Podcast & Thought Leadership Advisory Services
For leaders ready to launch a show, strengthen their podcast, or prepare for high-impact guest appearances with Paola Soares
You might be here if:
You want to turn your expertise into visibility
You’re already successful but under-recognized
You want to launch a podcast that positions you as a thought leader
You already have a podcast but it’s underperforming and not strategically positioned
You want to start getting more visibility by being a guests on podcasts but you have no idea where to start
How Podcasting Propels Leaders Forward
Leadership today extends far beyond titles and internal influence.
Visibility now shapes credibility.
Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing media platforms in the world, with over 5 million podcasts globally and hundreds of millions of regular listeners — and it continues to expand. More founders, executives, and industry leaders are using podcast platforms to shape conversations in their fields.
Those who step into this space intentionally are not simply creating content — they are building long-term brand equity. It’s also the #1 way for thought leaders to get their message out there for free.
Whether you launch your own podcast, refine an existing one, or position yourself as a guest on respected shows, podcasting creates leverage. It allows your expertise to extend beyond your current role or organization and gives your ideas reach beyond closed rooms and internal meetings.
Over time, that visibility compounds.
It can lead to:
Invitations to speak at industry events and panels
Strategic partnerships and business opportunities
Media inquiries, including podcast features and television appearances
Greater recognition when being considered for your next leadership role
For professionals in corporate roles, podcasting signals innovation, initiative, and clarity of thought — qualities often associated with advancement. For others, it can open doors to advisory roles, consulting work, board seats, coaching, or new ventures that create greater autonomy and time freedom.
This is not about chasing trends.
It’s about creating a platform that is a natural extension of who you are — your expertise, your perspective, and the value you bring to your industry.
As industries evolve, leaders are increasingly recognized not just by their titles, but by the ideas they contribute and the platforms they build. When approached strategically, podcasting becomes more than content creation — it becomes a long-term asset.
This work exists to help you build that asset intentionally — so your visibility matches your expertise and your leadership extends well beyond where you are today.
Services
Podcasting and media can be powerful tools for thought leadership — when approached strategically and it’s easier than you think.
Leaders often reach a point where they know their experience and perspective deserve a larger platform, but they are unsure which approach makes the most sense:
Launching a podcast
Improving an existing show
Or leveraging podcast guest opportunities instead
This work is designed to provide clarity first, so visibility efforts are aligned, intentional, and effective.
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For leaders and experts ready to build and launch their own podcast as a long-term authority platform.
Paola will guide you through the entire process from initial concept to official launch over a focused 6–8 week partnership. This is a high-touch, done-with-you experience designed to remove guesswork and ensure your podcast is built strategically from day one.
This path is appropriate if you:
• Want a podcast that reflects your professional identity, voice, and expertise
• Want your show to feel aligned — as a natural extension of who you are and how you lead
• Need clarity on positioning, audience, and direction before recording
• Want step-by-step guidance on platforms, technology, and backend setup
• Prefer hands-on support rather than navigating the process alone
• Are serious about building a long-term thought leadership assetWhat This Includes:
• Podcast concept and positioning refinement
• Audience clarity and content direction
• Show structure and format development
• Backend setup guidance (hosting platform, distribution, and technology)
• Equipment recommendations
• Clear launch roadmap and timelinePaola will walk you through exactly what to do — including the technical and operational backend — so nothing is left unclear.
Outcome:
Within 6–8 weeks, you will launch a strategically positioned podcast that is fully aligned with who you are as a leader — and designed to elevate your credibility, visibility, and long-term influence.
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For leaders and experts who already have a podcast — but it isn’t gaining traction, clarity, or the authority impact they expected.
This is not a launch program.
This is a strategic diagnostic and refinement process for an existing show that isn’t performing as strongly as it should.
Paola will conduct a comprehensive review of your podcast to identify why it may not be landing, attracting the right audience, or supporting your broader visibility and leadership goals. She will assess your positioning, messaging clarity, structure, and authority presence — and provide direct recommendations to strengthen performance and impact.
This path is appropriate if you:
• Have a podcast but growth feels slow or stagnant
• Feel your episodes aren’t resonating as strongly as they could
• Aren’t seeing the visibility, engagement, or credibility you expected
• Sense something is “off” but can’t pinpoint what
• Want expert analysis before investing further time or resourcesWhat This Includes:
• In-depth review of selected episodes
• Positioning and authority alignment analysis
• Messaging clarity and refinement recommendations
• Structural and format feedback
• Title, description, and show positioning suggestions
• A clear, prioritized roadmap for improvementPaola will provide direct, executive-level insight into what is working, what may be limiting growth, and what to refine to ensure your podcast fully reflects your expertise and strengthens your authority.
