Listen to This Episode:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Goodpods

If you live in the United States the past 3 weeks have felt like a year. It’s election year and also one of the most significant and historical presidential elections of our lifetime. 

Over the past month I’ve heard a lot of opinions on the right, left and quite frankly coming from the pits of hell. Everyone has an opinion, but the bigger question is – should you share it on your podcast?

In this episode I’m breaking down the pros, cons and my best advice for sharing your political opinions on your podcast. 

Consider the Consequences

When you put something online, it’s there forever. Your words have consequences, and it’s important to think about what value and impact you’re making on your podcast and brand by sharing your political opinions. 

4 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Relevance: Does this have anything to do with my podcast, the normal topics of episodes or my audience at large?
2. Value: Will what I’m saying give perspective to anyone or is this just an opinion I want to share?
3. Risk: Is what I have to say worth potentially alienating and upsetting 50% or more of my listeners?
4. Time: If I waited 2 weeks would I still feel as passionately about sharing this opinion?

The Two-Week Rule

If you’re feeling particularly fired up about something, my advice is always to give yourself two weeks before recording. This cooling-off time can help give you perspective and decide if the topic is worth discussing. After two weeks if it’s still something you want to talk about with your audience, I say go for it! At the least, try to sleep on your ideas whether they’re hot takes or not! 

Listen First, Speak Second

I went to a women in business conference earlier this month and my favorite breakout session was about how to make a first impression that leads to lasting professional connection. Boring name, great information. The first thing the speaker said was, the key to making a good first impression is listening. Listening! How can I wow someone with my amazing personality by just listening?! But it’s true. Think about the people who you instantly made a connection with after meeting them. I bet it wasn’t from how much they were talking. And the same goes for your podcast! Your podcast isn’t about you—it’s about your listeners. To build meaningful connections, you must remove your ego and focus on your audience’s needs.

Be Thoughtful and Respectful

Now, am I saying you should never share your opinions or thoughts online? No. Especially if you have a solo-podcast, what else do you have to talk about? What I’m saying is to create room. Show respect. Be thoughtful about what you say and how you say it. If you’re endorsing a political candidate, great. Say why you love them, say why you’re proud to vote for them and what you hope they’ll do for the country. Not why you hate the other person, not how they’re going to burn this whole place to the ground or why you think they’re a totally incompetent guber.

Avoid the Media Trap

We have to take the high road and we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard than mainstream media. Because all mainstream media wants is to get views, to bait us with entertainment and crazy headlines to get more advertising dollars. If you want to blame either side in this country blame the big media and the corporations that’re using our patriotism for profit. It doesn’t matter if it’s CNN or Fox News or MSNBC, they’re all owned by huge multi-billion dollar corporations that know they make more money and get more views when we’re fighting with each other.

And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be part of this cycle.

Start with Small Steps

I don’t want to continue perpetuating the lies that one side is evil or that just because you’re one party and I’m another we don’t both want what’s best for this country and the world. Do we always agree on exactly how to do it? No. And that’s okay, but we need to turn down the temperature. We need to listen to each other.

We need to stop the name calling and childish backstabbing. And even if you’re doing it just so that you don’t lose podcast listeners, that’s an okay place to start. Because one habit turns into a lifestyle. And before you know it you’re actually listening to someone that’s not in your political party and maybe you don’t agree with them but you’re taking a moment to listen instead of completely shutting down and falling apart. 

What Actually Makes an Impact 

We all have so much more in common than we think we do. I’ve worked with podcasts and clients on both sides of the aisle for several years and I can tell you one thing, they both love America, they both want what’s best (or at least what they think is best) and no matter which side, we could all benefit from listening more. 

If you haven’t registered to vote yet, please go to vote.gov and register. Do your research. Check your sources, no matter who they are. And as always, I can’t wait to listen to your podcast.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

👋🏽 Shop MY Podcast Templates
🎧 Podcast Rescourses: Equipment, Software and Everything You Need to Start
✨ Work with Me 1:1
👩🏻‍💻 Free Download: Pre-Interview Cheatsheet (10 Questions I Ask Every Guest!)