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Your Mindset Is More Important Than Your Mic

by Angela Briones

When I started my podcast, I thought my microphone was the most important tool I needed. I remember researching it and looking for the best-sounding mic within my budget, thinking that was the podcast magic. Four years and three microphones later, I realize that I can have the best mic out there, but the mic isn’t doing the work - I am. I’m starting to lose that podcast magic and feel the podcast grind, and my mic is the least important tool I can count on right now.

The monotony of podcasting - scheduling, recording, editing, social media, etc. - is a lot. This is especially true when you’re a one-person show and you’re wearing all the hats, and I know I’m not alone in that. The podcast grind is getting more difficult to manage and I find myself fighting the statistics.

According to Podmatch.com, there is only a 10.3% chance of podcasters reaching
50 episodes and approximately 66 podcasters quit every single day!

The podcrash is real, my friends, and it begs the question: why do we always hear folks talk about “leveling up their sound” and “increasing download numbers,” but we don’t hear anyone getting real about the podcast grind that can lead straight to a podcrash?

At first I thought, “Maybe the beginning of the year is an odd time to talk about this,” but, maybe it’s actually perfect. ‘Tis the season for a fresh start, after all. And, if you’re like me, you don’t want to quit - you just need to tap into some new energy, and give your podcast some much-needed “umpf.”

That being said, let’s shift our mindset and reframe the way we’re thinking about our podcast. So if you need some ideas of how to kick-start your new podcast year when you’re feeling the podcast grind, let me share some of the things I’m doing. Maybe they’ll spark something for you, too.

Only 10% of podcasts make it past episode three. And only 1% make it to episode 21
-Podcastle

CELEBRATE MORE WINS

A lot of times, podcasters wait to hit big milestones before they celebrate their success. If only 10% of podcasts make it to episode 3, and 1% make it to episode 21, we can’t afford to wait for episode 50 or 100 to celebrate a win.

To me, a win is any time I hit PUBLISH. Creating an episode, from beginning to end, takes commitment. From scheduling to editing to social media snippets, it’s a combination of work, time, and effort. Many of us are doing it outside of our full-time jobs, families, and other responsibilities, so each episode is a milestone in my book, and each milestone is considered a win.

Find a way to commemorate each episode that you publish. Allow yourself a little treat, such as buying a new book or going to a movie. Then, when you hit bigger milestones, celebrate bigger. Just make sure to recognize your achievements along the way.

In 2025, I’ll hit a big milestone - 50 episodes - and I’m making more of an effort to truly celebrate it, not just on the podcast, but outside the podcast. 

REFRAME THE GRIND

I’m gonna be honest with you, I despise the word “reframe.” It’s judgy, and I don’t like it. But for the sake of pushing past the podcrash, I’m learning to see her good side. 

Allow me to elaborate.

If you’re feeling the podcast grind, there is something in your systems, your step-by-step actions, that feels more like work than fun. Believe me, I get it. Recording my podcast is the easy part. But when it comes to social media, I want to run for the hills.

Try to pinpoint the element that feels like sandpaper to you and figure out a way to reframe the action. Maybe you’re bored with the idea of a new season of the podcast. Why not try a series instead? Focus on a particular topic for a set period, do a handful of episodes, and then create a break between series topics. 

Mix it up a little.

It’s not only good for you but also for your listeners. Don’t deviate too much, and always let them in on what you’re doing. It doesn’t hurt to push some new energy into your podcast simply by reframing the way you present the episodes. Of course, that’s just one idea, but play around with this construct and breathe some new life into your show.

LEAN INTO YOUR COMMUNITY

Podcasting can feel very isolating. Using YouTube University for everything and trying to figure out how to get your podcast off the ground is tough, especially when you do it by yourself.

There are countless women-centric podcasting communities out there (including this magazine!), so try your best to connect with folks who have a similar podcast or process. If you’re not in the same city, be cheesy and suggest a virtual happy hour. Create a podcast group that meets in-person or online. Help each other out.

When I first started podcasting, I was so focused on the details of getting a podcast off the ground that I never thought about what it was going to take to keep it going. Honestly, connecting with my fellow creators is what has kept me afloat lately and it might just be the key for you too.

So, let’s do a collective happy dance every time we hit PUBLISH (Reframe. Repeat). That’s how we try to push past the podcrash. You’ve already beaten the odds simply because you kept going. 

Angela Briones is the creator and host of The Gay Podcast for Everyone. When she’s not podcasting, she’s hanging out with her partner, catching up on the latest reality tv shows, and spoiling their corgi pup. @thegaypodcast_foreveryone