21. What's Next? One Year of Wins and Lessons

Hey there Risers & Thrivers,  In this episode, I step away from the usual interviews to reflect on the first year of On the Up & Up. I dive into some key lessons and memorable moments, including: My not-so-worth-it investment in podcast equipment How pre-recording too many episodes caused unexpected challenges The surprising question that consistently caught my guests off guard Why mental health is crucial for sustainable podcasting The struggles I’ve faced with being open and vulnerable Beyond podcasting, I also share my personal and professional journey over the past year, and outline my goals moving forward. Whether you’re an aspiring podcaster or a dedicated listener of On the Up & Up, this episode offers something for everyone.  -- Follow us on your favorite podcast streaming channels and social media platforms:  (⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/ontheupandup_podcast⁠⁠) -- Acknowledgments Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠⁠oussama arichi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ -- Timestamps Introduction and Celebrating One Year of Podcasting (00:00:00) Janine introduces the podcast and reflects on the podcast's first anniversary and her desire to share lessons learned. Inspiration Behind the Podcast (00:02:56) Janine shares her personal journey, motivations for starting "On the Up and Up", and the meaning behind the name Lesson One: Equipment Spending (00:08:13) Janine’s experiences with overspending on podcasting equipment when starting out. Lesson Two: Pre-recording Episodes (00:12:07) Janine reflects on the pitfalls of pre-recording too many episodes in advance. Lesson Three: Emotional Readiness for Recording (00:14:08) Janine emphasizes the importance of being in the right emotional state for recording. Lesson Four: The Question That Confused Every Guest (00:16:31) Janine discusses the challenges of asking guests to introduce themselves and suggests alternatives. Lesson Five: Being Personal in Interviews (00:19:23) Janine reflects on the need to share more personal insights during interviews. The Highlights (00:21:52) Marketing support, live podcasts, and more! The Dual Reality of Life (00:27:46) While things appear to be going well, she acknowledges the exhaustion that comes with the achievements and commitments.  Taking a Bet on Herself (00:34:20) She shares her readiness to focus on her projects, despite fears of instability and loneliness. Looking Forward to the Next Year (00:37:52) Janine outlines her hopes for more interaction with listeners and improving podcast quality in the coming year.