Read This, Unless You're Afraid To Be Pushed Out of Your Comfort Zone

Every Saturday I share a story about my life in a way that you can hopefully relate to. I believe we are all here to share our journey, both the highs and the lows, as this is how we collectively raise the consciousness of the planet. If anything resonates with you, please share! 🙏

I got off the plane, grabbed my suitcase from baggage claim and found my way to the shuttle van with a few other folks headed to the same hotel.

It was January 2014, and I was in Las Vegas for New Media Expo, determined to learn all about this new podcasting thing. It was also the first time I was attending a conference that was not related to my 9-5 job.

It's a weird feeling as an adult, to be placed in a situation that reminds you what it was like during those awkward prepubescent school experiences.

Over years I've come to describe myself as situationally extroverted. So while it may look to my friends that I'm always 'on' if you see me at a conference, I definitely value my alone time when I'm back home.

So as awkward as it was those first few hours of the conference, it soon became abundantly clear that I was in the right place, at the right time.

And more importantly, over the course of those 2 days I realized how necessary it had been to nudge myself outside of my comfort zone in the name of self-development and growth.

The Comfort Coffin

One of the dictionary definitions of comfort zone reads as follows:

A poll was conducted a few years ago where respondents were asked about their recent travel and the results were a bit eye-opening, and may help explain the gaps of knowledge many Americans seem to have of the world.

• 11% of survey respondents have never traveled outside of the state where they were born

• Over half of those surveyed (54%) say they’ve visited 10 states or fewer

• As many as 13% say they have never flown in an airplane

• 40% said they’ve never left the country

• Over half of respondents have never owned a passport

I'll leave it up to you to interpret the findings, but revisiting those stats was a clear reminder and ongoing wake-up call for me. I can't speak for you but personally, I would never want to be one of those statistics.

I've written in a previous letter about celebrating your own innate curiosity and it's a big part of my life. I'm always seeking answeres, always pushing myself ever so slightly outside of my comfort zone.

From House Music to Podcasts

6 months prior to boarding that plane, I had been working on a mobile app with a few friends called Know Your DJ. Sort of like Pandora, but only for electronic music.

Mind you, I knew nothing about creating a mobile app but thanks to a couple of friends that specialized in mobile development and UX/UI design, we were able to get it launched.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my explainer video is actually still up on YouTube, with a whopping 165 views! 🕺

Fun fact, I actually produced that backing track you hear above. It was picked up by a label in the UK, Tall House Underground, and you can hear it in full on my Soundcloud page. Bonus points if you can pick out the sample I used. 💃

As challenging as it is to create and launch a mobile app, that's only the beginning. Even harder is figuring out how to market it!

Prior to 2013, when I would hear the word 'podcast' I immediately thought 'DJ mix'. That was my world. So imagine my surprise when I start to discover these 'spoken word' podcasts. And even better, there were actually shows talking about mobile app development and digital marketing.

I was immediately hooked!

Opening up this world led me to discover shows like Tropical MBA and Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income. It's likely that I heard about NME on one of those shows.

The Eternal Student

I shared a lot of this story over the years, but thought it would helpful to understand how much I didn't know.

Having been a podcaster since 2014 it's sometimes hard to put myself back in the shoes of a beginner but one thing I do remember clearly. I was so excited to take it all in!

It was at a session on podcasting led by Cliff Ravenscraft that was probably the tipping point. I vividly remember Chris Murphy asking attendees how many shows were on their phone. And to this day, I credit him with inspiring the name for my show when he asked if there were any podcast junkies in the house!

I went on to watch sessions led by Pat Flynn and Amy Porterfield. Suffice it say, I had a fanboy moment when first meeting Pat in person. It's now a feeling I recognize in others when I hear them say something to the effect of, ”I've been listening to you for these past few months and it's so cool to meet you in person.“

That really epitomizes the podcast experience and one I will always treasure. With every episode you publish, you are creating this connection with your listeners that grows and deepens over time.

