On Podcasting
Mom: “What are you working on?”
“A new podcast.”
“How does that make money?”
Sigh.
“C’mon mom. How does doing yoga make money? How does reading make money? How does connecting with people make money? Money is downstream.”
A podcast is a scheduled and recorded conversation. It’s connecting with people, exchanging ideas, and generating new ones. Both guests and viewers get to know me, and I get to know myself.
The time and date on the calendar gets the juices flowing. The podcast is a motivator to prepare ideas and think of good questions. The camera makes you try. The camera keeps you locked in. Ideas that you didn’t even know you had will bubble up for the conversation. What’s more, new ideas can be generated during a podcast.
Monetization is downstream of conversation, learning, and connection. Even if it’s not, it doesn’t matter, because for me, podcasting is better than money. Money is useful so long as it can get me desired feelings. Podcasting already does that.
I started podcasting the same way I start everything—totally unprepared. Low-res laptop cam, cheap mic, and Zoom. No lighting or conversation preparation.
I dragged my feet on buying a nice podcast setup because investing in yourself is scary. But it was embarrassing to hear and see myself with the worst audio and camera quality on the podcast. Eventually I realized, I’m going to be doing this for a very long time, so I may as well get the good equipment.
I prepare for a podcast by digesting the guest’s work and letting it marinate in the days leading up to the conversation. I arrive with questions and shares, and an openness to go wherever we flow. I care about the quality of my work, connections, and conversations. Conversation, it seems, is consciousness.
“I want 100 million listeners” gets me excited. That’s how my brain works. I like a numeric golden goodie at the end of a stick. But the cool thing about podcasting is I don’t need likes or listens to have a successful podcast. A podcast is successful if all participants are satisfied with the conversation. That’s it. Hundreds, thousands, or millions of listeners is icing on the cake.
I have pod episodes that I haven’t shared because the audio was bad, or the conversation was mediocre. Maybe someday I will share them, or not, doesn't matter, because I learned from the experience.
Podcasting is infinite upside. If you enjoy talking and listening, there’s no downside. Chances are you already have everything you need to start: computer, Zoom, camera, microphone. A couple hundred dollars buys a solid setup that is good for a decade.
In 2023, I was working a shitty desk job and without warning was “terminated”. Thank god. I pivoted my focus to creative tasks like writing and podcasting. I had been Zoom-calling with my coach, Luke McKim, having fun long form conversations. We decided to record them and call it the Weird and Worthwhile Podcast.
Another motivation for podcasting was Malcolm and Simone Collins. I listened to their podcasts. I wanted to talk to them because we shared the same interests: education, fertility, and podcasting. It dawned on me that my chance of talking with them was 10x higher if I hosted a podcast.
I DM’d them an article I wrote on Substack about fertility. Simone liked it, and they agreed to do a pod with us. I was so excited to talk to them that I thought about the upcoming conversation for weeks. I showed up with good energy, thoughtful questions, and vulnerable shares.
After a fun 2-hour conversation, they suggested we get together in real life. This is my favorite part. A few months later, I was planning a trip to Pennsylvania to stay with an Amish family for a chapter in book, All Outcomes. I reached out to the Collins’ who also live in PA. They invited me to stay at their house. They were raising three children in a beautiful historic home. A fourth has just arrived.
Six months earlier, I was working a job I disliked, sitting in meetings with people I disliked. Now I’m dining with my favorite podcasters, discussing everything from AI to fertility to alien life.
The podcast is a powerful tool on my pathless path. It’s part of the media quadruple threat: Short-form, blog, book, and podcast. The monetization will sort itself out as needed.
I do the Chris James Podcast (Spotify, YouTube) once a month, interviewing entrepreneurs, creators, and health experts.
I interviewed Andy Schoonover, founder and CEO of Crowd Health, about the toolkit he built for members to operate viably outside the medical industrial complex. He liked some of my ideas for the company, and now I’m in a group chat with him and other members of Crowd Health.
I talked with
, writer of Serendipity Lab, about expat life and third places. Two months later, I visited Brian in Barcelona.I did an epic two-hour pod with Emma Ford, a gut health specialist who helped me improve my health.
I did a podcast with legendary Substacker
, Postcards from Barsoom, about writing online and the fall of legacy institutions.
I don’t know where it’s going. Will 100 million people listen to my podcast? Probably not. Will 10 million? Maybe.
One thing is for sure, I love how I feel after a banger podcast. Just like writing, the value of podcasting is incomprehensible. Conversation, consciousness, and connection are facets of the same diamond. And that's what my podcast pays me.
Congratulations! You made it to the end. Hit the heart button to let me know you made it.
Affiliate Products and Services
CrowdHealth is a peer to peer healthcare crowdfunding organization. I’ve been a member for two years. It’s the best healthcare service in America. Insurance companies are screwed. I’ve saved $10k+ so far. This referral link gets you a membership for $99/month. Ping me if you have questions about it.
My book All Outcomes Are Acceptable is now available on Amazon for $16.99. It’s about AI, Amish people, and getting rich. Readers are loving it. I got this nice email: Just letting you know that this was an excellent read and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I’m hosting a weekend nature retreat for entrepreneurs, creators, and independent thinkers to take a break from the internet, hike, paddle board and hang out. Digital Detox New Hampshire is September 13-16. As of now, there are two spots open.
Photos from the Week
Have a great rest of your day. Thanks for reading.
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I really like your spirit-centric view of the benefits of podcasting.
Chris, your post struck a chord. I've been blogging about cinematography and lighting for 14 years, and I get that same thrill when I hit "publish." It's about sharing, regardless of audience size or immediate return.
What started as a passion project has opened doors I never expected. Connections formed, opportunities arose — sometimes years down the line. But the real magic? Putting my craft into words forced me to really think about it, reshaping how I approach my work.
Your ability to listen and elevate others in conversation is something special. It creates a space where ideas bloom and connections happen naturally.
I just listened to your podcast on the vagus nerve and microbiome. What a gem : practical, essential, blending experience with science and spirituality. The way you weave these elements together is impressive!
Chris, everything you give to your audience is earning you a karma of solid gold ;)
Thank you for your dedication to creating content that educates, connects, and uplifts. Your impact is significant, and I'm grateful to be part of your audience.