I really resonated with these ideas. It's amazing how far the right community can take you. And I'm a big believer that more people should start podcasts. There's something about that medium that makes me feel it's a drastically underrated format. Something about the intimacy, perhaps. It's like being a fly on the wall for a conversation and that isn't captured as well elsewhere.
100%. I would even go further and say that "How will this grow my audience" is the worst question to ask, because it's not specific enough to be valuable at all. In fact, I'd say it will actively work against a creator, because just making numbers go up is the way to start down a path that isn't fulfilling at all.
Can y’all say more about this? I’ve had the idea to start a podcast with a couple people: 1) my wife and 2) a friend or two who I have good conversations with. I have no interest in driving numbers and more interest in driving interesting conversations. Any guides for how to get started without getting distracted by all of the unimportant stuff? Or is it more “try it and see how it goes?”
So, Reza and I just signed up for https://transistor.fm and started recording and uploading our podcasts. Nothing much else you need to do. Our first dozen were pretty raw and that was on purpose. We invited a few people on and had good convos from that.
The only prep we did was keep a Notion doc between us about topics we thought we could discuss, and riffed from there.
Thank you for your generous mention Nate. I look back on our year of evolving the NessLabs newsletter group with great fondness and it seems like a decade has passed since then. Loved this piece - it is full of great advice and resources as well as your ringing endorsement of the power of committing to a regular essay/newsletter publication. I have been publishing for three years now and am going „paid“
on Substack at the end of March and attribute much of the impetus to the lessons I learned from our little group.
Usually I think of the diamond and many facets as a metaphor for different sides of us. I also like this puzzle framing. Put the puzzle together without the seeing the image on the box!
I like your idea about outlining the edges of your interests in your website...🤔 I’ve been wondering how to rebuild one for myself and I think I’ll take this approach!
I HATE introducing myself. I like the idea of being more aspirational when I do it.
And, having joined Paul's community, I'm definitely trying to lean more into community this year! Thankful to count you among my friends as well, Nate!
It gets easier over time, especially when you're actually excited about how you spend your time. Paul's line at the start of his podcast episodes is a great one to ask yourself. "what are the default scripts you had growing up?"
I really resonated with these ideas. It's amazing how far the right community can take you. And I'm a big believer that more people should start podcasts. There's something about that medium that makes me feel it's a drastically underrated format. Something about the intimacy, perhaps. It's like being a fly on the wall for a conversation and that isn't captured as well elsewhere.
+1 to podcasts. There are so many side benefits to those conversations aside from the usual "How will this grow my audience?"
100%. I would even go further and say that "How will this grow my audience" is the worst question to ask, because it's not specific enough to be valuable at all. In fact, I'd say it will actively work against a creator, because just making numbers go up is the way to start down a path that isn't fulfilling at all.
Can y’all say more about this? I’ve had the idea to start a podcast with a couple people: 1) my wife and 2) a friend or two who I have good conversations with. I have no interest in driving numbers and more interest in driving interesting conversations. Any guides for how to get started without getting distracted by all of the unimportant stuff? Or is it more “try it and see how it goes?”
You should!
So, Reza and I just signed up for https://transistor.fm and started recording and uploading our podcasts. Nothing much else you need to do. Our first dozen were pretty raw and that was on purpose. We invited a few people on and had good convos from that.
The only prep we did was keep a Notion doc between us about topics we thought we could discuss, and riffed from there.
You nailed it
I still can’t believe that my podcast episode killed your podcast with Reza. RIP 🪦
Yep, all your fault ;)
You said all that needed to be said, Lyle and we thought to end on a high.
P.S. Season 3 may be coming soon... you heard it here first! ;)
Thank you for your generous mention Nate. I look back on our year of evolving the NessLabs newsletter group with great fondness and it seems like a decade has passed since then. Loved this piece - it is full of great advice and resources as well as your ringing endorsement of the power of committing to a regular essay/newsletter publication. I have been publishing for three years now and am going „paid“
on Substack at the end of March and attribute much of the impetus to the lessons I learned from our little group.
Of course. It's satisfying to look back on that time and the profound impact it had on me. Congrats on going paid!
Usually I think of the diamond and many facets as a metaphor for different sides of us. I also like this puzzle framing. Put the puzzle together without the seeing the image on the box!
I like your idea about outlining the edges of your interests in your website...🤔 I’ve been wondering how to rebuild one for myself and I think I’ll take this approach!
Just start with a solid About page and so from there!
Really resonated with this entire article.
I HATE introducing myself. I like the idea of being more aspirational when I do it.
And, having joined Paul's community, I'm definitely trying to lean more into community this year! Thankful to count you among my friends as well, Nate!
It gets easier over time, especially when you're actually excited about how you spend your time. Paul's line at the start of his podcast episodes is a great one to ask yourself. "what are the default scripts you had growing up?"