2 Episodes Per Month vs. 4: How Often Should You Publish Your Podcast?

Written By Haley Hatcher

At Heart Centered Podcasting, one of the first questions we help our clients answer is: how often should I release new episodes?

Whether you’re a new podcaster just getting started or a seasoned host looking to refine your rhythm, this question matters — because your publishing cadence directly affects your growth, consistency, and longevity.

Choosing between 2 episodes per month (biweekly) or 4 episodes per month (weekly) isn’t just about ambition. It’s about understanding your audience behavior, your capacity, and your goals.

Recently, I came across a post from Brian Landau., who shared an incredibly smart way to make that decision: the 80% rule. His method uses actual listener data to guide your publishing frequency — and I’m sharing how it can help you decide between publishing twice a month or every week.

The 80% Rule: Let Your Audience Analytics Guide You

Once you’ve released your first six episodes, take a close look at your analytics and ask: How long does it take for each episode to reach 80% of its total downloads?

If your show hits that 80% mark within 72 hours of publishing, you’re looking at a highly engaged audience — one that’s eager and waiting for new episodes. That’s a good sign you could sustain a weekly cadence (4 episodes per month).

If it takes closer to 7–10 days to hit that 80% mark, your audience is tuning in at a slower pace — which means a biweekly cadence (2 episodes per month) might serve everyone better.

This approach removes the guesswork. Instead of wondering what “works best,” you’re letting your audience data make the call.

The Burnout Rule: Match Your Cadence to Your Capacity

The second part of Brian’s framework is equally important — the Burnout Rule.

Podcasting should feel exciting, not exhausting. It should connect you to your mission, your listeners, and your creativity — not drain them.

If you find yourself dreading recording days or rushing through production, it’s a sign to slow down your cadence, not give up altogether. Switching from weekly to biweekly (or biweekly to monthly) is often the difference between quitting and thriving long-term.

Remember: sustainability is strategy.

The Case for a Weekly Podcast (4 Episodes per Month)

Publishing weekly helps you stay top of mind and build a strong, loyal audience base.

✅ Benefits of a Weekly Podcast

  • Creates a habit for listeners. You become part of their weekly routine.

  • Boosts discoverability. More episodes mean more opportunities for new listeners to find you.

  • Supports consistent lead nurturing. Weekly touchpoints help you stay visible and steadily warm your audience.

  • Meets audience expectations. Many heavy podcast listeners anticipate weekly drops from their favorite shows.

⚠️ Tradeoffs of a Weekly Podcast

  • Higher production load. Four episodes per month can stretch your time and energy.

  • Risk of burnout. Without a clear workflow or team support, consistency can slip.

  • Audience overwhelm. For listeners balancing work, family, and life — weekly content may feel like too much.

The Case for a Biweekly Podcast (2 Episodes per Month)

Publishing two episodes per month can be one of the most underrated podcast strategies — especially for small teams, solopreneurs, and purpose-driven creators.

✅ Benefits of a Biweekly Podcast

  • Sustainable pace. Easier to maintain while keeping quality high.

  • More thoughtful content. With more time to plan, each episode can go deeper and deliver more value.

  • Consistent visibility. Every other week builds a steady rhythm without exhausting your audience.

  • Better balance. Ideal for business owners juggling multiple roles or responsibilities.

⚠️ Tradeoffs of a Biweekly Podcast

  • Slower audience growth. Fewer episodes mean fewer touchpoints each month.

  • Requires off-week engagement. Stay visible through social media, newsletters, or clips to maintain connection.

Consistency Is the Real Growth Strategy

Whether you publish 2 or 4 episodes a month, the most important thing is consistency.

Listeners don’t need more from you — they need to know when to expect you. A reliable cadence builds trust, authority, and momentum over time.

If you’re unsure where to start, follow Brian L.’s advice and track your first six episodes using the 80% rule. Let the numbers — and your energy — guide your next move.

Because in podcasting, the goal isn’t to publish the most episodes. It’s to create something sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with your mission.

Ready to Create a Podcast You Can Actually Sustain?

At Heart Centered Podcasting, we help entrepreneurs and small teams create shows that are as strategic as they are soul-led. From launch to long-term management, we’ll help you plan a publishing cadence that fits your goals, bandwidth, and audience — so your podcast can grow without burning you out.

Learn more about our podcast management services or book a discovery call to get started.

Haley Hatcher