Dec. 30, 2025
Why Overthinking Is Stopping You From Starting a Podcast
Starting a podcast isn't hard, but it often feels that way because we try to solve everything before we ever begin. In this episode, I break our usual format with a solo "mini-sode" and focus on what actually stops most people from getting started. This is a shorter, more intentional conversation about clarity, purpose, and sustainability, the things that matter long before equipment, formats, or platforms enter the picture. I talk about why you do not need a perfectly defined niche or audience to begin, how getting clear on the problem you are showing up to help solve creates momentum, and why the experience you create matters more than sounding polished. If you have been stuck in planning mode, this episode is a reminder that you do not need every answer before you start, just enough clarity to take the next step. Happy New Year!
Episode Highlights:
[00:41] Identifying the problem you want to help solve
[01:17] Why experience matters more than demographics
[01:54] Deciding how you want your podcast to feel
[02:27] Being intentional with tone, pacing, and presence
[03:27] Making sure your podcast fits into your real life
[03:54] Sustainability as the key to long term consistency
[04:36] The three things to clarify before thinking about gear
[05:00] How clarity creates momentum and accountability
Links & Resources:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Podcasting Morning Chat:
https://www.podcastingmorningchat.com
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.
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Live on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marcronick
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b
1
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,440
Starting a podcast isn't hard,
but it's easy to make it feel
2
00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,880
harder than it needs to be.
That usually happens when people
3
00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,960
try to make every decision at
the same time before they've
4
00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,080
ever hit record.
Today's episode is a little
5
00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:22,240
different than a typical
podcasting morning chat episode.
6
00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:25,200
It's just me and you.
It's shorter and it's about
7
00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,440
getting you unstuck before you
ever hit record.
8
00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,600
My intention here is simple.
I want you to feel clearer about
9
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:36,040
the foundation of your podcast,
because this is the stuff most
10
00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,440
people don't get enough
direction on even after they've
11
00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,680
already started.
So let's start here.
12
00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:46,120
Before format, before naming,
before any of that.
13
00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,080
The first thing you want clarity
on isn't your niche or your
14
00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,480
audience avatar.
It's the problem you're showing
15
00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:56,680
up to help solve.
When someone presses play on
16
00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,120
your podcast, what are they
hoping you'll help them with, or
17
00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,520
make easier, or help them think
differently about?
18
00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,760
This is where a lot of people
overcomplicate things right out
19
00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:08,880
of the gate.
They start worrying about
20
00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,120
niches, audience, avatars, and
who they're supposed to be
21
00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,640
talking to.
And that stuff can matter later.
22
00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:20,320
Here's the important part.
You don't need a perfectly
23
00:01:20,320 --> 00:01:23,440
defined audience to know what
problem you're solving.
24
00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,880
You start with experience, not
demographics.
25
00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,920
Think about something you've
struggled with, something you're
26
00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:33,800
actively learning, or something
people already come to you for
27
00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:36,080
help with.
That's the starting point.
28
00:01:36,320 --> 00:01:38,720
The audience reveals itself over
time.
29
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:42,120
Your job at the beginning isn't
to get it perfect, it's to be
30
00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,440
clear and honest about the
problem that you're showing up
31
00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:47,920
to talk about.
And when a listener hears
32
00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,440
himself in that problem, they'll
know the podcast is for them.
33
00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,120
Even if you never said the word
audience.
34
00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:57,560
Once you're clear on the problem
you're showing up to talk about,
35
00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:01,120
the next thing to think about is
intention.
36
00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,880
Energy, tone and purpose shape
how this podcast feels to the
37
00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,680
person listening.
This is where you decide what
38
00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,800
kind of experience you're
creating for the listener.
39
00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:16,040
Not the format, yet not the
structure, the experience.
40
00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,000
Think about how you want someone
to feel when you're listening to
41
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,960
your podcast.
Thoughtful, entertaining,
42
00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,080
encouraging, grounding, or
clarifying.
43
00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,800
People don't just come back for
information, they come back for
44
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,880
how a podcast makes them feel
when they're listening.
45
00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,400
And by the way, this doesn't
require a big personality or a
46
00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,320
polished delivery.
This reminds me probably back
47
00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:43,080
1015 years ago when I was early
in podcasting and one of my
48
00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,400
radio mentors who had turned
podcaster, He had come to me
49
00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:52,640
because I had been feeling a
little less than about my voice
50
00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:55,920
and how I sounded on a podcast
or elsewhere.
51
00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,920
I remember he used to tell me
all the time, Mark, it's not
52
00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:03,040
about how your voice sounds,
it's about how you use it.
53
00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,600
That's why I said earlier, it's
not about being a big
54
00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,600
personality or having a
professional voice.
55
00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,440
It's about being intentional
with your tone, your pacing, and
56
00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:15,560
the way you show up in
conversation.
