Podcasting is Easier Than You Think!

Take a listen in today’s episode to my conversation with Shannon Werner about creating a podcast.  It’s easier than you think! Podcasting is not just about broadcasting your thoughts—it is a journey of self-discovery, connection, and empowerment. The tools are accessible, the methods adaptable, and, most importantly, your voice is needed in the world. Whether for personal fulfillment, building new relationships, or inspiring others, starting a podcast can open doors both expected and surprising.

Main Points:

• Reflect on ideas or experiences you feel compelled to share.
• Start simply, leveraging free guides and tools.
• Trust that your authentic voice will resonate and that the process itself is valuable.

Links 

• Join Kelly's Group Coaching Program
• Shannon’s Instagram & resource guide (@ResonantCollective)

Let's connect.

I am cheering for you!

Transcript

Speaker 3: 0:09

Welcome to the Live A Vibrant Life podcast. I'm life coach Kelly Titz, and each week I'll be here to encourage and equip you with the tools you need to grow in self-awareness and invest your best energy in your dreams and your purpose. I believe self-awareness changes everything. Let's get started.

Kelly: 0:30

Welcome to the Live A Vibrant Life podcast. Today I am back with my friend Shannon Warner I'm about to launch my podcast course. The reason I'm creating it is I think every person's voice matters, and I feel like that's something that you feel is true as well. So thank you for being here. Tell us a little bit about you and why you think podcasting matters.

Speaker 2: 0:50

Kelly, I am so excited to be here. Thank you so much for this opportunity and always happy to reconnect with you again. I know it's been a while. It doesn't feel like a long time, and you're one of those people. When we chat, it feels like no time has passed, so I'm really grateful for that. I would say I was not someone who ever thought that I would start a podcast ever. It was not on my radar. And I was part of an exercise with the Cathy Heller program that you and I were in, and the point of the exercise was to see what kind of things you bumped up against along the way. It was a fantastic exercise. By the end of that week, I went through all the steps and I was like I think I have something here. I feel like this is inside of me and it needs to come out.

Speaker: 1:30

Mm.

Speaker 2: 1:31

So I did it. I, you know, I bounced it off of a couple of friends who were also moms, just to kind of hear and, and see what they thought. And they were like, yeah, I think you're onto something. So I did it without a real plan. I just launched and I'm so glad that I did because I think I found myself along the way. I've learned so much about myself and the process. It's been one of my most favorite things I've ever done. I love that so much. So what's your podcast called? It's currently called Having a Mom moment, with a potential rebrand coming very soon, um, hopefully this fall.

Speaker: 2:02

That's what I love about podcasts is they can do that. You can rebrand, you can take content that was really significant for you at a time and with really great tools that we have available today. Edit it in the future and have it align again. In addition to being a podcaster, you also have created a small business. Tell us a little bit about the Resonant collective.

Speaker 2: 2:21

I did thank you for asking, and I've shared this with you, but it's funny, the little nudges that we get from the universe, and I think I landed exactly where I'm supposed to be and it, I hope I don't get emotional because I, I hope you do. I, I never thought I would be here if you would've told me. I. You know, two years ago, Shannon, you're gonna have your own podcasting business with I have a team now. Like, I would've never believed you. Right? It was not on my radar at all. I, it started with one person who needed help and I went, Hey, I can do that. And then it turned into two and into three. I've got a couple team members now and I've got packages built out. Its full podcast support. We specialize in launches, specifically for women. Love the men, but this space is for women because I think sometimes, we don't need just the to-do list. We need the empowerment and kind of the coaching along the way of No, no, no. What you're doing is really important. Your voice really, really matters. And I'm gonna hold your hand through this whole way we're gonna go co-create together and make something so beautiful that the world needs to hear. I love that

