To be honest, I never thought of myself as a podcaster.

I am an introvert at heart, and the thought of thousands of people listening to my voice still weirds me out if I think about it too hard. But, as I transitioned into photography education, I knew a podcast would be an effective route to share valuable information about the creative industry with others.

If you don’t already know, I have a podcast, alongside one of my best friends and fellow photographer, Emily Magers! What started as a casual conversation to start a podcast quickly turned into a brand new venture for both of us.

Our podcast, Take It From Us, was created with the intention of sharing everything we’ve learned in the creative industry so other creatives, like you, can learn from our mistakes. We even bring on amazing guests like Anni Graham, Jai Long, and India Earl so they can share their advice as well.

As of October 5, we have a full year of podcasting under our belts, and I thought it would be fun to share what I’ve learned through the process of having a title I never thought I’d have – podcast co-host.

1. It can be difficult to gauge success!
When posting on Instagram you can immediately see if people like, share, and comment on your post. When you launch a product you can immediately see how many people are purchasing. I’m used to the instant gratification that comes from seeing results right away, but that quick affirmation doesn’t really happen with a podcast. To be transparent with you, it’s not a big money maker and it can be difficult to know if people are resonating with our episodes. But, at the end of the day no matter what quantifiable “success” we see, we know if at least one person is finding value in the free education we’re providing, then it’s worth it!

2. I love interviewing guests!
Having guests on the show is easily one of my favorite parts of podcasting. No matter how much experience I have, I learn something new every time we interview a guest. I love connecting with other people in the industry and seeing how each of them brings something to our audience. Plus, being able to interview people in baggy sweatpants and a messy bun is a pretty huge perk.

3. It takes a lot of time!
I would be lying if I said it was easy to coordinate schedules and carve out time to record episodes in a quiet space. Emily and I have our own businesses, so our schedules are pretty full. Trying to find hours of “free time” to record can be difficult, especially when we’re coordinating with another guest. On top of that, having 3 little girls under the same roof doesn’t make for the most tranquil recording studio. Amidst these obstacles, we make it work but it definitely takes some effort.

4. It has made me excited to learn again!
Being an educator, I’m usually the one responsible for teaching information. Although this podcast was created for us to do the same, it has ignited in me a love for learning again. Going into year two, I’m looking forward to interviewing industry leaders and learning from some of the best in the creative space.

Ultimately, I am SO glad we decided to go for it and start this podcast. Seeing the impact it’s made in such a short amount of time is something I could’ve only hoped for. Stay tuned to see what year 2 has in store.

If you haven’t already tuned in, you can listen to Take It From Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!