Scared to Start a Podcast? 4 Mindset Shifts to Make

Hey Friend!

Have you wanted to start a podcast but are too afraid to do it? Are you afraid no one will listen, you’ll run out of topics, or it will be too time-consuming? Additionally, knowing what software to use when you start a podcast is important, especially if you are more techy.

I had all those same fears before I launched my show almost six years ago, and that’s why I’m excited to share with you four easy mindset shifts that personally helped me get over my fear and just start!

If you’re feeling that nudge to start a podcast, I want to encourage you to embrace the calling on your life so you can help and serve others with the gifts God has given you. It’s time to let go of the overwhelm, put yourself out there, and make a difference for His Kingdom. 

#1 Mindset Shift to Start a Podcast – Stop!

Starting a podcast is simple, but we often convince ourselves that change is scary and too big to handle. We need to shift our mindset and get over the fear. The first mindset shift we need to step out of fear and into faith is to stop the spiral of thoughts that are going on in our minds. It is time to go from a perfectionist viewpoint to a “progress” viewpoint. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.”

The Bible says, “Don’t grow weary of doing good” if you start a podcast, for example. I want you to remember that a podcast is something that you’re bringing into the world to bless the people you’re called to help. 

Think of Your Business as a Ministry

Your podcast is a ministry — a way to teach and minister to those you feel called to serve. If your passion is to help others, podcasting is a tool you can use to do that. It doesn’t matter what your podcast is going to be about, as long as you feel called and you are going to help, inspire, and encourage people.

We can’t grow weary. Stop constantly looking through the lens of perfection, or you will never start. The perfectionist mindset comes from the enemy because there’s absolutely no way we can ever be perfect. There’s always a way to uplevel and improve.

I have been podcasting for six years, and there is always room for improvement. I may have never started if I wanted my podcast to be perfect. You need to start and continue to improve over time. God wants us to make progress, and He will bless us if we don’t give up. Just don’t stop. 

#2 Mindset Shift to Start a Podcast – Go From Self-Doubt to Authenticity

The second shift you need to make in your mind so you can get over your fear of podcasting is to go from self-doubt to authenticity. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  Praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

What a wonderful verse to remember. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are perfectly made in His image. There’s no reason for us to have self-doubt if we show up authentically.

The more you show up as authentic, the more people will relate to and trust you. When your audience starts to trust you, you will receive more leads and, ultimately, more sales.

If you start to market your brand and your personality based on someone else’s brand and personality who’s already having success, you’re not being authentic.

It’s not OK to mimic somebody else’s authenticity because, in reality, it’s just imitation. I want you to go back to who you are. Think about portraying yourself as the same person you are with your friends, your family, and your spouse. You will have a beautiful breakthrough when you come out on your podcast as yourself. There’s no one you need to be but you. Just be yourself. 

#3 Mindset Shift to Start a Podcast – Stop the Comparison and Shift to Inspiration

The third mindset shift we need to make if you are afraid of podcasting is to stop the comparison and shift to inspiration. Psalm 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” How can you stop comparing and discern what we need to use for motivation or inspiration?

What is the best way to stop comparing yourself to someone else in your industry? You want to avoid mimicking that person but look to them as inspiration. Run the race with this person and work alongside them rather than trying to compare yourself.

Avoid joining a program or a group coaching mastermind to compare because self-doubt will creep in. Utilize the tools to find inspiration, but don’t mimic. Lack of self-motivation typically results from not knowing how to get started. You need the steps to take action. Sometimes, it’s hard to take action, so you need inspiration, motivation, and investment to move out of that scared mindset.

#4 Mindset Shift to Start a Podcast – Shift Your Mind From Fear of Failure to Learning Opportunity

The fourth mindset shift is to shift your mind from fear of failure to learning opportunity. Are you scared of failure? Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” When you partner with God and decide to start a podcast, this immediately becomes an opportunity to lean on God and ask for His favor.

I know the podcast journey isn’t going to be perfect. When you start, permit yourself to not be perfect in this opportunity. Expect this to be confusing, somewhat messy, and complicated but it’s OK because you will learn and grow over time. Just start where you are with what you know. 

Be sure to utilize these free resources and use them as a learning opportunity. The only time you fail is if you don’t begin. It’s time to start and to grow forward. Don’t think of yourself as failing in your podcast if you only have ten people listening.

Shift your mindset to understand that you bless those ten people by stretching and encouraging them. God did not give you those ten people by accident. He gave them to you so that you could be a blessing and a light in their life based on their needs.

Your Business Breakthrough – Break Free From the Fear

Remember, this business journey is not about you at all. You will break free from the heavy fear on your shoulders if you understand one important thing about your business—its purpose is not to serve yourself but others. You will feel set free if you understand that the purpose behind your business is not about you but about helping others. God gave me a message to share with the world and has done the same for you. 

You are simply a vessel for His message. I am a messenger who wants to be Christ’s hands and feet, helping people share their gifts through podcasting. You can only be afraid of failure if you focus on yourself. Fear of failure is a selfish posture, which we are all guilty of. Having a servant posture is one of learning and exploration.

Start Messy as You Start a Podcast

My podcast was quite ugly when I started in October of 2018. You would think it was a failure by looking at it. It was a mess, from the podcast art to the title and content. But that messy start was the starting point to something beautiful now.

I had to learn, grow, and spend thousands of hours on my craft. I have now been asked to do speaking engagements and am writing a book. This seven-figure business runs a team. All of this started from something small that wasn’t perfect, and something I knew wasn’t about me but about those I served.

God had a calling and a purpose for my life, and He has a purpose for you. You are in the middle of your story, and you need to break free from the fear of failure and start, no matter where you are. Practice making the mental shift, being intentional with your thoughts and words, and staying encouraged.

We have a Facebook group to help you stay motivated.  The only way you break out of your fearful place is to move your feet forward and take the next action step that God wants you to take.

Go to God and Ask for Help

If you’re struggling with these mindset shifts and need help taking the first tactical step to implement them, I want you to ask God for help. You have to pray over it and practice. If you are experiencing self-doubt, you must tell yourself that you can do this and are authentically you. You are capable, and you are good enough. You can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength.

I pray this blesses you!

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