late nights, setbacks, or even the learning curve. Trust yourself enough to start before you're completely ready; you'll figure things out along the way, and that's perfectly okay.
Invest in quality upfront if you can. I initially spent about $3,000 on studio space, video editing, promotional graphics, and professional audio production. It wasn’t the cheapest route, but it immediately attracted listeners and quality guests.
Speaking of guests, don't be afraid to reach out. Most people are much more accessible than you'd expect. You just have to put yourself out there and ask!
And above all, don't worry about the numbers, and don't wait for perfection. I’m a Virgo. Before launching, I wanted everything to be perfect, but I learned that momentum matters more than perfection. You'll grow, adjust, and improve with each episode.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can dive deeper into The Real Connect Podcast by following me on social media, checking out the latest episodes, and staying connected directly through my websites:
Spotify:
Apple:
Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp – that's where I share daily insights, teasers, and more personal glimpses behind the scenes.
YouTube: Subscribe Here - https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealConnect_TamikaCarlton – catch the visual side of our episodes and special teasers.
My Website: TamikaCarlton.com – for deeper dives, resources, and events.
Newsletter: tamikacarlton.com/newsletter - The Connect – weekly doses of genuine connection and exclusive content.
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