"How Personal Trauma Fueled My Podcast Journey and Growth — Jocelyn King | Ep 113

As a podcaster, you know the struggle of turning big challenges into something meaningful. This week, I sat down with Jocelyn King, host of the Smarter Online Safety podcast, who transformed a devastating cybercrime experience into a show that helps regular people stay safe online. Listen in to hear how a personal crisis can motivate incredible learning, and pick up the practical tips Jocelyn uses to protect herself and her listeners from online threats—without complicated tech talk. You’ll find out how she started from scratch and made a podcast that is both helpful and easy to follow. In this episode, you’ll hear her simple approach to launching a show even when you’re nervous, and you’ll learn her super-organized system for getting top guests—even if you’re just starting out. If you want more confidence in your voice, or you want real tips for building a podcast that makes a difference, you’ll love this conversation.Connect With Jocelyn KingWebsite: https://smarteronlinesafety.comIf 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 Introducing Jocelyn King01:13 Jocelyn’s Podcast in Her Words01:34 What Smarter Online Safety Covers02:07 Launch Date and Origins02:19 The Spark for Podcasting02:53 Personal Story: Cybercrime Attack04:23 How Her Background Shaped the Show07:20 Everyday People Need Simple Safety08:23 The Trauma of Cybercrime10:00 Why Online Safety Matters Now10:54 First Episode: Getting Started11:47 Getting Over Perfectionism13:08 Booking Guests Early15:17 Reaching Out to High-Profile Guests16:12 Fears When Starting17:18 Building Confidence Through Action18:28 Purpose Bigger Than Fear20:22 Comparing Yourself to Podcast Veterans21:31 The 1% Improvement Rule22:55 Signs of Traction and Growth23:56 Growing a Newsletter From Guest Spots25:44 Meeting Demand and Multi-use Content26:42 Traction Surprises28:01 Milestones and Booking Top Guests29:21 Tailoring Invitations for Guests30:48 Don’t Reject Yourself Before You Ask32:00 Roadblocks and Solutions33:44 Mindset Shifts for Outreach34:38 Pre-Production to Publishing Steps35:12 Planning Around National Events36:44 Finding and Inviting Guests38:17 Recording Setup: Travel-Friendly Gear40:07 Must-Have Tools and Support41:17 Who Handles Production42:06 Knowing Your Strengths42:36 Creative Ways to Delegate42:53 Advice to Day-One Podcasters43:44 Talking to One Listener44:41 Rapid Fire: Podcast Faves, Habits, Books46:38 Upcoming Online Safety Challenge47:45 Where to Learn More About Jocelyn48:06 Closing Thanks and Reflections