What could you talk about for three years?

I often joke about the fact that when I like something, I’m likely to talk about it non-stop.  That’s true when it comes to the coffee I drink, the restaurants I visit, and the new music I’ve just discovered.

Not long ago, I was driving to an early morning meeting.  It wasn’t a far drive, so I put some music on instead of listening to a podcast.  Almost immediately, I discovered a new song by an artist I have been listening to for years.

I kid you not, within the next few hours, I’m pretty sure everyone I had ever met was introduced to that song.  I texted it to my wife and kids.  I had conversations about it.  I shared a link to the video on my social media.  Basically, I liked it so much that I had to tell everyone I knew about how great it was.

But I also know that if I was forced to listen to that song on repeat for a long period of time, I could easily get sick of it.

I think that’s something worth considering if you’re about to create a show.  I’m convinced it takes multiple years for a show to hit it’s real momentum point, so it’s probably wise to ask right at the outset, “What can I talk about for three years without getting sick of it?”

If you remember my story, my very first podcast centered around the subject of leadership development.  That’s a very important topic to me, but it isn’t the only thing I like to talk about.  After about three months of recording content, I started to feel like I had said most of what I wanted to say on the subject, so my motivation to create new episodes started to fade.  Soon after, I ended the show.

If you’re going to create a show, I think you need to give some serious thought to what you could talk about for years and years without growing tired of the subject.  You need to pick a subject that you’re truly passionate about.  Your enthusiasm (or boredom) with your subject will become very evident to your listening audience.

I host three shows that allow me to express my faith in a variety of ways.  I like the variety, and I’m grateful for these outlets that allow me to speak about a subject that I will never tire of.

I also host The Platform Launchers Podcast, a show that teaches others how to build, grow, and monetize an online platform.  That’s a subject that I love as well.  It fits so well with my personality and life experiences that the subject matter just flows off my tongue.

If you create a show that connects to subject matter that you don’t easily tire of speaking about, you’re more likely to succeed in this space.  You’d think this would be an obvious statement, but it really isn’t.  There are a lot of people who have created shows just to get something going or because they were trying to market a specific product or service.  Now they feel stuck and want to get out.  Eventually, most will stop producing episodes and their shows will fade away.

I don’t want that to happen to you.  To avoid that, it’s important to build your show on the right foundation.

Do this:  Pay close attention to your conversations this week.  What questions do you love being asked?  What conversations do you join because they’re interesting to you?  What conversations do you attempt to get out of?  What are you able to talk about, at length, with no preparation whatsoever and no loss of enthusiasm?  Is there a subject that people think you’re an expert on?

Once you figure out your ideal topic, get ready to communicate it passionately (not passively) in your upcoming episodes.

Be clear:  Start by clarifying your thoughts and ideas about your passion. Think about what it is that you love and why you love it. Be specific about what excites you and what you find most interesting.

Keep showing enthusiasm: Passion is contagious, so let your enthusiasm shine through when you talk about your passion. Use expressive body language and tone of voice to convey your excitement.

Use personal examples: It can be helpful to use concrete examples to help others understand what you're passionate about. This could include personal stories, anecdotes, or data that support your passion.

Be relatable: Consider your audience and try to relate your passion to their interests and experiences. This can help them connect with your passion and understand why it matters to you.

Practice active listening: When communicating your passion, it's important to also listen to the thoughts and feelings of your audience. Encourage questions and engage in dialogue to create a two-way conversation.

Be authentic: Don’t be fake.  Share your passion in a way that feels authentic and honest. 

The beautiful thing about a podcast is that it gives you an outlet to communicate your passion and find an audience that’s ready to listen.  You may encounter people in your daily life who laugh at what interests you, but your listening audience is likely to value every word you speak.  

It’s a special opportunity and a unique privilege to be able to serve people with your knowledge.  I think you’ll also experience an improvement to your overall quality of life once you begin consistently utilizing this outlet.  I can honestly say I have received a boost of confidence since starting my shows, and my satisfaction with what I do in life has grown because I’m given this opportunity to serve others in a way they seem to appreciate.

© John Stange, 2024