Podcasting Step by Step: Recent Episodes
Sarah Mikutel
Struggling to start your podcast? Or, maybe you started a show but now you feel like you’re drowning? Podcasting Step by Step blends actionable guidance with motivation and a little loving hand-holding to help you overcome the overwhelm and turn you into a world-class podcaster.
Do you ever feel like people are too blunt – or not direct enough? Do you live by the clock, or are you free with your schedule? Do you like to cut to the chase and get to work, or do you need to warm up first? These are not just individual preferences – they are cultural norms. In this episode, I explore why we are the way we are, and what happens when different cultures collide.
Read the article.
The Culture Map
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you want to become a more calm, confident communicator at work and in your personal life – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
There's an unwritten rule in Swedish culture called the Law of Jante: Don't think you're special. Don't stand out. Blend in. It’s the opposite of American individualism – and both sides have a shadow. In this episode, I explore what a Swedish flatmate, living in Italy, and years of coaching have taught me about fitting in versus standing out, and why it matters for anyone working across cultures.
Read the article.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you want to become a more calm, confident communicator at work and in your personal life – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Turns out there’s not just one way to listen – there are four, at least according to the authors of Adaptive Listening: How to Cultivate Trust and Traction at Work.
In this episode, I share when to use each level of listening, plus the question you should always ask yourself before opening your mouth.
Read the article.
Read Adaptive Listening.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you want to become a more calm, confident communicator at work and in your personal life – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Love isn't what most people think it is. It’s not a bond between partners or family, according to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson – it’s a micro-moment of positivity that resonates in your body when you connect with someone, even with strangers. And the research is clear: The more of these moments you create, the happier and healthier you’ll be.
Read the article.
Love 2.0 book
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you want to become a more calm, confident communicator at work and in your personal life – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
The hardest part of starting something new is feeling like you're failing. Before you quit, try the three ideas in this episode to help you get through this "conscious incompetence" phase. You'll learn how to build lasting confidence, and how to recognize the progress you're already making.
Read the transcript.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you want to become a more calm, confident communicator at work and in your personal life – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Have you ever thought: “If they really loved me, they’d just know without me having to say it.”
But expecting someone to intuit your needs isn’t romantic – it’s magical thinking. In this episode, I talk about why unspoken expectations lead to disappointment, the shift you need to make for real connection, and why clarity is one of the most generous things you can offer in a relationship.
Read the transcript.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to stop procrastinating so you can live the life you truly want – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
I cried in my first knitting class and I didn’t know why – it’s not like I’m emotionally invested in making potholders out of yarn.
In this episode, I explore the quiet pressure we put on ourselves without realizing it, and how we can give ourselves more grace.
Read the transcript
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to stop procrastinating so you can live the life you truly want – let’s talk.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
My guest today, Sunalie, is a warm and gifted journalist – and also a former client of mine.
During our time together, she had so many meaningful wins. Hearing about the specific shifts she made will help you strengthen your own confidence and communication skills – including how to feel more at ease when all eyes are on you.
Sunalie has been with her partner for over 20 years, but they never got married. Not because she didn’t want to, but because the thought of standing in front of a room with all eyes on her felt overwhelming.
That tension – wanting a moment, but not wanting to be seen – is something many of us can relate to.
We shrink to protect ourselves. It’s a pattern we learn early. But at some point, most of us start questioning how we’re living, who we want to be, and whether we’re satisfied with how we’re showing up. We start wondering what else might be possible.
What you’re about to hear is a conversation about what can shift when you stop bracing for disappointment and start letting yourself be seen.
Sunalie didn't just learn to speak up more. She learned to share more. She learned to feel comfortable being herself. And that changed the trajectory of her work, her relationships, and her confidence.
If you’re at a similar crossroads – you’re successful, but you can feel that you’re still putting up walls or playing small – this episode will resonate. Enjoy!
❤️
If you’re listening and realizing you’re ready to begin your own transformation story, book a free consultation with me today. This is the work I love doing most – helping you get out of your head and start looking and feeling more confident in your communication.
Book your free communication coaching consultation
www.sarahmikutel.com
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Are you procrastinating more than you think you are? In this episode, I’m talking about virtuous procrastination – the act of avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, or purposeful risk by busying yourself with work that appears responsible, generous, and good. Volunteering. Overcommitting. Over-preparing. It looks admirable, but sometimes it’s just a sneaky distraction from what’s most important to you.
Read the article.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to stop procrastinating so you can live the life you truly want – let’s talk.
We can also chat on Insta :)
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Comfort can quietly cost you the life you really want. When we play it too safe in the name of avoiding unpleasant thoughts or feelings, we drift away from our values and the things that bring meaning, energy, and connection. The Stoics offer a way back through intentional action, self-inquiry, and showing up with integrity – even when it’s uncomfortable.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
We can also chat on Insta :)
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
We often have something meaningful to say – but the way we say it can get in the way. We overload our listener with backstory, hoping to make them understand, and end up muddying the message instead. In this episode, I explore why this happens and how a small shift in how we speak can make a big difference.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Carrie Bradshaw used to feel relatable. Now we accuse her of being unhinged.
But maybe that says more about us than it does about her.
Read the article.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
We’ve all had those moments where an insult or offhand comment sticks in our head. Hours later, we’re still replaying it, wishing we’d come up with the perfect comeback. But what if the strongest response isn’t a clever line at all?
In this episode, I explore what the Stoics – and even a surprising scene from Gladiator 2 – can teach us about handling insults and keeping our peace of mind. You’ll hear:
- Why chasing the “upper hand” keeps us stuck.
- How Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher, framed the danger of being ruled by our emotions.
- A personal story about how even a small, everyday slight can get under our skin – and what to do about it.
- Practical tools to stay grounded when you feel like punching someone.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
To move forward, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause and take stock of how far you’ve come.
Read the article.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
I finally became a British citizen after years of putting it off – not because I didn’t qualify, but because perfectionism kept slowing me down.
In this episode, I share the real reason I delayed, what happened when I shifted my focus from “perfect” to “done,” and revisit how the concept of maximizers vs. satisficers can help you move forward in your life.
Read the article (and come say hi on Substack).
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Being blunt isn’t the same as being brave. In a culture that idolizes people who “say whatever they think,” we’ve started confusing impulsiveness for honesty, and arrogance for authenticity.
But unfiltered speech isn’t just lazy. Sometimes, it’s harmful.
In this episode, I explore the difference between courage and carelessness, and how to practice mindful communication without losing your voice or your values.
Read the article.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
The Science of Connection: Building Bonds Through Small Acts of Love
In this episode, I share a brief moment with my nephew that opened up a bigger question: How do we create the kind of presence that people remember?
I explore the science of likability, the concept of “Love 2.0,” and why the smallest gestures – eye contact, laughter, a kind word – have long-lasting emotional and health benefits. This isn’t about being charming or chosen. It’s about how we choose to show up.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Does the phrase “public speaking” make you feel a little sick…even if it’s just a team meeting or a group conversation?
I made something to help you.
Calm Your Nerves in 90 Seconds is a free anxiety-reduction toolkit with a guided meditation and journal to help you communicate with confidence.
Use it anytime your brain goes into overdrive and you need a reset.
https://sarahmikutel.com/reset
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
What if the real key to growth isn’t pushing harder, but celebrating more?
In this episode, I’m sharing why savoring your wins matters – how it rewires your brain, reinforces your identity, and helps you live in alignment with your values.
If you’ve been rushing from one goal to the next, this is your invitation to pause, reflect, and really honor the actions you’re taking.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
What did the Founding Fathers actually mean when they talked about “the pursuit of happiness” – and how can we apply that wisdom to our lives today?
This episode is about what real happiness looks like – not the fireworks version, but the kind that comes from gratitude, good character, and being present for the small moments.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
Struggling to start something new because you're afraid of looking foolish? This episode is your permission slip to begin. You’ll learn how Stoic philosophy and growth mindset can help you move through discomfort, let go of perfectionism, and build real confidence – one imperfect step at a time. If you’ve been overthinking or biting your tongue, this conversation will help you shift into action.
Read the transcript
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach. My work is about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have more fun.
As an American expat living in the U.K., I value curiosity, courage, and joy. A few things I love: wandering European streets in search of the best vegetarian meal, practicing Italian, and helping my clients design lives that feel rich and meaningful.
If you're ready to have conversations that open doors – in your career, your relationships, and your life – let’s talk.
Calm Your Nerves in 90 Seconds: Public Speaking Anxiety Reset
Feeling on edge lately? You’re not alone.
What if I created a membership where we’ll practice techniques I use with my one-to-one clients to calm the nervous system – and have fun while we’re at it.
If this community sounds great to you, get on the waitlist to register your interest. This helps me gauge interest and puts you first in line for special founder pricing if it launches.
Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot?
I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.
Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.
What do abandoned mansions in Bucharest have to do with dirty dishes and emotional resentment?
In this episode, I explore how our desire for fairness can lead us to self-sabotage — and how Stoic justice asks us to think beyond pride, punishment, and being right.
We’ll walk through a real-world example of decades-long property disputes, connect it to the Ultimatum Game in behavioral economics, and look at how these same dynamics show up in our everyday relationships — from family drama to who does the dishes.
This is an invitation to reflect on what you're holding onto, and whether it’s time to build something new — even without the apology or closure you thought you needed.
Hi! I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American in England and fellow citizen of the world. A few things I love: Stoicism, great vegetarian tacos, and helping my coaching clients thrive in all areas of their lives.
sarahmikutel.com ❤️
Does the phrase “public speaking” make you feel a little sick…even if it’s just a team meeting or a group conversation?
I made something to help you.
Calm Your Nerves in 90 Seconds is a free anxiety-reduction toolkit with a guided meditation and journal to help you communicate with confidence.
Use it anytime your brain goes into overdrive and you need a reset.
https://sarahmikutel.com/reset
Mr. Darcy has been on my mind this week. Not because he’s the fantasy of so many women, but because I finally read Pride and Prejudice, and discovered something shocking (to me) about him.
I’d always thought of Mr. Darcy as this tall, brooding, misunderstood character. The fabulously wealthy, handsome man who everyone thinks is a jerk, but secretly has a heart of gold and wants to take care of you. This is why women have been obsessed with him for hundreds of years. The strong, silent, mysterious hero.
But that’s not who he starts out as in the book.
Reading Pride and Prejudice reveals so much more about him, and about what it takes to change and grow.
In this episode, I’ll share what Mr. Darcy’s transformation can teach us about:
- how honest conversations can lead to personal transformation – for you and the person you’re speaking with.
- why hard conversations are worth having, even when they feel risky or uncomfortable.
- what Stoic principles and practical communication tools can help us handle conflict gracefully.
