Business
Episode Summary:
Have you ever said yes to something that paid well but pulled you further from your long-term goals?
In this episode, I get honest about a decision I made this week that shifted everything—I turned down a $1,200 freelance gig. Not because the work wasn’t great, and not because I didn’t want the money. But because I realized that if I’m serious about turning my podcast into a sustainable business, I can’t keep chasing quick wins.
You’ll hear why saying no created space for momentum, how pruning back good opportunities can lead to great results, and why it’s time to start thinking in flywheels instead of funnels. I’ll share what this looks like in real time as I build out my podcast cohort and dashboard tools, and how every decision I make is now rooted in alignment, not just availability.
If your podcast feels like it’s stuck, or you’re constantly trying to hustle just to keep up, this episode is a practical and personal reminder that building something meaningful requires subtraction—not just addition.
This is the cost of saying yes to what matters.
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Key Points & Highlights:
– Why I turned down $1,200 in freelance income to protect long-term momentum
– The emotional and strategic value of saying no to misaligned opportunities
– How pruning and subtracting makes space for meaningful creative growth
– The difference between funnels (short-term results) and flywheels (long-term momentum)
– How to start shifting your podcast from a funnel to a flywheel
– What it means to give your podcast your best energy—not just what’s left over
– A behind-the-scenes update on the Podcast Engine dashboard and my 90-day growth sprint
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Notable Quotes:
– “You don’t build something meaningful by cramming it into the margins.”
– “Funnels convert, but flywheels compound.”
– “Saying no isn’t about closing doors. It’s about protecting the ones that lead somewhere.”
– “Alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s the bedrock of what you’re building.”
– “Start small. Subtract something today to create room for something better tomorrow.”
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Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Why I turned down a $1,200 freelance gig
02:37 - Saying no creates space for the right yes
06:28 - The emotional relief that followed the decision
10:06 - How pruning in the garden mirrors pruning in business
11:30 - Funnels convert, flywheels compound
14:59 - Building a catalog vs. one-off content
16:54 - Why your system might be holding you back
19:46 - Start small: say no to say yes to what matters
22:05 - From hustle to momentum: aligning your actions with your goals
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Call to Action:
If today’s episode resonated with you—if you’re starting to realize your podcast can’t stay on the sidelines of your life anymore—then the best next step is to go back and listen to Episode 026. That’s where I share the moment I decided to stop treating my podcast like a side project and start building it like a business.
Episode 029 is the cost of that decision. Episode 026 is the why behind it.
So if you’re ready to take your show seriously, build something that gives back, and create the kind of momentum that lasts—start there.
→ Listen to Episode 026: Why I’m Turning My Podcast Into a Business (And You Should Too) https://youtu.be/lgTLgPkLabU
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Looking for personalized support? Schedule a strategy call — let’s see if we’re a good fit.
https://tidycal.com/kalebstock/book-your-free-25-minute-podcast-growth-session
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Optional Links & Resources:
Website: https://www.podcastbuilders.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleb.stock/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalebstock/
Audio-Only Podcast Feed: https://bit.ly/3XGRmte
Leave a Voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/The_Podcasters_Journey