One Year of Podcasting – Lessons Learned in the First Year of Podcasting & What My Heart Wants for the Podcast in the Next Year to Come

Can you believe it? The Best Day Podcast is officially one year old! It has been a complete year of podcasting and I am just feeling all the feelings. Therefore, with the purpose of celebrating, we are reflecting on one whole year of the Best Day Podcast. Sharing with you the 6 most important lessons learned in one year of podcasting. As well as the very things my heart wants for the podcast in the next year to come! So excited to share with you all the lessons learned and what is to come on the podcast in the next year! 

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Celebration and Lessons Learned in One Year of Podcasting 

Pinching myself over here that The Best Day Podcast has officially been on air for an entire year! Now, that might not mean much to you, but to me that is a pretty big deal. Truthfully, I thought to myself from the very beginning, you’re just gonna do this for a year. That’s it. You’re gonna commit to a year and see what happens. And if you don’t like it, and if it’s stretching you in ways where you don’t want to be stretched, then you’re done.

However, we have made it! Here we are. And I am so excited to celebrate and reflect on the lessons learned through the first year of podcasting. Whether you hav been here from the beginning or just now have tuned in to listen to The Best Day Podcast, either way I am so excited you are here!

My Hopes and Desires

I truly hope that as you listen to the episodes on The Best Day Podcast that you feel like you matter and that you know you are not alone. That no matter what you walk through, no matter how hard life can get that that you know that it’s okay.  Furthermore, that you are kind to yourself, and that you walk with a purpose and a grace and a freedom from comparison and perfectionism. Finally, that you do the best you can every single day to show up as you and just own that version of you.

This is in honor and celebration of one year of podcasting. One year, 76 episodes, 76 venti iced coffees, and probably 90% of all podcasts have been recorded during nap time when my son’s been napping. And 16.4 thousand downloads and counting. This is all so crazy to me. So thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. In purpose of sharing the lessons learned, I want to encourage you through what I have learned in a year of podcasting. The lessons I’ve learned, specifically, the things that have really stuck out to me as the most important nuggets of wisdom.

Your Dreams Are Within Reach 

And this has been something I have really working towards as my own personal goal for the past year. All while doing this on the side. Balancing marriage, motherhood, working full time as a teacher. All that to say, whatever it is that you are doing,  whatever your heart desires, and whatever it is you are working towards. Please know you can do it! Show up for yourself. Show up to yourself and commit to the things that stir your heart and commit to your passions because they’re your passions for a reason and for a purpose.

6 Lessons Learned in One Year of Podcasting 

I’m so excited to share with you the very lessons learned within my first full year of podcasting. It is beyond crazy to me that just a year ago I was full of so many nerves as I launched my own podcast and released it out to the entire world. This year has brought so much growth for me personally, specifically from the lessons learned while podcasting for a year. Six specific things that my heart has learned through the first year of The Best Day Podcast. My hope is that these specific lessons can encourage you in your walk and journey to your goals as well! 

Lesson Learned #1 – Consistency & Commitment 

The very first lesson learned in the first year of podcasting is the importance of consistency and committing to something you care greatly about. This has probably been the most important thing I have learned through a whole year of podcasting. In all honesty, I have been trying to do a side hustle for five years now. While, I have been doing okay with it, I have failed to show up consistently. I failed to show up consistently on social media and have failed to show up consistently on my own personal blog.

And anytime you’re wanting to work towards a goal, the most important thing is to be consistent. It doesn’t have to be great, but the importance is the act of consistency. Consistently show up and practice that commitment to yourself. In order to demonstrate to you and everyone else around you that what you are doing is a big deal. And that you are treating this and serving your goals as a big deal.

The Importance of Consistency 

In a full year of podcasting, I have surprised myself completely by the fact that there has been an episode every single week. Even on the week, a couple weeks ago where I missed a Monday. I still recorded an episode on a Tuesday. Therefore, we have had an episode weekly for the duration of an entire year. Personally, that is incredibly encouraging. 