By the way – hello! I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American writer, communication coach, and practicing Stoic based in England.
sarahmikutel.com
Nonviolent communication tips
Last week, I gave one of the lightning talks at Stoicon 2024. The topic: How to Combat Speaking Anxiety with Stoicism.
Want to see the video? Head to my Substack 👉 Citizens of the World
Thanks for listening ❤️
sarahmikutel.com
Does the phrase “public speaking” make you feel a little sick…even if it’s just a team meeting or a group conversation?
I made something to help you.
Calm Your Nerves in 90 Seconds is a free anxiety-reduction toolkit with a guided meditation and journal to help you communicate with confidence.
Use it anytime your brain goes into overdrive and you need a reset.
https://sarahmikutel.com/reset
Why do we get angry? How can we challenge our immediate reactions? And what's the best way to articulate our feelings without passive aggression or a blow-up?
In this episode, you'll learn four Stoic tips to turn potential conflicts into opportunities for personal growth and stronger relationships.
Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. We can chat together in the comments and I have fab bonuses for paid subscribers. Or, you can read new posts for free.
Live Without Borders Substack
Our intentions don’t always line up with our outcomes, and misunderstandings lead to anger, sadness, frustration, and conflict. In this episode, I’ll talk about intent vs impact, which is more important, and how to effectively and ethically communicate your intentions. Of course, I’ll be weaving in the timeless wisdom of the Stoics.
Hi, I’m Sarah Mikutel, your communication and mindset coach, an Enneagram 9 expat in England, and practicing Stoic. Introverts come to me to learn to speak confidently in front of a room, online, and in social situations without becoming a sweaty, blushing mess with a stress headache.
Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. We can chat together in the comments and I have fab bonuses for paid subscribers. Or, you can read new posts for free.
Live Without Borders Substack
Introvert Emergency Kit
Click here if you're ready to become a less anxious, more charismatic public speaker.
When it comes to public speaking, what exactly are you afraid of?
Most people I talk to don’t explore their fears at all – and this makes them worse.
The thought of public speaking brings up such uncomfortable feelings that they try to ignore them or stuff them down – which is why they continue to suffer from speaking anxiety, one of the most common fears in the world.
How is an amorphous ‘fear of fear’ holding you back and keeping you quiet?
I’m Sarah Mikutel, your communication and mindset coach. By the end of this episode, you will know:
- what you’re really afraid of when you say you don’t like public speaking – no more amorphous clouds of discomfort,
- how anxiety manifests in our mind and body and why not managing it is so harmful,
- the beliefs underlying the four different flavors of public speaking anxiety, and
- Stoic practices you can do to let go of anxiety so you can more eloquently express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
So no more holding in what you want to say and then internally screaming when someone else voices what you’d been thinking. It’s time to start feeling more calm and confident when you speak.
Let’s dive in.
sarahmikutel.com
Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. We can chat together in the comments and I have fab bonuses for paid subscribers. Or, you can read new posts for free.
Live Without Borders Substack
We often hear how negative self-comparisons can be, especially when it comes to social media. But what if we could use comparison as a force for good? A tool to help us grow and flourish at work and in our personal lives? Great news, we can!
Today you’ll learn how to stop negatively comparing yourself to others and start measuring your progress in healthier and more productive ways. Plus, you’ll learn the scientific theory about why you’re actually more likable the less perfect you are. Hi, I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to take this work deeper and radically transform your life? Let's talk. Book your call here.
sarahmikutel.com
To be an effective communicator, you need to learn how other people think and what motivates them. In this episode, you'll learn how to use the Enneagram typology to do just that.
Discover the nine core personality types and uncover the layers of motivations and desires that drive our actions and reactions.
You'll walk away with a better understanding of yourself and how to engage with the different personalities in your life.
Ready to transform your life? Let's chat.
sarahmikutel.com
Do you fly into a fit of rage when people interrupt you? Maybe not externally, but quietly in your head? This episode is for you, my fellow introvert.
Learn why people interrupt and how to respond to interruptions from a place of confidence and strength.
Book a consult to discuss your communication and confidence goals.
sarahmikutel.com
Most of our suffering comes from thoughts that we let run wild in our brains.
We spend a lot of time each day rehashing different conversations and situations in our mind, and we think that we’re just reviewing facts. But we’re not. We’re reflecting on our own points of view, assuming what others think, worrying about the future, and ruminating about the past.
The ancient Stoics understood that our thoughts are nothing more than stories we tell ourselves.
And modern mental health professionals agree with them that we should challenge the thoughts that pop into our heads and not automatically accept them as reality.
You might be thinking, “That’s impossible. I have a million thoughts running through my mind. It’s not in my control. I’m anxious. I’m overwhelmed.”
In today’s episode, I’ll coach you on how to use a thought record to manage your mind so you can live a more resilient, calm, joyful, and compassionate life.
I can’t overstate how essential this work is to your wellbeing. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or frustrated that the changes you’re trying to make aren’t sticking, listen to this twice.
I've also created a thought record worksheet for you.
sarahmikutel.com
When you feel like you're being taken advantage of, do you speak up, or stay quiet and grumble to yourself later?
In this episode, I share a personal story about when someone tried taking me to the cleaners -- you'll get the pun after listening -- and how I successfully navigated the situation.
Get ready to explore why we feel awkward standing up for ourselves and strategies to manage this anxiety while asserting ourselves more confidently.
From retraining our brains to identifying patterns of behavior, I'll explain ways to break out of your comfort zone and start speaking up with more confidence and less anxiety.
Are you ready to speak in front of a room, online, and in social situations without becoming a sweaty, blushing mess with a stress headache?Book a consult and let's discuss how we can transform your confidence and communication.https://sarahmikutel.com/
It's nearly the anniversary of D-Day, the largest air, sea, and land operation in the history of war. On D-Day alone, Nazis killed nearly 4,500 Allied troops and injured many more. In one day. And I keep asking myself: Are we living lives that honor that sacrifice?
We can do better. On this episode of the podcast, I share some thoughts on how we can live lives worth dying for. How we can show up as Stoic leaders.
https://sarahmikutel.com/
In celebration of this new podcast, I’m gifting my listeners free coaching sessions this month.
If anxiety over public speaking is holding back your income, self worth, or certain aspects of your social life, this is your time to talk about it and how to move forward. It's never too late to become who you might have been.
Sign up for your free coaching session.
Where do emotions come from? What are emotions?
Most of us don’t give this much thought. We live as if we’re at the mercy of our emotions. We live in fear of them.
Anxiety and anger and stress. We try to deny them or indulge in them in unhelpful ways.
And this often means staying quiet. We’re not willing to be with an emotion long enough to feel its power diminish. Did you know this usually happens in about 90 seconds?
Think about a time when you had to speak in public, whether in a meeting, on stage, at a networking event. At first, it felt scary, but as you pushed through, you started to feel better.
I work with my clients to help them manage their minds and bodies so they feel less anxious and more confident speaking up and being decisive.
Body awareness is the first step toward emotional freedom and resilience and what I want to talk to you about today.
I’ll be weaving in some Stoic philosophy, which is an ancient philosophy rooted in love and positive emotion.
More than 2,000 years ago, the Stoics practiced therapeia, the foundation of today’s leading evidence-based treatment for anxiety: cognitive behavioral therapy.
When people hear the word ‘stoic,’ they often think of someone who swallows their emotions.
Stoic philosophy, however, involves cultivating healthy emotions and managing unhealthy ones.
Stoics leaders get curious about emotions like anxiety, instead of reacting against them or stuffing them down. This self-awareness sets them free.
Are you ready to learn how? Let’s go.
https://sarahmikutel.com/
In celebration of this new podcast, I’m gifting my listeners free coaching sessions this month.
If anxiety over public speaking is holding back your income, self worth, or certain aspects of your social life, this is your time to talk about it and how to move forward. It's never too late to become who you might have been.
Sign up for your free coaching session.
Why does public speaking scare introverts so much?
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- the science behind why public speaking feels so terrifying for introverts
- what introversion is
- whether we’re born with our personalities
- the key differences between introverts and extroverts
- where the word ‘cool’ came from
- And more!
If confidence is a trait you’d like to grow in yourself, let’s talk.
Book your free, 20-min chat to to discuss how you can learn to speak confidently in front of a room, online, and in social situations without becoming a sweaty, blushing mess with a stress headache.
In celebration of this new podcast, I’m gifting my listeners free coaching sessions this month.
If anxiety over public speaking is holding back your income, self worth, or certain aspects of your social life, this is your time to talk about it and how to move forward. It's never too late to become who you might have been.
Sign up for your free coaching session.
Welcome to the Influential Introvert, which will be replacing Podcasting Step by Step in this feed.
The Influential Introvert is for business owners and leaders who want to speak confidently in front of a room, online, and in social situations without becoming a sweaty, blushing mess with a stress headache.
Hi, I’m your host Sarah Mikutel, and you may be wondering why I’m switching up the podcast.
I consider it an evolution. While not all of Podcasting Step by Step listeners are introverts, many are.
The Influential Introvert podcast is for you if you’ve ever…
✔️ ghosted or not responded to a great PR opportunity someone offered you.
✔️felt like you can’t get a word in when a big group is talking.
✔️ lost sleep thinking about a presentation you had to give.
✔️ had your heart beat out of your chest in conversations where you feel others have more experience and authority.
Even when you look calm on the outside, inside there’s an anxious swirl that’s exhausting you.
Life doesn’t have to be this way.
When you follow this podcast, you’ll learn the essential verbal and non-verbal skills necessary to elevate your presence and charisma and capture people’s attention.
Equally important, you’ll learn to manage your mind and body so you feel less anxious and more confident speaking up and being decisive.
If this sounds like something you could use help with right away, go to sarahmikutel.com/influentialintrovert, book a consult, and let’s get you enjoying life with less anxiety and more influence.
In celebration of this new podcast, I’m gifting my listeners free coaching sessions this month.
If anxiety over public speaking is holding back your income, self worth, or certain aspects of your social life, this is your time to talk about it and how to move forward. It's never too late to become who you might have been.
Sign up for your free coaching session.
Looking to spice up your podcast format? Try adding audio clips from your listeners. It's a fun way to engage your audience and it's not as complicated as you might think. Speakpipe is a popular tool you can use but I talk about a free way to capture listener feedback in this episode.
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
In case you haven’t heard, both Apple and Spotify have rolled out podcast subscription programs, which would allow individual creators to get paid for their work.
In a previous episode on how to make money with your podcast, I mentioned the listener-support model. This is when you invite your listeners to financially donate to your show. Up until now the most popular platform to collect this money and offer content is called Patreon.
A number of other players have cropped up, including Buy Me a Coffee, and Glow, which was recently acquired by the podcast media host Libsyn.
