Listen to “75. When You Feel Like Quitting Your Podcast…Then What?” on Spreaker.
When You Feel Like Quitting Your Podcast…Then What?
You ever sit down in front of your mic, stare at it for a minute, and think: “Do I even want to keep doing this?” I have. More times than I’d like to admit.
There was a week when I had my episode planned out, my notes ready, and I just… couldn’t. I opened my laptop, pulled up the script, and nothing came out. It wasn’t that I didn’t love podcasting anymore — it was that I was exhausted. Life was heavy, and the podcast felt like one more weight instead of a joy.
Maybe that’s you right now. Maybe you’ve been showing up week after week, but deep down you’re wondering if it’s even worth it. The downloads don’t look like you thought they would. The work feels endless. Or maybe you’re just plain burned out.
If you’ve ever felt that way, I want you to hear this: you are not alone. And quitting doesn’t make you a failure — but before you make that call, there are some questions, some shifts, and some truths we can explore together.
1. What’s Really Making You Want to Quit?
The surface-level answer isn’t usually the real one. When I felt like quitting, I thought it was because “nobody was listening.” But when I slowed down, I realized I was frustrated about the time it was taking. I was editing like a perfectionist, promoting like a full-time marketing team, and recording like a machine. That wasn’t sustainable.
So ask yourself:
- Am I tired of podcasting — or just tired in general?
- Am I frustrated with the podcast — or with the unrealistic expectations I’ve put on it?
- Am I discouraged because of my numbers — or because I’m comparing myself to others?
Often, “I want to quit” really means “I need a break,” or “I need support,” or “I need to do this differently.”
When you name the real reason, you can address it directly instead of throwing away something you once loved.
2. Reframing the Story
The questions we ask ourselves shape the answers we find. If all you ever ask is, “Should I quit?” — your brain will find a hundred reasons to say yes. But if you shift the question, you shift the outcome.
Try asking:
- What would this look like if it was fun again?
- What’s one thing I’ve already gained from podcasting that I wouldn’t trade for anything?
- What if success wasn’t about downloads or charts, but about one person being impacted? Would that be enough?
When I reframed my own story, I realized podcasting had already given me confidence, clarity, and a voice. Even without charts or awards, that alone made it worth it. Reframing doesn’t erase challenges, but it restores perspective.
3. Bringing Joy and Creativity Back
Sometimes when you feel like quitting, it’s not because you’re done — it’s because you’re bored. I had a stretch where every episode felt the same. Same format, same style, same rhythm. And I started resenting it.
So I gave myself permission to experiment. One week, I recorded an unedited, raw conversation. Another week, I released a shorter, bite-sized episode. Another time, I brought in a guest just because I thought the conversation would be fun. And you know what? That changed everything.
Maybe you need to loosen the rules you’ve built around your podcast. Try something that feels light, playful, or even silly. Sometimes the cure for burnout is joy. Joy breathes life back into the mic.
4. Before You Walk Away
Quitting is not the only option. And pushing through with no rest isn’t the only option either. There’s a middle ground: pausing.
Take a break. Call it a season. Let yourself breathe.
Ask yourself:
- Have I really tried everything to make this sustainable?
- Have I given myself permission to do less?
- Have I been honest with my audience about needing rest?
Often, the only thing standing between burnout and breakthrough is permission. Permission to pause, to shift, to step back long enough to see clearly again.
5. Flexibility = Longevity
The podcasters who last the longest aren’t the ones who post every single week without fail. They’re the ones who allow their podcast to grow with them.
Your life will change. Your work will change. Your energy will change. And your podcast should be allowed to evolve too.
Flexibility doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re wise enough to adapt so you can keep going. Longevity isn’t built on rigid discipline; it’s built on resilience and adaptability.
6. Support and Connection
Podcasting can feel isolating. You’re sitting in a room, talking into a mic, and hoping someone’s on the other side. But you don’t have to do this alone.
Find a podcasting community. Join a mastermind. Reach out to a fellow podcaster and say, “Hey, want to check in once a month?”
Every time I’ve felt like quitting, the thing that pulled me back wasn’t strategy — it was community. Knowing I wasn’t the only one struggling made all the difference.
Community offers accountability, encouragement, and perspective — all of which can reignite your spark when you feel alone.
7. Consistency with Grace
Consistency matters, but consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It means showing up in a way that’s real and sustainable.
If you need to take a slower pace, take it. If you need to shift from weekly to bi-weekly, do it. If you need to hit pause and explain it to your audience — trust me, they’ll understand.
What your listeners want most is you. Your honesty, your humanity. Consistency with grace is more powerful than perfection with burnout. Grace-filled consistency creates trust without draining your soul.
Closing Reflection
If you’re sitting in that “I want to quit” place right now — don’t rush. Breathe. Reflect. Ask yourself better questions. Experiment. Rest.
And if after all of that, you know in your spirit it’s time to end your podcast — that’s not failure. That’s growth. It’s honoring your season. But if there’s still a flicker of excitement when you picture hitting record… then maybe it’s not time to quit. Maybe it’s time to rediscover your rhythm and fall in love with podcasting on your own terms.
Podcasting isn’t just a project; it’s a journey. And like any journey, there are seasons of energy, seasons of stillness, and seasons of change. Trust your season.
Call to Action
If you’re unsure whether to keep pushing, pivot, pause, or quit — I’d love to help you get clarity. That’s why I created the Podcast Audit: a one-on-one process where I look at your show, your goals, and your process to help you see what’s working, what’s draining you, and where you could reignite the joy.
You can grab yours at soulpodcasting.com/podcast-audit — because your voice matters. And sometimes, all it takes is a little shift to remember why you started in the first place.
Ready to lighten the load and podcast with more soul?
Let’s work together. Learn more about our services at Soul Podcasting Collective or book a discovery call to see how we can support you.
- 82. How to Keep Listeners Hooked: Neuroscience Secrets for Podcasters with Aurora Winter - October 23, 2025
- 81. Podcast Setup for Beginners - October 12, 2025
- 80. Podcast Growth Hacks: How I Actually Grew My Podcast in 2025 - October 5, 2025