It was a lot to take in and over the course of the next 2 days. I slowly began shifting my focus from a show that interviewed DJs (my original idea) to one that interviewed the actual podcasters themselves.

I made it home a few days later, promptly registered the domain, and signed up for John Lee Dumas' Podcasters Paradise course. I'm so grateful for the friends I made in that group early on, and to Kate & John for creating a lot of support for what was a new and growing podcast community.

Facetime, Every Time

My thinking at the time was, if I'm going to learn how to podcast, why not start a show and speak to those that were a year or 2 (and sometimes much more) ahead of me so I could build those connections and document my journey along the way.

What I was sure of from Day 1 was that, if I was going to spend an hour conversing with these folks, I wanted to ensure that it was time well spent, and that I was building and strengthening that connection with my guest. The only way to do that was with video.

Unfortunately, SquadCast wasn't around back then, but I was able to make it work using Skype with Ecamm Call Recorder. Having that video during the conversation allowed me to read my guest's body language and develop that face-to-face connection.

I can't tell you how many times I would be at a podcast conference and run into a past guest who would say, ”Harry! So great to see you again. I really enjoyed our conversation on your show.“

Over the course of 8+ years and 300+ interviews, I've learned, I've laughed, I've been educated and amazed and yes, occasionally shed a tear or 2. There's nothing like the feeling of excitement I get to this day when I see a podcast interview scheduled on my calendar.

Since starting Podcast Junkies in 2014 and the Vertical Farming Podcast in 2020, I've gone on to develop genuine friendships that continue to this day.

What's Calling You?

Was there a lot I didn't know when I started? Most definitely.

Heck, my very first interview with Chase Reeves was nerve-wracking. I was so excited to use my shiny new ATR-2100 but for some reason could not get it to work. I ended up using the earbuds on my laptop and guess what? The world didn't end! 😂

If you do the math on total episodes over the 8+ years, you'll notice that I defintely missed publishing some weeks over that time.

But there is something to be said for the doors it opened for me.

At the time I thought I was late to the game and it's been wonderful to see just how much the industry has grown and matured.

Take Imperfect Action

Almost every new podcaster dislikes the sound of their voice upon hearing it played back to the them for the first time. It's natural.

But you'll never get better if you don't try.

It just stands to reason that your 10th episode will sound better than your first. Your 50th is going to sound better than your 10th. And so on.

Don't worry about the mistakes. Embrace them.

For those you looking for a surefire way to ensure you never make a mistake:

Don't Start.

Remain Afraid.

Keep worrying about what might go wrong, or who might say no, or what my friends and family will think.

That's a recipe for inaction. A blueprint for stagnation.

It's a common thread in these letters, this idea of taking imperfect action. And yes, it bears repeating.

A World of Possibilities

I hope you find inspiration in this story.

I can't wait to see where your journey takes you.

Interviewing is a skill that I'm continuing to build with each conversation. It will take a lifetime to master.

I'm fascinated by this idea of untold stories. You have many, I'm sure. And so do your future guests.

The world needs more storytellers.

🙏 with gratitude,

Harry

What I Created This Week

🎧 Vertical Farming Podcast (Season 6) sponsored by Cultivatd

• Episode 73 | Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, a ‘Never Satisfied Attitude, & Humility in Vertical Farms with HexaFarms’ David Ahmed

👆 btw, David is wicked smart and crazy inspirational, I have a feeling he's going to do very well!

🙋‍♀️ P.S. When You're Ready...

Here are a few of ways I can help…

✡️ Download a free copy of my Conscious Voice Expansion Plan. The most powerful way to transmit and elevate your voice is with a podcast. This plan will outline for you the pillars of success needed prior to the launch of your show!

🎥 Watch my free video, 5 Key Pillars of a Profitable Podcast that every business owner needs to know prior to launching their show.

🎙️ Subscribe to Podcast Junkies + Vertical Farming Podcast to hear inspiring stories guaranteed to make you a better host.

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