Creating and releasing a podcast is no small task, and everyone approaches theirs differently. But the most important thing to keep in mind when planning your show is how you manage your energy so you don’t get completely overwhelmed. Friend of the show Valerie Friedlander is here today to talk about how she discovered that a twice a month cadence worked for her creative process, communicating your plans and expectations with your audience, and more! This week, episode 162 of Listeners to Leads is about creating boundaries and honoring your whole self!
Key Takeaways:
- Diving deep into topics and exploring concepts to provide valuable content.
- Setting expectations with the audience regarding the frequency and availability of podcast episodes.
- Establishing boundaries and prioritizing self-care to sustainably show up for your podcast and audience.
- Honoring your values and being honest with yourself and the audience about your capacity and limitations.
Creating Boundaries and Honoring Your Whole Self with Valerie Friedlander
As podcasters and content creators, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of growth, consistency, and hustle. We feel the pressure to show up for our audiences week after week, month after month, without fail. But what happens when life throws us a curveball? When our energy levels fluctuate, our priorities shift, or we simply need to pause and reflect?
In a recent conversation on the Listeners to Leads podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Valerie Friedlander, a certified life coach and the host of the “Unlimited” podcast. Valerie shared her insights on taking a seasonal approach to her show, setting boundaries, and creating alignment between her personal and professional life – lessons that can benefit any podcaster or entrepreneur navigating the ebbs and flows of their journey.
Honoring Your Whole Self
Valerie’s work as a life and business alignment coach revolves around helping high-achieving women honor their whole selves. As she explains, “People talk about work-life balance, it’s really about harmonizing those things almost like a lava lamp, right? It’s not like a scale. It’s more gloopy than that.”
This holistic perspective is crucial for those of us who wear many hats – entrepreneur, parent, partner, friend, and more. It’s easy to compartmentalize these different aspects of our lives, but Valerie encourages us to recognize the interconnectedness of it all and find ways to create harmony, rather than constantly striving for balance.
“Reliability is saying when you’re going to be somewhere and then being there.” Valerie explains. “You don’t have to always be there for them to rely on you, as long as they know when they can rely on you.”
This insight is particularly relevant for podcasters, who often feel the pressure to show up for their audience every week without fail. Valerie’s approach challenges this idea, emphasizing that true reliability comes from setting clear expectations and boundaries, rather than constant availability.
Seasons of Podcasting
Valerie’s own podcasting journey is a testament to this philosophy. When she first started her show, she was determined to maintain a weekly release schedule. However, she soon realized that this pace was unsustainable, both for her creative process and her overall well-being.
“I needed to go, ‘You know what, we’re gonna have the season end here, so that I can really reflect on how this went and what I want to do now.’” Valerie shares. “I started my podcast right before COVID hit. It was November 2019. So talk about life happening.”
Rather than pushing through and potentially burning out, Valerie made the conscious decision to take a break, assess her approach, and then return with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. This seasonal model not only allowed her to recharge and refocus, but it also enabled her to set clear expectations with her audience about when they could expect new content.
“Being able to set that expectation with my audience was important to me so that my audience can rely on me to be there when I say I’m going to be.” Valerie explains.
Containers and Boundaries
Valerie’s emphasis on creating “containers” for her work and life is another key lesson for podcasters and entrepreneurs. Instead of viewing her various responsibilities and commitments as a never-ending to-do list, she actively designs “containers” that allow her to assess, adjust, and maintain a sense of wholeness.
“If I can set my container then I can tell, how is the container doing? Like, am I pouring enough into the container? What does it look like to pour out of the container? Is the container empty? What does it look like to pour in?” Valerie shares.
This approach helps Valerie recognize the give-and-take between different areas of her life, rather than trying to juggle them all simultaneously. It also enables her to set boundaries and prioritize self-care, without feeling guilty or ashamed.
“Anytime I’m beating myself up, shaming myself, all that I can go, ‘oh, well, that makes sense. Now, what do I want to do with it?’”
In the end, Valerie’s insights on taking a seasonal approach to podcasting, setting boundaries, and honoring our whole selves offer a refreshing perspective for content creators and entrepreneurs. By embracing the natural ebb and flow of life, we can design sustainable systems that allow us to recharge, refocus, and show up authentically for our audiences.
Rather than chasing constant growth and hustle, Valerie’s approach emphasizes reliability, self-awareness, and the courage to pause and reflect. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling to find balance, or simply curious about a more intentional way to approach your podcast or business, consider taking a page from Valerie’s playbook. Your mind, body, and creative spirit will thank 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.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about Listeners to Leads at www.listenerstoleads.com
CONNECT WITH VALERIE FRIEDLANDER:
CONNECT WITH ALESIA GALATI:
LINKS MENTIONED:
Listeners to Leads Ep. 6: {Podcast Audit} Creating a Visibility Strategy with Valerie Friedlander
Listeners to Leads Ep. 16: Landing Coaching Clients from your Podcast with Valerie Friedlander
