You might think you nailed a recording until you listen to the playback. You immediately want to delete the file because you hear every breath and stumble.

This reaction is normal but often distorted. Two psychological concepts explain this phenomenon, which are the Beautiful Mess Effect (that suggests we view our own mistakes as weaknesses while others view them as strengths or courage) and the Construal Level Theory (that says we operate at a "low level" of detail while editing) while the listener operates at a "high level" and focuses on the words instead.

In this micro-episode:

1. Why you focus on "the bark" while your listener sees the forest (I live in a forest, so I always use this one!)
2. How over-editing breaths... pretty common... creates an "uncanny valley" effect
3. Practical tips to gain perspective before you edit

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforest.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Many podcasters fear that scripting their show will make them sound monotone or kinda robotic as a result. It's the worry that reading kills the natural vibe of a conversation.

The opposite is often true thought because scripting your episode (which includes using NOTES, doesn't have to be a full script especially after some practice) respects your audience's time because it prevents rambling and repetition. A well-planned script allows you to deliver dense and accurate info or ideas without getting lost in tangents that gets in the way of your message or the episode itself.

You can learn to read a script naturally with practice. Vocal prosody and reading techniques allow you to sound conversational while maintaining the precision of a written plan. This series will get into some of those specifics in future episodes.

In this micro-episode:

1. Why rambling impacts listener trust (and attention!)
2. How scripting helps you deliver more value and be efficient too
3. The difference between a helpful tangent and... a distracting one

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforest.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Many people assume starting a podcast means starting an interview show. This format has become synonymous with the medium itself, or at least it can feel that way in the podcasting communities.

The interview model is less effective today, particularly for businesses, because the market is crowded. One example of this is when guests perform a "circuit" where they repeat the same talking points on a dozen different shows (making your episode one of many similar conversations).

If your goal is to build trust with a potential client, an interview might not be the right tool. Clients want to know what you think and figure out if you can solve their problem.

In this micro-episode:

1. Why new podcasters are shifting toward solo formats
2. The difficulty of growing a generic interview show in a saturated market
3. Alternate options to the interview format

Mentioned in this episode: Independent Podcaster Report 2025

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforest.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Many professionals are stepping back from social media for their businesses today. Using it to compliment instead of the main place they publish new content, resources, or marketing materials. You need to know what options exist to replace that visibility if you choose to step back like this, because people still need to find you!

In this micro-episode:

1. The role of email newsletters in professional services marketing
2. Why search traffic indicates higher intent than social media traffic
3. How AI and LLMs are changing SEO for us (or, are they?)

You might find better ROI by investing in search-ranking assets like articles or podcast episodes that build relationships with the right people over time (more slowly). More on that during this week's episodes.

Resources mentioned: https://stereoforest.com/beyond-social-media-business-growth-strategies-that-work-for-professionals/

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforst.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

The term "slow marketing" catches the attention of many burned-out professionals... like it did for me! This concept is, in a nutshell, taking the time to figure out your core platform and find your voice.

We find value in prioritizing quality over speed in many different parts of our lives, such as food and relationships. This approach aligns perfectly with professional services... because bigger decisions usually require time. Your clients need to make sure that you understand their specific problems before they buy or hire.

In this micro-episode:

1. Why ideas and relationships need time to marinate
2. The connection between "slow marketing" and other slow movements, and business growth
3. How slow marketing counters the pressure of social media speed

You might find better ROI by investing in search-ranking assets like articles or podcast episodes that build relationships with the right people over time (more slowly). More on that during this week's episodes.

Resources mentioned: https://stereoforest.com/beyond-social-media-business-growth-strategies-that-work-for-professionals/

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforst.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Business owners often see significant decreases in reach the moment a platform like Instagram changes its algorithm, and this puts you in a vulnerable position because your audience lives in someone else's space... they're in control. Anything can happen.

Platform owners change the rules whenever they have the financial incentive to do so. So owned media is where it's at.

In this micro-episode:

1. The definition of "owned media" and why you need it
2. How email lists and podcast RSS feeds remain independent of the technology hosting them
3. The compounding search value of articles compared to the short lifespan of social posts

You might find better ROI by investing in search-ranking assets like articles or podcast episodes that build relationships with the right people over time (more slowly). More on that during this week's episodes.

https://stereoforest.com/beyond-social-media-business-growth-strategies-that-work-for-professionals/

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforst.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

The endless cycle... that treadmill... of posting to social media often leads to exhaustion. We rarely discuss this burnout openly even though many professionals experience it.

And people making online content say that the shifting algorithms, the ongoing changes, is the most mentally tough part of the job. We don't have any control, or predictability, and this can really add to the cognitive load. Which is already pretty significant for many of us!

In this micro-episode:

1. Burnout among content creators
2. Why rapid algorithm changes increase your daily cognitive load
3. How focusing on creativity can help sustain your marketing efforts (at least it does for me!)

You might find better ROI by investing in search-ranking assets like articles or podcast episodes that build relationships with the right people over time (more slowly). More on that during this week's episodes.

Resources mentioned: https://stereoforest.com/beyond-social-media-business-growth-strategies-that-work-for-professionals/

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforst.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

You spend hours writing posts and designing carousels only to see zero engagement, and this reality for a lot of us is super frustrating.

Organic reach has dropped significantly across social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, because the platforms operate as advertising businesses (for them! not necessarily for us!). They prioritize content that keeps users in the app, so linking out to podcasts or newsletters doesn't work that well even if you do get the views. Your post will be suppressed if it starts to get any traction.

In this episode:

1. The shift from follower-based to interest-based algorithms
2. Why platforms are motivated to suppress organic reach for professional services
3. How to evaluate if your marketing time is actually productive

Evaluate if reach metrics actually matter for your business goals. You might find better ROI by investing in search-ranking assets like articles or podcast episodes that build relationships with the right people over time (more slowly). More on that during this week's episodes.

Resources mentioned: https://stereoforest.com/beyond-social-media-business-growth-strategies-that-work-for-professionals/

Find more episodes and subscribe at stereoforst.com/minute.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

A blog post sits on your website waiting for someone to find it. That article you wrote six months ago? Buried in your archives. Maybe someone stumbles across it through search. Probably not.

Audio works differently.

An audio version of that same content goes into podcast apps, gets recommended by algorithms, and reaches people during moments when they'd never sit down to read. And unlike social media, where your content disappears in 48 hours, podcast episodes from years ago still get discovered.

In this episode, I explain why audio compounds faster than written content and how to give your best ideas a longer life

.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Nobody cares that your episode started as a blog post. They care whether the next ten minutes are worth their time. That opening basically announces recycled content.

In this episode, I share the cold open technique that hooks attention immediately. You'll learn where to find your opening line and why it should never come from the beginning of your script.

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Website and Contact at https://stereoforest.com/minute

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/newsletter

Produced by StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

About Jen at https://jendehaan.com

1. Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://StereoForest.com/tips
2. We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
3. We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
4. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
5. Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
6. Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

Jen's website: https://jendehaan.com

This podcast is a StereoForest production. Made and produced in British Columbia, Canada.