Why I started a podcast

Have you had a fleeting thought about doing something or starting something or creating something, but you quickly convince yourself it’s crazy?

Me too. In the whirlwind of life's chaos, these moments of clarity often emerge unexpectedly, like a beacon illuminating the path we're meant to take. These moments usually lead to my best and craziest ideas.

When deciding whether or not I should take on something big or life changing, I rely on this guiding principle: if something presents itself to me three times, then I need to give it attention, whatever that entails.

This is how I concluded I should start a podcast.

Last summer I participated in Tara Mohr’s Playing Big course. During one of the first guided reflections about my playing big, out of nowhere, a podcast jumped into my brain.

Here are my notes from that reflection.

This was the first time starting a podcast was presented to me. 

After the course concluded, we were told Playing Big Small Groups were encouraged so we could connect with others who took the course and continue to support each other in our playing big journeys.

This appealed to me because I didn’t want to stop looking inward and growing. I didn’t want to stop reflecting and ruminating. If I did, then I feared I’d have to put something into action.

I went to the small group online forum where excited women exchanged messages about their passions and next steps. I was disappointed because the small groups that were forming didn’t tickle my fancy. I was looking for bloggers or writers, women trying to publish a book or get their work published.

Then I came across a small group of women who were interested in starting podcasts. I was trying to be nonchalant, but I could feel the spark of excitement start flickering within me.

This was the second time starting a podcast presented itself.

A lovely woman took the lead and tried to get our small group organized. The interest seemed to peak and wane, and by the time we got our monthly meetings on the calendar, only three of us were left. Then after the first month’s meeting, it was down to just me and the organizer. 

This motivated me to stick it out and show up for the other woman. I didn’t want to back out, as unconfident as I felt about the prospect of actually starting a podcast. I wanted to be there for her and support her.

Each month we talked about tangible action items and what our goals were for the coming month. I was doing some light research, and really homing in on my idea. But it was still illusive.

Then, the third presentation occurred.  

I had mentioned my podcast group meetings to my manager, who at this point is becoming a good friend of mine. One random day, she sent me a screenshot from a woman’s Instagram who was starting a podcast launch academy. I shared the information with my other small group participant, but she wasn’t interested, and maybe even a bit skeptical.

In the whirlwind of life's chaos, these moments of clarity often emerge unexpectedly, like a beacon illuminating the path we're meant to take. These moments usually lead to my best and craziest ideas.

I decided I would follow the podcast guru on Instagram, and then I pushed the whole thing to the back of mind. I figured there wasn’t anything she could tell me that I couldn’t figure out on my own.

A few weeks later I was scrolling through Instagram and the podcast launch academy popped up. The facilitator was promoting a bonus if you signed up before Thanksgiving – she would mix your intro and outro for you for free.

Two days later, I was lying in bed on the last day before her offer expired, and it dawned on me that I had missed my three-time principle. The podcast launch academy was the third presentation. That was all I needed to take the leap.

So I signed up. 

My podcast idea was fairly fleshed out because of my small group working sessions. However, one of the most serendipitous moments in this entire journey unfolded as I revisited those initial podcast notes while preparing to write this blog.

The idea I jotted down when a podcast first presented itself to me is conspicuously similar to the niche I eventually settled on. Over the past few months, I’ve gone through various iterations, refining and redefining what my podcast could potentially offer. Yet that original idea remained nestled in my subconscious, waiting for the opportune moment to be fully realized.  

The Momming as a Millennial podcast is an extension of the Contemplative Mama brand. While my blog covers anything and everything having to do with being a full time working mother, the podcast focuses more specifically on generational differences in raising children and tackling outdated stereotypes. My goal is It to rewrite the parenting narrative, challenge societal norms, and celebrate our generation’s diversity when finding what resonates with our true, authentic selves.

if this sounds interesting to you, join me on my Momming as a Millennial journey.

For your enjoyment - Here is the picture I drew to accompany my thoughts about starting a podcast. Is it just me, or do I look like I have a beak? Drawing is not my strong suit.