[FAQ]

Hey,

I’m about four months into my podcasting journey, and I’ve hit a wall. I’m still passionate about my topic, but the week-in, week-out pressure of producing a new episode is starting to feel less like a fun hobby and more like a relentless chore.

I find myself scrambling every Sunday night to finish editing, and the initial excitement has definitely been replaced by a feeling of being on a treadmill. I’ve heard the term “podfade” and I’m genuinely worried I’m heading in that direction because I feel so drained.

How do you long-term podcasters do it? What systems or mindset shifts have you used to keep the process manageable and enjoyable so you can stay consistent without burning out? Any practical advice would be a lifesaver.

Thanks.

[Jeff Bullas]

This is arguably the most important long-term challenge to solve.

Short Answer: The key is to shift from a constant, episode-by-episode grind to a sustainable system built on batching, realistic scheduling, and simplifying your production format.

Consistency isn’t born from endless motivation, but from a repeatable and manageable workflow.

The most effective strategy is to adopt a content batching format, where you group similar tasks and complete them for multiple episodes at once—for example, scripting four episodes in one session, then recording them all in another. This is far more efficient than completing one episode from start to finish. A second strategy is to simplify your content format; if a complex, highly-edited show is causing the stress, it’s better to pivot to a simpler format you can sustain rather than quitting. Finally, you can build breaks into your publishing format by planning a week off every quarter or adopting a seasonal model with longer breaks between seasons to rest and recharge. A common mistake is forcing a weekly schedule because you think you have to; it’s far better for your show’s quality and your own longevity to produce a brilliant fortnightly episode than a mediocre weekly one.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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