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Podcast burnout is a special kind of burnout. 

As someone that’s published and produced anywhere from 1 to 6 episodes a week for the past 5 years, there’s been more than a few times I wanted to change my name, move to a remote island and never hear the word podcast again. 

Podcasting is exhausting. Whether you’re doing it on your own or you have a team, it’s time consuming, it’s draining and sometimes it doesn’t feel like it’s worth the effort.

The Never-Ending Cycle of Podcasting

One of the most daunting aspects of podcasting is that it feels never-ending. There’s always another episode to write, guests to research, recordings to schedule, or edits to finalize. This constant cycle can be intimidating and stressful, leading to a sense of overwhelm that’s hard to shake.

Stress and burnout are creativity killers. When you’re burnt out, it’s not just about being tired—it’s about losing the motivation to create. 

The Cost of Podcast Burnout

Burnout doesn’t just affect your mental health; it impacts your podcast’s success. When you’re too burnt out to market your podcast or connect with your audience, you miss out on opportunities to grow your show and, ultimately, make money with it. 

If you’re not building a community around your podcast, you’re not attracting sponsors or partners. And here’s the thing—your audience can sense when you’re not fully invested. They can pick up on your frustration, your doubts, and your lack of enthusiasm, even if you’re not saying it out loud. That energy translates into your content and can alienate your listeners.

Steps to Combat Podcast Burnout

1. Create a Manageable To-Do List

When I’m feeling burnt out and there’s absolutely no way I can get ahead to take a break for a reasonable amount of time, I’ll try to at least get a few days ahead by giving myself a break for the rest of the week. I do this by creating a very detailed to-do list for my podcast and completing it as quickly as possible.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your podcast try to get everything done for the week so you can take the rest of the week off to think and let your brain rest. 

1. List everything that absolutely must be done for your podcast that week
2. Break every task into tiny, manageable sections (I mean EVERYTHING)
3. Focus on completing these tasks as quickly and effectively as possible 
4. Once finished, step away for the rest of the week 

2. Know Your “Why”

Understanding the deeper meaning behind your podcast is crucial. When you’re feeling burnout, tired or just not sure where to go from here. Ask yourself:

• Why did I start this podcast?
• When it’s all said and done, what do I want to accomplish with this podcast? 
• How do I want people to feel when they listen to my podcast?
• What’s the biggest value my podcast provides to the listener on a weekly basis? 
• How much money do I want to make from each episode?
  

3. Stick to a Dedicated Schedule

Consistency is key for both your audience and potential sponsors. 

Sponsors don’t want to advertise with someone who isn’t publishing episodes consistently. 

Audiences don’t want to invest in a podcast if they don’t know the show is actually coming out every week. 

Make a commitment to yourself that your podcast will come out no matter what. This mindset shift will help reduce stress in the long run.

4. Plan Ahead

Even if you can’t outline episodes far in advance, know what’s coming up in the next few weeks. Having a plan will give you control and comfort to help manage stress and know what’s coming next. 

5. Outsource When Possible

As soon as you can, hire help for the tasks that cause you the most stress. This might be:

• Editing
• Strategy and production
• Audio engineering
• Social media management
• Content creation 
• Guest scheduling and research

6. Take Scheduled Breaks

Plan for breaks in your podcasting schedule. Whether you work ahead or have predetermined seasons and breaks. 

If you decide to take time off from podcasting, make sure to:

• Communicate clearly with your audience about when you’ll be away and when you’ll return
• Consider taking breaks during slower listening periods (June, July, August, or December) this is when most people are taking vacations or have a different schedule for the holidays and won’t be listening to podcasts as religiously.

Your Action Plan

This week, create a mission statement for your podcast that includes:

1. Who your target audience is
2. Why they’re listening
3. What will make them come back
4. What you want listeners to take away from each episode
5. How you want your podcast to impact others’ lives (and your own)
6. Your monetization goals per episode

Remember, podcasting is hard work, but you’re capable of doing it. Know your “why,” and the rest will follow.

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