What does it really take to run a podcast in 2025?
In this bold and brutally honest episode of The Reel Deal, Aanam Chashmawala sits down with Naina Bhan - actor, content creator, and host of Moment of Silence Podcast - to unpack the real cost of podcasting, creator burnout, and the pressure to stay relevant in the influencer economy.
From monetization myths to stealth marketing, authenticity fatigue, and the truth behind podcast production costs, Naina opens up about what it means to build something real in a world obsessed with virality.
They dive deep into how women in content are changing the game, the struggle to stay honest online, and what podcasting really looks like behind the perfect thumbnail.
In this episode:
- The business of podcasting in India
- How Naina Bhan built “Moment of Silence”
- The burnout every creator hides
- The hidden cost of being “authentic”
- Brand deals, production costs & creative control
- The future of podcasting for Indian creators
Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or someone dreaming of starting a podcast, this conversation will make you rethink what it means to show up online.
Chapters :
00:00:00 INTRODUCTION: From Netflix 'Class' to Full-Time Creator Grind
00:04:47 Auditioning Doesn't Pay: Why I Switched to Talent Management
00:06:17 Why You Need Competition to Succeed ?
00:07:22 How MOS Started: Sliding into DMs as a 'Googly-Eyed Fan'
00:08:26 The Anxiety of City Life
00:11:06 Not Being Friends Before Starting a Podcast
00:15:20 The MOS Revenue Model
00:18:37 Podcast Production is Deceptively Expensive
00:22:25 MOS's Secret Weapon
00:26:21 DON'T Start a Podcast If You Think You're Very Interesting
00:28:18 How ₹3 Lakhs/Month is Spent on Production
00:30:45 The Secret to High Energy Content
00:31:30 'Soft Girls' Afraid of Excel Sheets
00:36:38 My Career as an Intimacy Coordinator
00:40:00 The Class Aftermath: Audience Only Wants Steamy Photos Now
00:45:10 Aspiration Cost vs. Cost Per Follower
00:48:52 The Chronic Fear of Fossilizing
00:51:50 Controversial Guest Aftermath
01:02:17 A Brand Refused to Pay
01:04:15 Commission vs. Fixed Salary
01:05:28 The 5-Year Vision: MOS as a 'Women Conducive Media Platform'
01:11:21 Why Brands Are Chasing the Wrong Numbers
01:17:54 Hot or Not
01:20:34 The Biggest Red Flag in a Man
Keywords
Podcasting in India, Naina Bhan podcast, Moment of Silence, The Reel Deal podcast, creator burnout, influencer marketing, podcast monetization, content creators in India, authenticity in content, women creators, digital storytelling, Indian podcast industry, creator economy, podcast setup, how to start a podcast, podcast production cost, social media burnout, podcast audience growth, content creation 2025
Hashtags
#TheReelDeal #NainaBhan #MomentOfSilence #Podcasting #ContentCreation #CreatorEconomy #PodcastIndia #InfluencerMarketing #WomenCreators #Authenticity #Burnout #IndianPodcasts #AanamC
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