Building Confidence and a Podcast Empire From Scratch — Teri Holland | Ep 66

If you’ve ever felt stuck on how your podcast is really making an impact, or wondered how other podcasters build a show from nothing to a top-ranked platform, this episode is for you. I talk with Teri Holland about the real journey behind her podcast, “Success in Mind,” and how she went from a shy “Mouse” to a confident host with a dedicated global audience. You’ll hear Teri’s honest takes on podcast production, balancing life with chronic illness, and how her show has become both a business and a creative outlet—all without the pressure to chase sponsors or ads.Stick around to learn:Why vulnerability and authenticity matter more than equipment or podcasting “hacks.”How Teri turned her podcast into both a global platform and a coaching business, just by sharing her own experiences. Whether you’re just getting started, or thinking about where to grow next, you’ll find some real insights (and maybe comfort in knowing you don’t need millions of downloads).Connect With Teri HollandWebsite: https://www.teriholland.ca/Twitter:https://x.com/theterihollandLinkedIn:https://linkedin.com/in/theteriholland/If My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/joinIf the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhqWant to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststoryChapters00:00 The Impact of Listener Messages01:12 Teri’s Journey to Podcasting02:04 What “Success in Mind” Is About02:21 The Real Reason She Started Podcasting03:18 Audio or Video?03:23 Posting Schedule Changes03:44 Moving Into Video and YouTube04:38 Teri’s New YouTube Strategy05:00 From Episode Ideas to Production05:31 Guest Prep and Research06:14 Researching and Interviewing Guests06:50 Recording and Editing Process07:54 Scheduling Tools and Finding Guests08:55 Guest Selection and Pitches09:19 How the Podcast Has Evolved10:28 Growing From Solo to Guest Episodes11:28 How Podcasting Changed Terri Personally12:04 “Finding My Voice”—What It Means13:03 Overcoming Shyness and Stage Stories14:46 Expressing Herself Offstage15:42 Combining Business With Podcasting16:17 Transition From Personal Training17:35 Growth of Global Audience18:09 Looking Back: No Grand Plan19:15 Honest Update on YouTube Growth20:12 Switching to Video Podcasting21:30 Fan Mail and Listener Impact22:53 Listener Stories That Stuck24:42 Has Podcasting Ever Got You in Trouble?25:31 Ruffled Feathers and Ended Friendships26:15 Digging Into Monetization Strategies29:09 How Teri Monetizes Now30:28 Affiliates and What Works32:56 First Coaching Offers and NLP Training35:07 Living With Chronic Illness35:51 Teri’s Second Podcast: What the Poop36:35 Humor and Chronic Illness37:19 Career Transitions and Coaching38:24 Download Numbers—How Big Is Her Audience?39:08 New Podcasters and Realistic Expectations40:33 Coaching Podcasters on Visibility41:10 Why Every Listener Counts42:49 Strategy Tips for Podcast Growth44:36 Three Keys To Growth and Success47:43 Audience Expectations and Content Quality48:06 Final Thoughts and Connecting With Teri48:23 Where To Find Teri Online49:12 Wrap-Up and Thanks