57
00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,320
When you're clear on the feeling
you want to create, your
58
00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:21,920
decisions get easier.
What you talk about, how long
59
00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:25,600
episodes are, and how you show
up on the mic start to align
60
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,120
around that intention.
Once you're clear on the problem
61
00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,080
you're showing up to talk about
and the experience you want to
62
00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:36,160
create for the listener, the
next piece is making sure your
63
00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,160
podcast actually fits into your
life.
64
00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,600
Because clarity and intention
only matter if you can maintain
65
00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,640
them over time.
This is where a lot of podcasts
66
00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:49,080
quietly fall apart, even when
the idea is a good one.
67
00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,520
Not because the host isn't
capable, but because the podcast
68
00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:56,280
doesn't fit their real life.
Sustainability is more about
69
00:03:56,320 --> 00:04:00,160
honesty than it is about
willpower or discipline.
70
00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,720
Be honest about how much time
you have, how often you can
71
00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,800
realistically show up, and what
kind of energy you want to bring
72
00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,520
to this podcast.
Weekly might sound great, but bi
73
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,920
weekly might be what you can
maintain.
74
00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,240
Longer episodes might feel
important, but shorter ones
75
00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,320
might fit into your schedule
better.
76
00:04:20,079 --> 00:04:22,920
There's no right answer here.
There's only the version of the
77
00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,400
podcast you can keep showing up
for without burning out or
78
00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,040
resenting it.
When your podcast fits your
79
00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,680
life, consistency becomes
easier.
80
00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,320
And consistency is what allows
everything else to grow over
81
00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,200
time.
So before you start thinking
82
00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,280
about equipment and artwork or
where your podcast is going to
83
00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:45,920
live, pause here.
Get clear on the problem you're
84
00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,880
showing up to.
Talk about the experience that
85
00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,560
you want to create for listeners
and what's actually sustainable
86
00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,440
for you.
If you can articulate those
87
00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,240
three things, even imperfectly,
you're in a great position to
88
00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,560
get started.
OK, here's something I'd like to
89
00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,600
encourage you to do.
Write one sentence for each of
90
00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,640
those and stop there.
You don't need to solve
91
00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,160
everything today.
Here's how I like to tell my
92
00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,440
clients to think about it.
Clarity creates momentum, and
93
00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,280
momentum is what gets podcasts
off the ground.
94
00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,200
And if you want a little
accountability or just another
95
00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,920
set of eyes on it, e-mail me or
DM me your three sentences.
96
00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,040
I'll tell you what's working and
where you might want to clarify.
97
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,720
I'll put my contact info in the
show notes for you.
98
00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,480
And if you want more
conversations like this in the
99
00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,640
meantime, whether you're
thinking about launching a
100
00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:38,440
podcast or you're already in it
and you want to grow with some
101
00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,640
intention, come join me on the
Podcasting Morning chat at
102
00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,640
Podcasting Morning chat.com.
We have these conversations live
103
00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,960
and also recorded in real time
and you're always welcome.
104
00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:56,880
So until January 5th, 2026, make
it a great day everybody, take
105
00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:57,200
care.
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,440
Starting a podcast isn't hard,
but it's easy to make it feel
2
00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,880
harder than it needs to be.
That usually happens when people
3
00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,960
try to make every decision at
the same time before they've
4
00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,080
ever hit record.
Today's episode is a little
5
00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:22,240
different than a typical
podcasting morning chat episode.
6
00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:25,200
It's just me and you.
It's shorter and it's about
7
00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,440
getting you unstuck before you
ever hit record.
8
00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,600
My intention here is simple.
I want you to feel clearer about
9
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:36,040
the foundation of your podcast,
because this is the stuff most
10
00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,440
people don't get enough
direction on even after they've
11
00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,680
already started.
So let's start here.
12
00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:46,120
Before format, before naming,
before any of that.
13
00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,080
The first thing you want clarity
on isn't your niche or your
14
00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,480
audience avatar.
It's the problem you're showing
15
00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:56,680
up to help solve.
When someone presses play on
16
00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,120
your podcast, what are they
hoping you'll help them with, or
17
00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,520
make easier, or help them think
differently about?
18
00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,760
This is where a lot of people
overcomplicate things right out
19
00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:08,880
of the gate.
They start worrying about
20
00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,120
niches, audience, avatars, and
who they're supposed to be
21
00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,640
talking to.
And that stuff can matter later.
22
00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:20,320
Here's the important part.
You don't need a perfectly
23
00:01:20,320 --> 00:01:23,440
defined audience to know what
problem you're solving.
24
00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,880
You start with experience, not
demographics.
25
00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,920
Think about something you've
struggled with, something you're
26
00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:33,800
actively learning, or something
people already come to you for
27
00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:36,080
help with.
That's the starting point.
28
00:01:36,320 --> 00:01:38,720
The audience reveals itself over
time.
