Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up one day and feel like you just KNEW what you were doing when it came to your podcast? Do you feel like you’re learning something new about podcasting EVERY SINGLE DAY? From:

• interviewing,

• solo episode creation,

• guest research

It’s like the bad, recurring dream you have where you’re supposed to sing the national anthem. You’re on stage. In front of millions. You’re handed the mic. And it’s then you realize: You don’t actually have the skill to sing.

(Oh, you don’t have a dream like that? Just me? Moving on then…)

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Here’s my point: When just starting out, READING and KNOWING about podcasting + interviewing is very different than being an expert at it. And it’s really frustrating when something new doesn’t come naturally, especially when it seems to for everyone else …

But let me be here to remind you:

You don’t have to knock it out of the park on your first at bat to become beautifully masterful at your skill set. 

You just have to know the learning steps to refining your craft and where you are in the process to arrive at the masterful phase.

Fact: knowledge doesn’t immediately translate into expertise.

Closing the gap between knowing something and becoming an expert at that something can feel like Grand Canyon at times.

I want to share the learning + transformation process that I’ve witnessed in the most fulfilled + successful podcasters. Knowing + identifying the learning process will help you to not quit from frustration and expedite your journey.

8(ish) Steps between Beginner + Expert Level:

1. You realize there is something in your skill that feels like it’s….missing or not refined (whether that be business, leaning to play the piano, interviewing on your podcast, enter whatever is NEW to you) – but you don’t have a clue what that ‘something’ is

2. With more experience, you’re able to identify the gap (that ‘something’) in your taste vs talent, but have no idea how to close that gap for your talent to reach your taste

3. Enter: A guide! Phew! They come along and teach you + provide knowledge on exactly how to close that gap. This might look like an in-person mentor, a book, or even someone you follow on the interwebs to help guide you along, step by step

4. Wahoo! You have this new knowledge on what to do become a master, and you’re excited to execute on this. But then- WOMP. You become frustrated that your knowledge isn’t exactly executed eloquently or gracefully like you had imagined

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5. But then you keep trying. And your next few attempts at this skill are closer to the level of your taste, but you have to realllly remember what your guide taught you to execute well. It kind of feels like sandpaper more than grace – and it feels like it’s taking a lotttt of time

6. So then you try again. And you realize you don’t have to try to recall the new knowledge quite as much. The behavior change doesn’t feel quite as much like change – it’s starting to feel…what is that – natural?!

7. Guess what? Then you try more. And you feel natural intuition in your skill. Even things that you weren’t taught from your guide – it’s just your confidence and creative preference shining through

8. Alas, you realize you are no longer focusing on the new behavior change that is in line with your taste, it just becomes your new habit, your new default, your new norm. True transformation. You are becoming masterful, creative and confident in your new skill.

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I see this process play out time and time again in podcast hosts when improving their interviews style. Or in their preparation of their story when asked ‘tell me about yourself.’ 

Your first interview (or ten) – are going to feel like you’re recalling what to do and ask next – not necessarily a natural, flowing conversation. Until ‘suddenly’ (aka – experience + repetition), you are gliding through organic and authentic chats because your talent has caught up with your taste.

Being aware of this process is comforting and normalizing to the quick to judge ourselves narrative in our head. 

Identifying which part of the transformation process you are in is KEY. This sets expectations and breeds confidence in knowing exactly what is coming next – rather than becoming frustrated and ready to give up because you’re ‘not good at interviewing’.’

So the next time you feel like you don’t nail an interview or tell the best story, remember: 

You don’t have to knock it out of the park on your first at bat to become beautifully masterful at your skill set. Identify what part of the process you are in + settle into the peace that it’s coming. 

Ready to begin your podcasting transformation process? Check the free mini series on starting a podcast without the overwhelm on the blog!

Ready to skip right to step 3 to expedite your podcast journey? Perhaps Podcast Coaching is for you! If you’re ready to start or improve your show, and you’d love an expert walking you through the phases step by step, check out more on my Podcast Coaching here.