Speaker: 3:21

That's why I'm creating this podcast course, because I agree with you. I think women's voices are needed now more than ever. Agree. And I love, on your Instagram you wrote A post about what podcasting has given you, and I think these are five things that people may never have thought of. The first one is that it gave you a creative outlet, and I know you're a mom of daughters. I had three daughters and my life was so full. I had emotional energy that I was giving them and physical energy of running them around to things. But I did have a small part-time job throughout their childhood that I think kept me aligned with me and I didn't give all my energy to being their mom so that when they flew as they're supposed to, I still knew me. You said podcasting gave you a creative outlet. It's a space to show up, share your voice, and trust that your message matters. Tell us a little bit about one of the podcasts you may have done where you were able to show up fully or share your voice in a way that you wouldn't without a podcast.

Speaker 2: 4:16

I can't pick one because they've all been so amazing. And I feel like every guest that I have has been like, really like a divine, I dunno what you call that. You know, like a divine meeting, crafted from something much bigger than me or the guest. Sometimes people say things, my guest would say things that I'm like. Oh my God, right? Yes. I feel that too. And I didn't know that until you said it out loud and put words to my experience and my feelings. I cannot limit it to just one because there's been so many. In the beginning I didn't know where I was going and what I was going to say. But the more I had these incredible, incredible women on my show, The more I kind of dropped into my own voice and my own message and I felt more comfortable. I was creating a space for them, but they were creating a space for me right back to explore and grow in that capacity. And I totally agree with that. I

Speaker: 5:08

think you need reps, you need practice, you need doing things on repeat to grow. In your confidence and in your clarity, and so I think a podcast could help nonprofit leaders who say the same thing over and over again to have a way to say it and then have people listen to it. I think of like a teacher being able to use it as a creative outlet or anyone really in the heart-centered world to be able to share what they're learning, meet other people. I love your second point about the fact that the podcast conversations felt like soul food, food for your soul, filling your cup and reminding you how powerful connection is. Podcasting is what connected us. Yeah, I think back to how many great conversations I've had as well. So one reason you might encourage somebody who's thinking, well, what do I have to share to have a podcast is the connections. Oh my

Speaker 2: 5:54

gosh, that's my favorite part. I leave every conversation feeling like I made a new friend and you know, some of them, the connections really stay in touch after, and some it's, you know, more of a meet and greet, which is fine too, but it's so beautiful just to drop in with another woman. Especially my case, a mother. I think all but one of my guests have been mothers to be like, wow, look at her doing the damn thing. But also like she sees me and I see her and we're speaking the same language. It's so good. It is. It just fills my cup more than anything else I think I've ever done in motherhood. And I'm just, that's why I want everyone to have the same experience because it's just, it's so magical. It's so magical. I

Speaker: 6:34

agree. And you don't have to wait to go to a podcast university with Zoom. You can just start having conversations with people. It gets to be so easy. It gets, and that's my

Speaker 2: 6:43

favorite part. We just start, right? And you can refine that message, refine your strategy, refine all of that over time. Just

Speaker: 6:50

start. I love that. That to me is one of the most important things is to get the confidence to just start to do two or three episodes and be brave and not expect your first time to be as good as your hundredth time or your thousandth time. So you said through your podcast you actually met life changing new friends who inspire you daily. So it wasn't just a one and done and you had a 20 minute conversation. There are people that you begin to follow or connect with. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:15

Yeah. And then

Kelly: 7:16

finally it helps you re remember that your voice matters. And that was why I really wanted to have you on today. I think now more than ever, with all the things going on in the world, I know you and I are very aligned. If we don't have hope and if we don't have people pointing to goodness and love, um, I don't know what will happen. Like, we need people to show up and to be strong and to share truth, and to remind each other that we're not alone. So. Did podcasting help you grow in the confidence that your voice matters and your words were worth sharing?

