Life has a way of reminding us what’s most important, even when we’re chasing our podcasting dreams. In this heartfelt episode, Shannon Hernandez opens up about balancing personal responsibilities, such as caring for aging parents, with the demands of podcasting. From the value of batching content to his updated stance on YouTube as a podcasting platform, Shannon shares practical insights and personal reflections. Tune in for an honest conversation about finding balance in 2025 while keeping your mental health in check.

🟢 Balancing podcasting with family responsibilities: A personal story.
🟢 The lifesaving strategy of batching podcast episodes.
🟢 Shannon’s evolving perspective on using YouTube for podcasting.
🟢 Why it’s okay to take a step back from campaigns and content creation.
🟢 Managing mental health as a podcaster during challenging times.
🟢 The mindset shift needed to navigate unexpected life changes.

Today on The Podcast Therapist: Feeling burned out from podcasting? Whether it’s the holiday rush or juggling personal and professional responsibilities, burnout can take a toll on even the most passionate creators. In this episode, I dive into how to manage and avoid podcast burnout, the importance of taking intentional breaks, and how reflection can lead to better content and a stronger connection with your audience.

Discover actionable tips to plan breaks, simplify your workflows, and prioritize your physical and mental health. Plus, hear my personal story about hitting a wall with content creation and how embracing authenticity and rest helped me grow as a podcaster. If you’re ready to avoid burnout and build a sustainable podcasting journey, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
🟢 The reality of burnout during the holidays
🟢 Why taking breaks matters (and how to do it guilt-free)
🟢 How content creation mimics reps vs. rest in physical training
🟢 The importance of physical activity for generating creative ideas
🟢 Tips and techniques to avoid podcast burnout
🟢 Embracing change and focusing on long-term happiness

Timestamps for This Episode
0:00 - Introduction
03:35 - Breakdown of today's topics on podcast burnout
03:46 - Burnout during the holidays
06:16 - My personal anecdote on burning out with my own content
10:25 - The importance of taking breaks - No guilt!
11:35 - The ebb and flow of how we consume and publish content
13:35 - A real life perspective on reps vs. resting and rehabilitation as it relates to content creation
18:14 - Example of internet personalities burning out from building content
19:29 - How I've burned out in radio daily and what I do to stay creative
21:00 - Tips on avoiding burnout
26:16 - How physical activity helps you generate content ideas
27:00 - Final Point/Reminder about change
30:20 - Final inspirational quote about your happiness
34:55 - Closing/Thank you

Resources and Links
🟢 Essential Podcast Equipment Guide: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/equipment
🟢 Podcast Launch Checklist: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/plc
🟢 Mastering Podcast Interviews: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/interviews

Connect with Shannon
Instagram: 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/shannonjhernandez
Threads: 🧵 https://www.threads.net/@shannonjhernandez
LinkedIn: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonjhernandez1
YouTube: 📹 https://www.youtube.com/shannonhernandez

📡 Follow and Listen to The Podcast Therapist
🎧 YouTube Podcasts: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/youtubepodcasts
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/apple
🎧 Spotify: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/spotify

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners.

Want to grow your podcast and deliver a professional, engaging show in 2025? In this episode, I’m sharing 11 actionable tips to help you improve your podcast content, streamline its flow, and enhance audio quality. If you’re tired of losing listeners with long intros or uneven sound, these strategies will help you polish your podcast, boost engagement, and grow your audience.

Drawing on my years as a radio broadcaster, podcaster, and producer, I’ll cover:
🎬 Why short intros matter for keeping listeners hooked.
🧩 How to structure your podcast content for logical and engaging flow.
🎧 How to normalize audio levels for consistent, professional quality.
✨ Why consistent branding and sound effects build trust and professionalism.
🔁 The importance of repeating promotions across multiple episodes.

These tips are designed for new and experienced podcasters who want to create high-quality shows that their audience loves and returns to week after week.