But now Apple and Spotify let you offer paid subscriptions directly to your listeners. Is it worth it?
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
How do I grow my podcast? How do I make money with my podcast? Those are the most popular subjects when it comes to podcasting about podcasting.
You’ve heard me say many times that creating a product or service of your own is the best way to monetize. And on a recent episode you heard my guest Jeremy Enns and I talking about nurturing your audience and building relationships.
Jeremy built his business this way and today I want to talk to you about how you can build your business and podcast through referral partnerships.
I’m diving deep into this topic with my guest Zoe Linda Pollard.
Zoe is an English expat living in Sweden and she specializes in teaching others how to grow their online businesses through referrals. One of the things she teaches is to invite potential partners for virtual coffee chats so you can get to know each other. You can also invite potential partners to be guests on your podcast, which is what I did with Zoe. What better way to build a relationship than to have an awesome one-hour conversation with them?
Zoe’s actually hosting a free event called the Magical Meetup on April 7th and you can find out more about that by going to sarahmikutel.com/zoe (referral link). If you hear this podcast after that, I’ll link to another useful resource of Zoe’s.
Her one-hour meetup was created to help you connect with other service-based business owners around the world who can help you spread the word about your business. It’s also a place where you can find podcast guests. And I’ll be there, so come say hi :)
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Why do some podcasts grow while others do not?
My guest today, Jeremy Enns, asked himself that question and is in a unique position to get an answer. He’s CEO & Storyteller In Chief of Counterweight Creative, a podcast strategy and marketing agency.
Jeremy looked into the data of what was and wasn’t working for his clients. Today, he's sharing what he’s learned. Jeremy and I are discussing:
- How Your Podcast's Positioning Can (And Will) Make Or Break Your Show
- What Most Podcasters Get Wrong About The Role Their Podcast Is Best Suited To Play In Their Marketing System
- How A 200 Download/Ep Podcast Pulled Off A $300K Launch
And if you’re interested in podcast sponsorships, Jeremy is holding a free 5-day workshop on how small shows can land big sponsors. If you’d like to sign up for that, you can do so using my partner link sarahfmikutel.com/jeremy This workshop is happening March 29-April 2 2021, after which I’ll link to something else cool Jeremy has going on.
Jeremy is a fellow world wanderer and you can hear more of his story on my other podcast, LIVE Without Borders.
Enjoy the show!
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
As a podcaster, should you be on Clubhouse, the newish social media app that’s audio only?
If so, how can you use Clubhouse to deepen your connection with your podcast audience, help new listeners discover you, and find great people to interview?
I will dive into that in this episode. Plus share some surprising things I learned while playing around on this app over the last few weeks.
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Do you record your remote interviews with the camera on or off? On Podcasting Step by Step, I share what I do and why, plus who should keep their camera off and who should have it on (it has nothing to do with looks!)
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
As we close out the year, I thought this would be a good time to share with you the current podcast products and services that I’m using and will likely continue to use throughout 2021.
In this episode, I talk through what I use to produce an interview episode. Don’t worry about writing anything down, you’ll find links to everything I talk about on 👉sarahmikutel.com
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
* Note the original name of my new pod was Part of Something Greater, but I've since changed it to LIVE Without Borders
Well, hello there, fellow podcaster. I just experienced the joy and nervousness of launching a new podcast: LIVE Without Borders, a show for peacefully ambitious people seeking personal transformation so they can better themselves, their communities, and the world at large.
This is the fourth time I’ve launched a podcast, and I think there will always be a mix of excitement and, “What am I doing? Am I really putting this out there?”
But as I’ve said before, we can’t wish ourselves brave. Confidence comes when we take brave action.
I’m sharing the first episode of LIVE Without Borders with you here. If you think this is the kind of show you’ll get a lot of value out of, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Book an Enneagram typing session.
Learn more about me.
Have you thought about adding video to your podcast? You might know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine after Google -- people can’t get enough of video and consumption is only going up. There’s also a lot more video on social media. So if you’re trying to grow your audience, should your audio podcast also show up as a video show?
Today, my friend Andrea Jones is back to talk to me about who should and shouldn’t bring video into their podcast production; how producing video positively altered her life in massive ways; and the tips and tools you need to get started with video if you’re a team of one.
Andrea is founder of the Savvy Social School and host of the Savvy Social podcast. She is the go-to expert for all things social media, and in our discussion, she also talks about how we can repurpose the video we create so we are not constantly reinventing the wheel when it comes to content creation.
show notes 👉sarahmikutel.com
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
How often should you release podcast episodes if you want to build a following? Weekly, bi-weekly? Does it matter?
In this episode, I break down the key criteria to consider when choosing your podcast frequency.
P.S. Podcasting Step by Step is going bi-weekly because I'm developing a new podcast that is very close to my heart. Want a behind-the-scenes look at how I'm creating it? Watch my Stories on Instagram @sarahmikuel
Hiya, I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your service.
Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over here. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
When you upload a podcast episode, are you filling out the podcast description?
If you are not, you are driving listeners away. They don't want to guess what you're about -- there are many other podcasts they can choose.
Need more motivation?
Last year, ABC Audio Studios in Australia, came out with a study that said 71% of people are motivated to try a new podcast based on the description and title. More motivating than friend recommendations or podcast artwork.
Let’s talk about how to keep listeners coming back by writing excellent podcast episode descriptions for your show.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Wondering if now is a good time to start a podcast?
NPR and Edison Research have just put out The Spoken Word Audio Report, which includes stats and stories you’ll definitely be interested in.
Let's dive into some juicy podcast 2020 statistics.
Show notes at sarahmikutel.com
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
What do you do if a podcaster copies your content? You file a DMCA Takedown Notice.
On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I walk you through the steps I took to get plagiarism of my work removed from the infringer's podcast media host.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
What do you get for the podcaster who has everything? Pod Decks!
Travis Brown is a podcast editor, host of the podcast Podcast Therapy, and creator of Pod Decks, which are decks of cards with interesting questions to use during your podcast interviews. These questions can also be found in a new app that includes podcast mini courses, royalty-free music, giveaways, and more.
A lot of people have told Travis, “Hey, I had the idea for Pod Decks years ago.” But they never did anything with it.
On Podcasting Step by Step, Travis and I not only talk about how to become better podcast interviewers, but how to take fast action even when we’re scared, rather than dream about something and then watch someone else follow through with our ideas.
sarahmikutel.com
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
With more than 1 million shows in Apple Podcasts, how can you make sure your show stands out?
On Podcasting Step by Step, I talk you through my 5S framework for creating the kind of irresistible podcast that builds your brand, increases your influence, and connects you to your community on the deepest level.
Use my 5S test to audit your existing podcast or as a pre-launch blueprint for creating a bingeworthy, brand-building podcast.
sarahmikutel.com
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Hello, it’s the end of summer in my part of the world, and I’m in the States visiting my parents.
So Podcasting Step by Step will be taking a little vacation.
I’m also taking this time to do a little refresh of the podcast.
New intro and outro. New music. New bonuses for you.
And I’d encourage you to take some time in the next week or two to evaluate your own podcast.
- What do you love about it?
- What feels heavy that you want to change? Is there something you can stop doing?
- Are you happy with the frequency and the length of your episodes?
- Do you want to change your call to action on your show, or introduce one if you don’t have one yet?
- Do you want to add or subtract a segment?
- Have you asked your audience what they’d like to see included?
Speaking of, are there any episode ideas that you’d like me to cover on this podcast? Something I haven’t covered before, or maybe it’s time to revisit a certain topic.
Find me at sarahmikutel.com and let me know.
OK, I’ve got some brilliant guests coming on in a few weeks who you’re going to love. I can’t wait to share those with you.
But for now, I’m signing off and I will see you in September.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
After you’ve been podcasting for a few months, you’re going to start attracting a global audience.
How you communicate with them can make or break your relationship, and on Podcasting Step by StepI talk about the three things you need to do to nurture a show that grows beyond your borders.
Live Online Training: Podcast Interview Perfection
Does this sound like you?
You started your podcast to show up as a leader, but now you worry your interviews make you look like an awkward robot.
Breaking the ice with online guests you’ve never met feels forced.
Your conversations sound like job interviews. The kind that make people nervous.
If you feel sick before an interview and pray the guest cancels last-minute so you don’t have to do it, congratulations on being a totally normal human being.
Most of us aren’t born with amazing interview capabilities. It’s a skill we learn.
And developing your interview skills is essential if you want your podcast to portray you as both an expert in your field, and as someone your listeners want to work with.
May I offer you a shortcut to dramatically improve your podcast interview skills?
You are invited to a live online training Podcast Interview Perfection.
In this training, you will learn how to:
- show up like a leader during the interview and guide the conversation so your audience gets the most out of it
- find your ideal podcast guests and get them to say ‘yes’ to coming on your show
- set up your podcast guest booking system
- come up with great questions and outline a show that deliver the most value for your audience
- prevent podcast guest no-shows
- break the ice with your guest and begin the interview in a fun way that puts your guest at ease
- record remote interviews that sound great (all the tech simplified)
- interview with confidence even if you’re a rookie
- get your guest to promote their episode
- and more!
After the training, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any interview questions you want. You’ll also have the opportunity to submit questions before the training so that they can be incorporated into the workshop.
Grab your spot at sarahmikutel.com/podcastinterviewperfection
Do you feel like your podcast is taking you way too long to produce? Or maybe you haven’t even launched yet because just starting seems endless?
Parkinson’s Law might have something to do with it. And today, I’m going to teach you how to break the law.
In this episode, you'll learn how to speed up your podcast production process by:
- Setting real deadlines
- Time blocking
- Finding ways to hold yourself accountable
Live Online Training: Podcast Interview Perfection
Does this sound like you?
You started your podcast to show up as a leader, but now you worry your interviews make you look like an awkward robot.
Breaking the ice with online guests you’ve never met feels forced.
Your conversations sound like job interviews. The kind that make people nervous.
If you feel sick before an interview and pray the guest cancels last-minute so you don’t have to do it, congratulations on being a totally normal human being.
Most of us aren’t born with amazing interview capabilities. It’s a skill we learn.
And developing your interview skills is essential if you want your podcast to portray you as both an expert in your field, and as someone your listeners want to work with.
May I offer you a shortcut to dramatically improve your podcast interview skills?
You are invited to a live online training Podcast Interview Perfection.
In this training, you will learn how to:
- show up like a leader during the interview and guide the conversation so your audience gets the most out of it
- find your ideal podcast guests and get them to say ‘yes’ to coming on your show
- set up your podcast guest booking system
- come up with great questions and outline a show that deliver the most value for your audience
- prevent podcast guest no-shows
- break the ice with your guest and begin the interview in a fun way that puts your guest at ease
- record remote interviews that sound great (all the tech simplified)
- interview with confidence even if you’re a rookie
- get your guest to promote their episode
- and more!
After the training, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any interview questions you want. You’ll also have the opportunity to submit questions before the training so that they can be incorporated into the workshop.
Grab your spot at the early bird rate at sarahmikutel.com/podcastinterviewperfection
“Some people naturally seem to be storytellers who are more expressive vocally than others, but that doesn't mean that there aren't skills and tools that you can learn to have more control over your voice and to have more fun with it, and to really use it as a tool for self-expression in a way that still feels natural and authentic,” says Andrea Klunder, my guest on Podcasting Step by Step.
“It just comes with knowing what to play with and giving yourself permission to go there and experiment and see what feels good for you.”
In addition to being a pod expert, Andrea is classically trained in voice. In our episode together, she teaches us how to
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warm up our voice
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improve our posture
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speak with more energy and clarity
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take care of our bodies
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and more
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
“I hate hate my voice.”
So many aspiring podcasters say this. But do they really hate their voice? Or is something else going on here?
On this episode, I dig into how to become more comfortable with your podcast voice.
Don't miss next week's episode, which will be a deep-dive vocal training on how to enhance your natural voice (which sounds great, by the way).
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Today is podcasting 101 for new and aspiring podcasters. If that is you, then welcome to the podcasting family.
I’m sure you have a ton of questions, which is why today I’m speaking with Buzzsprout’s Priscilla Brooke.
Buzzsprout is a podcast media host and Pricilla is part of their customer support/customer happiness team, which means she spends all day answering podcast questions.
I asked her to join me on Podcasting Step by Step to discuss the most frequent questions that new podcasters ask.
We cover:
- Why you need a podcast media host
- What an RSS feed is
- How to get into Apple Podcasts
- Why, when hit publish, you’re not seeing your latest podcast episode in Apple Podcasts and other directories right away
- How to improve your audio quality
- What you should podcast about
- How to get paid via affiliate marketing
- And how to switch podcast media hosts
I’ve gotten to know the team at Buzzsprout over the last year and I love their customer support and how easy and innovative their podcast hosting platform is.
I moved one of my podcasts over there and have been incredibly happy with their service.
If you are trying to decide which podcast host to choose, I recommend going with Buzzsprout and you’ll hear more about why in this episode.
If you want to try out Buzzsprout for free visit sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
And as a listener to this show, you will get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid Buzzsprout plan. Joining through my link helps support Podcasting Step by Step.
sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Today’s interview with Jasmine Star will blow your socks off. There is just so much meaty goodness that I can’t wait to share with you.
I originally wanted to talk to Jasmine because she is the queen of Instagram — literally every business owner I know follows her — and I knew she’d share really good strategic and tactical advice to make Instagram work better for you. We do talk about this, but...
I’m even more excited to share how Jasmine used her podcast to make her latest launch of Social Curator such a smashing success.
In case you don’t know, Social Curator, which I’m a member of, helps small business owners elevate their social media presence and overall strategy for doing business on social.
In this episode, you will learn:
- how Jasmine used her podcast to prime people to buy during her latest launch of Social Curator;
- her podcast strategy, including who her ideal listener is and the kind of content Jasmine’s creating to help and empower her — and how this content is evolving;
- the difference between Jasmine’s free and paid content;
- The importance of having an email list to nurture your audience, and more.
And, we talk about Instagram, of course, and Jasmine shares a strategy to help us stay consistent on social media and tells us how to talk about our business without hard selling people all the time.
Are you a business owner who wants to use your podcast to make your next launch even more successful?
Download my Business Pre-Launch Podcast Strategy Cheatsheet.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Do you ever feel like the rest of the world knows a secret that you don't about growing an audience?
Like when you're in a Facebook Group and someone humble brags that they just started their podcast and already have 100,000,000 downloads (this statement is usually followed by the online equivalent of Bambi blinking his eyes all innocent-like and saying, "I don't know, is that good?")
And then you start to feel crummy. “What am I doing wrong?”
You’re not doing anything wrong. It takes time to build your audience, but some podcasters start out with a larger following because they’ve built one up on their blog or social media or maybe they are a celebrity of some kind.
Also, some podcast categories will always have a bigger audience than others. True crime and comedy will always have more downloads than an obscure hobby podcast.
Having said all that, we all want to grow our audience, and in this episode, I break down the three ways to do that.
But let’s jump to the spoiler: The most effective way to grow your show is to guest on other people’s podcasts.
The bad news? Lots of people are pitching pods. The good news? Most of these pitches aren’t good.
Would you like to cut through the noise and learn how to get podcast hosts to say yes to featuring you?
Check out my new online course Podcast Pitch Perfection (I’ve got a special offer waiting for you).
My guest today is Danielle Desir, host of The Thought Card travel podcast and founder of WOC Podcasters — that’s Women of Color Podcasters.
Danielle actually started her podcasting community before she started her podcast, and she shares that brilliant story in today’s episode.
WOC Podcasters now has 3,000 people in its Facebook Group, and you’ll learn how Danielle is nurturing and growing this community.
Danielle’s mission with this group is to amplify the voices of women of color podcasters, and we talk about how you can get involved in this mission.
P.S. Did you know that getting on other people's podcasts is the best way to grow your own show? If you'd like my fluff-free success plan for getting on podcasts, I have a special offer for you at sarahmikutel.com/podcastpitchperfection
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
In the last episode, podcast editor and host Emily Prokop told us about how she manages her ADHD as a podcaster and business owner, and she gave us some great advice on how we can find our focus and be more productive.
Today I’m continuing the conversation with Emily to learn about her podcast production process, specifically how she’s using Facebook Lives to build community.
I hope this episode inspires you to try a new way to connect with your audience.
Enjoy the show.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Are you having a hard time focussing on your podcast?
Maybe you’re a daydreamer. Maybe something is going on with your family. Maybe you’re devastated at the state of the world. Maybe you’re happy and hopeful and jumping around from thing to thing because you’re so excited. Maybe you have ADHD like today’s guest.
I’m speaking with my friend Emily Prokop, podcast editor, host of the Story Behind, and co-host of the Hate to Weight podcast.
Emily and I have a lot in common, including being recovering research-obsessed perfectionists. That doesn’t mean we’re natural planners. We definitely fall in the daydreamer category.
We still have big goals that we want to accomplish.
One very important thing that I learned this year is that there are several different personality types — you can go back and listen to my Myers Briggs episode to hear more about that.
Our brains work in very different ways. We’re motivated by different things.
Some podcasters are natural organizers and they love talking about spreadsheets and achievements and they thrive on praise.
Others are procrastinators, not out of laziness, but out of analysis paralysis and overwhelm, which is the primary reason I started Podcast Launch Academy — to give people the roadmap they need to move out of that.
Lack of focus doesn’t mean lack of ambition or lack of interest.
Today, Emily and I are sharing our favorite routines and resources to make you a more productive podcaster. We recorded this a few months ago, but the tools and tips we share are timeless. Enjoy.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
A few months ago, I was listening to a podcast between two white men who speak at a lot of conferences. One of them complained about conferences trying to be more diverse.
He said that it was not fair that he, a white guy, might not get to speak because of a ‘token.’ He was speaking about women, but you can insert ‘black people’ or any minority.
He said that if you’re good enough, you’d already be speaking on stage, you’d get the speaking slots you applied for.
I unpack this idea on today's episode and talk about the importance of being mindful of diversity and inclusivity when choosing our podcast guests.
Podcasters for Justice
Danielle Desir, head of the WOC Podcasters Community, will be on the podcast in a few weeks. She started a Podcasters for Justice campaign and her text is below for you to use:
Collectively, we have built engaged audiences that listen to our voices regularly, and with coordinated effort, we can combine OUR voices to take a STRONG stance against racism and police brutality.
We serve many audiences, but we can speak with one voice. One voice that does not mince words and demands justice.
We created this simple PSA for podcasters or any content creator to post and share in hopes that we can come together across digital spaces to support the work of activists on the front lines of change, who risk themselves daily to create a better world for us all.
Please join us in using your voice to take a stand and encourage action at this critical time by issuing the following statement on your podcast or other digital platform(s):
We are (podcasters/bloggers/youtubers/influencer/etc.) united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms.
We believe that to be silent is to be complicit.
We believe that Black lives matter.
We believe that Black lives are more important than property.
We believe that we have a responsibility to use our platforms to speak out against this injustice whenever and wherever we are witness to it.
In creating digital media we have built audiences that return week after week to hear our voices and we will use our voices to speak against anti-blackness and police brutality, and we encourage our audiences to be educated, engaged, and to take action.
Here are three ways podcasters and content creators can participate:
- Read this statement on your next show release & post the above statement and graphic to your social media feeds.
- Donate a portion of your show proceeds and ask audience members to donate to any of the following:George Floyd Memorial Fund:
Are you overthinking something right now and can’t seem to move forward? Today, I have a simple yet very powerful mindset mantra that will get you moving in the right direction.
I had a mind-blown experience this week. One of my online business mentors, Elizabeth Goddard, said, "Let Future You take care of it."
Whoah! So simple yet such a powerful mindset shift.
Here's what Elizabeth means: Have faith that Future You will have the experience and the context to make the right decisions.
So often we tie ourselves in knots about whether we should try this or that. Should I start a podcast? Should I move to Paris?
But Present You can't know the answers because you don't have the experience of trying yet.
The job of Present You is to try, experiment, and play. To take action on something now and let Future You decide if it's working, if you love it, or if you want to try something else.
Future You has more information and, therefore, more answers. Yes, Present You will help out Future You by putting in effort and doing the work. But save your worries and ‘what ifs’ for Future You to figure out.
The job for Present You is to make a decision and take the next step.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
How do I make money with my podcast? That’s always a hot topic amongst podcasters.
A few episodes ago we talked about affiliate marketing, which is a good way to get started. But if you want to make real money, you need to sell your own products and services.
Today I’m speaking with Crystal Davis, the Borderless Coach and founder of High Income Digital Nomad. Crystal’s mission is to help people build thriving and enjoyable businesses that let them travel and work remotely.
We get into the nuts and bolts of how to get up and running with a profitable online business right now. We discuss:
- why conventional wisdom regarding online business keeps people in a long slog, and what you should do instead to earn the income you want;
- what kind of offer you should create;
- how to find clients;
- who you should sell to and who you shouldn’t target;
- the three daily activities you need to do to make money; and more.
This isn’t the usual business advice you hear, and I think you’re going to love Crystal’s fresh, and effective, perspective.
I’m such a fan of Crystal’s work that I joined her group program, High Income Digital Nomad, and I’d like to invite you to a free three-day training she’s doing starting on Monday on how to sell without feeling totally cringe-y and awkward. It’s called the 24 Hour Secret Sellout Launch.
Let’s face it, if you’re going to have your own business, you need to master selling. You can join the training via my partner link at sarahmikutel.com/highincome
It is a live training, so you need to sign up this weekend, and then I’ll see you in the Facebook Group!
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
You’ve heard me ask: ‘What do you stand for? And what is the conversation you want to have with the world?’
On today’s episode, we’re talking about how this conversation can change and evolve.
Joining me again is Alexis Teichmiller, Affiliate Manager at ConvertKit and host of the Deeper Life, a podcast about vulnerability, connecting with others, and showing up unapologetically in the world.
I love featuring podcasters focusing on the deeper aspects of life and that is Alexis in a very literal sense.
We discuss vulnerability, forgiveness, getting in alignment with our values, working with our feelings instead of against them, how to increase our self-awareness, and more.
It’s so easy to get stuck in a routine and lose track of what we believe in, and to not give ourselves space to reflect on whether our beliefs still ring true.
Consider this episode your opportunity to reflect on what matters to you, and whether you are becoming the person you want to be.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there. sarahmikutel.com/buzzsprout
Let’s talk about money. Specifically, making money with your podcast.
In previous episodes of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ve talked about how the traditional podcast sponsorship model — where you get paid per 1,000 downloads per episode — is a pretty bad deal for most podcasters. You’re much better off negotiating your own sponsorship with a brand that’s perfect for your audience.
Or, you can try becoming an affiliate for the products and services that you love. As an affiliate, you’re sort of an advertiser / brand ambassador.
Alexis Teichmiller, the Affiliate Manager at ConvertKit, joins me on Podcasting Step by Step to talk about how podcasters like you can get started with affiliate marketing.
We answer your burning question, including:
- What is affiliate marketing and how does it work?
- Where do you find products that have affiliate programs?
- What are the top mistakes affiliate marketers make?
- What strategies are the most successful affiliates using?
- And more.
If Podcasting Step by Step has helped you with your podcast, you can support the show by signing up for services you need — like email so you can connect to your listeners — through my recommended affiliate links, including signing up for a free trial of ConvertKit (yup, that’s an affiliate link!)
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
We’re living through a global pandemic. It's okay to have down days and to be upset about the way things are. None of us want to be locked up in our house or to lose our job.
But if we wallow in that negativity for too long, that doesn't mean we're going to get extra days in our life, right? We're not going to get bonus months at the end of our life because we survived lock down.
Author Ryan Holiday has a podcast called the Daily Stoic. Lately, he’s been talking about Alive Time versus Dead Time, something writer Robert Greene told him about.
According to him, we can spend our time in one of two ways, passively (Dead Time), where we’re just zoning out and letting life happen to us, and actively (Alive Time), where we’re learning, trying new things, and consciously choosing how to spend our time.
As the Stoics taught us, we can't control what's going on in the world, but we can control how we react to it. You’ll never get today again -- will you make it matter?
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
Do you often feel like you never have enough time to do what you want, including podcasting? It’s the worst!
You’re spending hours at your computer and yet nothing is getting done. What is going wrong? And where did the day go?
Imagine how great it would feel if you had all the time you needed to podcast. My guest today says it’s possible because time is more abundant than you think. We can actually stretch it.
Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including Juliet’s School of Possibilities, I Know How She Does It, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think.
She also speaks at conferences, including at TED; writes for publications like the New York Times; hosts the podcasts Before Breakfast and The New Corner Office, and co-hosts the podcast Best of Both Worlds.
She has five kids and blogs almost every day at Laura Vanderkam.com.
So if Laura can find time to do all that plus hang out with friends and get eight hours of sleep, then there is hope for us all.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
On the last episode, I spoke with Idelle Erickson, producer of the Girl Talk podcast for the Girl Scouts. We talked about the mission of the show and about the role of a podcast producer, and Idelle mentioned that she and her colleagues and guests usually record their episodes in person.
Today Idelle explains the set up she creates in her basement to capture studio-like sound for her podcast. This information is incredibly valuable because most people do not record good audio when they’re in the same room with someone. I hear a lot of audio bleed and reverb on shows I’ve edited, but never on Idelle’s.
Of course, recording in person might not always be possible. Your guest could be 1,000 miles away or maybe the entire globe is on lock down due to a pandemic. But one day, when you do record an episode in person, you will be happy to have this knowledge.
Idelle and I recorded this remotely using Squadcast, which is how I usually record my interviews. If you’d like to support this show, you can do so by testing out Squadcast via my affiliate link. Go to sarahmikutel.com/squadcast to check it out.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
Remember a few episodes ago when I was talking to podcast editing extraordinaire Steve Stewart? We chatted about how to create your podcast editing side hustle, and he talked about finding clients at conferences.
Well, today I’m speaking with a client of mine whom I met at Podcast Movement last year.
I’m speaking with Idelle Erickson, who works for the Girl Scouts and produces the Girl Talk podcast.
We talk about what a podcast producer does, and Idelle walks us through her process of creating a Girl Talk episode, plus shares how she engages Girl Talk listeners.
Idelle is so lovely and I’m happy to have her as a friend. I was actually crying before we recorded this episode because l can't stop thinking about all the children forced to be in lock down in abusive situations. I want to create a recovery program for abused kids that uses audio to help them feel comfortable speaking up and healing. Want to help me? Get in touch.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
Imagine a magical world in which you can promote your podcast and your business online, generate lots of traffic back to your website, and you don’t need to worry about how many followers you have.
Well good news! That world exists and it’s called Pinterest, where, unlike social media, you don’t need to get caught up in vanity metrics like how many people heart your post. As my guest today says, “The only thing from a data perspective that matters is how many people are clicking through to your website.”
Today I’m speaking with Cara Chace, founder of the membership site the Pin Power Method, which teaches people how to use Pinterest marketing for their online business.
Whether you have your own business yet or not, the same strategies Cara teaches in her membership, and with us here today, can be used to grow your podcast.
Pinterest is a powerful search engine and a fantastic tool to help your ideal listeners and customers discover you. Consider this episode your the Ultimate Guide to Pinterest for Podcasters.
We get into:
- The two key things that you need to know to get started with Pinterest
- What to include on your Pinterest boards, how often you should pin, and what you should definitely NOT pin
- How to create and optimize pins so people click back through your website
- How to analyze your pins so you can double down on what is working and fix what’s not
- The three pillars that equal Pinterest success, and more!
I love diving deep and getting really tactical advice, and Cara really delivers for us today. I’ve captured everything for you at sarahmikutel.com/pinterest so don’t worry about taking notes.
Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast Launch Academy. Are you ready to launch a podcast that builds your brand and business, connects you to your global community, and grows your influence? Visit sarahmikutel.com to see how we can work together.
Here’s a special treat for you: Use my Buzzsprout affiliate link to sign up for their podcast media hosting and get a $20 Amazon gift certificate. I’ve gotten to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year and love their customer service so much, I moved my shows over there.
If you’re like me, you love listening to podcasts and taking notes on all the great ideas you want to try, but many of us don’t make the time to take creative action on what we learn. We just keep consuming.
Well now, thanks to the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are on lock down and podcast consumption is down 20%. You might be listening to an hour or two less a day of podcasts. Use that time to do something that will benefit your show.
Ready to launch your podcast? Visit sarahmikutel.com/course to learn how to build your brand and business, connect to your community, and grow your influence through the magic of podcasting.
If you want to become a next-level podcaster, the kind of host whom people write to and say — “I just binged all of your episodes, I can’t wait for more” — you have to know what you stand for and who you are.
Seriously, how much space do you give yourself to figure out what motivates you and what your strengths are? How often do you reflect on how you move through the world and how others see you?
One way to get clarity on this is through Myers Briggs, an assessment that helps us better understand ourselves, and also the personalities of others.
Myers Briggs expert and MBTI® Certified Practitioner Caitlin Hawekotte joined me on Podcasting Step by Step to teach my listeners about the 16 personality types and preferences.
We are human. We’re emotional beings, and sometimes we get swept up in the heat of the moment and our words don’t always line up with our intentions.
Before we podcast about it or tweet about it or email our list, pouring out our emotions. Pause. Write it out for yourself. Then reflect. Is this how you want people to see you? Is this reflective of your brand? Of your show’s goal? Of how you want to serve your audience?
How is your audience feeling right now, and how do you want them to feel after they listen to your show? How do you want them to feel when they think about you 10 years from now?
These feelings are your legacy. They are your brand.
Steve Stewart started listening to podcasts while driving around for his job as an internal auditor for the fast food chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. More than a salvation from boredom, Steve loved that he could learn from podcasts while he was at the wheel.
Eventually he started his own show: Money Plan SOS and became known as THE podcast guy at FinCon, a conference “helping financial influencers and brands create better content, reach their audience, and make more money.”
Soon, people from this conference started asking Steve for help with podcast editing, thus launching a podcast editing career Steve fell in love with.
In this episode, Steve talks about how he nurtured his podcast niche to build the podcast editing career of his dreams.
The first time I attended a podcast conference, I left feeling kind of ‘meh. Don’t think I need to do this again.’
I realized later that I didn’t really think about what I wanted to get out of the podcast conference before I went. I knew I wanted to attend sessions and meet fellow podcasters, but I didn’t have a plan (I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of gal).
So...I asked my friend Steve Stewart, podcast editor extraordinaire and conference lover, to come on Podcasting Step by Step to discuss how we can get our money’s worth out of conferences, and not leave feeling like we’ve wasted our time.
Steve is hosting the first Podcast Editors Conference March 6!
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Special request: The podcast media host Blubrry is looking for nominees for Favorite Woman Podcaster.
I would love to spread the word about Podcasting Step by Step so I can help more people podcast.
If you feel I’ve helped you and I’m one of your favorite podcasters, I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, if you’d nominate me, Sarah Mikutel. Nominations close March 7, so you might as well head over there now before you forget :)
Go here 👉 sarahmikutel.com/fav
Now on to today’s episode...
Are you considering a co-hosted podcast? Stop! Before you proceed, listen to my conversation with Lyn Lindbergh.
Lyn joins me to discuss the absolute essentials you must have in place for a co-hosted podcast to succeed. Because if you get it wrong, the consequences go far beyond having a bad show. A co-hosted podcast gone awry can ruin your relationship.
Show notes at sarahmikutel.com
As someone who has podcasted from hostels, hotels, and bare-bones medieval apartments, I’m proof that you can record a quality podcast from anywhere. Want to take your show on the road? On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I walk you though my 5-step plan for recording while traveling.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes, including on-the-road podcast equipment recommendations.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Today, you’ll learn how to create ads that people actually want to listen to, and that will motivate your listeners to buy. Because if you want to keep that sponsor you landed, you have to be able to demonstrate that you’re converting for them.
In this episode, my friend Lisa Orkin of Lisa Orkin Creative breaks down her storytelling formula for audio ads. You’ll learn how to:
- craft ads that keep people hooked
- talk about benefits
- sound engaging and not scripted
Through her company Radio Ranch, Lisa has produced thousands of podcast and radio ads. She is also a podcaster and her latest show is called Project Woo Woo, which you’ll hear about.
I love Lisa’s playfulness and positive vibe. You’re going to get a ton of value out of this episode. Now onto my conversation with Lisa.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
In March, I will be speaking at Podfest in Orlando, Florida,. I would love to see you there — and, you have the opportunity to attend the conference for free!! I’m giving away two tickets to Podcasting Step by Step listeners.
Enter to win by 4 p.m. (EST) Feb. 5, 2020
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
The most profitable way to make money through podcasting, for most people, is to promote your own products and services on your show, and what’s a better business than an online course?
I’m an online learning addict. I love taking courses online and even created my own: Podcast Launch Academy.
My guest today is going to teach you how you can start your own online course, which you can use to sponsor your podcast.
Natalie Sisson is the author of the bestselling book The Suitcase Entrepreneur and The Freedom Plan. She’s also founder of the live training program: Launch Your Damn Course Accelerator, which begins it’s next round Jan. 27, 2020.
I interviewed Natalie about online courses for the Postcard Academy podcast, but thought you’d get a ton of value from it, because, as I said, being your own podcast sponsor and promoting your own business is a lot more financially rewarding than having other companies sponsor you.
Another reason that I love online courses is that they’re the best way to support a location independent life, something that my listeners over at the Postcard Academy are very interested in.
Enjoy the show!
We all want to make it as easy as possible for people to discover our podcasts. So how can we make sure the search engines find us? How can we “optimize our podcasts?”
My guest today says that when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), we should be less concerned about the robots and more focused on people.
I’m speaking with Daniel J. Lewis, host of the Audacity to Podcast, on how we can integrate SEO tactics into our content in a human-centric way to serve and grow our audiences.
If you’re unsure what SEO tactics are, no worries, we will break this down for you in today’s episode. But essentially, SEO when done right, increases your visibility and gets your content in front of the right people.
Daniel is founder of the online course SEO for Podcasters, as well as the online community Podcaster’s Society, which is open to all podcasters after they’ve published their first episode.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Life is all fun and games when people are five-starring your podcast all over the place. But what happens when someone one-stars your show or leaves you a bad review in Apple Podcasts?
Well, it feels bad, of course. But we can transform that negative energy from random haters into something that benefits us. Learn how in this episode (sarahmikutel.com for show notes)
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Podcasting is a fantastic way to grow our brands and businesses, but you can podcast just for fun. In fact, no matter what the goal of your podcast is, podcasting shouldn’t feel like a burden, but it can if we fall out of alignment about our podcast’s purpose and start going through the motions of what we’re ‘supposed to do.’
My guest today has been podcasting as a form of self expression and discovery for years, and she shares experiences that can help us feel more comfortable exploring who we are and getting over the perfectionist roadblocks that hold us back.
Karly Nimmo has several successful podcasts under her belt, including Karlosophies. She’s a serial entrepreneur, a rebel, mad creator, connector and communicator who helps people stop playing the role of who they think they need to be, and express who they REALLY are to the world. And she does this through both podcast and life coaching, or guidance as she likes to say.
Karly recently ended one of her podcasts, Make Some Noise, after she felt like it served its purpose and she was ready to move on to something else. But she didn’t podfade, that is, she didn’t disappear with no explanation. In her final episode, she said goodbye to her audience in a very respectful way.
In this episode, we will learn more about Karly and how she’s been able to get to know, like, and trust herself over the years, and how she helps clients do the same. And we’ll talk about the evolution of our podcasts, following our intuition, and how to say goodbye with grace when it’s time to end a podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
How often do you listen to podcasts? Are you what Edison Research calls a ‘super listener?’ That is someone who listens to five or more hours of podcasts every week.
I definitely fall into that category. I listen to podcasts when I’m falling asleep, when I wake up, when I’m cooking, and almost always when I’m walking out the door. Are you the same way?
Is this healthy? The perfect way to always be learning? Or are we overdoing it, leaving no empty space for our minds to rest?
Something happened this summer that made me question my habits and how I interact with and experience the world. I recorded an audio diary about it, which I’ll share with you here.
But spoiler: We need to be more present in this world. More attuned to nature and each other, and that means sometimes we have to take off our headphones.
You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
’Tis the season for gift ideas for podcasters. You’ll see lots of suggestions for mics and mixers, and while these are fun — who doesn’t love unwrapping something new and shiny during the holidays — I want to give you something even more valuable.
In a special episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I asked some of my favorite podcasters to share an audio gift with you: Their best podcasting advice.
I asked them to answer this question: “What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started out? What have you learned that’s made all the difference?”
Whether you’ve been podcasting for years, or haven’t launched yet, I know you will hear something in this episode that can improve your show and increase your love for podcasting. From marketing to mindset, we’ve packed a lot in here.
Huge thanks to the podcasters who shared such brilliant words of wisdom in this episode. I subscribe to, and recommend, all of their shows, and encourage you to check them out. Links to their shows can be found on sarahmikutel.com
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
In case you haven’t heard, telling listeners to rate and review your podcast won’t help new people discover your show. And now get ready for some more podcast myth-busting with Rob Walch, Vice President of Podcaster Relations at Libsyn.
Rob joins me on Podcasting Step by Step to answer burning questions, including:
- How many episodes should I launch with?
- How long should my episodes be?
- How do I get into New and Noteworthy?
- and so much more!
Fun fact: Rob hosted the first podcast about podcasting (Podcast411) and has been podcasting for 15 years.
If you haven’t launched your show yet and are looking for a podcast media host, I recommend Rob’s company, Libsyn. If you’d like to get the rest of this month free AND next month free, you can use my promo code POSTCARD when you sign up.
“If you found value in this episode, please leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts, it helps people discover the show.”
You hear that call to action at the end of so many podcasts, but do ratings and reviews really help people discover our show? On Podcasting Step by Step, I dig into the truth behind podcast ratings and reviews.
But first, if you haven’t launched your show yet and are looking for a podcast media host, I recommend Libsyn. That’s where I host this show, and they’re offering my listeners a special deal. If you’d like to get the rest of this month free AND next month free, use my promo code POSTCARD when you sign up with Libsyn.
if you’ve been getting a lot of value out of this podcast, and have listened to more than three episodes, please leave me a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. :D
You might be wondering, “Is anyone listening to podcasts over Christmas? Will my show suffer if I don’t put out an episode on Thanksgiving?”
Yes, people are still listening to podcasts during the holidays. And because so many podcasters do take holiday breaks, if you publish an episode, it will have more space to shine.
But your show won’t suffer if you take a week off, and this might actually be a good idea.
To minimize stress, make a plan now about how you want to tackle podcasting during the holidays. In this episode, I give you five options to consider. (sarahmikutel.com for show notes).
You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast, including my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
* Podcast Launch Academy is open for enrollment for a limited time ***
If you’ve been wanting to start a podcast for awhile and are sick of struggling to figure it out on your own…
I invite you to join Podcast Launch Academy.
This online course will help you confidently launch your first podcast without the tech headache, overwhelm, or ‘where do I even start’ worries.
But it’s not just an online course. Podcast Launch Academy is an experience.
Because if you join this first class — which will close its doors at 11:59 p.m. EST on November 26, you’ll also get 2 months of free group coaching and mentorship from me.
Every week for seven weeks, you’ll get a new online session with video tutorials and action items that build upon each other. You’ll do your online work, and then later in the week, as a group, we’ll meet in our virtual classroom for coaching, Q&A, and workshops. And if you can’t make a live session, you can catch the recording.
By the end of Podcast Launch Academy, you’ll have
- Nailed down your podcast idea and strategy
- Crafted a brand that gets you and your podcast publicity
- Outlined a year’s worth of binge-worthy content for your show — plus get a special podcast productivity accelerator tool to manage your podcast production
- You’ll have recorded and edited your episodes — yes, you’re going to learn how to edit audio. I’m going to make it really easy for you!
- You’ll have planned a rock-solid engagement and growth strategy for your podcast, and
- You’ll have launched a show that lights you up and brings joy to others.
If you are looking for easy-to-understand guidance to walk you through every step of creating, launching, and growing a professional quality podcast from scratch, then Podcast Launch Academy is for you.
This course begins November 29, but enrollment closes at 11:59 p.m. on November 26.
Head here for details >>> sarahmikutel.com/course
And also, please enjoy this episode on how we can use LinkedIn to engage our audience and grow our show. :)
My guest is Josh Steimle, founder of Influencer Inc, author of the 7 Systems of Influence, and creator of the 60 days to LinkedIn Mastery Course.
You are cordially invited to a free, live podcast masterclass that I’m hosting next week 🎉🎉🎉
If you’ve been wanting to start your show for awhile but can’t seem to make it happen, or you recently launched your podcast and are now, like, “Wait a minute, what am I doing?,” you won’t want to miss this training:
The Secret Recipe for Podcast Success
During our hour together, I’ll:
- bust the biggest myths holding back aspiring podcasters;
- teach you how to develop a show that both lights you up and meets your GOALS;
- share how to grow an audience that loves you, even when you’re starting from scratch;
- demystify the tech and clue you in on the only equipment you really need (not a mixer!);
- and more :)
Join me Tuesday, Nov 19 at 1 p.m. EST
I will also be having a Live Q and A after the masterclass is over.
Save your spot here! >>>
Last night I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Speak Up Storytelling, hosted by Matthew Dicks, who you heard on the How to Tell Better Stories on Your Podcast episode of this show, and he revealed a very hilarious secret. Hilarious now, but the story he told was something that he buried for a really long time (it involves an orange thong, awkward dancing, and McDonalds).
Matthew has won many many storytelling championships, authored several books, including Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling. And he’s got a new novel out: Twenty-one Truths About Love.
I asked Matthew if I could share his secret story with you and he said yes. I’m sharing it not only because listening to him is always a masterclass in great storytelling, but because I also want you to hear his commentary on how doing this thing that scared him set him free, he offers some really powerful realizations and takeaways.
We don’t have to reveal our deepest secrets or greatest shames on our podcasts, but I hope the story you hear from Matthew today inspires you to take action on something you’ve been putting off because you were afraid of what someone else might think.
You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
I'll jump right to the good stuff: This week I'm running a special giveaway. The prize? One lucky entrant will win access to Podcast Launch Academy, which will open its doors later in November. If you’ve been wanting to start a podcast for awhile, but fear of getting it wrong is keeping you silent, you are not going to want to miss this.
Enter to win a spot in Podcast Launch Academy.
This online course is the roadmap you’ve been waiting for to walk you through the exact steps you need to plan, launch, and grow a podcast that builds your brand and influence, connects you to your community, and shares your message with the world.
Now, I could have offered you a more generic prize, like an Amazon gift card, but anyone can offer you that. I know how important podcasting is to you, and I want my prize to be really beneficial to you. That’s what makes a great giveaway: Offering something really special that’s ideal for your ideal listener.
On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ll talk about how to use giveaways to grow your podcast audience.
Don't forget to enter the Podcast Launch Academy giveaway.
Turning your podcast into a book is one way to monetize your show while growing your influence, so why not plan for that from the beginning? On Podcasting Step by Step, I share how you can map out an entire year’s worth of podcast content in an hour, which can then be repurposed into blogs, social media posts, books, and more. Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
When I hear people ask podcasters what their proudest, most satisfying achievement has been in podcasting, they never say ‘money,’ or ‘popularity,’ or ‘I get to be the boss.’ They tell stories of listeners writing in to them thanking them for saving their lives. For helping them to feel less alone. For motivating them to try something new or to get out of a bad situation.
People today feel more alone than ever. In fact, Yale Professor Laurie Santos, and host of the Happiness Lab podcast, says feelings of loneliness have doubled since the 1980s and that 60 percent of college students in the U.S. say they feel very lonely most of the time. The negative health consequences of this are equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
People are desperate for to feel part of something, and I believe that’s why they are flocking to podcasts.
This year, 32 percent of Americans say they listen to podcasts monthly, up from 26 percent in 2018, the largest year-on-year jump since Edison Research started tracking this data. 22 percent listen weekly, up from 17 percent in 2018. This is the largest jump since Edison started putting out its Podcast Consumer study in 2013.
We are so hungry for connection and podcasts are bringing us together. First through our shows themselves, then online communities, then meet ups and conferences in real life. There’s a real feeling of ‘we are in this together.’
Now is the perfect time to get into podcasting. We need your voice.
Your voice will change the world.
You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!
Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.
Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to
Don’t have a massive following on social media? No worries! Who needs a million followers anyway? Right now, sponsors are loving micro-influencers, people with smaller but loyal followings. This is, of course, fantastic news for podcasters.
On episode 31 of Podcasting Step by Step, I talk to Andrea Jones, founder of the Savvy Social School and the Savvy Social podcast, about how we, as podcasters, can grow our influence — and our podcast audience — via social media in only an hour a week.
Head to sarahmikutel.com for full show notes and to download your 6-Step Strategy for Social Media Growth.
You’re also cordially invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step community :D
You’re invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step community on Facebook.
What’s that? You have a love hate relationship with social media? Join the club. A lot of podcasters wonder if it’s worth spending time on social media to market their podcasts.
For a long time I felt completely burned out by the screaming and negativity found on some of the platforms. But social media does have some tremendous benefits, including the ability to attract a global audience. But we have to avoid some common mistakes.
On episode 30 of Podcasting Step by Step, I talk about four of the biggest mistakes podcasters make when it comes to social media.
Even though social has its problems, right now I’m loving Facebook Groups. I’m loving the conversations that are happening there. The connection. The learning. That is social media at it’s best, which is why I’ve just created the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group.
I love receiving email from listeners, and everyone I hear from is so lovely and curious and interesting. I wanted to bring us together so we can connect and help each other out.
So I invite you to head on over to Facebook and join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook community.
People pleasers, raise your hands! Do you feel guilty speaking up or saying no to people? Like when a fan writes to you asking to be a guest on your podcast but you don’t think it’s a good fit and then you start stressing and asking your friends ‘what should you do’ and before you know it an hour has gone by and why did you check your email instead of recording your show?
On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I share actionable steps to help you let go of the stress, take control, and become the leader your show needs you to be.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
As podcasters, we want to do what we can to help people discover and listen to our show. This means being in all the podcast directories, like Apple Podcasts, but should we be on YouTube, as well? On Podcasting Step by Step, I dig into why this can hurt us if we do it the wrong way, and how to use YouTube right.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Just Breathe! That’s actually the name of the talk today’s guest gave at Podcast Movement in 2019. One of the biggest mistakes new podcasters make is over-editing -- taking out every um and deleting all the breaths.
Carrie Caulfield Arick, owner of Ya-Ya Podcasting editing services; founder of the Just Busters Facebook Group for female podcast editors; and host of the podcast Just Podcasting wants us to take a deep breath and relax.
In this episode, we discuss some common audio problems and how to prevent and fix them. We’ll also share some tips and tricks to make your podcast editing go faster.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
One of the biggest peeves listeners have is when podcast host/s waffle on for too long before getting to the point of the episode. Your audience wants to know where you’re taking them, or they’re going to bail. In fact, the average podcast loses about a third of its audience in the first five minutes, according to NPR One. So how can you create an above average podcast?
In this episode, I’ll talk about how to keep your podcast audience listening by hooking them with a great intro.
Key takeaways:
- Hook your audience from the beginning. Let them know what they’ll get out of spending the next 30 or 60 or however many minutes with you.
- Teasers, stories, and questions are great ways to hook your audience.
- In addition to your hook, your intro should include your name and the name of your show.
- Music is a nice way to brand your show and get your listeners in the right mood to hear your message.
- Speak to one person. Use the word ‘you’ instead of ‘all of you.’
- Consider including a call to action in your introduction.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
What should you name your podcast? This is an important question. You’re pouring your heart and soul into this show and can literally name it anything you want (as long as it’s not trademarked). So how do you choose a good name for your podcast, also known as a podcast title?
Well, if you want to help listeners discover your show, follow the tips I share in today’s episode of Podcasting Step by Step.
Snapshot of this episode
Keep your podcast name short and sweet and choose clarity over cleverness (but do both if you can). Don’t keyword stuff your title, and stay away from numbers. Make sure no one else is using your podcast title.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
When you’re new to podcasting, everything can seem like a challenge. Choosing the right equipment; learning to edit audio; coming up with great content. But one of the biggest challenges — maybe the BIGGEST thing holding back people from podcasting — is imposter syndrome. Those feelings that we’re unworthy. That we don’t know enough or aren’t good enough.
“Who am I to start a podcast? What if no one listens? What if people hate my show?”
These are totally natural feelings that most people suffer from. I put off podcasting for years because of those thoughts. But you can greatly minimize these negative feelings with a few simple actions to shift your mindset, and I dive into those in today’s episode.
Show notes and a cheat sheet of questions to keep you in a positive, motivated mindset.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Have you ever traveled to a place that was absolutely phenomenal...the food tasted amazing, the architecture blew you away...you know your friends back home would love it.
But when you try to share your experience with them...it falls flat. They’re just not interested in your story, and, quite, frankly, neither are you. Your words aren’t matching up with what you want to convey.
The good thing is, storytelling is both an art and a science, and you can learn techniques to become a better storyteller. As podcasters, this is a craft that we should at least know about, even if we don’t plan on producing a storytelling or narrative show.
Since, it is summer in most of the world as I’m recording this, I thought this would be a great time to share an interview I did with Matthew Dicks on my travel show Postcard Academy.
Mathew is a five-time Moth GrandSLAM storytelling winner and the author of Storyworthy. On this episode, Matthew coaches us on the craft of storytelling, and at the end of the show, weaves together all of the advice he shares into a travel story of his own.
(show notes for tips on how to tell a great story)
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Hooray! You sent the perfect pitch and now someone wants to interview you on their podcast. On this episode, you'll learn how to bring your absolute best to the interview so the host falls in love with you and so do their listeners.
Show notes and a free podcast pitch template can be found at sarahmikutel.com
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
We all want to grow our podcast audience, right? Well, one of the best ways to do this is by getting on other people’s podcasts. But how do you find the right podcasts to pitch to, and how do you get the podcast hosts to say yes? I cover it all this episode, plus I created a free pitch template for you, which you can find at at sarahmikutel.com
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Have you ever wondered, “Can I share a clip of this music on my podcast?” or “Should my guest sign a release form?” or “How do I legally disclose affiliates so I don’t sound like an awkward shill?” Well, you have come to the right place with your podcast legal questions.
Entertainment lawyer Gordon Firemark joins me on Podcasting Step by Step to discuss:
- why your guest should sign a release form and what should be on it;
- whether you can (or should) choose a podcast name that already exists;
- how to disclose affiliate relationships on your podcast;
- what fair use is and whether you can use music, news, or film clips on your show;
- the benefits of registering your podcast as a business;
- the difference between copyright and trademark and whether you need this for your podcast;
- if we need formal working agreements when hiring people to help us with elements of our podcast, like show notes and audio editing (you do -- ‘work made for hire’ contracts);
- the elements of a podcast sponsorship contract;
- the rules of podcast giveaways;
- the policy that absolutely needs to be on your website (privacy);
- the difference between libel and slander;
- and do we need to worry about GDPR if we don’t plan on monetizing (yes).
Gordon is THE go-to person when it comes to podcasting and the law. He is good at breaking down wonky legalese and also has one of the most soothing podcast voices I have ever heard. Legal information never sounded so good.
Of course, we’re not offering legal advice. This purpose of this episode is to answer common questions podcasters have about the law.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel
How do I get more listeners to my podcast? Have you ever asked yourself that? I’m sure you have because we all ask this. Until we get clear on what we stand for, we won’t be clear in what we want to share with the world, on our own shows and on the ones we guest on. If we don’t know what we’re all about, why would an audience rally behind us?
Identifying your mission, vision, and values for your life is your foundation. When you have clarity on this, everything related to your podcast will flow more easily, from the interviews you participate in to what you post on social media. Your messages will be more consistent and more meaningful. This is when people will really start listening to you. This is how you grow your podcast audience.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
At some point, most podcasters recording a remote interview will flub it up in some way, whether that’s by technical or human error. On Podcasting Step by Step, I talk you through exactly what you need to do to minimize those snafus that happen when recording an interview with your computer. Download your free Pre-Record Checklist.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
There’s no time like the present -- we hear that all the time. But do you feel it? Do you make time to enjoy yourself? To try something new that scares you a little? Maybe you’ve got everything in place to start your podcast, but are afraid to hit publish. Or there’s something you’re dying to talk about, but you’re scared about what others might think of you. Newsflash, friend: Our time on this Earth is almost over. You will never have this day again. Make it matter.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
You may know that the big podcast ad agencies want you to have 5,000 downloads an episode before they’ll talk to you (see The Five Best Ways to Make Money with Your Podcast if you need a refresher on the CPM model). But small podcasts can do just fine without them by negotiating their own sponsorship deals.