Shannon: 7:47

100%. Anytime one person reaches out and is like, wow, that really landed with me what you said. And please, if something lands with you as a listener, reach out and let that person know. It means so much. None of us are too big where those messages aren't meaningful. We love to hear that. Yeah, I, I don't think I felt like I had a voice before. I was like, this sounds like fun. I'll do this. And then I really dropped in. I'm like, no, I have things to say. And I think, you know, we're both moms of girls. Your are older than mine, but we're in a world now where sometimes I'm scratching my head about what their future's gonna look like and I will be damned if I don't at least show them that it is safe. Powerful when we speak up as women.

Speaker: 8:32

Yeah. And the the world needs us. And as you use your voice, it is one important way that people begin to know that they're not alone. So when you say that your podcast was proof, that dreaming out loud is powerful. I knew when I started my podcast, I didn't know myself very well. Right. It was by showing up and being brave enough to put content out there and have conversations with people that I began to get clarity. So do you feel the same as I do that if someone were to be brave enough to begin podcasting, their own dreams might become clearer?

Speaker 2: 9:03

Yes, 100%. Had I not started, I would not be where I am right now. I was telling Kelly before she hit record, I just left a corporate job about a month ago to do this full time, and I'm trusting in the universe and I signed a new client last week like, hello, if that's not proof, but this was never on my radar, and you don't know where the journey's gonna take you, but the journey. Is the best part of it. So just start. Allow it to be messy and be okay with what you end up with. Maybe is not where you started, but it's all good. It's all part of the plan, even if we don't know what the plan is.

Speaker: 9:36

I love that. And you did not go to college to become a podcast producer. Had to do this path of go out there and share your content and learn how to do it. One of the things that excites me the most and why I wanna have a podcast course. Is when I began podcasting in 2020 first, I had to have a podcast producer'cause it was so complicated. And then I had to take a class on how to use GarageBand because we had to edit in another platform. And it was just so complicated. And now with AI and tools like script, it is so easy to edit and to repurpose content. So do you feel like if somebody's listening and they're like, I'm just not technologically savvy, I mean, I know that was me. I did not know anything. And part of, I think what keeps you young. Is being willing to do things you don't know how to do. I'm finding now that I'm 56, it's very easy to be like, I'm just going to do the things I'm good at. Mm-hmm. And I think that's what gets us old. It's staying young, is learning new things and trying new platforms. And AI is here to stay, so why not embrace it? So do you feel that your average mom with something important to say, could get a microphone record on Zoom and then use tools to create a podcast?

Speaker 2: 10:43

100%. It does get to be easy. I think we get so in our heads sometimes. Uh, we're doing this over Zoom right now. I recorded all of my guest episodes over Zoom. I use a separate tool for, solo episodes that I taught my, I literally did a search one day where I was like, there has to be an easier way. I was like, what is the easiest and cheap or free editing tool? And I found the one that I currently use, it's podcast. So if anybody wants to know, it think it's really beginner friendly and I still use it as a. Quote pro. I have a hard time like owning that. I'm like a pro. But just find something that feels good and if that tool doesn't feel good, try another one. There's plenty of them out there. And also, it doesn't have to be polished and perfection. You know what helps sound polished and perfect. Get a mic. Yeah, get a mic. You know, that's it. That's all you really need. And that's gonna make the difference between you and somebody who's, you know, recording from their iPhone on their phone, right? Yeah,

Speaker: 11:35

yeah, yeah. But yeah, I use Descript and I agree. I. I think that the tools today make it. Simple enough that with a little bit of work we can learn how to do it and create a good podcast that can become excellent. Like I know there are podcasts right now that are on YouTube and they're professionally produced, but in general, people who are listening to podcasts are still listening to them. So even though podcasts are very popular on YouTube, people still put them on, put the headphones on and go do something else. So in general, they're not something that people sit and watch. So you don't have to get all the fancy tools to start. Just begin. Edit, get better.