Key Topics & Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Improving your podcast for 2025.
02:20 – Announcements and programming changes
05:19 – Quick and actionable tips for improving your podcast
07:51 – Improving pre-rolls and product promotions
13:36 – Content and structural improvements
20:36 – Branding and consistency improvements
25:34 – Audio quality and content delivery tips
30:09 – Quick recap of the 11 tips.

Resources & Links
✅ Free Equipment Guide To Starting A Podcast - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart

Other Links and Affiliates - Products I Use To Enhance My Podcast:
Software
🔷 Ecamm - https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/ecamm
🔷 TubeBuddy - https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/tubebuddy
🔷 Descript - https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/getdescript

Hardware
🔷 Rodecaster Pro II - https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/rodecasterpro2
🔷 Streamdeck -  https://thepodcasttherapist.com/streamdeck
🔷 Logitech Brio - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/brio

 Connect with Shannon
📹 YouTube: https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/youtubepodcasts
🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shannonjhernandez
🌟 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonjhernandez
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonjhernandez1

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners.

How are listeners finding your podcast? If you’re not getting discovered the way you should, it’s time to explore SEO and inbound marketing strategies tailored for podcasters. In this episode, Shannon shares how to optimize your podcast for search engines, use your website as a central hub for leads, and turn short-form content into powerful tools for discoverability. You’ll learn actionable tips to attract listeners, nurture leads, and drive real results for your business or personal brand.

🟢 Why SEO strategies are essential for podcast discoverability
🟢 How to optimize podcast titles, descriptions, and show notes for search engines
🟢 Using your website as a lead magnet hub to convert listeners into engaged leads
🟢 Turning impactful podcast moments into short-form content for social media
🟢 The importance of nurturing your audience through email marketing
🟢 Why YouTube Podcasts are a growing platform for podcast discoverability

Instagram: 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/shannonjhernandez
Threads: 🧵 https://www.threads.net/@shannonjhernandez
YouTube: 📹 https://thepodcasttherapist.com/youtube
LinkedIn: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonjhernandez1

🟢 Essential Podcast Equipment Guide: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/equipment
🟢 Podcast Launch Checklist: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/plc
🟢 Mastering Podcast Interviews: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/interviews
🟢 The Decision Hour: https://thedecisionhours.com
🟢 Solo Site Solutions: https://solositesolutions.com/tpt
🟢 YouTube Podcasting Event (Dec 12th): https://podcasts.withyoutube.com/events/podcasting-ama

🔷 Jay Baer’s Youtility – https://amzn.to/49wvMwS
🔷 TubeBuddy – https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/tubebuddy
🔷 Ecamm – https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/ecamm
🔷 Kajabi – https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/kajabi
🔷 StreamDeck – https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/streamdeck
🔷 Descript – https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/descript

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners.

In this episode of The Podcast Therapist, Shannon takes a deep dive into the 2024 Podcast Marketing Trends Report and what they mean for creators heading into 2025. He also reflects on his podcast reboot and shares practical tips for critiquing your own show to improve presentation and engagement. Plus, Shannon highlights essential podcast equipment you should snag during the holiday sales to take your setup to the next level.

🟢 The 2024 Podcast Marketing Trends Report and insights for 2025.
🟢 Critiquing your podcast: How to identify and fix presentation gaps.
🟢 The importance of SEO and short-form content for podcast discoverability.
🟢 How cross-promotion and partnerships can boost audience growth.
🟢 Monetization strategies: From memberships to affiliate marketing.
🟢 Essential podcast equipment to elevate your production quality.
🟢 Why consistent self-critique and preparation are key to podcast success.

