61. How to stop hiding behind your podcast guests

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Laura: This episode is a bit of a personal one. Um, I’m talking about why I stopped doing so many interviews on this podcast and how I realised I was kind of hiding behind my guests. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence or felt like you’re not saying enough in your own episodes, I think you’ll relate. I’m sharing what I’ve been learning, where I’m still stuck and, um, why I’m choosing to keep showing up anyway, even when it feels a bit uncomfortable. Welcome to Podcast strategy that brings in clients. I’m your host, Laura McRae, podcast producer and content strategist. If you want your podcast to bring in leads, build trust and support your business, you’re in the right place, because smart content starts with your podcast, but it doesn’t stop there. So this episode’s a bit of a personal one.

I’ve been struggling with confidence with my own podcast

I want to share something that’s been on my mind lately and it’s something I’ve been struggling with on my own podcast. When I first started this podcast, I did a lot of interviews and it was great. It helped me meet people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise and it really broadened my network. But over time, something didn’t feel quite right, and I think I’ve only recently put my finger on it. Here’s what I realised. A lot of the guests I interviewed were sharing things I already believed in and things I already knew. Like, literally the same things I tell my own clients. And, um, while it was great that they were sharing that advice, part of me was thinking, I know this stuff too. Why am I not saying it? I was just letting them say it. And because I’m naturally more of a listener, I wasn’t jumping in to add my own take or to interrupt. That’s just not my style. I’m not someone who likes to talk over people and I don’t love being the centre of attention either. That meant it kind of felt like I was hiding while, uh, someone else said the thing I could have said. It was frustrating, but also eye opening. I started to ask myself, why do I feel like I can’t say what I want to say? What’s holding me back? And the answer was confidence. It’s not that I didn’t know what to say, I just didn’t feel confident enough to say it in my own way. So I decided to switch things up. I’ve started doing more solo episodes and let me tell you, it’s been really challenging. I’ve noticed the downloads are lower. I know I say you shouldn’t cheque your downloads all the time. But just like you, I cheque my downloads too. I’m, uh, my own worst enemy. I’ve realised that you, my listeners, prefer longer episodes that are around 25 minutes long. My goal originally was to have episodes this long, but I’m struggling to talk for this long on my own. Like I said, I’m not much of a talker. I’m not someone who can naturally talk that long on my own. I’m the kind of person who says what needs to be said, then wraps it up. I’m short and sharp and that brought up another layer of self doubt. Am I not giving enough value? Am I being too brief? But I realised it’s not just about the length, it’s about connection. And that’s where I need to grow. I think one of the biggest things getting in the way of connection is storytelling. I recommend it to all my clients. Share your storeys, share your experiences. That’s what builds your trust. But I don’t do it myself. Not really and not consistently. Like I said, I’ve always been more of a listener than a talker. I don’t love talking about myself and I worry that my storeys aren’t important or they’re not relevant enough. I’m worried people who tune out and think, what does that have to do with me? So instead, I’ve been staying safe and just putting hints and tips and advice in my episodes, which is useful, but it doesn’t have any of me in it. And I know this is shooting me in the foot because it’s the personal storeys and the relatable moments that make a podcast memorable. That’s what makes people feel like they know you. So I’m trying to lean into that even though I’m feeling really uncomfortable. Because if I believe in it for my clients, I need to walk the talk myself. This is where I’m a bit stuck at the moment. Do I go back to more interviews where I can stay in the background a bit, or do I keep going with solo episodes where I’m showing up more, even though it’s making me feel really quite uncomfortable? To be honest, I’d rather keep going with the solo episodes. I want to build that confidence. I want to feel like I can share my storeys and own what I’m saying without second guessing every single sentence. But it’s really not that easy, especially when I’m not even sure who’s even listening to this podcast. And something else that’s really holding me back, I know is how scripted I’ve become. I wanted to do this podcast more off the cuff and more from the heart, but again, I don’t feel confident enough to just hit record and talk. I plan to do this, but it hasn’t ended up going this way. But I’m trying to remind myself that confidence comes with practise, that I don’t have to be perfect. That may be the point, is to just show

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up while I’m figuring it out. Not just once I’ve figured it out, because I’m never going to figure it out if I don’t keep going. And, um, it’s funny because I know all this stuff, I say it to my clients all the time. But when it comes to your own podcast and your own voice, it feels really different. It’s much harder. The inner critic shows up and that little voice says it’s not really very interesting or you’re not saying anything new. So I’m trying to ignore that voice, or at least stop it running the show anyway, because I know the only way to get better, uh, is to keep going, to keep showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable. And hopefully with a bit of practise, it will start to feel easier. That’s the goal, not perfection, just a bit more progress in time. I think a lot of podcasters go through this, especially the quieter ones, the listeners, the behind the scenes types, just like me. We start a podcast because we want to share something meaningful, but then we end up defaulting to formats that feel safer, like interviews. Interviews are great, but they become a bit of a crutch. They give us structure, someone to bounce off and someone to carry part of the load. And, um, that’s not bad. It’s just important to ask, is that what I really want to be doing? Solo episodes are powerful, but they expose you more, and that can feel terrifying. But that’s also where your authority comes in. Your storeys, your reflections, the way you see the world. That’s what people want. That’s what makes you memorable. I’m learning that it’s okay to grow into it. Not to be the loudest and longest podcaster, but to be the most real. That’s what I’m aiming for anyway. So if you’re listening to this and nodding along, maybe you’re also someone who doesn’t love being the loudest voice in the room. But you’ve got important things to say. I see you. I don’t have all the answers yet. I’m still figuring it out. But I’m going to try and keep showing up to share more storeys to trust the right people are listening, even if the numbers aren’t all what I want. And I’d love to hear from you. Do you find solo episodes hard? Do you also default to interviews like I did? Send me a DM or message me on Instagram at Podcast Support Services, or comment if you’re using the Spotify app and let’s have a chat. Also, if you’ve ever had that feeling that someone on your show was saying what you wanted to say and you just sat back, please tell me I’m not the only one. Thanks for listening and I look forward to chatting to you again next week.

This episode is brought to you by Podcast Support Services

This episode is brought to you by Podcast Support Services. Podcast strategy that attracts leads, clients and credibility. Are you looking for a podcast producer? We may have availability. Head to podcastsupportservices.com.

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