🎙️ I Forgot to Hit Record… and Everything Changed

👋Hey there Podcaster!

This week’s newsletter brings you behind the scenes of two powerful moments from the Podcasting Morning Chat and a roundup of the latest episodes that kept our creator community buzzing. First, I share the painful recording fail that turned into my most engaged post of the month and why embracing the messy moments creates deeper connection. Then we spotlight Suzy May’s Wander Worldschool and explore how small shifts in pacing can completely transform the listener experience. Finally, you will find quick highlights from this week’s PMC sessions with insights you can put to work immediately. Let’s dive in together and keep leveling up your creative journey.

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🎙️ I Forgot to Hit Record… and Everything Changed

I had a big interview lined up last month, and I completely botched it. The kind of mistake that makes your stomach drop.

I sat down for a one-on-one for the Podcasting Morning Chat with someone I genuinely admire: Heather Parady. She is thoughtful, creative, and one of my favorite people to interview. I wanted this conversation to be special. I even invited a couple of PMC crew members to join so it would have a fresh feel.

Five minutes in, things started to wobble.
-DR Fay. couldn’t get into Riverside.
-My backup recorder was not running.
-Then my mic cut out and defaulted to my computer audio.
-I tried fixing it while Heather waited.
Pressure rising. Heart racing.

I pushed through anyway, focused on staying present, fixed what I could, and finished the interview. We wrapped, chatted, and I felt proud that I stayed calm under pressure.

Then I checked Riverside.

No clips.
No files.
No upload.

Because I never hit the record button.

The realization hit hard. First frustration. Then embarrassment. Then a deep wave of shame. Twenty years of podcasting, hundreds of recordings, and this was a first.

Instead of shutting those feelings down, I let myself sit with them. All of it. The punch-in-the-gut disappointment, the anger at myself, the disbelief that I missed something so basic. That is when something shifted.

I picked up my phone, hit record, and told the truth. The raw version. Not the polished broadcaster voice. The honest one. The tired, frustrated human who messed up the interview he had been looking forward to.

And something unexpected happened.
That video outperformed anything I have posted in weeks. Maybe months.

People don’t connect with perfection. They connect with the person behind the mic. The messy moments. The honest ones. The ones that remind them they are not alone in fumbling their way through creative work.

During the Podcasting Morning Chat the next day, creators shared their own fails. Lost audio. Dead mics. Full interviews that never captured. Events where every piece of gear went sideways. Stories poured out, and each one came with a lesson learned.

Junaid talked about dead microphones during a panel and how even pros cannot avoid technical failures.
Yvonne shared how every lav mic she brought to a conference betrayed her and how she turned the disaster into an episode about failing forward.
Ashley talked about accidentally canceling her own recording while interviewing a renowned guitarist.
DR Fay. remembered interviewing a Robin Williams look-alike and realizing afterward that there was no recording at all.

These stories reminded me that creative work always carries some risk. A lot can go wrong during recording. A lot can go right too. The more you show up honestly, the more others feel safe to do the same.

My biggest win that week had nothing to do with getting the perfect take. It came from handling the mistake with openness. It came from the community rallying around the moment. It came from rediscovering how energizing it feels to create in real time, even when everything goes sideways.

Here is your invitation.

🎤 What is one recording fail you’ve had that still makes you cringe but taught you something important?

Hit reply. I want to hear it. We all learn from each other.

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🌍 Slow Down to Speed Up Your Podcast Growth

Most podcasters don’t have a content problem.
They have a pacing problem.

During last week’s “Indie Podcast Spotlight” inside the Podcasting Morning Chat, we reviewed an episode from Wander Worldschool by PMC listener, Suzy May. These spotlights are designed to give creators feedback they can implement immediately, and Suzy walked in with several strengths already in place.

-She brings deep expertise as a family travel and worldschooling guide.
-She shares actionable tips that help her listeners move forward.
-She has a warm, inviting delivery that draws people in.
-She is building a thoughtful and engaged community.

The foundation is strong. The purpose of the spotlight is to tighten what is already working.

Throughout the episode, one theme kept resurfacing. Even the best content loses impact when everything moves too fast. Suzy delivered so much knowledge that listeners had almost no room to breathe. This is common for passionate creators. Excitement fills the mic. Deadlines add pressure. Editing tools remove natural pauses and silence. Before you know it, the final episode feels like headline news delivered at triple speed.

During the live evaluation, the PMC team described the listening experience as packed to the brim. There were rapid-fire recaps, back-to-back transitions, and tightly stacked tips. It created moments where even seasoned podcasters needed to rewind to catch certain words. Suzy’s expertise shines brightest when she slows the pace and gives listeners time to absorb the value.

Pacing is more than talking slower. It’s the rhythm and breathing space that helps your message land. It creates room for storytelling. It supports clarity. It gives your authority a noticeable presence. Listeners stay longer when they feel guided, not rushed.

Inside the spotlight, creators shared strategies Suzy can use right away:
• Add intentional pauses during scripted sections
• Smooth out hard edits so segments feel natural
• Use transitions and brief music cues to signal shifts
• Place the most valuable content earlier
• Highlight one story instead of several surface/level ones all at once

Suzy already has the hard part handled. She knows her audience. She knows her subject. She knows what traveling families need. Small adjustments to pacing can help her listeners feel more grounded and connected throughout each episode.

Your turn.

🎧 What part of your creative process are you working on improving right now?

Reply and let me know. I’d love to hear it.

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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.

• December 1, 2025: 6 Lessons From the Kelce Brothers That Build Listener Loyalty
• December 2, 2025: The Speaking Habits That Are Killing Your Podcast
• December 3, 2025: 3 New Platform Changes Every Podcaster Must Know - News & Comment
• December 4, 2025: 5 Simple Fixes That Instantly Upgrade Your Podcast
• December 5, 2025: The Real Story Inside Your Spotify Wrapped

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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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