Jan. 19, 2026

🎤 Standing Room Only and Speaking From the Heart ✨

🎤 Standing Room Only and Speaking From the Heart ✨

👋Hey there Podcaster!

This week’s newsletter is a mix of reflection, momentum, and big-picture perspective. I’m sharing what it felt like to step onto the Podfest stage alone for the first time and what that experience reminded me about showing up as yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable. You’ll also find details about an open Virtual Assistant role at iRonick Media for someone who loves supporting podcasts behind the scenes and keeping workflows moving. And finally, I’m unpacking a recent Podcasting Morning Chat conversation about the Golden Globes’ first-ever podcast category and what that moment really signals about where podcasting stands in the broader entertainment conversation. Plus, you’ll find this week’s Podcasting Morning Chat highlights if you want to catch up.

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🎤 Standing Room Only and Speaking From the Heart ✨

This one mattered to me.

Yesterday, I gave my very first solo talk at Podfest Multimedia Expo, and it felt big in a way I didn’t fully understand until I was standing on that stage. I’ve been attending Podfest since 2022, but walking into a room knowing it was just me, my voice, and my message felt like stepping into something entirely new.

Getting there was not easy. Between ADHD, self doubt, and my own high expectations, the preparation process was intense. There were sleepless nights, a lot of second guessing, and more than a few moments where I wondered if I was making this harder than it needed to be. The pressure came from wanting to do it well and wanting it to matter.

Eventually, preparation had to end and the moment arrived. I took a deep breath, walked into the room, and saw a packed crowd. Standing room only. That sight alone brought a rush of nerves and gratitude all at once.

I opened by naming my ADHD. Saying it out loud gave me permission to be human from the very beginning. It grounded me, and it changed the energy in the room immediately. The response was real and warm. There were laughs. There were moments where you could feel people leaning in, fully present and connected.

I lost my place a couple of times. And honestly, I am glad I did. I was in flow. I stopped thinking about the outline and the technical details and stayed rooted in what I wanted to share. I spoke from the heart, and that made all the difference.

After the talk, people came up to say thank you. Several shared how much the message resonated with them. A few told me it was their favorite talk of the day. One person looked at me and said I was speaking their soul language. That moment stayed with me.

That was when it really hit me. The hard parts were worth it.

I’m sharing this for one reason. If something is calling you, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain, give yourself permission to try. Growth rarely shows up neatly wrapped, and meaningful moments often ask more from us than we expect.

This experience reminded me once again that you don’t need perfect. You just need to show up and be you. 💛

Join us live tomorrow Tuesday January 20 at 7am EST on Clubhouse to discuss the recap of Podfest: https://www.clubhouse.com/invite/9dGuon63jd2WjDEa3DZnpaXv7KyJHqbeaV1:S-4BSZthpUEt4SwFVYLvPkV0-UBiO2wqn0zzQEgeGmM

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🎧 iRonick Media Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant

iRonick Media is expanding and looking for a Virtual Assistant to support our growing podcast production team.

What this role supports:

  • Managing podcast episodes from submission to publication

  • Tracking episodes across multiple shows and clients

  • Uploading and scheduling episodes on Buzzsprout and YouTube

  • Preparing and publishing show notes

  • Ensuring client approval and on-time releases

Communication & coordination:

  • Regular communication with podcast clients

  • Coordinating with audio and video editors

  • Working directly with Marc Ronick, owner of iRonick Media

  • Keeping workflows clear, organized, and moving forward

What this role is (and isn’t):

  • ✅ Focused on organization, coordination, and follow-through

  • ❌ No audio or video editing required but is a plus

Experience we’re looking for:

  • Podcast production or support experience (strongly preferred)

  • Comfort with written communication

  • Familiarity with AI tools for workflow and content prep is a plus

  • Strong attention to detail and consistency

Additional responsibility:

  • Creating and sending the weekly iRonick Media newsletter

If you or someone you know, enjoys working behind the scenes, loves systems and communication, and thrives in a collaborative environment, we’d love to connect.

📩 Reply to this email or reach out directly to start the conversation.

We’re excited to welcome the right person to grow with iRonick Media and support the podcasters we serve 🎙️💛

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🎧 When Podcasting Got Roasted on the Big Stage and Why That Actually Matters 🍿

The Golden Globes introducing their first-ever podcast category stirred up a lot of frustration across the podcast industry. The jokes landed awkwardly for some. The winner sparked debate. The tone felt uncomfortable to many people who care deeply about this medium.

I walked into a recent Podcasting Morning Chat with a very different takeaway.

The Golden Globes did not suddenly change their tone because podcasting showed up. They did exactly what they always do. They roasted everything in the room. Actors, studios, networks, formats, ads, and even the audience itself were all fair game. Podcasting was treated no differently than film or television on that stage.

That detail matters more than it might seem.

Podcasting was not ignored. It was not brushed aside. It was included in the same cultural treatment as every other major entertainment format being recognized that night. You do not parody something that has no relevance. You do not joke about formats that have no impact. Podcasting showed up in that room because it already holds cultural weight.

A lot of the frustration centered on tone. The jokes about rambling hosts and ad reads hit close to home. The nominees leaned heavily toward celebrity-led and network-backed shows. Independent creators and long-time industry builders were not represented in a way many hoped they would be. Those reactions are valid, and they reflect real conversations we still need to have about visibility and recognition.

At the same time, awards shows have never been the place where legitimacy is decided.

Podcasting did not need a trophy to prove its value. Audiences already did that years ago. Millions of listeners made podcasting part of their daily lives long before Hollywood paid attention. What moments like this change is not credibility. They change visibility.

That distinction matters.

During the conversation on Podcasting Morning Chat, several voices pointed out something easy to miss. The Golden Globes roast everyone they recognize. Comedy, satire, and parody are part of how those stages acknowledge relevance. Being included in that process signals arrival, even when it feels messy or uncomfortable.

There was also an important reminder that this is a first step, not a final statement. No single award category can capture the full scope of podcasting. This medium spans education, storytelling, news, comedy, business, community, and everything in between. Trying to define all of that with one winner was always going to feel incomplete.

And still, something shifted.

Podcasting is no longer being talked about from the outside. It is now part of the same mainstream entertainment conversation as film and television, jokes and all. That does not erase the work being done by independent creators. It does not diminish the craft. It simply means the room got bigger.

That is usually what arrival looks like.

So I’m curious how it landed for you. Did it feel affirming, irrelevant, or uncomfortable in a way that signals progress?

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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

Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you.

 

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