Two Decisions for 2026 ✨

👋Hey there Podcaster!

As we head toward the end of the year, this week’s newsletter invites you to pause before planning, protect what you’re building, and reconnect with the community that makes podcasting sustainable. We start with a powerful conversation that shifted how many creators are approaching 2026 by focusing on one intentional yes and one meaningful no. Then we zoom in on a single mistake that can quietly put your entire podcast at risk and what every creator needs to understand about music use before hitting publish. We’ll wrap with highlights from the Podcasting Morning Chat, including recent episodes that dig into storytelling, growth strategies, platform shifts, and the one choice worth making before the new year begins.

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Two Decisions for 2026 ✨

I’m not adding more goals for 2026. I’m making two decisions instead.

Last week during the Podcasting Morning Chat, I asked a simple question inside the community: what’s one thing you’re ready to say no to next year, and one thing you’re ready to say yes to? What unfolded was one of those conversations that sticks with you long after the microphones are off. It reminded me that clarity rarely comes from adding more to the list. It comes from choosing differently.

One of my decisions is saying no to treating rest and recovery as optional. For a long time, I told myself I would slow down later. I put the work first. I put other people first. I put the next commitment first. Somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that rest was something I would earn once everything else was done. What I’ve learned is that this pattern doesn’t lead to stronger leadership or better creative output. It leads to burnout, foggy thinking, and showing up with less patience and presence than the moment deserves. Several voices in the room echoed this realization, naming creative recovery, mental health, and energy protection as non negotiables for the year ahead.

The second decision I’m making is saying yes to accountability. Not the rigid kind. The human kind. Working alongside others. Scheduling shared work time. Letting presence create momentum. During the conversation, we talked about body doubling, a practice many people with ADHD and creative brains swear by. It is simple and powerful. You show up together. You work quietly. Progress happens because the container already exists. I’ve seen this play out again and again in my own life and in this community. I take meaningful action faster and more consistently when others are involved, not because anyone is pushing me, but because the structure supports me.

What stood out most this morning was how personal these choices became. People shared stories of releasing self doubt that had been with them since childhood. Others named trust as their word for the year. Some committed to fewer distractions, less rumination, and more follow through. A few talked about helping one person a day, not for credit or conversion, but because connection restores energy. These were not abstract intentions. They were lived decisions shaped by experience, fatigue, growth, and self awareness.

This is why the exercise matters. The calendar changes on its own. Habits and patterns do not. A no creates space. A yes sets direction. Both are acts of leadership in your own life and work.

A better year doesn’t start with a longer list. It starts with clearer choices.

So I’ll leave you with the same question that opened the room last week.

What’s one yes and one no you’re taking into 2026?

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One Song Can Take Down Your Podcast 🎧🚫

One mistake can get your podcast taken down instantly.
And it can happen in more than one way.

This came up during last Thursday’s Podcasting Morning Chat in our Indie Podcast Evaluation series, and it was a strong reminder of how misunderstood music copyright still is in podcasting. The discussion centered on a music focused show, which made the risks especially visible, but this applies to every podcaster, regardless of genre.

Some creators worry about legal action.
Others worry about algorithms.

Both concerns are valid, and both can lead to episodes disappearing without warning.

There are two common paths to a takedown.

First, rights holders can act. Labels and publishers have the authority to issue takedown notices or block distribution if copyrighted music is used without permission. This can happen even when a creator believes they are covered by fair use. Fair use is a legal defense, not a guarantee, and it only matters after a complaint has been filed. That alone can be costly, time consuming, and stressful for an independent creator.

Second, platforms can act automatically. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube scan audio for copyrighted material. These systems do not evaluate context, commentary, or intent. If copyrighted music is detected, an episode can be muted, blocked, or removed before a human ever reviews it. In many cases, creators find out only after the episode is gone.

This is where many podcasters get tripped up. There is a long standing belief that playing short clips, reading lyrics, or analyzing songs is always safe. In reality, this area is legally gray and increasingly risky due to automated enforcement. Even creators who have strong educational or commentary intent can find themselves dealing with takedowns simply because an algorithm flagged the audio.

To be clear, I am not a lawyer.
For actual legal guidance, talk to Gordon Firemark, widely known as the podcast lawyer.

The rule of thumb I follow is simple.
If you do not own it, license it, or have explicit permission, assume it is off limits.

The good news is that creators have options. Royalty free music libraries, licensed music beds, commissioned tracks, and properly generated AI music all offer safer paths. These choices protect your feed, your catalog, and the work you have already put into growing your show.

Podcasting is a long game. Protecting your episodes today protects your audience tomorrow.

So I’ll leave you with this question.
If you use music in your podcast, where do you get 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 8, 2025: How Great Hosts Use Storytelling To Hook Listeners Instantly
• December 9, 2025: Private Podcasts: The Overlooked Tool That Builds Superfans
• December 10, 2025: Stop Overlooking TikTok. It’s Driving Your Future Listeners
• December 11, 2025: 7 Lessons You Can Learn From a Podcast Evaluation of a Gordon Lightfoot Podcast
• December 12, 2025: The 1 Choice to Make Before the New Year Starts

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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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