Speaker 2: 12:13

I'm so glad you said that. I, because working with clients, I and prospective clients, I hear lots of, do I need video? Do I need video? Personally, I don't believe you need video. I know other podcast coaches or mentors out there will say that you do, but I'm very much in the camp that you are. I don't have time to sit and watch barely anything. I wanna plug it in my ears and I wanna go, or I'm gonna listen to it in the car. So let that be enough. Like don't be bogged down by the, oh gosh, the pros are doing this. They have these beautiful setups. They have whatever. You don't have to do any of that. Do what feels good now, and if you want to expand later, that's later. Just focus on what's easy and let it be easy

Speaker: 12:50

because, and our little favorite, Suzie Moore always telling us that, right? It's a way to know you're in aligned energy is do the thing that's simple and easy because it matters for moms to be able to put on your podcast and say, oh my goodness. There's another mom and she gets it. Or for someone to put on my podcast and grow in self-awareness without having to go take an extensive Enneagram course is worth their 10, 15, 20 minutes. And you don't have to just be a podcast as someone with your Resonant collective that is supporting other people. How could somebody take a podcast and then use it in other ways? Maybe you use it in your social media or emails, any way that you're seeing podcasts being used and other platforms.

Speaker 2: 13:30

There are so many ways. You could even just pull your favorite quote from your guest and plug that into a graphic on social media and drop that in. It can be that simple. You can just overlay, the audio on top of a static image, or you can use a video snippet. There are so many tools out there to help you. Drop into Google what you're trying to do. There are lots of, cheap or even free tools out there to help you do it. Long form content, can surpass the battles that we have with the algorithm, right? It lives on the platform for, um, you have more than 24 hours to make an impact on your podcast host and your, and your podcast platforms. Use it in your email marketing, right? You can draw, either you're teaching a lesson or you can use it to tease the episode or you, there's just so many ways. I know. You know, there's so many ways.

Speaker: 14:15

Well, that's what we'll be doing in the podcast program. Is learning how to take this and you can then take your transcript and now put into Substack or make it into a newsletter. And for some of us, like for me, it is easier to speak than to write and for writers to know they could write it. Then speak it into their microphone. Like it works both ways to take one piece of content and now you have three or four or five different ways to reach people. So what do you think, you've worked with a few people now as clients. And you and I are both passionate that moms find a way to take their creativity. I think of so many women, I know I have friends who have, gone on a trip to Africa. I'm like, you need a podcast? You need to inspire other women that you can just get on an airplane and go see penguins.'cause you want to, or somebody else who's made a small business out of doing sourdough. Like I could see her just every week just sharing a little tip or a tool. But I know that women have questions because we tend to not start until we're 90 or 95% good at something where most men will jump in significantly earlier than that. So what kind of questions do you think a mom might be thinking before she begins her podcast? Like, can I do this? And I don't know, I, I know the technology can feel overwhelming, which is why I wanted to have the course. But is there anything that comes to mind that someone may have said to you before about, Ugh. I have a question. I'm not sure I'm someone who should be doing podcasting.

Speaker 2: 15:36

Ooh. Well, I will say first even, uh, the most confident women that I work with, um, one in particular I'm thinking of, she's a powerhouse, but even moments before launching, she was like, oh my gosh, it's about to go live. And I'm like. You've done the work. It's done. Yeah, it's done. Like put it out. You, we've, it's scheduled. You don't even have to hit publish, like just do it. Right. Um, of course there's a lot of like, who am I to do this? Which I think we women say that all the time about everything. Mm. You, are you the end, you're worthy enough, just do it. Yes, yes. If you feel a call to do it, that's reason enough. Right? Um, we've talked about some of the tools, so the tech doesn't have to be hard, so don't use that as a crutch. Right? And there's so many resources out there. There are courses, there are producers, there are people who will offer one-off consultations, which is something I offer as well. If you just have a couple of questions and you need somebody to kind of get in your brain with you, like there are so many resources. And they're affordable, so don't let that hang you up. Let's see, what else? I think sometimes people c are concerned about, um, the frequency of posting, which I say set the schedule that works for you and just stay consistent with it. You don't have to release an episode every week if you don't want to. You could do it every other week. You could do shorter seasons. You could do six episodes, eight episodes at a time, and then take as much time off as you need. People will be excited to see you when you come back. You can build it around your life now. Um, and I think another concern I hear sometimes is like, what is the content? Who are my guests going to be? What am I going to say? If you can come up with three to four ideas before you start, I promise you the universe will align for you. People will find you that wanna be a guest on your podcast, or you'll meet some really incredible people or see them on social media. Drop in their dms and ask them if they'd like to be on your podcast. I don't think I've gotten a know yet when I've done that. Like there's, people are ready and willing to talk and would love to use your platform to do, to share their own message. Um, and just be open to the downloads, the, the divine downloads that come along the way. Right. If you can just get a few ideas under your belt. For your own confidence, it'll fall into place for you. I promise. It always does.