Instagram: 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/shannonjhernandez
Threads: 🧵 https://www.threads.net/@shannonjhernandez
LinkedIn: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonjhernandez1
YouTube: 📹 https://www.youtube.com/shannonhernandez

✅ Essential Equipment Guide: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart
✅ Podcast Launch Checklist: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/plc
✅ Mastering Podcast Interviews: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/interviews
✅ 2024 Podcast Marketing Trends Report: https://www.quillpodcasting.com/downloads/2024-marketing-trends-report
✅ Soundboard Studio: https://soundboardstudio.com/
✅ Solo Site Solutions: http://solositesolutions.com/tpt
✅ The Decision Hour: http://thedecisionhour.com

🔷 Ecamm Live: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/ecamm
🔷 Descript for Podcast Editing: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/getDescript
🔷 TubeBuddy: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/tubebuddy
🔷 Stream Deck: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/streamdeck
🔷 Rocketbook: http://thepodcasttherapist.com/rocketbook
🔷 Kajabi: https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/kajabi

Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Tune in to this episode for practical advice on improving your presentation, marketing, and setup. Stay consistent, stay prepared, and elevate your podcast in 2025.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners.

**The public version of The Podcast Therapist offers a limited selection of chapters and timestamps featuring key highlights. Unlock the full experience with The Podcast Therapist: Playback Pass—including ad-free episodes, early access to content, complete chapters and timestamps, and exclusive bonus materials—by subscribing at thepodcasttherapist.com/adfree. Elevate your podcasting journey with the tools and insights you need to grow and thrive.

Have you ever wondered if you can run a podcast all by yourself or if you really need a guest? Struggled with burnout while trying to juggle content creation and life? This episode is all about solutions for those dilemmas. Shannon shares insights from his personal journey of podcasting, what went wrong, and how he rebooted his show with a fresh perspective. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a solopreneur, or a podcaster looking to simplify your process, this episode has golden nuggets for you.

🟢 Why Shannon took a break from podcasting and lessons learned
🟢 The realities of podcast burnout and how to overcome it
🟢 The Amazon Influencer Program and its role in rebuilding his creative passion
🟢 Simplifying podcast production: Insights into leveraging the Rodecaster Pro II
🟢 Turning your podcast into a business: Proven systems and strategies
🟢 Solo podcasting vs. inviting guests: What works best for you?
🟢 How radio principles can shape better podcasting

Threads: 🧵 https://www.threads.net/@shannonjhernandez
Instagram: 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/shannonjhernandez
Facebook: 👍 https://www.facebook.com/theshanmanonline
Subscribe on YouTube: https://thepodcasttherapist.com/youtube

✅ Essential Equipment Guide to Starting a Podcast - https://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart
✅ Podcast Launch Checklist - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/PLC
✅ Mastering Podcast Interviews - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/interviews

🔷 YouTube Podcast Event - https://podcasts.withyoutube.com/events/podcasting-ama
🔷 Rodecaster Pro II - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/rcp2
🔷 Kajabi - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/kajabi
🔷 Descript - https://thepodcasttherapist.com/getdescript
🔷 Solo Site Solutions - https://www.solositesolutions.com/tpt
🔷  The Decision Hour - https://www.heroesmediagroup.com/shows/the-decision-hour/

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners.

In today's episode I will be sharing with you an extended version of my YouTube video that I published last week. However, this podcast goes further into my own personal process for podcast production and editing.  You may want to take notes in this episode--especially if you want to learn how I edit my podcasts.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to identify the different styles of podcasting.
• How different styles affect the amount of time it takes to edit a podcast.
• How long it really should take to edit a podcast. 
• How to become an active podcaster while recording your episodes.
• How to use the Effects Rack inside of Adobe Audition
• Whether or not you should record voice recordings in mono or stereo.
• ...and much more.

I hope you find today's episode useful.  Please go back and listen to it again if you didn't catch it the first time.

If you have any questions about my editing process, hit me up on the Contact Me section on my website at http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com
====================


Today's episode was created and powered by Rocketbook, the reusable and environmentally friendly notebook.  Take notes, save to the cloud, erase notes, reuse notebook. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/rocketbook

Want to know which equipment I used to create this podcast?  Download my Essential Equipment Guide to Starting a Podcast:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart

Start editing your podcast in Adobe Audition. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/adobe

Launching a podcast? Get my Podcast Launch Checklist here for 25% off the website listing price. Click here to download.

