Business
Episode Summary:
In this raw, reflective solo episode, Kaleb opens up about the unexpected emotional toll of his 90-day podcast sprint. An experiment meant to create clarity, momentum, and a replicable system for podcast growth.
Instead, it brought something else: resistance, fatigue, and a realization that pushing through isn’t the same as building something sustainable.
He shares what worked, what didn’t, and why he’s giving himself permission to pivot, not quit. From missing his first publishing deadline to reassessing the cohort launch, this episode is about rethinking success when the plan doesn’t go the way you hoped.
Kaleb also previews what’s next for The Podcaster’s Journey, including a new focus for Season 3, rooted in community, collaboration, and conversations that bring energy instead of draining it.
Whether you’re deep into your own podcast or just starting to feel the weight of the work, this episode is a permission slip to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Is it time to pivot, or are you still on track?
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Key Points & Highlights:
• Consistency alone doesn’t guarantee clarity, traction, or momentum
• Sustainability isn’t just a system — it’s how it makes you feel
• Missing an episode taught more than publishing every week ever did
• If the system burns you out, it’s not the right system
• Data from a failed launch can still point the way forward
• The work that gives you energy often shows you where to pivot
• You don’t need permission to pause, reassess, or change course
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Notable Quotes:
“I built a system to sustain me, and then found myself avoiding it.”
“I thought this sprint would bring life. Instead, it brought resistance.”
“If it’s not bringing you energy, is it really sustainable?”
“The work that lights you up is probably pointing to your next step.”
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⏱️ Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – The 90-Day Sprint Starts to Crack
00:31 – Admitting the Dissonance: Something Isn’t Working
01:24 – Missing a Week: The First Time It All Fell Apart
02:20 – Wrestling with Burnout vs. Misalignment
04:22 – The Original Vision: A Public Podcasting Case Study
06:16 – What I Learned (and What Didn’t Work)
07:11 – Did the Sprint Actually Prove Anything?
08:31 – A Partial Win: Clarity Without Momentum
09:01 – When Discipline Comes at a Cost
09:54 – Avoidance, Learning, and Self-Doubt as a Podcaster
10:55 – What Didn’t Land: The Cohort Launch and Email Campaign
13:22 – Motivation, Dread, and the Limits of External Pressure
14:48 – Realizing the Systems Weren’t Ready
16:25 – The Problem with “Just Push Harder”
17:08 – What Still Gave Me Life: Clarity Calls
18:38 – The Pivot: Turning Clarity Calls into the Next Season
19:35 – Reaffirming the Commitment to 100 Episodes
21:30 – Introducing Season 3: The Road to 100
23:56 – Seeking Wisdom from Podcasters Who’ve Made It
24:59 – Final Reflections: Pivot or Stay the Course?
26:19 – Join the Facebook Group and Finish Strong
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Call to Action:
Ready to make your podcast more sustainable — without doing it alone?
Join a private community of real podcasters figuring it out in real time. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or isolated in the grind, this space was made for you. We share wins, ask honest questions, and learn from each other every week.
Come be part of something that lasts.
→ Join the Facebook group here: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepodcastersjourney)
And if this episode resonated with you, send it to one other podcaster who’s working through a similar chapter. We grow better together.
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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