I think it’s so important in life that we take moments to actually look at the work we’re doing and celebrate it. Actually acknowledge the moments that we are proud of. It’s not selfish, nor is it boasting your own worth. Instead, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the things in life that you are doing a good job with and are proud of.

Take Time to Reflect on The Things You Are Proud Of

The one thing I am super, super proud of and the very first lesson learned within the first that I have learned within the first whole year of podcasting is the importance of consistency and actually committing to something you care about. So take this for you. Show up to the things you care about. Be consistent in your dreams, and be consistent in your passion. The things that you care about and the things you dream about, they matter, and they’re there for a very, very, very important reason. And so own it and commit to that and walk in that frequently.

Lesson Learned #2 – Authenticity & Showing Up from a Place of Joy, Not Burden

The very next lesson learned in the first year of podcasting has been the importance of being authentic & showing up from a place of joy & not from a place of burden. It’s really important to show up as the real version of you, not the version that you think you need to be. Nor the version that society tells you to be. But you, the person that you are, from your heart, from the very, very core. And show up from a place of joy and not a place of burden.

Intentionally Aware of My Heart 

This podcast has been unlike anything I’ve ever done in my life. I have been very intentional about where my heart is and the position of my heart when recording an episode. If I’m stressed, or if I’m anxious, fearful, or worked up, for some reason, I purposely don’t choose that time to record. Within my timeframe of recording episodes, I am very, very mindful of who I am and how I’m feeling within that particular time. I want to make sure that when I am showing up here that it is the best version of me because I don’t wanna waste your time.

Purpose in the Best Day

I want to be intentional with my words to encourage and empower and inspire. That is the mission behind The Best Day Podcast, to truly give you tools and a word of encouragement and a positivity towards embracing each and every day with the potential that it can be the best day.

That no matter what happens, that no matter what hardship, or what difficult season may. Or whatever hard reality you’re dealing with. That there are still joys and there are still moments that are truly extraordinary within the ordinary. And to me that has been so cool to honor that and honor you in the process of making it be a place of, I’m going to be authentic and show up from a place of joy and not from a place of burden.

And if I am feeling that burden, then I am going to slow it down and take some time. Readjust and see why I feel that way, and then reconvene as needed. This has been such an incredible life lesson to learn throughout the course of the first year podcasting! 

Lesson Learned #3 – Shift the Focus Away from Me and More to YOU!

The third lesson learned in the first year of podcasting has been the need to shift the focus away from me and focus on YOU. Focusing less on me and more on how can I be a voice to encourage, to inspire, to support and to empower. Less about what I want, less about how I feel, but more about who I can serve.

If you are doing anything in life, it can be easy to fall in the trap of me, and all the focus on yourself. Especially when you’re trying to grow a podcast. It can come across as very selfish, very self-servicing. However, if you focus on the root and you focus on the true service of trying to help serve others, that is where the gold is. Take something that you have a knowledge of, a skillset in, and impart that to others.

While doing that, if the focus can leave you and focus instead on the people around you, that is so important. This is something I am still learning, and still walking through. More importantly, this is something that I want to do more of and be better at within the next year of the podcast. To continue to shift the focus away from me and continue to focus on you.

Lesson Learned #4 – The Need to Drop Comparison & Pride 

The fourth lesson learned within the first year of podcasting has been the constant need to drop comparison and pride. It’s hard as a human to not always be looking at everybody else and every other thing and having comparison. It is common and natural human tendency. It is common, in humankind, to look at the world in the eyes of comparison. Especially hard in the podcasting space.

I will be honest and share that I often look at other podcasts and do the comparison thing. What is their ranking? How many reviews do they have? How many people are listening? I ask those questions and think all those incredibly restricting comparison thoughts. Therefore, one of the things I am still learning is the necessity in life to drop the comparison. To focus instead on just staying in your own lane. Turn the blinders on and not worry about what everyone else is doing. Simply, focus instead on what you’re doing.

Focus in on the mission you have and the purpose you want to serve, and the message you want to give to the people around you, and focus on that and drop the comparison and the pride along the way. 

