If you want to start a podcast in 2026, read this first

If you want your podcast to last, slow down before you start

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast in 2026, the best advice I can give you is to slow down.

Not because podcasting is hard.

Not because it’s “too late” to start a show.

Not because podcasting isn’t for you.

But because the podcasts that last are the ones that begin with intention, not impulse.

So what do you need to do if you want yours to go the distance?

Want help starting your podcast? Download my FREE ‘How To Start A Podcast’ guide.

First, forget what “success” is supposed to look like

One of the biggest reasons people quit podcasting is because they measure themselves against the wrong things.

Huge network deals… Six-figure downloads… Joe Rogan money.

Those outcomes definitely exist, but they’re rare, highly conditional and often not replicable.

And holding your brand new podcast up against those benchmarks is a fast path to disappointment.

That doesn’t mean your podcast can’t be successful, it just means that you need to define what success means for you.

There are plenty of podcasters with ‘small’ audiences who:

• Monetise in ways that make sense for them
• Land speaking gigs they would never have accessed if not for their podcast
• Build communities they genuinely love showing up for
• Create intellectual property they can point to forever

And none of those things require 100,000+ downloads.

So before you think about gear, platforms or promotion, ask yourself:  What would success actually look like for me?

Is it more clients?  More authority?  Creative fulfilment?  Connection?  A body of work you’re proud of?

You can have all those things with a podcast that has far fewer listeners than you might be aiming for.

But you just need to get clear on what your goals are.

Quality matters more than ever

Ten or fifteen years ago, you could throw a mic on a desk, learn as you went and manage to build audience.

And that’s how a lot of successful shows started.

But podcasting is a very different landscape now.

There are big networks, big brands and very high production standards competing for attention.

And listeners are no longer curious about podcasting as a novelty, they’re choosing between thousands of premium options.

That doesn’t mean you need to strive for perfection but you do need to approach your podcast with intention including having…

• A considered idea
• A clear audience
• A show structure that makes sense
• Audio that’s nice to listen to

You can’t skip this part and expect the rest to work.

Everything else, promotion, video, growth, monetisation, stems from the quality of the product itself.

It’s not too late to start a podcast

I get asked this all the time…

Have I missed the boat?  Are there too many podcasts?  Is podcasting over saturated?

There are millions of podcasts listed in directories, but only a fraction of those are actively releasing episodes because most people quit.

Which means it’s still a relatively uncluttered space for creators who are willing to think, plan and show up consistently.

There are fewer podcasts than YouTube channels or blogs and people are still actively looking for new shows to listen to.

So, there is room for thoughtful, well-made content. Always.

Consistency beats everything else

This is the least exciting advice but the most important.

Consistency is the foundation of podcast growth.

Not viral spikes.

Not one huge guest who shares with their audience.

Not one lucky moment where the algorithm gives you heaps of love.

Listeners build trust when you show up where you said you would, when you said you would.

If your workflow, your idea or your expectations make consistency impossible, the podcast will struggle no matter how big the potential is.

A simple, sustainable show released consistently will always outperform an over-engineered one that burns out.

Ask yourself these questions before you start

If podcasting is something you want to do in 2026, sit down with these questions before you record anything.

• Who is this show for?
• What problem does this show help solve, or what curiosity is it tapping into?
• What is my point of view and how is it different to other shows out there?
• Why would someone choose my show over another one?
• What does success look like for me, realistically?
• How can I make this sustainable and fit it into my life?

You don’t need all the answers to be perfectly defined in your head, but you do need to care about them because winging it is no longer a strategy.

Treat podcasting like a craft, not a gamble

The people who succeed in podcasting aren’t necessarily the most confident, charismatic or well connected.

They are the ones who:

• Care about the work
• Respect the audience
• Are willing to learn
• Stick around long enough for momentum to build

If you’re approaching podcasting with the intention to do it properly and treat it as a real craft, you are already miles ahead of where most people start.

And far more likely to still be here a year (or more) from now.

Want help doing this properly?

If you want support creating a podcast that’s well-thought-out, well-structured and genuinely worth listening to, there are a few ways I can help.

You’ll find free resources, my online course and coaching options linked here. I’m also building more community-based support for 2026 for people who want guidance and accountability as they build.

Because great podcasts don’t happen by accident.

They’re built with intention.