Tulip Podcast Manager 🎙️ Bojana Lalic

Imposter syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt and the belief that you’re not deserving of your success, even if you’ve worked hard to get there. It’s like feeling that you’re “faking it” or that you don’t belong in your space. When it comes to podcasting, this could look like thinking you’re not an expert enough to speak on your subject or comparing yourself to more seasoned podcasters and feeling like you’re not doing enough.

How It Affects Podcasters

• Fear of judgment from your audience or guests.
• Constantly comparing yourself to successful podcasters.
• Hesitating to release new episodes due to perfectionism.
• Doubting your ability to grow your audience or build a community.

The truth is, these feelings are normal but don’t have to hold you back. It’s possible to overcome them and continue creating valuable, authentic content that resonates with your audience.

Understand That Imposter Syndrome is Common in Podcasting

Why It Matters

Knowing that imposter syndrome is a natural part of the creative process is key. Even the most successful podcasters have been there. From seasoned podcasters to newcomers, everyone experiences doubts about their abilities at some point. Recognizing that this feeling is normal can help you combat it.

How to Do It

Remember that most people feel unsure in the beginning, but that doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. You can’t compare yourself to others without considering how far they’ve come.

Look at the progress you’ve made, whether it’s launching your podcast, growing your audience, or mastering new skills like editing or marketing.

Take How I Built This by Guy Raz. Despite being a well-known name in the podcasting industry, he once shared that even he questioned if he was qualified to interview top entrepreneurs. Yet, his experience grew as he embraced the process and kept pushing forward.

Focus on Your Audience and the Value You Offer

Why It Matters

Your podcast isn’t about perfection—it’s about the value you bring to your audience. Focus on what your listeners are gaining from your episodes, whether it’s entertainment, information, or inspiration. When you realize that the content you create is helping others, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to provide value.

How to Do It

Identify what your listeners need and keep your content aligned with their interests and challenges.

Engage with your audience by asking for feedback and suggestions. Understanding what resonates with them can boost your confidence and reduce self-doubt.

Celebrate the small wins: the first comment you get, a new subscriber, or a listener sharing your podcast with others.

Think about podcasts like The Daily by The New York Times. It’s not perfect, but it consistently provides value with current, concise news updates. The show doesn’t try to impress everyone; it just does its job of informing listeners.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Why It Matters

It’s so easy to look at other podcasters and think, “I’ll never be as good as them,” but that’s one of the biggest traps of imposter syndrome. Every podcaster has a different path, and comparing yours to someone else’s only steals your confidence.

How to Do It

Focus on your journey and growth. Look at your first episode and compare it to your current one. You’ll likely see huge improvements, even if you don’t feel like it.

Embrace the fact that no one has exactly the same voice or perspective as you. Your uniqueness is your strength.

Maybe you’re following a podcast with hundreds of thousands of followers. Don’t let the numbers overwhelm you. Instead, think about how your podcast’s specific message might resonate with a smaller, but loyal, audience who values what you offer.

Be Kind to Yourself and Practice Self-Compassion

Why It Matters

Podcasters are their own worst critics. It’s easy to focus on your mistakes, flaws, or perceived shortcomings. The reality is, we all have room for improvement, and that’s okay. By practicing self-compassion, you can prevent those feelings of doubt from stalling your progress.

How to Do It

Stop obsessing over every word you said or every edit that could be better. Perfectionism can be a major roadblock in podcasting.

Acknowledge that you are learning and growing with each episode. Celebrate your progress, not just the outcome.

Think about how often you might re-record or over-edit. While it’s great to put out polished content, don’t beat yourself up over minor mistakes or things you wish were better. Even the best podcasters have “imperfect” episodes—and that’s what makes them real.

Take Action to Combat Self-Doubt

Why It Matters

The best way to deal with imposter syndrome is by continuing to take action. Every time you release an episode, try something new, or engage with your listeners, you’re building confidence and proving to yourself that you belong.

How to Do It

Set small, achievable goals for your podcast. Whether it’s releasing an episode every week, growing your email list, or collaborating with a guest, accomplishing these tasks will give you a sense of achievement.

Keep learning and growing. The more you learn about podcasting (and yourself), the more confident you’ll become in your abilities.

If you’re feeling stuck, try experimenting with a new format or style. If you’ve always done solo episodes, try an interview or a panel discussion. Each new format is a chance to learn and grow—and you may be surprised at how much your confidence increases after you step out of your comfort zone.

Imposter syndrome is something every podcaster will face at some point. But here’s the secret—it doesn’t have to stop you. Embrace the journey, focus on your unique voice, and be kind to yourself. With time and effort, you’ll gain confidence in your podcasting abilities, and you’ll realize that you’re more than qualified to share your voice with the world.

Remember, every podcaster starts somewhere, and it’s okay to not have it all figured out. Keep going, keep creating, and soon enough, you’ll find your stride and overcome the doubts that once held you back.

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome in podcasting?

How have you overcome self-doubt?

Let’s chat in the comments or connect with me to share your experiences!