Starting a Podcast Alone: Hard Lessons They Don’t Tell You About — Jake Doberenz | Ep 107

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to run a podcast that stands out, you’ll want to hear my conversation with Jake Doberenz, host of Christianity Without Compromise. In this episode, Jake shares his approach to tackling controversial topics while keeping his show laser-focused and relevant. You’ll learn why narrowing your podcast’s mission beats being general, and how choosing an audience helps you build real fans—not just random listeners. We also talk behind the scenes: balancing production, choosing marketing platforms, and knowing when to say “no” to extra work so you don’t burn out.A couple things you’ll take away: how to make clear choices about show format (like going audio-only), and the key benefits of doing pre-interview chats to make sure your guests—and their tech—are a good fit. You’ll hear honest insights on growth strategies, workflow, and why letting go of what “everyone else is doing” actually works. If you want real advice from someone who’s been through every podcast role, don’t miss this episode.Connect with Jake DoberenzWebsite:https://jakedoberenz.com/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 Introducing Jake Doberenz00:01 What Is Christianity Without Compromise?00:03 Jake’s Start in Podcasting00:06 Lessons from Previous Shows00:07 Why This Podcast Idea?00:10 Picking a Specific Focus00:12 The Reality of Running a Podcast00:15 Choosing Audio Over Video00:17 Decisions Around Marketing00:20 What Actually Works in Promotion00:22 Making the Podcast Fit Your Life00:23 Workflow and Tools Used00:25 Producing for Clients vs. Own Show00:28 Hosting on Substack00:29 How Growth Happens00:31 Using Stories to Engage00:33 Upcoming Projects and Video Plans00:34 What Would It Take to Add Video?00:36 Tech Barriers and Guest Setup00:41 Gradually Shifting to Video00:43 Repurposing with Video Content00:44 Does the Podcast Make Money?00:45 Final Advice for Podcasters00:48 Where to Connect with Jake