Support the show (https://www.theshanman.com/contribute-to-my-youtube-channel)

Last week's episode was left on a bit of a cliffhanger when I started asking Jimmie Whisman about sponsorship pros and cons.  

This week, Jimmie shares insight into the pros and cons of podcast sponsorships and what podcasters need to be aware of.  This conversation is a nice setup to the following topics that we discuss:

I hope you are able to learn something from Jimmie's experience from creating a successful podcast.

Also, there's a bonus episode in my ad-free version over at http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/adfree. 

This week's topic: "What To Prepare Before Filing Your Taxes For Your Podcast Business."

You can subscribe here.

================
You can reach out to Jimmie and James on the following social media sites:

Jimmie Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/whismansucks
James Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jimmypisfunny
Crime in Sports Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeInSports
Small Town Murder Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderSmall

Jimmie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whismansucks
Small Town Murder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownmurder/


Crime in Sports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crimeinsports
Small Town Murder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smalltownpod

================

Today's episode was created and powered by Rocketbook, the reusable and environmentally friendly notebook.  Take notes, save to the cloud, erase notes, reuse notebook. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/rocketbook

Want to know which equipment I used to create this podcast?  Download my Essential Equipment Guide to Starting a Podcast:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart

Start editing your podcast in Adobe Audition. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/adobe

Launching a podcast? Get my Podcast Launch Checklist here for 25% off the website listing price. Click here to download.

Get started with Second Nature here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/secondnature

Support the show (https://www.theshanman.com/contribute-to-my-youtube-channel)

5 years ago, Jimmie Whisman and James Pietragallo made the decision to create a true crime podcast called Crime in Sports.  With a crude setup in an apartment in Phoenix, Arizona, the comedic duo recorded their first podcast with two lapel microphones and a video camera to capture the audio.

Once that first episode was complete, they uploaded it and only got 12 total downloads. 

Disappointed in the downloads, James was ready to call it quits before Jimmie reminded him that it was only one episode and they had to give the podcast some time to grow.

Fast-forward 5 years later and the comedic duo now host an additional podcast, Small Town Murder and tour the United States doing live podcast recordings for thousands of adoring fans.

How did these two get here?

In this episode, Jimmie shares how he and his partner grew their podcast to garner thousands of downloads per week and now are the creators of their own fate and future.

What you'll learn from this episode:

You can reach out to Jimmie and James on the following social media sites:

Jimmie Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/whismansucks
James Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jimmypisfunny
Crime in Sports Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeInSports
Small Town Murder Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderSmall

Jimmie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whismansucks
Small Town Murder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownmurder/


Crime in Sports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crimeinsports
Small Town Murder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smalltownpod

Get started with Second Nature here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/secondnature

Support the show (https://www.theshanman.com/contribute-to-my-youtube-channel)

Getting more podcast listeners is a HUGE topic for most podcasters. Am I right?

But when it comes to getting more podcast listeners, what is the right way to market those podcasts? 

In today's episode, I want to examine the different types of podcast marketing and help you identify which ones will work best for you.

Today's podcast was inspired after I attended a recent Clubhouse room filled with podcast creators who seemed to be caught up in the the throes of knowing which would be the best way to market their podcast to get more listeners. 

Here's a summary of what you're going to learn in today's episode:

If you have questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me via voicemail. Check the links below for more information.

====================
Have a question for me?  Leave me a voicemail or send me a message at:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/podcast

Today's episode was created and powered by Rocketbook, the reusable and environmentally friendly notebook.  Take notes, save to the cloud, erase notes, reuse notebook. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/rocketbook

Want to know which equipment I used to create this podcast?  Download my Essential Equipment Guide to Starting a Podcast:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/quickstart

Start editing your podcast in Adobe Audition. Learn more here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/adobe

Launching a podcast? Get my Podcast Launch Checklist here for 25% off the website listing price. Click here to download.

Get started with Second Nature here:
http://www.thepodcasttherapist.com/secondnature

Support the show (https://www.theshanman.com/contribute-to-my-youtube-channel)