Behind the Scenes: My Secret to Podcast Productivity
Sustaining Creative Momentum Without Burnout
In Brand Runner, I write about creative productivity and how to build standout brands. Subscribe to get brand insights straight to your mailbox.
People often ask me how I juggle my job, this newsletter, and podcast without burning out. The secret lies in an efficient and consistent workflow. By streamlining processes, I can minimize stress and keep my focus on creating meaningful content.
For this special stack, I thought I’d give you a little behind the scenes on how I produce my podcast to complement this Substack.
Here's an inside look at how I've been producing the Brand Runner podcast over the past two years.
Choosing My Channels Wisely
I produce different types of content, each tailored to specific platforms. My LinkedIn is my main hub for short posts and thought leadership content. It's essential for personal branding, attracting professional opportunities, and promoting my newsletter and podcast episodes.
The podcast complements my Substack newsletter, helping me reach new audiences and engage listeners differently. Being based in Israel, my local network isn't large, so podcasting has also become an effective way to expand my global connections and meet industry experts without it feeling transactional.
My Two Episode Formats
From the beginning, I decided on two episode formats to stay consistent. Guest episodes let me explore industry topics with subject matter experts, which brings additional depth and credibility. Solo episodes, on the other hand, allow for quick reactions to timely events or for repurposing newsletter content into audio form.
Guest episodes are usually about 45 to 60 minutes, and solo episodes range from 12 to 20 minutes, making them easier to produce quickly when needed.
Capturing and Organizing Ideas
Whenever inspiration strikes, I immediately jot down my ideas in the Notes app on my phone. Having a central place to collect thoughts ensures nothing gets forgotten and provides plenty of material to choose from when it’s time to write.
I set aside dedicated weekly writing sessions for both the podcast and the newsletter, typically batching several episodes or posts at once. Writing in batches helps me maintain momentum and consistency without feeling overwhelmed. Occasionally, for more timely content, I carve out specific dedicated time to write and produce quickly.
How I Stay Organized
I rely heavily on monday.com for managing everything podcast-related. My board includes resources like brand guidelines, artwork templates, and guest forms. It also clearly tracks the progress of each episode from initial concept to release. This setup allows me to quickly visualize what's next and ensures nothing slips through the cracks, as well as backup location for all final recordings.
Preparing Guest Episodes
For guest episodes, I start by researching potential guests thoroughly to ensure a great fit. When reaching out, I clearly outline why they'd be a good match and emphasize that the spotlight will be on their expertise.
After confirming a guest, I create an introduction to frame their relevance to the show and prepare a series of questions to guide our discussion. Sharing these questions beforehand helps guests feel more comfortable and confident during our conversation. Each episode concludes with an opportunity for guests to add final thoughts, and I close by thanking them and the listeners.
Producing Solo Episodes
Solo episodes are my way to quickly respond to industry events or interesting news. These episodes are shorter, making them ideal for capturing timely insights or repurposing content I've previously published on Substack.
Recording, Editing, and Distribution
Recording typically takes about an hour. Editing, mixing, music from Artlist, and mastering in Logic Pro takes another two hours. I use Riverside.fm sometimes for recording and transcription, making it easy to turn podcast content into newsletters or promotional material.
Episodes are hosted on Spotify for Podcasters, with show notes linking to relevant resources, guest profiles, or additional materials. I've integrated the podcast partially with Substack to maintain continuity, although this requires some manual updating. I'm currently considering whether fully hosting on Substack might simplify things, despite losing some Spotify-specific metrics and discovery features.
Leveraging Content Across Platforms
Each podcast episode offers multiple content opportunities. Transcripts can become Substack posts or promotional posts. Using tools like ChatGPT or Claude, helps me take out the key takeaways and drafting it into a meaningful post. This ensures I maximize the reach and lifespan of my content.
Final Thoughts: Staying Creatively Productive
Creative productivity doesn’t mean doing more; it means doing better and smarter. The real key to avoiding burnout is consistency paired with efficiency. When you're consistent, the quality and value of your content remain high, keeping your audience engaged and ensuring you continue to enjoy the creative process. This approach has helped me sustain my podcast, newsletter, and overall content strategy, bringing value without losing myself in the process.
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