29
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:42,120
Your job at the beginning isn't
to get it perfect, it's to be
30
00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,440
clear and honest about the
problem that you're showing up
31
00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:47,920
to talk about.
And when a listener hears
32
00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,440
himself in that problem, they'll
know the podcast is for them.
33
00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,120
Even if you never said the word
audience.
34
00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:57,560
Once you're clear on the problem
you're showing up to talk about,
35
00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:01,120
the next thing to think about is
intention.
36
00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,880
Energy, tone and purpose shape
how this podcast feels to the
37
00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,680
person listening.
This is where you decide what
38
00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,800
kind of experience you're
creating for the listener.
39
00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:16,040
Not the format, yet not the
structure, the experience.
40
00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,000
Think about how you want someone
to feel when you're listening to
41
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,960
your podcast.
Thoughtful, entertaining,
42
00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,080
encouraging, grounding, or
clarifying.
43
00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,800
People don't just come back for
information, they come back for
44
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,880
how a podcast makes them feel
when they're listening.
45
00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,400
And by the way, this doesn't
require a big personality or a
46
00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,320
polished delivery.
This reminds me probably back
47
00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:43,080
1015 years ago when I was early
in podcasting and one of my
48
00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,400
radio mentors who had turned
podcaster, He had come to me
49
00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:52,640
because I had been feeling a
little less than about my voice
50
00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:55,920
and how I sounded on a podcast
or elsewhere.
51
00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,920
I remember he used to tell me
all the time, Mark, it's not
52
00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:03,040
about how your voice sounds,
it's about how you use it.
53
00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,600
That's why I said earlier, it's
not about being a big
54
00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,600
personality or having a
professional voice.
55
00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,440
It's about being intentional
with your tone, your pacing, and
56
00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:15,560
the way you show up in
conversation.
57
00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,320
When you're clear on the feeling
you want to create, your
58
00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:21,920
decisions get easier.
What you talk about, how long
59
00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:25,600
episodes are, and how you show
up on the mic start to align
60
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,120
around that intention.
Once you're clear on the problem
61
00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,080
you're showing up to talk about
and the experience you want to
62
00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:36,160
create for the listener, the
next piece is making sure your
63
00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,160
podcast actually fits into your
life.
64
00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,600
Because clarity and intention
only matter if you can maintain
65
00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,640
them over time.
This is where a lot of podcasts
66
00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:49,080
quietly fall apart, even when
the idea is a good one.
67
00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,520
Not because the host isn't
capable, but because the podcast
68
00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:56,280
doesn't fit their real life.
Sustainability is more about
69
00:03:56,320 --> 00:04:00,160
honesty than it is about
willpower or discipline.
70
00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,720
Be honest about how much time
you have, how often you can
71
00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,800
realistically show up, and what
kind of energy you want to bring
72
00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,520
to this podcast.
Weekly might sound great, but bi
73
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,920
weekly might be what you can
maintain.
74
00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,240
Longer episodes might feel
important, but shorter ones
75
00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,320
might fit into your schedule
better.
76
00:04:20,079 --> 00:04:22,920
There's no right answer here.
There's only the version of the
77
00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,400
podcast you can keep showing up
for without burning out or
78
00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,040
resenting it.
When your podcast fits your
79
00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,680
life, consistency becomes
easier.
80
00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,320
And consistency is what allows
everything else to grow over
81
00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,200
time.
So before you start thinking
82
00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,280
about equipment and artwork or
where your podcast is going to
83
00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:45,920
live, pause here.
Get clear on the problem you're
84
00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,880
showing up to.
Talk about the experience that
85
00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,560
you want to create for listeners
and what's actually sustainable
86
00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,440
for you.
If you can articulate those
87
00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,240
three things, even imperfectly,
you're in a great position to
88
00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,560
get started.
OK, here's something I'd like to
89
00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,600
encourage you to do.
Write one sentence for each of
90
00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,640
those and stop there.
You don't need to solve
91
00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,160
everything today.
Here's how I like to tell my
92
00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,440
clients to think about it.
Clarity creates momentum, and
93
00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,280
momentum is what gets podcasts
off the ground.
94
00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,200
And if you want a little
accountability or just another
95
00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,920
set of eyes on it, e-mail me or
DM me your three sentences.
96
00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,040
I'll tell you what's working and
where you might want to clarify.
97
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,720
I'll put my contact info in the
show notes for you.
98
00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,480
And if you want more
conversations like this in the
99
00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,640
meantime, whether you're
thinking about launching a
100
00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:38,440
podcast or you're already in it
and you want to grow with some
101
00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,640
intention, come join me on the
Podcasting Morning chat at
102
00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,640
Podcasting Morning chat.com.
We have these conversations live
103
00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,960
and also recorded in real time
and you're always welcome.
104
00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:56,880
So until January 5th, 2026, make
it a great day everybody, take
105
00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:57,200
care.
