Episode 844 - You Are Not Bad at Podcasting, You Are New at It - Lessons From A Student Driver
You Are Not Bad at Podcasting, You Are New at It
Changing one word can change how you see yourself as a podcaster. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at podcasting,” try saying, “I’m new at podcasting.” That small shift removes pressure, creates room to learn, and helps you give yourself the same patience you would offer a new driver.
A Better Way to Describe Your Skills
Many new podcasters judge their early episodes against the polished work of experienced hosts. They hear their nerves, notice awkward pauses, or compare their interview questions to shows that have been running for years. The result is often a harsh conclusion: “I’m not good at this.”
Dave encourages podcasters to replace that conclusion with a more accurate description. You are not bad at podcasting. You are new at podcasting. You are learning how to prepare, speak clearly, ask questions, edit, publish, and promote your show.
This applies beyond podcasting too. A person is not automatically “bad” at parenting, writing, cooking, or driving simply because they are still developing those skills. They are new at them.
The Student Driver Lesson
Dave uses the example of a slow driver pulling out in front of you. At first, frustration takes over. Then you notice the “student driver” sign, and your reaction changes. You understand that the person is learning, so you offer patience instead of judgment.
The same idea applies to your podcast. When you are only a few episodes in, you are sitting behind the microphone for the first time. You need space to make mistakes, practice, and improve. Seeing yourself as a student gives you permission to learn without expecting instant mastery.
Growth Comes From Reps
You cannot become a stronger podcaster by thinking about podcasting. Growth comes from action. Every episode gives you another chance to prepare, record, interview, edit, publish, and share your work.
Keep showing up. Ask better questions over time. Get more comfortable on mic. Learn what your audience responds to. The repetition builds skill, confidence, and clarity. If you stop after five or ten episodes, you deny yourself the practice needed to find out whether podcasting truly fits you.
Say “I’m new at podcasting” instead of “I’m not good at podcasting.” Give yourself grace, keep taking action, and let each episode become another rep toward the podcaster you are becoming. Your voice matters, and the world needs to hear it.
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