Speaker: 17:46

Well, I think that's part of how you and I grew since we created a podcast, is you take those first few steps and then all of a sudden your brain is looking and you start to notice, oh, this thing I've been journaling on, I think I wanna talk to somebody about it. And you are right. I was so surprised when I started my podcast. I reached out to two people that I really looked up to, and they both said, yes. I'd love to be on your podcast. I had no audience at all, but they were thrilled to come and have a conversation with me, and that's all it comes down to is if you have a guest on, you're having a conversation, and if it's you by yourself, there's probably at least one notebook in your house with some of your thoughts written down. That's one thing I've talked to so many women about. We're often so good at self-development and we are reading the books, and we're journaling. And we're meditating. Here's a way to share it. And to pass it on and make it a little bit easier and bite-size for somebody to start where you're starting. So I think it helps us grow in creativity. I think it helps us stay connected in the line to our purpose. And again, if I was teaching again, I think wow, a podcast could be such a fun way to keep my families updated. But also could have been like a creative outlet for me to talk about something I'm interested in, not necessarily the job I do for pay. So I think there's a million different directions it can go in. One of the things that I'd love is if people wanted to connect with you on Instagram, you have a really amazing freebie, which is your podcast kickstart guide. Anything from there that excites you for somebody who's just beginning to think about podcasting, anything that you think might help. Kickstart them because it's hard to begin. Usually once we get going, we can go with it, but that first few step or two can be really difficult. Anything in the kickstart guide that makes you smile?

Speaker 2: 19:21

Oh, I mean, I'm a, I'm a chronic overdeliver, so I think there's probably even maybe too much in there. So don't get overwhelmed if you check it out. And thank you for that plug, Kelly. It's just like step by step. What do you, what do you need? Like I said, headphones, a set of simple headphones, a simple mic will go a long way. Um, I have a couple platform recommendations in there. Just so you don't have to do so much thinking about getting it off the ground, I really want to help remove the excuses, like, oh look, someone's already spelled it out for me so I can get started. There's a couple of sheets in there to help you kind of brainstorm ideas and just really encouraging you that one. None of this is set in stone. You can change your podcast name, you can change directions at any time. It's all updateable and it updates quickly, so don't worry about that, and two, just. Let it be messy and trust that this was placed on your heart for a reason. Mm-hmm. To your point earlier, we were talking about, you know, we've done a lot of the work, a lot of us women are doing the self-improvement, the self-help, all those things. So we often surround ourselves with other women who are speaking the same language, saying the same things. And I don't want anyone to get caught up in that. Well, they're saying this over there, they're saying this over there. No, you are hearing it'cause you've kind of placed yourself in a vacuum of incredible women doing that kind of work. But there are millions of women who haven't even started that journey. So still you won't get lost in the noise. Like your message is still important because it's through your lens of your experience and your background and your, your belief system. So it's, it's important no matter what. It's important.

Speaker: 20:53

I love that. And the reason that I wanted to have you on is I think the program that I'm offering is going to be great and easy and plug and play, and you can do it yourself, but maybe somebody will walk through my program and decide, you know what, I do wanna have good conversations, but I don't wanna deal with the rest of it There. Are people just like you? And of course I would recommend you first who are happy to say, just send me your Zoom. That's what I did when I started podcasting. I recorded and sent it to a, a podcast producer for my whole first year, and so it doesn't have to be big and overwhelming. It can be as simple and easy as needed. It's just you and I both agree that we are, we're needed. Yes. Yeah. The teacher, the mom, the nonprofit, heart-centered person who's listening to us right now. Your words are needed, whether it's your poetry or your art, or your. Meal planning, whatever it is that you could put into the world to make the world a little brighter and a little better, that word is needed, so. Mm. Any last thoughts about, um, you and I are probably both aware of a few women anyway, who we were really love to see, get into the podcast world and create a few episodes. Like you said, it could be one a month. Um, yeah, but she's still sitting by the sideline. Who am I to do this? What would you say? Yeah. Who are you not to? I said a couple. Exactly.

Speaker 2: 22:06

Who the hell are you not to? And if you feel called, there's a reason. Another thing that I always, I think it was Trent Sheldon, he said, you know, if you're, if you've got this idea and maybe you've floated it out there and the people around you aren't supportive, he always says, God didn't give them the vision. Oh, he gave me. Vision. So of course they can't see it. Right. And it just gives me goosebumps every time I think about Yes. Or if I'm saying something to somebody and it's not quite landing, I'm like, oh, that's because it's not meant for them. Yes. And that's okay. It's meant for me. It was placed on my heart because I am the person who can deliver. So just let that message live inside of you if you're feeling, overwhelmed or whatever. And just know that there's so many resources. And I know Kelly's available for question. I'm available for questions too. If you have any questions or if you're doubting yourself, like, please, I just slide up in my dms. I would love just to. Encourage you. My favorite thing to do is cheerlead. So if you need someone in your corner, you know, shoot me a message. And also too, one final note. I know. People think podcast production can be expensive and it can, but there are so many pieces of this that you can outsource and you can go on Fiverr or Upwork or what, whatever piece of it that you're like, Ugh, this part is so unenjoyable. There is somebody out there who is more than happy and in their bliss to do that for you. And there are a lot of affordable people, and means to do that. So,

Speaker: 23:22

Why I wanted to have the podcast with you is you and I were able to teach ourselves this. Yeah, this is doable. With the tools that are out there. Now figure this out. You don't need another degree. You don't need a giant expensive setup. You can begin. Make it easy. Edit. Even this summer, I'm taking some of my podcasts from three years ago and just refreshing them and re re releasing them. So it's content, like you said, it lives there forever. How could people connect with you? You're one of my favorite people to follow, so where can they find you? Oh,

Speaker 2: 23:53

thanks Kelly. My Instagram is going under a little bit of an overhaul, so if you're like, who is this woman in her sixth post? I've been there for a while. We're just refreshing things, but I'm at resonant. R-E-S-O-N-A-N-T collective, on Instagram. That's the best place to follow me right now.

Speaker: 24:09

Wonderful. And I look forward to the rebranding of your podcast. I think I've rebranded three times. Yeah, I'm ready. I'm excited for you. Yeah. And thank you so much for being here. I hope that this conversation will inspire other people who have that small little seed in their heart of, I'd like to share this. I'm gonna take one brave step and, join the podcast program. So thanks for being on today. Thanks so much for having me.

Speaker 6: 24:35

Thank you for joining the Live A Vibrant Life podcast. I hope our time together encourage you and will equip you with the tools you need to move into the vibrant life you desire. I'm here to help you live a brave, creative, purpose-filled life. If you'd like to learn more. You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook, Kelly tibbits life coach, or visit my website kellytibbitts.com. I look forward to connecting again soon.