Podcasting allows for everyone to have a voice. This is especially important for people in traditionally marginalized communities whose voices have a history of being silenced. Amy Pons, host of the Women Making Moves podcast, has made it her mission to seek out and provide a platform for women who’s stories are not like her own, and who are creating a new paradigm in the world. She’s here today to share with us what she’s learned from providing a platform for others, launching her podcast in 72 hours, and more! This week, episode 169 of Listeners to Leads is about amplifying women’s voices with podcasting and empathy!
Key Takeaways:
- Celebrating women who are breaking cycles and doing things differently.
- Podcasting should be aligned with your values and intentions, and bring you joy.
- The importance of amplifying diverse voices and stories to foster empathy and understanding.
- The intimate connection listeners feel with podcast hosts and the importance of maintaining authenticity.
Amplifying Women’s Voices With Podcasting and Empathy with Amy Pons
As a podcast producer, I’ve heard it all when it comes to launching a new show. Some clients meticulously plan for months, conducting market research, crafting the perfect branding, and mapping out a content strategy. Others get a sudden burst of inspiration and want to hit “record” as soon as possible.
Neither approach is inherently right or wrong – it all comes down to understanding your unique goals, workflow, and what will keep you feeling energized and aligned throughout the process.
Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Amy Pons, host of the “Women Making Moves” podcast, and her launch story is a perfect example of this. Amy’s approach was anything but traditional – and that’s exactly what made it perfect for her.
Launching a Podcast in 72 Hours? Yes, It’s Possible.
When Amy decided she wanted to start a podcast, she didn’t overthink it or get bogged down in the planning phase. In fact, she made the decision on a Friday afternoon and had her first episode live by the following Monday.
“I somehow realized that in two days, it was menstrual health day, and I was like, ‘Oh, what if I launched a podcast this weekend, and what if my first guest was a person, a woman, that is like a menstrual health expert?'” Amy recalled.
With that initial spark of inspiration, Amy reached out to a few potential guests, landed an interview with the executive director of the Period movement, and recorded the episode that Sunday. By Monday, her new podcast, “Women Making Moves,” was live and ready for the world.
Now, as a podcast producer myself, this kind of rapid-fire launch would normally make me cringe a little. I typically recommend a more methodical, 8-12 week process to ensure a show has the best chance of success. But Amy’s story is a great reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to podcasting.
Aligning Your Podcast with Your Values and Energy
For Amy, the quick turnaround felt completely aligned with her purpose and energy. As she explained, “When it’s so right, I’m getting the chills. It was that, right? And she was available. We had an awesome conversation. For my first five episodes, I give myself such love and grace when I listened back to them, because I was like, ‘oh, okay, learning.’”
This sense of alignment and excitement is key. When you’re truly connected to your “why” behind the podcast, the logistics of launching can often fall into place more easily. Amy’s passion for amplifying the stories of women disrupting the status quo was palpable, and that fueled her ability to move quickly.
Of course, the behind-the-scenes work of editing, promotion, and consistent content creation is still essential. As Amy noted, “anywhere from six to eight hours behind the scenes for every episode.” But when the core purpose feels right, those logistical details become more manageable.
Embracing Your Unique Approach
As a podcast producer, I often have to gently guide clients away from the “launch it fast” mentality. There’s a lot of value in taking the time to thoughtfully plan, research your audience, and build a sustainable content strategy. But Amy’s story is a great reminder that there’s more than one path to podcasting success.
The key is understanding your own unique values, energy, and workflow – and then designing a launch and production process that supports that. For some, that might mean a meticulously planned 8-12 week timeline. For others, like Amy, it could mean a spontaneous weekend debut.
“There’s no one right way,” as Alesia Galati, my co-host in the conversation, eloquently put it. “Just the way that’s right for you.”
This philosophy extends beyond the launch phase, too. As Amy shared, she’s intentional about the types of guests she invites onto her show, focusing on women who are “doing things differently, thinking a thought they were not taught, and presenting in the world, creating the change, the new paradigm.”
Again, this approach may not align with every podcaster’s goals. But for Amy, it’s essential to maintaining her energy and excitement for the work. As she explained, “If it becomes a slog, or like work I’m gonna stop, but it’s just something that is my, one of my very favorite things to do in life now.”
Trusting Your Intuition and Embracing the Unexpected
One of the most fascinating aspects of Amy’s story is the element of surprise and spontaneity. She didn’t meticulously plan out her podcast launch over months – she simply followed her intuition and went for it.
This willingness to embrace the unexpected is a key part of Amy’s approach. As she shared, she was genuinely shocked when someone recognized her from the podcast while she was out in public. “I was literally shook. How do you know me, what’s going on?” Amy recalled.
For many podcasters, the idea of suddenly having fans recognize them can be daunting. But Amy took it in stride, recognizing that the intimate nature of podcasting can create a strong connection between host and listener.
“It didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I was just shocked.” Amy said. “I don’t know what I would do if someone was like, looked at me starry eyed or like a like a celebrity, I wouldn’t understand that necessarily, but it’s kudos to you if you think I’m a celebrity great and I will talk to like a normal person, right?”
This grounded, authentic approach is a big part of what makes Amy’s podcast so compelling. She’s not trying to be a celebrity – she’s simply showing up as her true self and inviting her listeners to do the same.
Ultimately, Amy’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no one “right” way to approach podcasting. Whether you meticulously plan for months or spontaneously launch in a weekend, the key is aligning your process with your unique values, energy, and goals.
By trusting your intuition and embracing the unexpected, you open yourself up to possibilities you may never have imagined. And in the end, that’s what makes the podcasting journey so rewarding.
So if the traditional advice doesn’t resonate, don’t be afraid to blaze your own trail. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution – just the approach that’s perfectly suited to you.
Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on turning your podcast listeners into leads and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
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