Dec. 22, 2025

✨ Four Questions That Will Shape How We Show Up in 2026

✨ Four Questions That Will Shape How We Show Up in 2026

👋Hey there Podcaster!

As we wrap up the year, this week’s newsletter invites you to slow down and reflect on what truly shapes meaningful creative work. First, we revisit a powerful community conversation built around four simple questions that helped creators clarify their direction, reconnect with their audience, and define how they want to show up in 2026. Then, we shift into a podcast evaluation that proves how a five minute story can open the door to a much deeper discussion about pacing, presence, and letting content breathe. Finally, we round things out with highlights from Podcasting Morning Chat, including recent episodes that explored storytelling, platform shifts, creator resets, and what actually matters heading into the new year.

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✨ Four Questions That Will Shape How We Show Up in 2026

Last Friday was the final Podcasting Morning Chat of 2025, and instead of wrapping the year with predictions, hacks, or shiny new tactics, we did something much more meaningful. We slowed down as a community and reflected on how we want to show up next year.

This last conversation before the holiday break was about intention, clarity, and connection. It reminded me that progress does not always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from asking better questions and actually listening to the answers.

Here are the four questions we explored together, and the insights that stayed with me long after the room closed.

1) What promise will you make to your audience in 2026?
Ralph Estep, Jr. shared a powerful commitment. He plans to meet his audience exactly where they are. That means letting go of industry jargon and technical language and instead speaking in words his listeners actually use in their everyday lives. The goal is simple and meaningful. Help people feel understood, supported, and capable of taking the next step.

2) What is your one word for 2026?
My word is authenticity. For me, this is about showing up more honestly and consistently, both online and offline. It means peeling back the masks that so many of us wear and allowing more of the real version of ourselves to be visible. This past year made it clear that people connect with truth far more than polish.

3) What is one focus that will make the biggest difference next year?
Junaid Ahmed brought the room back to fundamentals with one word: systems. When systems work together, they create momentum. They free up time and mental energy so creators can work on their business instead of constantly being stuck in it. That kind of structure makes growth sustainable.

4) What win from 2025 reminded you why you create?
Ashley Feller shared a moment that perfectly captured why creation matters. She committed to video this year, even when it felt uncomfortable. Months later, a stranger told her that one of her videos is what convinced him to attend an event at the last minute. That single piece of content led to real, offline impact. A reminder that you never fully know how far your work will travel.

This conversation reinforced something I keep coming back to. You do not always need a bigger plan. You often need clearer answers and the courage to act on them.

As we head into 2026, these four questions feel like a powerful filter for decisions, energy, and focus. They help cut through noise and reconnect us to why we started creating in the first place.

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🎧 When Slowing Down Makes a Podcast Stronger

A five-minute podcast sparked nearly an hour of conversation.

Not about growth tactics.
Not about monetization strategies.

It turned into a thoughtful discussion about pacing and how moving too fast can quietly work against an otherwise strong show.

During our weekly podcast evaluation series, we sit down with a panel of creators to break down independent podcasts in real time. Last week, we reviewed Shared Delights, a short-form storytelling podcast hosted by Reka Pardi-Kezi. Each episode is designed as a brief escape, something warm and human that listeners can step into and then return to their day feeling lighter.

From the start, there was a lot to appreciate.

The show delivers exactly what it promises, a short and comforting reset. The tone feels intentional and consistent. The stories come across as genuine and lived-in rather than performative or overly polished. You can hear the care behind the storytelling, and that alone goes a long way in audio-first content.

As the conversation unfolded, pacing kept resurfacing.

In short-form storytelling, every second carries weight. When moments move too quickly, listeners have less time to process what they are hearing. In audio, clarity depends on rhythm. Pauses give space for meaning to land. Silence helps a listener stay oriented inside the story rather than rushing to catch up with it.

We talked through how slightly slowing delivery can increase emotional impact. We discussed how pauses can act as punctuation. We explored how sound design can support a narrative when used intentionally, adding texture without pulling attention away from the voice. Even subtle changes in spacing and breath can help a story feel more immersive and easier to follow.

Nothing about the show needed to be overhauled.

The foundation is strong. The storytelling works. The intention is clear. What the conversation revealed is that sometimes strong content benefits from restraint. Giving moments more room can allow listeners to stay connected and engaged all the way through.

This was a great reminder for all of us who create.

Strong content does not always need more layers, more edits, or more effort. Sometimes it needs space. Sometimes it needs permission to slow down.

As you think about your own podcast or creative work, which part feels hardest to get right right now? The idea itself, the delivery, or the pace?

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🎙️Podcasting Morning Chat Highlights🌅

Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights, the "Podcasting Morning Chat" is a daily show that's by creators, for creators. A dynamic team of experienced podcasters, entrepreneurs, and producers hosts the PMC. Each episode peels back the curtain on the art of podcasting and content creation. The conversation is a mix of insights, stories, and strategies, tailor-made to keep your content fresh, your audience engaged, and your creative spark alive. 

Recorded live every weekday at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse and available via podcast at 7 AM PST, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. Whether you're here to enhance your content, expand your audience, or just soak in the collective wisdom of fellow content creators, the PMC is your source for inspiration, empowerment and connection in the podcasting world. 

Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.

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I’m so grateful to be connected with you and a part of your podcast journey. 

 

All My Best,

👋Marc Ronick

This content was composed with assistance from OpenAI

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