Lesson Learned #5 – How Much Fun Podcasting Can Be

The fifth lesson learned in the first year of The Best Day Podcast has been how fun it is to podcast. As well as, how empowering it is to have a goal, and to show up to that goal consistently. I have had no idea that podcasting could be so much fun. I feel so much joy when I get to put my headphones on and talk through the mic and just share with you  my heart. It is fun. It is empowering, so empowering to have a goal and to show up to that goal consistency. Seriously, I had no idea how fun that would be, and so that’s been probably the biggest surprise.

Lesson Learned #6 –  Listen to and Follow Your Gut 

The final lesson learned within the first year of podcasting has been to simply listen to and follow your gut. Don’t force it. Go with what feels right. I had this dream, thought, goal – whatever you want to call it that I would commit to publishing two podcast episodes a week for 2023. And I was doing just that for the first two months of the year.

However, I truly got to a place of burn out. Not really from the podcasting itself, but more from all the other hard things going on behind the scenes in life. So instead, I took a deep look within and thought to myself – why am I trying to hustle hard for two episodes a week. My answer – well ,of course I was thinking just how much the podcast could grow and all the momentum we could gain by cranking out two episodes a week for an entire year!

Go With Your Instinct 

I truly couldn’t contain my excitement for the potential amount of downloads I was anticipating come December 2023. However, my gut just did not sit with that. Instead, I thought, how much more peace and contentment I would feel by pouring my heart and spirit into one solid episode a week.

One solid episode that didn’t feel forced, nor rushed. One episode that I could truly believe in the purpose behind. It was as if my gut was telling me – this is the answer. This is the gold. That the growth comes through the slow and steady. That what I am looking for will come through this way. Will I change my mind at some point in the future and move back to two? Maybe, but for now this feels right. Therefore, one of the most incredible lessons learned through the first year of podcasting has been to trust your gut. 

The Six Lessons Learned Through Year One of Podcasting 

So those are the six lessons that I’ve learned. I don’t know if that’s what you were thinking. However, I truly wanted this list and reflection to be personal. A real reflection on how my heart is feeling with podcasting for a whole year. 

1. The importance of consistency and committing to something you care about.
2. The importance of being authentic and showing up from a place of joy and not a place of burden.
3. Shifting the focus away from me and focusing instead on you
4. The constant need to drop comparison and pride
5. The actual fun and joy of podcasting, truly how fun it is
6. Listening to and following your gut and instinct 

What My Heart Wants for the Podcast in the Next Year to Come 

Okay, so those are the lessons I learned in the first year of podcasting. Now, I am excited to share with you what my heart wants for the podcast in the next year to come. Four things. Four things that I truly want from this podcast within the next year. Specifically, my vision for the podcast within the next year and I am so excited to share. 

Desire #1 – More vulnerability 

The very first desire for the next year of The Best Day Podcast is more vulnerability. To share more of my heart, living in the crazy and the complicated. Not feeling like I need to tune things out and instead just show up as me in the messy and in the chaos. If that means more episodes that are just honest reflections on thoughts and feelings of life then that is what we are going to do!

Because guess what? We’re all doing this thing called life. We all have dreams and goals, and are busy, overwhelmed, and simply trying every single day to do the best we can. To be our best, and to have a smile and to love on the people around us, and to do that from a place of gratitude.

While, sometimes we can’t because we fall short and it’s hard. But that is what I want to do. I want to model that. I desire to be a place of vulnerability in order to encourage a life well lived and a life that is lived in grace. Furthermore, a life that is lived in freedom. Believing that the best days can happen, even in the messy and the chaos. Therefore, within the next year of the podcast, I desire more vulnerability.

Desire #2 – More guests

My second dream and desire for the podcast in the next year is more guests. I want to bring more guest episodes. I haven’t done this really at all. In a full year of podcasting, I have had three guest episodes. Primarily been a solo show over here for pretty much the entire year.

Within the past year, I had three episodes with guests and I’ve loved every second of them. We started off the very first guest on the podcast with the one and only Jenna Kutcher herself. Yes. Pinching myself still. If you have not listened to that episode, you need to listen to that episode. Truly, I was geeking out and unable to contain my joy the whole entire time having her on the podcast talking about her book, How Are You, Really?

