How do I figure out if my show is still working for me? Summer is a great time to take a break and reflect on your podcast so far. When that reflection leads to questioning whether it's time to stop producing your show or go on hiatus, a lot of tough queries and existential dread can surface. In the final episode of the season, Mary guides you in a thought exercise to help clarify this decision for you.

Especially when you're working on a passion project—something that developed from a hobby or avocation—it can be difficult to balance the capacity and financial demand of prepping, recording, producing, and publishing with the rest of your life. By identifying stand-out episodes and any shifts in the deeper why behind your project since it launched, you can design a future that fits. Whether you decide to stop cold turkey, continue as usual, or take a more manageable, stripped-down approach, this episode is required listening for all podcasters wondering whether to shutter their show or stay the course.

Reflect on these existential podcasting questions:

• Why it pays to look back at your favourite episode;
• The middle ground between the parts of production you love and the parts you don't;
• Identifying the legacy you want to leave behind;
• The reality of bankrolling a passion project.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

• Episode 117 - How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry Won: https://www.organizedsound.ca/how-your-podcast-can-help-dismantle-the-minority-narrative-with-jerry-won-episode-117/
• Episode 100 - Finding Joy in the Serious Work of Podcasting: https://www.organizedsound.ca/finding-joy-in-the-serious-work-of-podcasting-episode-100/

Connect with Mary!

• Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email [email protected]
• Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com
• Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter
• To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca
• Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/
• Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions

Show Credits:

• Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions
• Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio
• Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA
• Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.