Chat#114 – Podcasting Secrets Every Entrepreneur Should Know

17 hours ago

Podcasting can be one of the most potent tools for entrepreneurs who want to become visible, share ideas, and lead their niche with authenticity. But it is not a quick marketing trick. It is a vehicle for thought leadership, self-exploration, and consistent communication—when done for the right reasons and with clear intention. Gresh and podcast host Nick McGowan host of The Podcast & Self Mastery Show chatted about this powerful medium and how you can leverage it as an entrepreneur or business owner.

Why Thought Leadership Starts with You

Thought leadership is not a title to chase. It is the byproduct of consistently sharing what you think about and what you care about in ways that make sense to you. Everyone’s version looks different—some people lead through writing, others through art, and many through conversation. For verbal communicators, podcasting is a natural fit.

“Thought leadership can look different for different people. It's really being the thought leader to what makes sense to you.”

Start by following breadcrumbs: small recurring interests, skills you enjoy exercising, and the types of conversations that light you up. Take inventory of the work you’ve done, the problems you enjoy solving, and the moments you felt most alive. Those breadcrumbs point to the themes you can own.

Practical exercises to find your voice

Write a list of five moments when you felt deeply engaged or fulfilled at work or personally.
Identify the common thread across those moments—problem solving, storytelling, teaching, analysis, etc.
Test topics in short formats (notes, micro-episodes, conversations) and notice which ones generate meaningful reactions.

Entrepreneurship Equals Hope—But Not for Everyone

Entrepreneurship is often an expression of hope and creative problem solving. For some people it is the right path; for others the best route is to be an exceptional team member in an existing organization. Either way, the more honest you are about why you want it, the better decisions you’ll make.

Before launching or doubling down, ask: Are you chasing prestige or money, or are you pursuing something that aligns with your inner values? That distinction matters because it determines whether you’ll burn out or build something sustainable.

Questions to ask yourself

Why do I want this? (Be brutally specific.)
What am I avoiding by chasing entrepreneurship?
What parts of the day energize me and which drain me?

Deep personal work—understanding subconscious strategies learned in childhood, confronting trauma, clarifying motivations—turns uncertainty into strategy. That internal alignment is what makes authentic content land with an audience.

Podcasting: The Right Tool for the Right Person

Podcasting is especially powerful if your best communication style is spoken conversation. But don’t force it. If you are a brilliant writer, a book or newsletter might serve you better first. The medium should match the messenger.

Two paths: Be a guest or host your own show

If you want to be a guest:

Lead with value: Explain why your topic matters to that audience.
Be specific: Offer clear takeaways the host can promise listeners.
Share references: Include past interviews or relevant work. If you’ve never been on a show, say so and explain why you still fit.
Leave selling out of the pitch: Hosts want conversations that benefit their listeners, not ad reads.

If you want to start a podcast:

Clarify your why: Purpose beats tactics every time.
Pick core topics: Define 2–3 buckets your show will consistently explore.
Design for evolution: Your show will change. Start, learn, iterate.
Invest in fundamentals: Good audio and distribution matter—but only after you know why you’re doing it.

Outreach template for podcast guest requests

One-line hook: who you are and the single topic you want to cover.
Why it matters to their audience: the specific value you bring.
Reference: link to past interview or short clip, or a concise case study.
Availability and a clear closing: “I’d love 30 minutes on [date range].”

Tools and resources that make podcasting easier

Use tools that match your workflow. Here are practical resources to save time and increase reach:

Recording and remote interviews: Riverside.fm, SquadCast
Editing and repurposing: Descript, Repurpose.io, Vizard.ai
Transcription and show notes: Otter.ai, Transcript LOL
Hosting and distribution: Podbean, Blubrry, Spotify for Podcasters
Website and discoverability: Podcastpage
Promotion and clips: Headliner, Repurpose.io

For a beginner-friendly guide on launching an SEO-friendly podcast website, see the podcast landing resource: https://ceohack.co/landing/podcastpage/

Mindset and mastery: the long game

Self-awareness is the competitive advantage. Podcasting forces you to think clearly, ask better questions, and refine the ideas you want to share. The two most important pieces are:

Keep going: Progress is made by persistent, imperfect action.
Do the inner work: The clearer you are about your motives, the more authentic your message becomes.

“If I'm going to be here, I'm going to be here. Suicide's off the table. So if I can't take myself out of the game, might as well play the game. But I'm going to play the game my way.”

That candor is a reminder: visible work and inner work go hand in hand. The more you heal and clarify your purpose, the better your content will connect. Purpose is communal in effect but personal in origin: your role might simply be to be the best version of yourself in your corner of the world.

Getting started checklist

Define your why and 2–3 core topics.
Test short conversations or micro-episodes to validate interest.
Choose recording tools that fit your budget and technical comfort.
Create a simple outreach template for guest appearances.
Set a modest publishing cadence and commit to three months of consistent episodes.

Last word

Podcasting is a tool. The real power comes from knowing who you are, what you want to say, and why it matters to others. Take small, consistent steps. Do the inner work. Show up honestly in conversation. Over time, a clear voice plus consistent action becomes real influence.

Keep going. Be curious. Make your content a reflection of your best thinking and your truest self.