Earlier today, I had one of my Podcasting A to Z students tell me that she now has cold feet about publishing her first podcast episode.
She's spent the past two weeks tweaking her equipment setup and figuring out the audio editing process. She's produced a sample audio file that I gave a “PERFECT” rating. (And most of you know just how much of an audio snob I am.)
During the first week, I asked her why she wanted to launch her podcast. She wrote… “My life’s mission, and the purpose of my podcast, is to share my experience, strength, and hope around recovery from compulsive spending, to help others who feel powerless over the obsession to buy, shop, and spend…”
However, today, while other students are submitting their first episodes to iTunes, she wrote to me saying… “So I'm having an identity crisis, Cliff….. I'm not sure I should be doing this particular podcast now. I know you cannot make the decision, but I'd like your feedback about my concerns.”
She went on to write about about how a few of her friends in recovery have cautioned her about some of the things that she was considering with her platform.
She then wrote… “I'm worried that people will get upset with me for sharing my experience, strength, and hope this way.”
And she told me that she had an idea for a different podcast that she might pursue instead.
This interaction inspired today's vlog post!
BTW. After giving this student my feedback, she wrote back with the following….
–Begin Quote–
Cliff, I cannot thank you enough for this amazing motivational response. I will be using it in the podcast, if you don't mind. Your transformation is astounding. I read the FB post and comments, and was so struck by this exchange you had with someone:
THEY SAID: I know you won't call out the hater who mocked you, but I hope he sees this and the profound support you so deservedly have received. Well done! Keep up the good work!
And YOU SAID: Yeah, funny thing is that guy made it into the most recent Keynote that I did. I used it as an example of how you can't allow others, who don't understand your vision, keep you from moving toward your goal as a result of their negative feedback.
***
Wow.
Moving forward. Thanks to you.
–End Quote–
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An Interview With Shane Whaley of Juicing Radio – 00:07:46
In this week's episode, I am honored to feature a conversation that I had with my friend, Shane Whaley, from JuicingRadio.com. Shane is an alumni of my Podcasting A to Z Coaching Program and launched his podcast, Juicing Radio, on October 30th, 2014. Since the launch of the podcast he's published a total of 156 episodes and has had some amazing experiences as the result of his podcasting journey.
While listening back to the conversation that I had with Shane, I took a total of two pages of notes with insights. Below are just a few things that we covered.
– Feeling socially awkward at conferences.
– Have you imagined anyone listening to your podcast while in the tub?
– The decision to add value to others from your own life experiences.
– Shane's inspiring story of how he lost a total of 80 pounds.
– The results of Shane's decision to make drastic lifestyle changes.
– Shane ran a blog about juicing for three years before launching a podcast.
– Why Shane emails his audience every single week day.
– Shane's amazing logo created by Jenny Hamson.
– Impostor Syndrome.
– The mistake of immediately going after A-Listers.
– Why Shane turned away his first sponsorship opportunity.
– Shane's decision of whether or not to pursue podcasting as a full-time career.
– Shane's advice: Don't chase the money!
– Shane's advice: Let your guest talk!
– How podcasting led Shane to the Bond woman of his dreams.
One Year Update On Taking My Health To The Next Level – 00:00:58
I spent two minutes, at the open of this episode, to share an update on my focus to take my health and physical fitness to the next level. On November 14th, I celebrated the one year anniversary of my decision to drastically change my lifestyle. I'm going to keep my coverage of this topic, here in the show notes, brief as well. I'll simply post the before and after photo below that shows how much progress I've made after my first full year into this journey. If you want to learn about what I've done and how I've achieved this, check out my blog post at PodcastAnswerMan.com/sixmonths.
Consistent Weekly Episodes of Podcast Answer Man Moving Forward – 00:03:03
I've given a great deal of thought about the consistency of this podcast lately. We're currently in our 48th week of 2015 and this episode is the 40th episode that I've produced so far this year. That means that there have been a total of eight weeks where I did not publish an episode of Podcast Answer Man. Yes, I do have my reasons and excuses for this. However, I know, first hand, just how important consistency is to maintain a loyal community of folks who will make you a part of their weekly listening routines. From this point forward, I will release an episode every week, publishing the episode to the feed on Friday mornings at 5am Eastern Time.
