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If you’ve been told you need to launch with 8 episodes, publish weekly no matter what, and power through even when you’re exhausted, this might just save your podcast – and your sanity.
Let me share what I’ve learned about sustainable podcasting after years of working with hundreds of podcasters, and why the hustle approach might be the thing that kills your show before it ever gets off the ground.
The Framework That Led Here
If you’ve been following along with the first four episodes of Podcast Permission Slip, you know we’ve been building toward this moment:
- Episode 1: We tackled the 10 biggest excuses for not starting a podcast
- Episode 2: We looked at perfectionism and how nothing is set in stone with a podcast (plus how my wife launched her show in one day)
- Episode 3: I busted the guest myth and gave you permission to go solo
- Episode 4: I tackled video pressure and showed you why audio is still king, backed by 2025 data
All of that leads us here, to the conversation about pacing yourself and podcasting for the long term.
This Show Is the Example
You might have noticed the framework I’m using for Podcast Permission Slip:
- Episodes every two weeks, not weekly
- LinkedIn articles on the off weeks
- No guests (for now)
- Audio-only (for now)
- 15 minutes or under: short, punchy, actionable
And here’s the thing: none of this is permanent. These choices could change. But this is what’s working for me right now, and it’s sustainable.
A Real-Life Wake-Up Call
I recently came across a post in a Facebook group that perfectly illustrates what I’m talking about. Here’s what she wrote:
“Since March 2025, when we started our podcast (my husband and I co-host), we’ve consistently published an episode each week. We’re going to hit 50 episodes, which are already pre-recorded, in 3 weeks. Tomorrow we hit publish on episode 48.
It’s been a ton of work, yet we love it and it’s rewarding. I’m considering going to bi-weekly publications though. So 1 episode every other week.
I realize that means our downloads would slow down and momentum may stop. So my gut says don’t do that. Power through. Keep it going weekly.”
She was clearly burning out. And that phrase, “power through,” is exactly the problem.
One person replied with this gem:
“I had a radio show as well as the podcast weekly for my first two years. The downside was every show had to end in 25 minutes, which rushed guests on their stories at times. It also required much more effort lining up good weekly guests.
I dropped the radio show, which reduced airtime expenses significantly and allowed me to have a more open-ended time period for guests with captivating stories. I also went to bi-weekly. I am delighted with it and after 18 months have avoided podfade due to it.
High quality content is more valuable than high frequency or volume, in my honest opinion.”
That last line is everything: High quality content is more valuable than high frequency or volume.
What the Data Actually Shows
Here’s what I’ve seen from working with clients over the years:
When clients have dropped their frequency back to biweekly or even gone seasonal, there’s been no drop-off in downloads per episode.
Yes, overall downloads go down because you’re doing fewer shows. That makes sense.
But downloads per episode? People listening that way? No fall-off.
Your audience won’t abandon you because you slowed down.
The Danger of Powering Through
What I’ve seen over the years is people actually resenting their podcast. They start to dread recording. They avoid it. And eventually, they just stop. Podfade.
And that’s a big reason why I created this show.
My Vulnerability
I want to be honest with you: In the first couple of years of working with podcasters, I was recommending the hustle approach.
Launch with multiple episodes. Publish weekly. Go hard.
But I’ve learned. I’ve evolved. And now I see it differently.
The Launch Myth
One of the biggest myths still being passed around is that you have to release 8 episodes at launch to gain some sort of algorithm advantage with Apple Podcasts.
I’ve even shared releases from Apple that debunk this myth, but I still see it circulating in groups.
Here’s what I actually recommend: Launch with a trailer. It’s a coming-soon attraction. It gives you a chance to work out the bugs without the pressure of a full episode.
But this 8-episode launch strategy? It’s like a boxer punching themselves out in the first round when they’ve got 12 full rounds to go.
Or think about people who start going to the gym on January 1st. They’re gung-ho, going seven days a week for two hours a day. They’re super sore, but they’re trying to power through.
And it never lasts.
I’m contrarian in nature when it comes to this stuff. More isn’t better. The hustle culture isn’t going to get you further in podcasting. It’s going to burn you out.
The Visual Reminder
I chose a specific image for this episode’s blog post: a tortoise standing at a microphone, confident, wearing headphones, ready to record.
And in the background? A hare collapsed on the ground, wires everywhere, mixing boards and equipment scattered about.
Because he didn’t pace himself. He burned out. He podfaded.
If you want a visual reminder, print that out and stick it to your desk. I might look at it a few times myself.
Your Permission Slip
Here’s your permission: Slow down. Go biweekly. Go seasonal. Launch with a trailer and one episode, not eight.
Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Slow and steady wins the race.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been feeling the pressure to go faster, publish more, and power through, I hope this gives you permission to take a breath.
Your podcast will still be there. Your audience will still be there. And you’ll actually enjoy the process instead of resenting it.
Podcasting can be fun, relaxing, and profitable, not just hustle and burnout.
*****
Want to talk about your podcast idea? I offer no-obligation calls where we can brainstorm your concept, talk through your hurdles, and see if working together makes sense for your goals.
You can book a discovery call right by clicking HERE or feel free to connect with me over on LinkedIn to share your thoughts on this episode.