🎙️ Why This One Question Can Ruin Your Podcast Intro

07 Apr 🎙️ Why This One Question Can Ruin Your Podcast Intro

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👋Hey there Podcaster!

This week’s newsletter is packed with practical tips and exciting updates you won’t want to miss! We’re tackling one of the most cringey questions in podcasting and why it might be tanking your guest intros.

Oh—and I opened up about a major shift in my ADHD journey this week. It sparked one of our most honest, heartfelt convos yet—and reminded me that podcasting isn’t just about the mic, it’s about the messy moments too. 🧠💬

And if you’ve missed any episodes this week, we’ve got you covered with a quick roundup below—including a convo on the right way to hook your listeners from the jump.

Let’s level up your intros, your reach, and your podcasting community—together. 

🎙️ Why This One Question Can Ruin Your Podcast Intro

“Tell us about yourself…” might be the worst ‘question’ in podcasting.

I said what I said. 🙃

In last week’s Podcasting Morning Chat, we unpacked what makes guest intros matter and why punting the spotlight back to the guest (especially without direction) often leads to missed opportunities, meandering bios, and awkward vibes.

Here’s what happens when you don’t take control of your guest intro:

  • Your audience tunes out during a drawn-out life story
  • The guest may fumble, unsure how much detail to give
  • You lose a moment to build trust and credibility with listeners

👋 The Guest Intro is Your Job

When a guest appears on your show, the host’s job is to introduce them—just like you would at a dinner party. You wouldn’t turn to a group of friends and say, “Hey, this is Rachel… Rachel, go ahead and tell everyone why you’re interesting.” 😅

Instead:

  • Explain why they’re the right person for this conversation
  • Share how you know them

Highlight just enough of their background to signal credibility—without reading a LinkedIn resume
✅ Takeaways From the PMC Discussion

Here’s what I and the PMC crew recommend:

🧠 Lead with context. Tell your audience how you met your guest or why you invited them. It sets the tone and gives your audience a reason to care.

🎯 Build their credibility through the conversation. Ask intentional questions that reveal their expertise, instead of front-loading their resume.

🎙️ Avoid the generic “tell us about yourself.” This often signals that the host hasn’t prepared or doesn’t know what direction to take the conversation.

🎵 If you use a teaser or cold open, give it structure. Consider adding “Coming up on [Your Show Name]…” to orient your listener before diving into the clip.

✨ Keep it fresh. A short, live-to-tape intro can create more energy and connection than the same pre-recorded script every week.

💡 Pro tip: Even shows like The Diary of a CEO—famous for its cinematic intros—lead with multiple micro-hooks that tease the value ahead. You don’t need a 12-person team, but stringing together a few thought-provoking moments can go a long way.

🎤 How do YOU handle guest intros on your podcast? Email me at marc@ironickmedia.com and let us know! Or better yet, come join the conversation live at our next Podcasting Morning Chat on Clubhouse.

Let’s keep leveling up those listener experiences—one smart intro at a time.

🧠 Reclaiming My Mind: Life After Adderall and the Fear I Didn’t Expect

I’ve been on Adderall for nearly 20 years.

Last week, I stopped taking it. (After weaning off over the past six weeks.)

I expected some withdrawal. I expected a few dips in focus and energy.
 What I didn’t expect was the fear.

Not physical fear.
But that quiet, unsettling voice whispering:
Who am I without it?

Adderall was part of the engine that helped me build a business, show up daily for a podcasting community, and power through tough creative projects like the Empowered Podcasting conference. And now that I’ve stepped away from it, I’ve found myself questioning:

Was it me all along? Or was it just the meds?

On a recent episode of Podcasting Morning Chat, I opened up about that fear—live and unfiltered—and was met with the kind of support that only a real community can offer. Here’s what they reminded me (and maybe what you need to hear too):

🎵 Build a “feel-good” playlist.
 When your energy dips, let music move you. One of our favorite questions in the community lately has been:
 What’s one song on your pump-up playlist?

🧘‍♂️ Give yourself grace.
 Don’t expect yourself to bounce back in a straight line. One member said it perfectly: “Life is a bunch of glass balls—you just have to know which ones you can drop and which ones you can’t.”

💥 ADHD isn’t a deficit—it’s a superpower.
 That was a truth bomb from Amanda Yoa, who reminded me that being wired differently doesn’t make you less—it often means you’re capable of so much more.

But here’s what hit me the most…

Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from control.
It comes from letting go.

Letting go of the belief that I have to hustle non-stop.
Letting go of the shame that creeps in during low-energy days.
Letting go of the idea that productivity equals worth.

This new chapter of mine is uncharted and honestly, a little terrifying. But it’s also where growth is happening. I’m figuring it out, one step (and one playlist song) at a time.

So now, I’m asking you:
 🎧 What’s one song on your feel-good playlist?
 Hit reply—I’d love to add it to mine.

And if you’re on a similar journey—whether with ADHD, medication, identity, or just feeling “off”—know this: You’re not alone and you never were.

🎤Empowered Podcasting Conference 2025: Call for Speakers and Sponsors

Hey podcasters! We’re thrilled to announce that planning is underway for Empowered Podcasting Conference 2025 — and we want YOU to be part of it!

📍 Location: Charlotte, NC
 📅 Dates: September 26–28, 2025 (the weekend of International Podcast Day!)

This weekend is about connection, collaboration, and amplifying the power of podcasting. EPC is for the seasoned indie podcaster, the industry expert, and even the complete beginner ready to share their voice 

👉 Interested in speaking or sponsoring?
Reply to this email and we’ll add you to our interest list to receive early updates when the official applications go live.
Already responded? You’re on the list — thank you!

Let’s make 2025 the most empowering year yet for podcasters. 🎧✨

📣Listener’s Corner: Share Your Story

We love hearing from our community! This week, we’re opening up the floor to you. Do you have a podcasting journey, a favorite episode, or tips you’d like to share? Send us your stories, and you might be featured in our next newsletter. Or even better…The Podcast Morning Chat!

 

 

 

🎙️Podcasting Morning Chat Highlights🌅

Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights, the “Podcasting Morning Chat” is a daily show that’s by creators, for creators. A dynamic team of experienced podcasters, entrepreneurs, and producers hosts the PMC. Each episode peels back the curtain on the art of podcasting and content creation. The conversation is a mix of insights, stories, and strategies, tailor-made to keep your content fresh, your audience engaged, and your creative spark alive. 

Recorded live every weekday at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse and available via podcast at 7 AM PST, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. Whether you’re here to enhance your content, expand your audience, or just soak in the collective wisdom of fellow content creators, the PMC is your source for inspiration, empowerment and connection in the podcasting world. 

Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.

I’m so grateful to be connected with you and a part of your podcast journey. 

All My Best,

Marc Roncik

👋Marc Ronick

This content was composed with assistance from OpenAI

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