How to Keep Podcasting When You Want to Quit

Welcome Back to Podcasting Problem Solver

Leah Bryant [00:00:03 - 00:00:45]:
Welcome back to the Podcasting Problem Solver. I'm Leah Bryant, your go to podcast growth strategist, here to coach you to podcast strategically with more clarity and better results. Okay, so if you're just joining us, welcome. You're in part two of a conversation with Rafer Owens Jr. Certified mindset and life coach and host of the Shifting Giggles podcast. Yesterday, we dug into the mindset traps that keep podcasters stuck. You know, patience, the comparison spiral, and how to show up when you're in the messy middle. And if you haven't heard that one yet, then definitely go back after this because it leads right into what we're talking about today.

The Role of Resilience in Podcasting Success

Leah Bryant [00:00:46 - 00:01:35]:
So here's where we're going. Resilience. Yep. The kind that keeps you in the game for the long haul because you can know you need patience, but building the resilience that keeps you showing up when you really don't want to, well, that is a whole different thing. And Rafer is going to share a story about almost giving up on himself and how that turning point shifted how he approaches everything, including his podcast. We're also going to talk about why your why matters more than your download numbers and how to keep realistic expectations without losing your momentum. Whether you're in a plateau right now or you're just trying to figure out how to keep going, this conversation is going to land for you. Ready to go? All right.

Moments of Wanting to Quit—and the Turning Points That Follow

Leah Bryant [00:01:36 - 00:02:01]:
With your show and your business, every entrepreneur, including myself, we've all had moments where we were like, oh my gosh, is this even worth it? Can I just not be a podcaster and not be on social media and just not do all the things I would be curious to know. Was there ever a time that you almost gave up on something that maybe later became like a turning point for you, whether it's podcast related or not?

Building Resilience: Learning from the Messy Middle

Rafer Owens Jr [00:02:13 - 00:06:20]:

Yes. I have found over the years, the last five to be exact. Six now. Yeesh. Wow. I do very well with very big tasks in front of me...
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It is teaching me recovery. We're not in a place for pace yet. We're just about effort and distance, which when I was training for the half marathon, it was about pace and it was about getting the mileage up...

Setting Big Goals and Taking Small Steps

Rafer Owens Jr [00:06:21 - 00:07:09]:
And that is a conscious choice every day, even on rest days, to do my mobility, to take care of my body, to stretch, drinking my tea, going to bed at the same time as much as I can, keeping my stress levels down with my two kids when they are at home. All of these things that I'm learning that are so much bigger than just running. I would not have all these tools if I wasn't doing this. And it is a journey. It is a slow, one step at a time journey.

Detaching from Numbers: Focusing on Progress Over Perfection

Leah Bryant [00:07:09 - 00:07:20]:
I think that's, like, the best thing, though, right? Because it leads into, like, resilience isn't about necessarily always pushing through, but it's about how, like, maybe you reset.

Rafer Owens Jr [00:07:09 - 00:07:10]:
Correct.

Leah Bryant [00:07:10 - 00:07:39]:
And, like, how if you maybe detach from the numbers and focus on the impact.

Overcoming Mental Hurdles: Real Stories from the Journey

Leah Bryant [00:07:39 - 00:07:44]:
But, like, has there been a day maybe where you're like, I'm not running today.

Rafer Owens Jr [00:07:46 - 00:08:22]:
I have two stories, as a matter of fact. One this morning. I build hurdles in my mind that don't need to be there...

Embracing Discomfort and Choosing to Show Up

Rafer Owens Jr [00:08:23 - 00:11:55]:

And I found myself giving up at mile four. And it was a very interesting moment in that I was both coach and mentee all at the same time while I'm running. And I go, what? What is it? Why are you trying to give up?...

Setting Realistic Expectations and Beating the Comparison Trap

Leah Bryant [00:12:05 - 00:12:26]:
So, like, I would love to know, like, if you have any best practices that you've done or maybe recommend that we can do to, like, maybe set realistic expectations without losing motivation or comparing ourselves to everyone else on the planet. Because. Guilty.

Defining Your "Why": The Ultimate Motivation for Podcasters

Rafer Owens Jr [00:12:27 - 00:15:32]:

Yeah. The why answers everything...
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Nine times out of ten, that's what you actually want. And you just got to take the steps to now get there.

Focusing on Progress and Celebrating Small Wins

Leah Bryant [00:16:30 - 00:16:50]:
No, I love it because it's kind of like we have our why, but then we need to like set that process based goals. Right. Like our steps.

Rafer Owens Jr [00:16:50 - 00:18:19]:

Yes. I love celebrating a win.
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The smallest of wins because that is really what helps you move forward.

Wrapping Up: Where to Connect with Rafer Owens Jr

Leah Bryant [00:19:05 - 00:19:07]:
Yeah. Share where they can find all the goodness.

Rafer Owens Jr [00:19:07 - 00:19:24]:
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok Ayfer OwensJr the book is the Simple Shift on Amazon. Yeah. YouTube shifts and giggles is the podcast and that is everywhere. But yeah, that's where I am.

Leah Bryant [00:19:24 - 00:20:53]:
And you're sharing your running on Instagram too. I love that you may be other platforms. I primarily am on Instagram and threads.
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Until next time, keep showing up, keep trusting the process, and remember, keep it seamless and I'll see you next time.