Outcome:
A sharper, more strategically positioned podcast — along with a practical roadmap to improve traction, clarity, and long-term authority impact.
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For leaders and experts who don't want to have their own podcast but want to leverage podcast guest appearances to expand visibility, credibility, and authority.
Paola brings a rare dual perspective to this work. As a former national TV news and entertainment guest booker — and as a long-time podcast host who has received millions of pitches — she understands exactly what producers and hosts look for… and what immediately gets ignored.
This is not generic media coaching.
This is strategic preparation to ensure you are positioned as a compelling, credible, and highly bookable guest.
This path is appropriate if you:
• Want to increase visibility through podcast interviews
• Are pitching yourself but not receiving consistent responses
• Want to stand out in a crowded inbox
• Need stronger angles, stories, and talking points
• Want to show up confident, clear, and memorable when bookedWhat This Includes:
• Authority positioning refinement for guest appearances
• Development of compelling topic angles rooted in your lived experience
• Strategic talking points and signature story development
• Suggested interview questions to guide hosts and producers
• Bio and media asset refinement (including guidance on high-resolution photos and key materials)
• Pitch feedback and recommendations to strengthen booking potentialPaola will help you understand what hosts and producers actually look for — from clarity of angle to story depth to professional presentation — so your pitch stands out and your interviews create lasting impact.
Outcome:
A clear, compelling guest positioning strategy — along with the messaging and assets needed to increase bookings, elevate credibility, and make every appearance count.
This clearly differentiates:
Accelerator → Build your own platform.
Authority Audit → Fix your current platform.
Guest Strategy → Leverage other people’s platforms.If you'd like, I can now:
• Tighten all three into one clean comparison section
• Help you price them strategically so they ladder naturally
• Or refine this to feel even more executive / corporate if that's the direction you want.
About Paola Soares
Paola Soares is a former national television journalist and celebrity booker turned podcast strategist and thought leadership advisor.
She is the host and creator of But First, She Failed — a podcast that launched in the Top 50 on Apple Podcasts, regularly appears on the Apple Podcast charts, and ranks in the Top 1% of podcasts globally. Known for its depth and powerful storytelling, the show features trailblazing women who openly share the pivotal moments that shaped their success.
Before stepping into the world of podcast strategy, Paola built her career in national media. Her work has appeared on Univision, Telemundo, ABC News, and other major outlets. She served as a Booker and Segment Producer for Fusion Network, where she was responsible for evaluating, pitching, and securing celebrities, politicians, executives, and newsmakers for national television segments.
In that role she reviewed hundreds of pitches from publicists, leaders, and industry experts — determining which voices were credible, compelling, and ready for a larger platform. She understands firsthand what decision-makers look for when evaluating thought leaders and media opportunities.
Today, she brings that editorial perspective to the podcasting space.
As a podcast strategist, Paola works with founders, executives, and experts who are ready to move from being accomplished professionals to visible thought leaders. She helps them build podcast platforms that are strategically positioned, aligned with their expertise, and designed to create long-term brand equity.
Whether guiding someone to launch a purpose-aligned podcast, refine an existing show, or position themselves as a compelling podcast guest, her work is grounded in clarity, positioning, and sustainable visibility.
Paola believes podcasting is more than a content channel — it is a vehicle for influence. When approached intentionally, it becomes an extension of who you are: your expertise, your convictions, your lived experience, and the conversations you are uniquely equipped to lead.
At the core of her work is storytelling. Even during her years in news, her favorite assignments were profile pieces that captured the human side of leadership — stories that inspired, challenged assumptions, and sparked forward movement. That same passion now drives her work with clients who want to use their voice to create meaningful impact.
Originally from Chicago, Paola now lives in South Florida with her husband and their two young children. Her work continues to be shaped by both her newsroom roots and her deep belief that each person carries a unique calling — one that deserves a platform..
Not Sure Which Path is right for you?
That is expected and exactly what the consultation is designed to address 👉
Book a Complimentary 30-minute consultation
This consultation is a strategic conversation designed to help you:
clarify your goals
Identify the most effective path forward
Understand next steps, if any
There is no obligation to move forward.
The goal is clarity.
👉 Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation