I’ll show you how to come back honestly, confidently, and truly connected to your purpose—not just out of guilt or obligation.

Welcome to The Podcast Why—I’m Brett Johnson, your trusted friend in podcasting. In this episode, I’m exploring something that so many podcasters quietly carry: the shame of taking a break from your show.

Maybe you’ve missed a week, dropped off for months, or your podcast feed hasn’t seen a new episode in almost a year. I want to help you see that break not as a failure, but as a form of feedback about your real life, your capacity, and the “why” behind your show.

Over the years, working with podcasters, I’ve seen this struggle time and again.

In this episode, I’ll share composite stories, practical steps to navigate your return, and a new way to look at your podcasting gaps. We’ll talk about naming your break, getting curious about what really caused it, revisiting your mission, and redesigning how you show up so your podcast is actually sustainable.

If you’re ready to leave shame behind and restart from a place of clarity, this is the episode for you.

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone who’s struggling to hit record again:

1. A break is data, not failure: Your hiatus says more about your capacity and season of life than about your worth as a podcaster. Instead of self-judgment, treat the break as feedback that can guide you in making the show sustainable.
2. Focus on your WHY, not guilt: Before you return, ask if your core reason for podcasting still matters and if your listener still exists. Let your motivation to serve—not a need to apologize—shape your comeback.
3. Make it work for your real life: Whether it’s switching to bi-weekly episodes, planning short seasons, or simplifying your format—adjust your podcast to fit your life, not the other way around.

You can book a clarity call with me—just head over to My Podcast Guy and look for the Schedule A Call link. We’ll talk through where you’re stuck, what your real why might be, and how to build your podcast around it.

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Recorded at 511 Studios - Columbus, OH (and you can too!)

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