On this episode, I dive deep into sponsorship for the indie podcaster with Jessica Kupferman, CEO of She Podcasts, the largest women's podcasting community, which she co-founded with Elsie Escobar.
Subscribe to Podcasting Step by Step for free and listen to the episode with Jess to learn:
- the right way to approach o sponsor;
- how do decide what to charge for an ad;
- what to include in your media kit and in which order; and
- so much more.
Show notes. Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
There’s this myth out there that anyone can start a podcast and the money will just start flowing in. As I mentioned in the episode on identifying your ideal listener, most podcasters do not make any money with the traditional CPM advertising model. And most ad agencies won’t even look at you unless you’re getting at least 5,000 downloads per episode within a 30-day period.
BUT your podcast can help you generate income, especially if you use your show to build your brand and business in a way that serves listeners and potential clients. Here are the five best ways podcasters can make money with podcasts -- plus a bonus.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more show notes. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
I’m in a few Facebook Groups about podcasting, including She Podcasts, which I love. And there’s a lot of good information sharing going on there. But on a regular basis, someone new will pop in and say something like, “I want to start a podcast. How do I find a sponsor?” That’s the wrong question to start with. if you’ve been listening to Podcasting Step by Step, you know that you need to start with the ‘why’ behind your podcast and focus on offering value before worrying about making money.
But your podcast can help you generate income, especially if you use your show to build your brand and business in a way that serves listeners and potential clients. Here are the five primarily categories in which podcasters can make money with podcasts -- plus a bonus.
Let’s say you have a brilliant idea for a podcast, and then learn that someone else just started something similar. Or, maybe three others already exist and they have a lot of ratings and reviews and loyal fans. This is actually great news because it means there is an audience for what you want to do.
But if you are the new podcaster in town, how do you set yourself apart from those existing shows in your niche? In Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon says we are a mashup of everything we’ve experienced and that anyone can be creative with the right influences. On episode 14 of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ll share how you can use some of his tips and other techniques to take an existing podcast theme and make it your own. (visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes)
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Bonus time! Are you interested in going to the She Podcasts Live event in October? It’s being held in Atlanta Georgia from Oct. 11-13 and is going to be one of the most fun podcasting events of the year. Do you want to be my +1?
I’m raffling off a free ticket worth $249. The giveaway is happening between now and June 15, 2019. Head on over to sarahmikutel.com/shepodcastlive to enter your name.
I’m sooo excited to attend She Podcasts Live in October. Whether you’re a podcast veteran or haven’t even launched yet, this podcast conference — created specifically for women and by women in podcasting — is going to be unforgettable. We’re talking three days of brilliant speakers, swag, parties, opportunities to pitch, and also to make friends with women from around the world who actually understand our podcast obsessions. :D
P.S. Guys can attend She Podcasts Live, too. But at this conference, it’s the ladies who will be running the show ;)
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) took place this week and we heard some exciting announcements from Apple, including that iTunes will be replaced by Apple Podcasts on Mac and podcast search and discoverability is about to get a lot better on Apple Podcasts.
On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ll share six things you need to know about Apple Podcasts, plus a little bonus.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Elsie Escobar is a Hall-of-Fame podcaster, actress, advocate, one of the most significant voices in podcasting today, co-Founder of She Podcasts, manager of all things community at Libsyn, and an all around amazing woman who I am honored to know.
If you listen to Elsie on She Podcasts or Libsyn’s podcast, The Feed, you’ll know that she is creative, fun, and a die-hard podcaster who is all about empowerment, intentionality, and vision. Born in El Salvador, she’s also a proud Latina influencer who advocates for social and cultural change through her work. She challenges podcasters to go deeper with their shows and their messages and to get really clear on how you want to show up in this world.
On Podcasting Step by Step, we talk about what it takes to make it as a podcaster; why downloads are not the best way to gauge your podcast’s success — and what is; the conversation she wants to be having right now; and how podcasting saved her life. I’ve heard her mention this fact on other shows before, but she dives deeper into the specifics here, and I thank her for sharing such a personal story that I know can help others escape a bad situation.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.
I’m your podcast coach,Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
How do you get your podcast into iTunes and Apple Podcasts? You need a podcast media host. On episode 11 of Podcasting Step by Step, I explain what a podcast media host is, why you need one, how your media host gets you into iTunes/Apple Podcasts and other podcast directories, and I share my discount code for my favorite podcast media host, Libsyn. For links to everything I discuss, head on over to sarahfmikutel.com
Get up to two months of media hosting for free To get up to two months of podcast media hosting for free, sign up for a Libsyn plan using my promo code POSTCARD.
Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck:
When you sign up with the code POSTCARD, you’ll get the rest of the current month free plus the next month. Libysn bills on the first of the month, so to get the most out of the discount, sign up on the 1st. If you sign up on the 15th, you’ll only get a month-and-a-half free, and if you sign up at the end of the month, you’ll only be getting the next month free.
Suggestion: sign up for the highest tier to explore Libsyn’s stats. You can always downgrade right before your free trial ends. But don’t switch in the middle of your trial. For some reason, that switch triggers an end to your freebie and the beginning of your subscription plan.
So you want to host an interview podcast. You know what you want to podcast about and the ‘why’ behind your show, but how do you find guests? And why would they want to come on your show? I cover how to find great podcast guests -- and how to get them to say yes to coming on your show -- on episode 9 of Podcasting Step by Step.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your podcast coach,Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
One of my favorite parts of podcasting is getting to interview other people on topics that really interest me and my audience. I’m fortunate because I’ve gotten to interview people throughout my career, but I know if you haven’t had a lot of practice, this could feel a little intimidating. So on episode 10 of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ll share 8 tips on how to make you a stand out podcast interviewer, including great questions to ask and tips for setting your guests up for success.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
My first guest is James Cridland, who you may know from his daily podcast Podnews. James has been an industry expert in both radio and podcasting for years, influencing the audio strategy of major players like Virgin Radio and the BBC. He’s a self-described radio futurologist, a consultant, speaker, and writer, and I invited James onto the show to talk about the state of podcasting in 2019; the potential growth of the industry and opportunities for indie podcasters; and how he got into podcasting himself. Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
I love interviewing other people, especially other podcasters. In addition to my solo shows, once a month I’ll be interviewing industry thought leaders/influencers/interesting people in the podcasting space. Next up: Elsie Escobar, co-founder of She Podcasts. Subscribe to Podcasting Step by Step so you don’t miss it :)
Visit sarahmikutel.com for more articles on how to podcast. Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your podcast coach, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know that I also host the Postcard Academy travel podcast? Check it out if you’re the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn how they did it and get their best insider food and culture tips.
Thank you so much for listening to Podcasting Step by Step. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
I have heard some new podcasters say they’ve recorded 30 or more episodes and they still haven’t shared them with anyone yet. This is a huge missed opportunity to improve your show before you launch. Think about it -- would you rather make your show better before it goes out into the world, or would you rather have potential subscribers hear your first draft?
In episode 7 of Podcasting Step by Step, I share how to ask for feedback that will improve your podcast. And how to feel more comfortable receiving it.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes and more articles on how to podcast.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
I confess that I’m a little jealous of some of the podcast studios I’ve seen online, with acoustic panels and all this other pro equipment. I don’t have anything like this. (show notes)
I am currently living on the coast of England. I have a big bay window overlooking the ocean, which has always been a dream of mine, and when I’m lying in bed, I feel like I’m in an infinity pool.On a clear day, I can France.
All this might sound pretty magical, and it is. However, my housing situation is pretty random: I’m a lodger living with a Sri Lankan family and two other guys renting rooms here. This is not the ideal podcasting environment.
There are always people chatting in various parts of the house. Seagulls squawk outside my very large, glass window, which lets in a ton of street noise because a little road runs along the coast between my room and the sea. I have high ceilings. Right now, a helicopter is flying around for some reason and someone just fired up a lawnmower. So, I have a room with a gorgeous view, but also a number of recording challenges. On episode six of Podcasting Step by Step, I talk about how to create a quality-sounding podcast when you’re recording environment is not so great.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes and more articles on how to podcast.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Before I launched my first podcast, I spent hours googling microphones and other equipment. I’m not a huge tech person. I just wanted someone to tell me exactly what I needed. But I kept reading conflicting advice. Or, I’d see someone ask an equipment question in an online forum, and they’d never get a straight answer, just a lot of, “Well, it depends…” And sometimes it does depend. But sometimes you just want an answer! So on episode five of Podcasting Step by Step, I share the exact hardware and software I use to podcast and why. These products and services will likely work for you, too.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Understanding your ideal listener makes your podcasting life so much easier. It gives you a clear vision for the content on your podcast, on your blog, in your social media posts. Everything you do is in service to that ONE person. Of course, your show will appeal to more than just your ideal listener, but this laser focus will bring out the uniqueness of your show and eliminate the confusion many podcasters feel when coming up with episode topics.
On this episode, you’ll learn how to craft a story to define who your ideal listener is.
Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
Would you consider yourself an introvert? If so, you are in good company. Most podcasters self identify as introverts. But there are techniques to help us get more comfortable with putting ourselves out there, and we’ll talk about about some of them in today’s episode. Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
In the last episode, I talked about the why of your podcast. This episode is all about the what. What style of show do you want to create? Solo? Interview? Co-host or roundtable? I'll break down the seven most popular podcast formats, and share some questions to help you choose the right format for you. Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
One of the biggest mistakes new podcasters make is not thinking about the purpose of their show or why people would listen. Why do you want to start a podcast, and why will anyone care about it? What's in it for them? This episode explores the questions you should ask to get clear on your podcast’s purpose. Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes.
Ready to start podcasting? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.
You’re in the right place if you’ve wanted to start a podcast for awhile now, but something is holding you back. Maybe you think you can’t handle the tech, or the thought of having to listen to your own voice freaks you out. Maybe you’re thinking, “Why would anyone listen to me?” Or, maybe you’ve been Googling ‘how to start a podcast’ for months and feel more confused than ever. I know exactly how you feel.
I’m Sarah Mikutel, your podcast consultant and host of the Postcard Academy travel podcast. Imposter syndrome and technophobia prevented me from podcasting for years. But then after I started my show, I kicked myself for not starting sooner. Because podcasting has had such a positive impact on my life.
I want this for you, too. The goal of Podcasting Step by Step is to help you go from feeling like an overwhelmed podcasting amateur to a confident creator. (Get your free copy of 8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them).
If you’re finally ready to start podcasting but need a little hand holding and encouragement to coach you through the process, subscribe to Podcasting Step by Step. I will be here for you every week, sharing exactly what’s worked for me — and what hasn’t — so you can overcome that podcast overwhelm, conquer your fear — and the tech — and develop a podcast that listeners fall in love with.