Thoughts On When Someone Tells You That You Don't Have Credibility
I recently had someone post a comment on episode 388 that said… “I've been following your Dayone Journaling. One thing is clear you're not a health and fitness expert, not even close…” and “You're pawning yourself off as legit in Health and Fitness when you are not.”
In this episode, I share the whole comment and my thoughts regarding what was said. It is my hope that what I shared will encourage anyone who is struggling with personal feelings of inadequacy or who has been told by someone else that they are not “legit” enough to be a leader in a particular niche.
Thoughts on Removing Comments From Your Site
Michael Hyatt recently made the decision to remove all blog comments from his website. He blogged about why he did this here. In the episode, I share what has been going through my mind since reading about this.
When Social Media Strategies Clash
In yet another comment on last week's episode, I had another person post a different criticism. This person wrote… “Cliff, your Facebook and Twitter are typically focused on your daily activity, its self centered. Your Twitter feed pretty much exemplifies the “me, myself and I” cliche. Shades of pretentiousness. Regarding the book Essentialism. Ever since reading Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, I have been on a mission to eliminate excess noise. What benefit or value would it be for your new media followers to read about your normal daily activities? The high volume of your daily activities should NOT land on the radar of your new media followers. A sense of uniqueness that you feel about yourself?”
In the episode, I share my response to this feedback and talk about a logical option that is available to all when our social media strategies clash with others, even our friends.
Next Level Studio Logo (00:34:44)
I am very excited about the new logo that I had created for my new studio space that will be known as the “Next Level Studio.” Special thanks to my great friend, Jenny Hamson, for the amazing work that she always does for myself and many of my clients. In the episode, I shared why I get excited about something as simple as having a new logo made for my new studio/office space.
Impostor Syndrome (00:22:04)
Do you know what Imposter Syndrome is? Do you suffer from Impostor Syndrome? Do you know how to get beyond this paralysing condition so that you can create the content that will help make a positive difference in the lives of those who would listen to your podcast? I have answers to all of these questions in this episode of Podcast Answer Man.
Taking My Whiteboard To The Next Level
One of the most important pieces of gear that I use in my business is my whiteboard. Nearly every product or service that I have ever created or offered had started out by brainstorming in front of my whiteboard. In my previous workspace, I had two 2ft x 3ft whiteboards attached to the wall behind my desk.
I recently purchased this 3.3ft x 6ft Double Sided Whiteboard. I absolutely love that I can roll this giant whiteboard to any spot in the Next Level Studio. I am already imagining the life changing products and services that will get their start on this new whiteboard. (00:40:20)
There Are No Rules In Podcasting! (00:16:45)
I've been told, recently, that someone had suggested that I seem to be “breaking all the rules” with my Podcast Answer Man show over the past several months. In this episode, I share my thoughts about this statement.
Taking YouTube Content To The Next Level (00:04:18)
I have recently decided to start recording the video of the live stream that I do when recording Podcast Answer Man now that I have a more impressive looking studio in the background of the video. This is the second week that I've decided to publish the recording to my YouTube channel and embed it in the show notes.
Interestingly, I had a significant issue with choppy video on this week's live stream. I found out, afterward, that it was another software program on my streaming computer that caused my computer's CPU to operate at 100%. I should be able to broadcast an HD live stream without having a choppy video next week. Here's hoping.
Also, in this episode, I mention in interesting note about time stamping the segments of the show in the YouTube video notes.
Three Other Topics:
– Julie's Email (00:50:01)
– What is the future of Podcasting? (00:53:22)
– My Ustream Producer Purchase (01:01:24)
Video Recording of this episode
The following video is an UNEDITED version of the Behind The Scenes Recording of this episode of Podcast Answer Man. Join me for a future live broadcast of Podcast Answer Man. Click here for details.
Learn how your current beliefs are keeping you from the financial success that you deserve. I’m giving away the most valuable message I’ve ever delivered. First, watch this sample video clip…
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Today, I’m offering you the opportunity to gain FREE ACCESS to the most valuable message I’ve ever shared, the “opening session” to Free The Dream.
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Cliff Ravenscraft
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