Ellie Puckett’s journey into podcasting didn’t begin with a microphone. It started with a love of storytelling, a passion for creative communication, and years of experience helping founders and visionaries bring bold ideas to life. That passion led her to launch her own podcast, Renegade Ventures, where she explored the world of acquisition entrepreneurship and how to build companies with real, transferable value.
When she discovered Resonate Recordings, she saw more than a production company. She saw a strong foundation ready for growth and a chance to transform podcasting into a strategic pillar of modern brand building.
In 2023, Puckett acquired Resonate and stepped into the role of CEO. Since then, she has focused on refining the company’s services, strengthening its team, and expanding its vision into a full-service content studio. Under her leadership, Resonate is helping creators and brands grow through high-quality production, thoughtful strategy, and authentic storytelling.
We sat down with CEO Ellie Puckett to learn more about what drew her to podcasting, how she’s guiding Resonate through its next chapter, and her vision for the future of audio content.
How did you become interested in podcasting?
EP: I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling and the power of voice to connect people. Podcasting sits at the intersection of creativity, communication, and technology — three things I love. Before Resonate, I spent years working with founders and creatives, helping them bring ideas to life, and I saw how podcasts could amplify a brand’s reach and impact in a way few other mediums can.
I eventually started my own podcast called Renegade Ventures to talk about acquisition entrepreneurship and how to build real, transferable value into your business — so you’re not just hoping a company like Google will swoop in and buy you for 20x revenue, which is wildly unrealistic for most entrepreneurs. Through that experience, I saw firsthand how podcasting could create trust, educate audiences, and fill your digital platforms with value-driven content — not just chase algorithms. That’s what hooked me.
What inspired you to lead Resonate Recordings?
EP: When I learned about Resonate, I was immediately drawn to its potential. The company already had a strong reputation for quality production, but I saw an opportunity to evolve it into a full-service content production partner, not just an audio production company. Podcasting was no longer just about mastering sound — it was about telling stories across multiple platforms, in multiple formats, to maximize reach and impact.
What inspired me most was the chance to take something great and make it even better — to pair world-class production with strategy, marketing support, and client experience so creators and brands could grow sustainably, not just produce content.
Tell us about your team: Who’s on it, and how did you meet?
EP: I met the founders and owners of Resonate through a mutual connection, Brad Luttrell. I love how our community works — people genuinely want to connect and support one another. Jacob Bozarth, one of the original founders, has since exited the company, but the other owners remain on the cap table. Since my acquisition, we’ve raised additional capital and brought in new investors and team members who share our vision for growth.
One of the best parts of acquiring an existing company is inheriting an incredible team of talented, mission-driven people — and we’ve continued to build on that foundation by adding other awesome humans who fit our culture and values. I also get the pleasure of working with my husband, Brad Puckett, who serves as our go-to creative because of his wide experience across media, especially video production. Right now, he leads our Client Experience team, which guides our clients through their creative journey from concept to launch.
I saw firsthand how podcasting could create trust, educate audiences, and fill your digital platforms with value-driven content — not just chase algorithms.
Where do you see podcasting and audio production headed in the future?
EP: Podcasting is evolving beyond individual shows — it’s becoming a central pillar of brand strategy and community building. I believe more businesses will use podcasts as owned media platforms to build trust, authority, and authentic engagement.
As AI becomes more integrated into content creation, one of the biggest priorities will be protecting consumer trust. Podcasting is one of the few mediums where audiences still deeply trust the voices they hear — it’s why brand sponsorships perform better here than on almost any other platform. As an industry, we have a responsibility to create ethical guidelines around fully AI-generated content. I’d love to see standards like digital watermarks or visual indicators that help listeners discern creator-made content from AI-generated material. That said, I also believe AI is vital to our industry and business model — when used responsibly, it enhances creativity, efficiency, and accessibility.
What does success look like to Resonate Recordings in the short term and long term?
EP: In the short term, success means continuing to deliver exceptional results for our clients and building on the incredible turnaround we’ve achieved over the past two years. We’ve done the hard work of rebuilding and refining — now the next two years are all about growth.
We’re actively exploring strategic acquisitions that align with our mission, such as marketing or social media agencies, other podcast or video production companies, and eventually even a podcast network. Each acquisition will help us expand our services, deepen our expertise, and create more value for our clients.
Long term, our vision is to become one of the most significant players in the podcasting industry — a company known not just for quality production, but for leadership, innovation, and integrity in how we help people share their voices with the world.
Find out more about Resonate Recordings at resonaterecordings.com. Are you a startup based in or looking to relocate to Kentucky? Keyhorse’s current quarterly investment cycle is open! Apply now.
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