Five years ago, I launched the first episode of Schmidt List, and I thought now would be a good time to reflect on the experience.

It\’s been a wild ride, with ups and downs, but I wouldn\’t trade it for anything. This journey has been full of surprises, both good and bad. In this article, I\’ll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of podcasting.

Want the TL;DR? I recorded this article just for you! Take a listen here.

I\’ll begin with the worst and end with the best just because I want to finish this article on a high note!

The Ugly:

The ugly side of podcasting is when a show runs into technical and personality-driven issues. I\’ve had episodes where the audio was so bad that I couldn\’t even release them. I\’ve also dealt with demanding guests who were either uncooperative or plain rude. These issues can be frustrating and make you want to give up. But it\’s important to remember that these problems are usually isolated incidents. Don\’t let them ruin your entire experience.

Invite people with differing viewpoints to your show to make your podcast more engaging. Just be aware that sometimes those views might be too different from your own. Consider your audience and your values. Only you can answer whether your audience will accept these new perspectives as graciously as you have.

As I mentioned, recording and editing a podcast episode can take time. This means that you need to be passionate about the topic you\’re discussing because you will initially be putting in a lot of work for little return. But over time, you\’ll develop systems that allow you to produce even higher quality shows faster.

The Bad:

The downside of podcasting is that it can be time-consuming. Recording a podcast episode can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on the length of the attack and the level of research required. Then there\’s the editing process, which can take another few hours. So, producing a single episode can take up to 8 hours. This means that it can be challenging to have new episodes regularly. Systems are your friend. If you want to save yourself time and energy, focus on creating a process that can be repeated.

Another downside is that getting noticed in a crowded space can be difficult. With over 800,000+ active podcasts, it\’s becoming increasingly tricky for podcasts to stand out. It would help if you had a marketing plan and a solid personal network to attract new listeners. Writing articles, being a guest on other podcasts, speaking events, etc., are all great ways to expose your perspectives to potential new listeners.

The Good:

Podcasting has been a fantastic experience. I\’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible people and talk about topics I\’m passionate about. I\’ve also been able to build a community of listeners who are supportive and engaged.

The good thing about podcasting is that it\’s a very personal experience. You are talking to your audience directly, and they feel like they are getting to know you. This creates a bond that is difficult to replicate with other forms of media. I\’ve also been surprised by the diversity of my listeners. My audience for the podcast is primarily professional women, while my YouTube channel comprises professional males. I\’ve had the privilege of interviewing people from all walks of life on my show. Hearing their stories and learning from their experiences has been an incredible journey.

Podcasting has also allowed me to meet some fantastic people. I\’ve interviewed celebrities, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, and I\’ve been blown away by their intelligence and insights. It\’s been an honor to interview them and learn from them. Because that\’s what a podcast is—a live coaching experience. The goal in picking the topics isn\’t to prove your righteousness around that topic but to evolve. After five years, my perspectives have evolved, and I feel I\’m on the right path.

Lastly, I\’ve been blown away by the support of my viewers and listeners. They are always quick to reach out and tell me how much they enjoy the show. They have also helped me spread the word about my podcast, which has led to more listeners and subscribers.

So, there you have it: the good, the bad, and the ugly of podcasting. It\’s been a fantastic journey, and I can\’t wait to see what the next five years bring.

If you\’re thinking about starting a podcast, or if you\’ve been podcasting for years, I\’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What has your experience been like? What are your thoughts on the good, the bad, and the ugly of podcasting? Share your stories and insights with me!