Pod-Crashing Episode 24 Ego

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Heard someone say the other day, “The one thing that should always appear at the top of your podcast list is your ego.”  I chuckled.  Mainly because it’s the one tool in the box that’s gonna get you in and out of trouble.  It’s going to be your biggest cheerleader and top notched judger. Somedays the ego’s not there or it shows up too strong.
That’s the area of the ego the person wanted future podcasters to pay close attention to.  When the ego is multiplied to super amped status.  When nearly next to everything on the episode is about me, me and me.  A guest is sharing their experience only to be interrupted by the host. 
It’s too easy to get locked up in this habit.  Nobody’s doing it to one up the visitor but rather to relate with.  To have something in common.  A reaction.  Heard too often the listeners begin to think today’s show is brought to you by me, me and one more me. 
First of all don’t hang up on your ego.  You need it for every show.  Think of your podcast as being bigger than life.  Believing in your product gets people excited.  Sure the ego can take you overboard and it may come across as being an alpha dog moment.  Just don’t be the storyteller all the time.  Ask short questions.  Make even shorter statements.  Get your guest engaged in you which is then transferred to your listeners. 
I host three self-help podcasts.  The Choice, Daily Ray of Light and The Lyrics From Billy’s Forest.  They look and smell like an ego driven monster.  As host I read from journals of personal experience.  Teaching other creative minds how to push their abilities without injuring their capabilities.  Laid out like a heart on a sleeve are the steps and stumbles.  The goal is to recover with a winning spirit and attitude. 
Through transparency listener connections are made.  It’s never been an over the top ego trip.  It’s confident, compassionate and filled with courage.  Knowing where the thoughts are going keeps the episodes focused.  Becoming aware of how the written words are delivered requires a truthful ear.  Listen to your podcast in the car on a busy road.  Sit in a crowded Panera Bread with ear buds blasting.  Put yourself in the same place your listeners are and see if the ego is getting in the way of building a bigger community.       
There’s a reason why content is the number one need for listeners.  Without your personal journey, I might as well be listening to a bump on a log.  Inflection needs your history.  Its texture controlled by the edges of your imagination attached to an ego.   
Turn your podcast into a drinking game.  Each time you say I or Me it’s a free shot of your specialty.
You’ve got to remember this is all coming from a person that believes there’s an “I” in teamwork.  Teams require the strength of being an individual before becoming stronger as a community of creative minds.
I totally grasp what the person was sharing.  It’s easy to put yourself out there too far and be judged by the indentation your ego created in a very fragile and still truly undiscovered new world of broadcasting.  But you’re gonna need that ego when you sit down with potential advertisers that have heard of podcasting but don’t trust it to bring them business. 
The line I keep hearing, “Wow I can definitely feel your passion for what you’re doing and it’s obvious that you’ve dug in deep and want to see this through.  I need some time to digest this.  I’ll get back to you.  In the meantime go out find an intern that’s willing to do some grunt work for ya. Someone that knows the world of podcasting because they live it.” 
Swiftly you turn to your smart phone.  You need an instant pick me up.  Right there in plain sight your ego sees how fast the numbers are growing in the UK and Japan.  Yeah but here’s the bigger truth.  What do those listeners in foreign countries have to do with Keith Hawthorne Ford in Belmont NC? 
Sharing your strength and belief in what’s being delivered is a door opener but that chunk of wood hanging on hinges can easily slam if the product being presented has no legs to keep growing in new directions.  The ego tends to get in the way of hearing about other methods of reaching a different more dependable audience. 
I’ve spent the past seven years designing and redesigning.  Shuffling everything including my interviewing technique.  Ask the questions in ways that can get the conversation on several podcasts rather than a well-defined niche that happens to like Rock stars that eat bacon on Fridays. 
A lot of feelings get hurt within the invisible walls of let’s do it my way.  If you make it beyond seven episodes you’ll begin noticing how hard your heart is becoming.  The attitude of in it to win it.  Convincing your ego that landing ten listens today is still a victory.  Oh wait!  You just made 13 cents on Anchor.fm.  Greatest show on the planet. 
Podcasting is no different than a Renaissance Festival.  There’s a lot of crafting going on and it’s the confident artist that figures out a way to be heard and listened to constantly because in the process of learning they put a muzzle on the ego.  Go into every project expecting to be bruised.  If the internet trolls don’t send you wickedly induced emails then celebrate the occasion. 
Be open to talk with other podcasters.  Facebook has specialized groups always willing to share new tricks on how to build your following without losing your foundation.  Be humble while being encouraging and that requires bits and pieces of a developed ego.  If that monster gets out of hand step back a few feet and count to ten. 
An injured ego has been trained to silence the artist.  Be present with your feelings while understanding how easy it is to injure yourself.  When that happens the next move could lead to fewer episodes.  The most common excuse, “My job was getting in the way or I just couldn’t think of any new subjects.” 
When those words start falling off the edge of your lips there’s nothing anyone can do.  Latch onto a book about podcasting.  Scan the web for ideas you can steal.  Write a letter to the host of your podcast and tell him or her that you miss them.  Rebuild that ego with encouraging comments that might actually make you giggle. 
So what’s the moral of the story?  Non-podcasters are starting to take note of how this new age of communicating content is raising the level of confidence inside the giving hearts of those that love to talk.  Although I’ve been known for doing it… The great vibe the ego is giving off doesn’t work for everyone.  Sharing the adventure is a huge part of the fun.  To get friends and family involved most of us would a podcast studio for them in their homes. 
The moment they drop in a hot cup of truth about not being interested in when a few under the breath remarks are made.  Keep the ego intact.  You’re going to need a fit for a king confident walk for those days when Paul McCartney’s PR crew says he’s calling in at 2pm eastern and the phone never rings. 
So in a huge way I agree with the original seed in this conversation, “The one thing that should always appear at the top of your podcast list is your ego.”  It’s good to have one but very damaging with it gets out of control.  And please please whatever you do.  Do not use those closest to your everyday heart soul as a place to get applause for your loyalty to podcasting.  You’re setting yourself up for the big hurt.