In this episode, I’ll walk you through how my “podcast why” has changed over the years, the lessons I’ve learned from supporting dozens of podcasters, and the real reason I keep coming back to the mic—even when things get hard, or the numbers aren’t what I hoped.

Welcome to The Podcast Why. I’m Brett Johnson—My Podcast Guy—and in this episode, I’m turning the spotlight on myself to share my own “podcast why.” After spending this first season (episodes 1 through 6) helping you reconnect with the deeper mission behind your podcast, I realized it was time to get honest about my journey, too.

Over the past decade of working with podcasters, I’ve noticed something important: it’s not about the fanciest gear or slick marketing tactics.

The shows that last are the ones powered by a clear, authentic sense of purpose.

Along the way, I’ll give you the same practical guidance I offer my clients, plus a simple exercise to help you define your own “why”—one that feels honest enough to sustain you through the ups and downs.

If you want clarity, confidence, or just a friendly voice in your corner as you build your show, this episode is for you.

Here are 3 key takeaways podcasters (and creators of all kinds) should consider:

A Clear Why Is Your Compass.

It’s not gear or tactics that keep shows alive—it’s a lived-in, honest why. The hosts who stick with it know exactly who they’re serving and what impact they want to make.

Your Why Can (and Should) Evolve.

My why started as a love for audio and helping people. Now? It’s about helping creators make shows that are true to themselves and their audience—even as their lives and goals shift.

Test Your Why—For Real-Life Stickiness.

Ask yourself: If you had to keep podcasting for a year, with no big numbers or opportunities, what version of your why would still make it worth showing up week after week? That's the deep fuel that lasts.

You can book a clarity call with me—just head over to My Podcast Guy and look for the Schedule A Call link. We’ll talk through where you’re stuck, what your real why might be, and how to build your podcast around it.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Recorded at 511 Studios - Columbus, OH (and you can too!)

Subscribe to get my latest content in My Podcast Guy Newsletter

Music from #Uppbeat - https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/make-it-happen - License code: T0ZIBWWXBX3NLCVB

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2026 My Podcast Guy

I’ll show you how to come back honestly, confidently, and truly connected to your purpose—not just out of guilt or obligation.

Welcome to The Podcast Why—I’m Brett Johnson, your trusted friend in podcasting. In this episode, I’m exploring something that so many podcasters quietly carry: the shame of taking a break from your show.

Maybe you’ve missed a week, dropped off for months, or your podcast feed hasn’t seen a new episode in almost a year. I want to help you see that break not as a failure, but as a form of feedback about your real life, your capacity, and the “why” behind your show.

Over the years, working with podcasters, I’ve seen this struggle time and again.

In this episode, I’ll share composite stories, practical steps to navigate your return, and a new way to look at your podcasting gaps. We’ll talk about naming your break, getting curious about what really caused it, revisiting your mission, and redesigning how you show up so your podcast is actually sustainable.

If you’re ready to leave shame behind and restart from a place of clarity, this is the episode for you.

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone who’s struggling to hit record again:

1. A break is data, not failure: Your hiatus says more about your capacity and season of life than about your worth as a podcaster. Instead of self-judgment, treat the break as feedback that can guide you in making the show sustainable.
2. Focus on your WHY, not guilt: Before you return, ask if your core reason for podcasting still matters and if your listener still exists. Let your motivation to serve—not a need to apologize—shape your comeback.
3. Make it work for your real life: Whether it’s switching to bi-weekly episodes, planning short seasons, or simplifying your format—adjust your podcast to fit your life, not the other way around.

You can book a clarity call with me—just head over to My Podcast Guy and look for the Schedule A Call link. We’ll talk through where you’re stuck, what your real why might be, and how to build your podcast around it.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Subscribe to get my latest content in My Podcast Guy Newsletter

Recorded at 511 Studios - Columbus, OH (and you can too!)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Music from #Uppbeat - https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/make-it-happen - License code: T0ZIBWWXBX3NLCVB

Copyright 2026 My Podcast Guy

If you’ve ever felt disconnected or stuck as a podcaster, this episode is your invitation to rethink your format, realign with your core purpose, and make changes—big or small—that help your show serve both you and your listeners in the way you always intended.

Welcome to another episode of The Podcast Why. I’m Brett Johnson, your trusted friend in podcasting, here to help you reconnect with the real purpose behind your podcast so you can keep showing up with clarity and confidence.

In today’s episode, I talk about something that quietly makes a lot of podcasters miserable: when your show’s format doesn’t actually match your “why.”

Maybe you started with a solid mission and a clear sense of what you wanted to accomplish. But along the way, you found yourself locked into a format that just doesn’t feel right for you.

Maybe it’s a string of interviews, an overly produced style, or quick news updates that don’t really speak to your heart.

I’ll share with you a composite story drawn from my experience working with podcasters—about a host who found herself trapped in the wrong format, and how we worked together to realign her show with her true mission.

Along the way, I’ll offer practical steps and honest questions you can use to evaluate whether your current show structure is lifting up your “why,” or holding you back.

Here are my 3 top takeaways for podcasters (new and experienced):

1. Your Format Should Support Your Mission - Don’t settle for a show style just because it’s “what everyone does.” An interview format isn’t the only path. Make sure the way you structure your episodes actually enables the kind of connection and impact you’re aiming for.
2. Small Format Tweaks Can Have a Big Impact - You don’t have to overhaul your entire show overnight! Even adding a short solo segment or reconsidering episode length can help your podcast better serve both you and your audience.
3. Let Your WHY Drive the Vehicle - Ask yourself honestly: “If I could design this show from scratch, what would feel most true to my mission?” Don’t be afraid to experiment and shape your format around your why, not someone else’s template.

You can book a clarity call with me—just head over to My Podcast Guy and look for the Schedule A Call link. We’ll talk through where you’re stuck, what your real why might be, and how to build your podcast around it.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Subscribe to get my latest content in My Podcast Guy Newsletter

Recorded at 511 Studios - Columbus, OH (and you can too!)

Music from #Uppbeat - https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/make-it-happen - License code: T0ZIBWWXBX3NLCVB

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2026 My Podcast Guy