The second guest on the podcast, Caroline Tanis, financial advisor. This was another great episode as we talked about how to get your heart in alignment with your dreams and how to approach life with this really bold tenacity to go after what you want. The third guest episode, Ashley Brock, was an incredible conversation on gratitude, a conversation I am still encouraged by to this day!

My Desire for the Next Year – More Guests to Encourage and Empower You 

Therefore, within the next year, I truly desire more guests on the podcast. When I have had guests on the podcast, I leave those conversations feeling larger than life. The encouragement, the conversation, the intentionality. The incredible goodness that happens while affirming one another and having real and honest conversations. That is the exact kind of thing I want displayed on The Best Day Podcast. 

I leave those interviews feeling so pumped up and excited about life, and that is something I want more of on this podcast. I want you to hear those conversations and to feel the same way and feel like you’re just listening in to two friends and feel more like yourself as a result of that. Truly want to model a community that believes in the power of affirming others and building each other up. I would love to create that space on the podcast even more within the next year.

Desire #3 – More community 

Speaking of community, the third thing I want on the podcast within this next year is more community. Specifically more community with you. I want to get to know YOU. The very you that is listening and tuning in week after week. I want to know you. To know how you are feeling and what is going on. 

Therefore, I am working on really truly pouring into the Facebook group. It exists, but I haven’t really done anything with it. One girl show over here. So trying to really run everything while balance. Motherhood and a home and a job on top of this can be a little challenging, but want to find ways to really create and cultivate a greater community because you are my people and I want that place to really nurture and grow and walk in.

Desire #4 – More joy 

Finally, the fourth thing that I desire is more joy. More joy and just more celebration for the everyday moments of life. And so if that’s more episodes that focus on the celebration and focus on the joy and cultivating that life of joy, then let’s do it. But that is truly what my heart wants in the next year for The Best Day Podcast. 

1. More vulnerability
2. More guests
3. More community
4. More joy

In Celebration of the Lessons Learned in One Year of Podcasting and More to Come in the Next Year

I have some really big dreams and big goals even within the next year alone. There are some things I’m working on and things that I am planning in my head that I’m really excited about. And I cannot wait to share with you as the year goes on. I’m actually starting a podcast mastermind this week! It is a six months mastermind focused on podcast growth, scaling your podcast, gaining more clarity on who you serve.

The podcast coach that I will be working with is absolutely incredible with what she does and how she teaches. This mastermind is going to push me, challenge me and grow me. I am so excited to see what this podcast looks like through working with her for the next six months. Seriously so honored and excited over here!

A Mission to Encourage and Pursue an Intentional Life Lived in Abundant Joy 

Additionally, I am so excited to follow my heart and serve you along the way. I’m so thankful. Seriously, thank you so much for being here. The podcast does not exist without you. You are the reason I show up to the mic every single week. To talk to you, to encourage you, to let you know that you are not alone and that you have a voice and that voice is important. 

All so you can hear that you have a heart and that heart matters. To know your life has a tremendous value and worth. That you are capable of living each and every single day as a day that can be the best day. Not because of the things that happened, but because of the position of your heart and the joy, and the gratitude. Because of the feeling that you can do this. The hard things, the confusing things, the things that you are unsure of. That you can actually do it, and I want to encourage you and support you and cheer you on constantly along the way.

A Big Thank You and Hope for the Future 

Thank you. Literally, thank you for being here. It is such an honor and I, I want you to know that, that I don’t take that lightly. The fact that you choose to listen, that you hit play, that you listen to me just ramble. All of that means a lot, and so thank you so much. I am so excited because I feel like we are going places, not exciting places, nor like big places, but we’re going down a path for you to walk your day each and every day with more joy and more enthusiasm, and an appreciation for just living in life each and every moment with a gratitude and an intentionality and a purpose of, you know what everything’s gonna be okay. That is something I can proudly stand behind. Cheering you on and wishing you the best, every single day!