AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Podcasting with Chris Hill
This week on Screaming in the Cloud, Corey sits down with Chris Hill, CEO of Humble Pod, to talk about the messy, nuanced reality of AI in media. From secretly cloning Corey’s voice for an ad using ElevenLabs (and almost getting away with it) to the growing tension between polished production and authentic content, they unpack what AI can actually do versus what it claims to do.
They explore the shifting economics of podcasting, the rise of video-first formats, Netflix’s entrance into the space, and why “good enough” production often beats expensive studio perfection. It’s a candid conversation about trust, automation, creative integrity, and why sometimes the most dangerous AI use case is the one no one notices.
Show Highlights:
(00:00) The AI Voice Clone Ad Nobody Noticed
(00:44) 700 Episodes In: Catching Up with Humble Pod’s Chris Hill
(01:16) New Studio, New Vibes: Building a Podcast Space in Tennessee
(01:51) AI in Podcasting Workflows: Riverside, Editing Promises & Human Judgment
(07:50) Authenticity vs Production Value + Duckbill Hiring & Product Shift
(14:05) Renewals, churn, and why point solutions fail
(14:15) The Doc Tools saga: building the wrong thing (and Disney lawyers)
(15:15) Bahamas studio build: consulting where quality really matters
(16:34) Gear talk & pro tips: teleprompters, cameras, and looking at the lens
(18:50) Podcasting goes video-first: clips, discovery, TikTok, and the wrap-up
About Chris Hill:
Chris Hill is a Knoxville, TN native and founder of Humble Pod, where he helps brands, startups, and thought leaders develop, launch, and grow podcasts across the U.S. and beyond. He works with clients ranging from local Knoxville businesses to entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and around the world.
Chris is the co-host and producer of Our Humble Beer Podcast and lectures on podcasting and marketing at the University of Tennessee. He earned his undergraduate degree in Marketing & Entrepreneurship from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and later received his MBA from King University.
He currently serves as President of the American Marketing Association Knoxville chapter and enjoys supporting the local craft beer community, traveling internationally, and exploring the outdoors.
Links:
Humblepod: https://www.humblepod.com/
Sponsored by:
duckbillhq.com
A Beginner's Guide to Surviving AWS re:Invent with Chris Hill
Corey Quinn is joined by HumblePod CEO Chris Hill to dissect Chris's debut experience at AWS re:Invent. Together, they tackle the challenges of attending one of the biggest conferences in the IT industry, discussing its immense reach, logistical hurdles, and invaluable insights for anyone considering attending in the future. Beyond the event itself, Chris provides an intimate glimpse into the crucial behind-the-scenes efforts involved in producing exceptional content amid the chaos of AWS re:Invent, emphasizing the importance of kindness, professionalism, and superior audio quality. Discover how partnering with an experienced podcast production team can elevate any content to new heights of polish and engagement.
Full Description / Show Notes
(00:00) - Introduction to the Episode
(01:25) - Chris's First Impressions of AWS re:Invent
(02:09) - The Surprising Scale of AWS re:Invent
(04:13) - Lessons Learned and Things Chris Would Do Differently at Future AWS re:Invent Events
(07:52) - Balancing Content Creation, Networking, and Professionalism Under Stress
(13:42) - Chris and Corey’s Humorous Encounters with Security While Filming at AWS re:Invent
(15:35) - Exploring AWS Services and Billing Surprises
(21:12) - Significance of Professional Podcast Production
(25:04) - Closing Thoughts & HumblePod Contact Information
(26:19) - Closing Thoughts
About Chris:
Chris Hill is a Knoxville, TN native and owner of the podcast production company, HumblePod. He helps his customers create, develop, and produce podcasts and is working with clients in Knoxville as well as startups and entrepreneurs across the United States, Silicon Valley, and the world.In addition to producing podcasts for nationally-recognized thought leaders, Chris is the co-host and producer of the award-winning Our Humble Beer Podcast.
He also lectures at the University of Tennessee, where he leads non-credit courses on podcasts and marketing. He received his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he majored in Marketing & Entrepreneurship, and he later received his MBA from King University.
Chris currently serves his community as the President of the American Marketing Association in Knoxville. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with the local craft beer community, international travel, exploring the great outdoors, and his many creative pursuits.
Links:
HumblePod: https://www.humblepod.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumblePod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdhill1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechristopholies
WBTB TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@webuiltthisbrand
HumblePod IG: https://www.instagram.com/humblepod/?hl=en
How Tech Will Influence the Future of Podcasting with Chris Hill
Chris Hill, owner of HumblePod and host of the We Built This Brand podcast, joins Corey on Screaming in the Cloud to discuss the future of podcasting and the role emerging technologies will play in the podcasting space. Chris describes why AI is struggling to make a big impact in the world of podcasting, and also emphasizes the importance of authenticity and finding a niche when producing a show. Corey and Chris discuss where video podcasting works and where it doesn’t, and why it’s more important to focus on the content of your podcast than the technical specs of your gear. Chris also shares insight on how to gauge the health of your podcast audience with his Podcast Listener Lifecycle evaluation tool.
About Chris
Chris Hill is a Knoxville, TN native and owner of the podcast production company, HumblePod. He helps his customers create, develop, and produce podcasts and is working with clients in Knoxville as well as startups and entrepreneurs across the United States, Silicon Valley, and the world.
In addition to producing podcasts for nationally-recognized thought leaders, Chris is the co-host and producer of the award-winning Our Humble Beer Podcast and the host of the newly-launched We Built This Brand podcast. He also lectures at the University of Tennessee, where he leads non-credit courses on podcasts and marketing. He received his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he majored in Marketing & Entrepreneurship, and he later received his MBA from King University.
Chris currently serves his community as the President of the American Marketing Association in Knoxville. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with the local craft beer community, international travel, exploring the great outdoors, and his many creative pursuits.
Links Referenced:
HumblePod: https://www.humblepod.com/
HumblePod Quick Edit: https://humblepod.com/services/quick-edit
Podcast Listener Lifecycle: https://www.humblepod.com/podcast/grow-your-podcast-with-the-listener-lifecycle/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/christopholies
Podcasting about Podcasts with Chris Hill
About Chris Hill
Chris is a Knoxville, TN native and owner of the podcast production company, HumblePod. In addition to producing podcasts for nationally-recognized thought leaders, Chris is the co-host and producer of the award-winning Our Humble Beer Podcast. He also lectures at the University of Tennessee, where he leads courses on podcasts and marketing. He received his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he majored in Marketing & Entrepreneurship, and he later received his MBA from King University.
Chris currently serves his community the American Marketing Association in Knoxville, where he is currently the President-Elect. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with the local craft beer community, international travel, exploring the great outdoors, and his many creative pursuits.
Links
http://www.humblebeerpodcast.com/
https://www.humblepod.com/
https://twitter.com/christopholies
