We Know You Didn’t Share the Episode. And Yes, We’re Watching.
Why sharing your interview matters—and what hosts really think when you don’t.
Let’s be real…
As a podcast host, I always know who shares their episode. And who doesn’t. I’m not just talking about being tagged or invited to collab on an Instagram post or even posting it on any social media platform or in their newsletter.
How do I know? The download stats. They tell the whole story.
When a guest shares their episode, there’s a beautiful spike in downloads. When they don’t? Flatline. And as the host, the person who gave you a platform, a mic, and an introduction to my audience, I notice. Every host notices.
Being a podcast guest is more than just showing up.
It’s not just a 30-minute convo you tick off your to-do list. It’s a relationship. It’s trust. It’s a dinner party.
As I said in How To Get On Podcasts, a podcast interview is the same as a dinner party. When someone invites you into their home, feeds you, pours you a glass of wine, and creates space for you…you say thank you. You tell people about the dinner. You show appreciation.
In podcasting, sharing the episode is the thank you.
Why this matters (and why I care)
Podcasting is still the wild, wild west. There’s no playbook.
So I’m helping create one. I want to set the standards and for there to actually be standards.
That’s why I wrote How to Get On Podcasts.
That’s why I show up three times a week on my own show.
That’s why I teach this, talk about this, and model it—because this work deserves intention.
So if you're wondering what to do after your interview, here's your checklist:
As someone who has also been a guest many times over, I know this isn’t only an issue on the guest side. Hosts need to show up as well and make it as seamless and easy as possible for a guest to share their interview.
Podcasting is not a transaction. It’s a collaboration.
It only works when both sides show up.
So let me leave you with this:
If you’ve been on someone’s podcast recently…
Did you share the episode? Did you thank the host?
Or did you treat it like a free promo hit and walk out the door?
I see you either way.
Podcast Guest Questions
Do podcast interviews take a chill during summer months?
For the most part, no, hosts do not break for summer. There are some podcasts that do seasons and record only during certain months but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t record during summer. I have seen guests want to pull back during summer months because of vacations though, but not so much hosts.
In the past, we’ve seen lulls around the December holidays, BUT the past two years have been quite the opposite and we’ve seen an uptick in interviews being booked. There’s really no rhyme or reason, so keep pitching yourself even during summer months.
What I’m Reading
This week I finished Sources of Strength by President Jimmy Carter. I found this book at our local library sale a couple months ago and snatched it right up. My uncle was President Carter’s roommate at the US Naval Academy. He was also friends with my late grandfather who was a 3 star admiral. My uncle was also the navigator on the US Nautilus when it first went under the North Pole and was mentioned in President Carter’s memoir…all this to say, President Carter holds a special place in my heart and I was very excited to dive into his meditations and hear what his thoughts were about scripture.
I was raised Catholic and although I don’t regularly go to church now, I do pray and find grounding and grace in reading such a book. It’s 52 chapters, probably meant for every week of the year, but I read a chapter a day.
I’m still reading Fired Up by Shannon Watts and Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen.
My Simplified Life Podcast
As women, we are told certain things throughout life. As I read every vignette in They Will Tell You The World Is Yours, I felt like Anna had been watching me through life. It’s a fantastic read!
#314 They Will Tell You The World Is Yours with Anna Mitchael
If we’re all honest with ourselves, then we’ve felt like imposters at one time or another. Steph and I are discussing when those times have been for us…and are right in this very moment.
#315 Booked & Unfiltered: Why Imposter Syndrome Is A Liar
Former Illinois Congresswoman Marie Newman joined me for an incredible conversation where she detailed what it was like being in office and IN the Capitol on January 6th, the motivation behind running for office and actions we can all take.
#316 From Activism to Congress with Marie Newman
Our summer is about to start and although it means my kids will be home with me while I work, I also look at this time as a new season and time for reflection on what else I want to do. Some ideas have started to percolate in regards to the podcast, books, building local community events here in San Jose, ways I can be impactful as an advocate and activist. I’m happy to share these ideas and what I’m doing, if you’d find it to be of interest…let me know. It’ll also tell me you’re reading this far! (No, that’s not a test!)
As we head into this long Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to take a pause from the BBQs and gatherings to reflect on those we’ve lost in war. On Monday, my family and I will be heading to the Oak Hill Cemetery here in San Jose to honor those we have lost, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. I’ll also be thinking about the two young lives that were taken this week in DC…a hate crime that was senseless and cannot be tolerated. We must speak up, mourn with action and stop the hate from spreading further.
