Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 2 chart positions in 2 markets.
By chart position
- 🇦🇺AU · Books#6630K to 100K
- 🇫🇮FI · Books#593K to 10K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
17K to 55K🎙 ~2x weekly·110 episodes·Last published 6d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
33K to 110K🇦🇺91%🇫🇮9% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
13K to 44K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
From 10 epsHost
Recent guests
Recent episodes
Ep. 109: Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) on writing and her latest book, Wombat Waiting
May 6, 2026
44m 40s
Ep. 108: Philip Stead (A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic) on Writing and Illustrating Whimsical Stories
Apr 21, 2026
51m 41s
Ep. 107: Filling the Gap: Why We Need More Young Teen Lit
Apr 7, 2026
47m 27s
Ep. 106: Aaron Starmer (You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This) On Writing a Book That's Weird In a Good Way
Mar 24, 2026
38m 53s
Ep. 105: Jasmine Warga (The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan) on Zero Drafts and Writing From an Animal's Perspective
Mar 17, 2026
32m 58s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6/26 | Ep. 109: Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) on writing and her latest book, Wombat Waiting✨ | writingchildren's literature+4 | Katherine Applegate | The One and Only IvanWombat Waiting | — | Katherine ApplegateThe One and Only Ivan+4 | — | 44m 40s | |
| 4/21/26 | Ep. 108: Philip Stead (A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic) on Writing and Illustrating Whimsical Stories✨ | writingillustrating+4 | Philip Stead | A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic | — | Philip Steadmiddle grade+4 | — | 51m 41s | |
| 4/7/26 | Ep. 107: Filling the Gap: Why We Need More Young Teen Lit✨ | Young Teen Litmiddle school literature+3 | Christina ChatellMarcia Kochel | — | — | young teen literaturemiddle school+3 | — | 47m 27s | |
| 3/24/26 | Ep. 106: Aaron Starmer (You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This) On Writing a Book That's Weird In a Good Way✨ | children's literaturewriting process+3 | Aaron Starmer | You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This | — | children's authorwriting for children+3 | — | 38m 53s | |
| 3/17/26 | Ep. 105: Jasmine Warga (The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan) on Zero Drafts and Writing From an Animal's Perspective✨ | writing for childrenmiddle grade novels+3 | Jasmine Warga | The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan | — | Jasmine Wargamiddle grade novels+3 | — | 32m 58s | |
| 3/3/26 | Ep. 104: N. West Moss (Birdy) on Finding Joy After Loss✨ | children's literaturewriting process+4 | N. West Moss | Birdie | — | N. West MossBirdie+5 | — | 47m 48s | |
| 2/17/26 | Ep. 103: Beth Ferry (Growing Home) On Loving Your Own Story✨ | writingmiddle grade novels+4 | Beth Ferry | Growing Home | — | Beth FerryGrowing Home+5 | — | 45m 04s | |
| 2/10/26 | [LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 75: James Ponti (Part 2) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series✨ | writing processmiddle grade fiction+3 | James Ponti | City Spies | — | James PontiCity Spies+3 | — | 43m 51s | |
| 2/3/26 | [LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 74: James Ponti (Part 1) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series✨ | writingmiddle grade series+3 | James Ponti | City SpiesThe Sherlock Society | — | James PontiCity Spies+3 | — | 40m 35s | |
| 1/20/26 | Ep. 102: Simon Stephenson (The Snowman Code) on both Screenwriting and Novel Writing✨ | screenwritingnovel writing+3 | Simon Stephenson | The Snowman Code | — | screenwriterauthor+5 | — | 37m 47s | |
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 1/13/26 | Ep. 101: John Schu (Louder Than Hunger) on Connection and Compassion in Storytelling | In this conversation, John Schu, a children's librarian and author, shares his journey as a reader and writer, emphasizing the importance of connection in storytelling. He discusses his latest book, Louder Than Hunger, which tackles themes of mental health and the healing power of art and music. Schu reflects on his influences, including Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and broadway actor Idina Menzel, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the significance of readi... | 44m 00s | ||||||
| 11/11/25 | Ep. 100: Michelle Knudsen (Into the Wild Magic) on The Importance of Persistence in Writing | In this conversation, author Michelle Knudsen emphasizes the critical role of persistence in the writing industry, highlighting that success is often not immediate and can be influenced by many external factors. She encourages writers to find joy in the writing process itself, as it is the only aspect they can truly control amidst the uncertainties of publishing and reception. We also discuss her latest middle grade book, Into the Wild Magic. Into the Wild Magic is a middle-grade fantasy nove... | 45m 53s | ||||||
| 10/21/25 | [LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 66: Jordan Kopy (Theodora Hendrix) on Turning Traditional Monster Tropes on their Heads | On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, Jordan Kopy discusses her Theodora Hendrix series, which follows a 10-year-old girl raised by a family of monster superheroes. Jordan shares her inspiration for the series, her creative process, and the unique characters that populate her books. She discusses the illustrations, the challenges of writing while working in finance, and her journey to publication. Jordan also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers and reflects on her... | 52m 40s | ||||||
| 10/14/25 | Ep. 99: Second Year Podcasting Anniversary - Come with me behind the scenes - how it started, how it's going, and what's next. | It's my first solo episode and I'm bringing you a glimpse of what it's been like launching a podcast and helping it grow over the past two years. I talk about the ups and downs, the big moments, the challenges, and what's to come. And I give a big thank you to you, the listeners, for being with me every step of the way. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter. I ... | 29m 04s | ||||||
| 9/30/25 | Ep. 98: Melissa Dassori on Second Books and Magic in Storytelling | In this episode, Melissa Dassori discusses her journey as a middle grade author, focusing on her sophomore book, 'Greta Ever After.' She shares insights into the emotional roller coaster of publishing and emphasizes the importance of confidence, risk-taking, and the collaborative nature of the writing process. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter. I love audio... | 37m 29s | ||||||
