The fear of speaking as a podcaster, often referred to as mic fright or podcasting anxiety, is a unique manifestation of glossophobia tailored to the realm of audio content creation. While podcasting offers the freedom of expression without the immediate pressure of a live audience, the thought of recording one’s voice and sharing it with potentially thousands or even millions of listeners can still be daunting for many.

One significant aspect of this fear is perceived perfectionism. Podcasters may worry that their content isn’t good enough or that they’ll stumble over their words. Unlike live speaking engagements, where mistakes are fleeting, every imperfection in a recorded podcast feels permanent. However, understanding that perfection is unattainable and that imperfections can even add authenticity to your podcast can help alleviate this fear.

If you ask anyone who’s in the podcasting industry how they came to be where they are now, you’d most likely get a response filled with passion, realization, and epiphanies. To have a podcast means to have something that’s worth talking about and sharing with the world.

Currently, I’m the blog writer for The F.E.E.L Podcast, an interview-based podcast that supports women’s empowerment and journeys to living unapologetically. With this kind of podcast, our team members have to be cautious and sensitive about what our guests have to say. We’ve heard stories from women who have been in abusive relationships, suffered from eating disorders, have mental illnesses, and who come from a variety of backgrounds.