| 9/16/25 | Ep. 97: McCall Hoyle (Forever Ripley) on Exploring the Bond Between Dogs and Kids | In this episode, McCall Hoyle, an award-winning author and former teacher and librarian, discusses her latest book, 'Forever Ripley,' which explores the deep bond between dogs and humans through the eyes of a dog. The conversation delves into themes of grief, love, and the importance of emotional depth in storytelling. McCall shares her writing process, the challenges of writing from a dog's perspective, and the significance of creating relatable characters for young readers. She also reflect... | 44m 37s | ||||||
| 9/9/25 | Ep. 96: Jamie Sumner (Schooled) on Embracing Imperfection in the Creative Process | In this episode, Jamie Sumner discusses her latest middle grade novel, 'Schooled,' exploring its themes, characters, and the inspiration behind the story. She shares insights into her writing process, the balance of humor and grief in children's literature, and the importance of voice in storytelling. Jamie also reflects on her experiences as a teacher and how they influence her writing, as well as her interactions with young readers during school visits. She offers valuable advice for aspiri... | 41m 42s | ||||||
| 8/26/25 | Ep. 95: Cordelia Jensen (Lilac and the Switchback) on Crafting a Novel-In-Verse | On this episode, Cordelia Jensen discusses her latest middle grade verse novel, 'Lilac and the Switchback', exploring themes of friendship, grief, and change. She shares insights into the writing process, the emotional depth of verse novels, and the collaborative nature of editing. Cordelia reflects on her journey as a writer and the unique aspects of writing for a middle grade audience. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter he... | 39m 42s | ||||||
| 8/19/25 | Ep. 94: Alyssa Colman (Where Only Storms Grow) on Historical Fiction With and Without Magic | At the start of this episode, Alyssa Colman discusses her book 'Gilded Girl' with a special guest, my 14-year-old daughter Ella who loved this book when it came out several years ago. Alyssa and I then discuss her new book 'Where Only Storms Grow,' exploring themes of survival during the Dust Bowl through the eyes of twins Joanna and Howe. She shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the historical context of her work. Alyssa also reflects on her journey to b... | 34m 18s | ||||||
| 8/12/25 | Ep. 93: Pablo Cartaya (A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation) on Connecting With Readers Through Shared Experiences | In this episode, NYT bestselling author Pablo Cartaya shares with us his latest book, A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation. We discuss the importance of cultural heritage in storytelling and challenges faced during the creative process. Pablo shares insights into his research methods, his unique writing style, and the emotional journey of bringing his characters to life. The conversation highlights the significance of perseverance in the face of rejection and the joy of connecting with readers t... | 45m 31s | ||||||
| 7/29/25 | Ep. 92: Tiffany D. Jackson (Blood in the Water) on Writing MG After Success in YA | In this episode, Tiffany D. Jackson discusses her transition from writing young adult thrillers to her first middle grade novel, Blood in the Water. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of creating age-appropriate content, and the significance of Martha's Vineyard in her story. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of understanding child development in writing for younger audiences and reflects on her journey as a novelist while balancing motherhood. She offers valuable ad... | 34m 05s | ||||||
| 7/22/25 | Ep. 91: J.E. Thomas (The AI Incident) on Engaging Children in Conversations about Artificial Intelligence | In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon interviews author J.E. Thomas about her latest book, The AI Incident. They discuss the themes of loneliness and connection, the role of AI in education, and how humor can engage young readers. J.E. shares insights from her interactions with kids during school visits and reflects on her writing process, challenges, and future projects. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity and the human experience in s... | 49m 36s | ||||||
| 7/15/25 | Ep. 90: Amanda Zieba (WordNerd) on Hybrid Publishing and Creating Resources for Teachers | In this episode, Amanda Zieba shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to an author and content creator for teachers. She discusses her experiences with self-publishing and hybrid publishing, the challenges and successes she faced along the way, and her latest book, Life in the Passenger Seat. Amanda also provides insights into her marketing strategies and offers advice for writers considering different publishing routes. Finally, she shares insights on her First Chapter Fr... | 50m 00s | ||||||
| 7/8/25 | Ep. 89: Shannon Balloon and Karen Reeder (BookHuddle Podcast) On Our Favorite MG Books of the Year (So Far) | On this episode, I'm playing an episode of the BookHuddle with Readgab Podcast in which host Karen Reeder and I discuss our favorite middle grade books of 2025 (so far). Karen and I each have our own favorite genres, which makes this discussion perfect for readers of all types of middle grade books. Listen and find your next favorite middle grade read. Find Karen Reeder at https://readgab.com/ and find her podcast on all platforms as well as on YouTube. For bonus content and info on u... | 44m 21s | ||||||
| 7/1/25 | Ep. 88: Meg Medina (Graciela in the Abyss) on Diving into a Fantasy World | In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meg Medina discusses her latest book, Graciela in the Abyss, and shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her work, and the importance of community and culture in literature. She reflects on the challenges of writing, the role of illustrations, and her experiences as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Meg emphasizes the significance of storytelling and encourages aspiring writers to focus on their c... | 49m 39s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
3 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
3 placements across 2 markets.