If you're a podcaster feeling the pressure to land bigger guests, a content creator questioning whether growth is worth the grind, or someone wondering why your passion project stopped feeling fun - this conversation will help you reconnect with why you started in the first place.

Taylor James is the creator of the hit podcast The Waffle Shop and Managing Director of Twenty Two Productions. After building his show for five years and interviewing increasingly high-profile guests, Taylor made the surprising decision to step away from hosting entirely. Now on the production side, he helps other creators build sustainable shows without burning out - and he's rediscovered the joy that made him fall in love with podcasting.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why chasing bigger guests can actually damage your show's authenticity - and the hidden costs no one talks about

The real reason Taylor walked away from a successful podcast after five years of consistent growth

How to recognize when external pressure is overriding your creative instincts - including the guest expectations trap

Practical ways to balance quality and quantity without sacrificing your mental health or your message

The surprising benefits of live shows for building genuine audience connection

How to navigate the competitive podcasting landscape while staying true to your original purpose

What changes when you shift from host to producer - and how it reignited Taylor's passion for the medium

This conversation includes honest reflections on paid guest appearances, the pressure of personal branding, and real talk about what sustainable content creation actually looks like.

#podcasters #podcasting

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If you liked this episode, we may enjoy our first recording from June 2024:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrOI9KPa9E8

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Taylor James: Cold/Soft Opens vs Trailers & Intro Approach

00:05:24 Authenticity, Over-Professionalising & The Comparison Trap

00:11:29 Growth Landscape, Consistency & Quality vs Quantity

00:17:54 Solo Episodes, Burnout & Rediscovering Purpose

00:29:57 Future Plans: From The Waffle to Half a World Away

00:40:34 Storytelling, Big Guests, Status & Promo Etiquette

00:59:10 Live Shows, Music Angle & Wrap-Up

***LINKS***

Taylor’s Instagram

https://bit.ly/3X5PTxL

https://twentytwo.productions/

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Last week I had an absolute disaster at HYROX London. It was my first Pro race in almost two years. I figured that, since I was going to have this conversation with my coach, Paddy Maher, it might be interesting for you guys to listen in on the sorts of things we chat about when looking to improve HYROX times.

We took a deep dive into the different stations, weaknesses, strengths, and stats from the day. We looked at what exactly went wrong, whether my approach to pacing with heart rate was optimal, and whether it was a good idea or not to go to the cinema beforehand. We also talked about whether I’m simply fighting genetics with HYROX Pro and if I should even continue in this weight class.

We explored why, despite feeling the strongest I’ve ever felt going into a competition, I struggled so much on the sled pull, and what we’ll do differently next time. Plus, we discussed some of the strategies we’re going to put in place to improve for my next HYROX Pro race.

I’m hoping that, if you’re in a similar position to me and looking to improve your HYROX time, you’ll take some insights from this chat and hopefully feel a bit less alone if you’ve been struggling with similar things.

Please enjoy this conversation with Paddy Maher.

#hyrox #coaching #hyroxlondon

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If you liked this episode, I’ve curated a list of episodes similar here:

https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PLMebuClQRf0-w8w31XGwd4r2JIkuq-Vw9/videos

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Intro & Pre-Race Expectations

00:00:45 Race Plan, Warm-Up & Heart-Rate Strategy

00:06:22 Splits Review & Pacing Across Stations

00:10:30 Lunges Hamstring Tweak & Wall Balls Struggle

00:15:36 Priority Fixes: Sled Pull, Lunges, Wall Balls & Burpees

00:19:51 Pro vs Open: Motivation & Goals

00:26:10 Training–Life Balance, Recovery & Late Race Timing

00:33:21 Season Timing, Redemption & Heart-Rate Strategy

00:45:59 Aerobic Base: Bike & Building Volume

00:50:03 Run Volume, Social Runs & Weekly Structure (Stockholm Plans)

00:53:13 Closing & Coach Links

***LINKS***

Paddy’s Website

https://bit.ly/4g55IvP

Paddy’s Instagram

https://bit.ly/4g9AXGc

https://www.instagram.com/industry13sf/?hl=en

Join the indiip beta:

indiip.com/beta

15% Off Bare Bar (CODE: JASE):

https://bit.ly/barejase

MY STUFF:

awakenoutofcontext.com

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Disclaimer: This episode contains mature content about sex, relationships, and personal experiences. The discussion is educational and intended for adult listeners. Nothing shared constitutes professional medical, therapeutic, or legal advice. Always practice safe sex, prioritise consent, and consult qualified professionals for personal health concerns.

Tatiana Ashborn is a sex educator and host of "Dirty Talk/Under The Sheets with Tatiana Ashborn," where she creates open, shame-free conversations about intimacy and relationships.

This was an extremely free-flowing chat between Tatiana and I, with us both opening up on our personal experiences of sex and relationships.

In this episode, we explore:

- How growing up around her brother, his mates, and visiting musicians shaped views on sex, relationships, and the double standards between men and women

- Why traditional sex education focuses on fear and pregnancy rather than pleasure, consent, and healthy exploration - and what's actually missing from the conversation

- The real story behind Jason appearing on Naked Attraction, including the application process, the manufactured behind-the-scenes reality, and how prior experiences with skinny dipping made the nudity feel surprisingly normal

- Red flags in modern dating that might actually be green flags depending on your perspective - including not drinking, religious gym-going, and having a sex education podcast

- The connection between music and intimacy, from awkward sex playlists to how creativity and sexuality intersect in unexpected ways

- What it's really like running a successful in-person podcast with two recordings a day, managing pre-interview anxiety, and learning to truly listen rather than just wait for your turn to talk

This conversation includes candid stories about first sexual experiences, navigating judgment as a sex educator, and the evolution from anxious question-reading to authentic conversational interviewing.

#sex #relationships #podcasters

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90 Day Cold Plunge Video:

https://youtu.be/-ER321hoJ4g

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 When Tatiana First Became Aware Of Sex

00:04:18 Sex Education Work & How Tatiana Defines It

00:08:06 First Sexual Experience & Losing Virginity at 16

00:14:26 Generational Differences in Sexual Behaviour & Pornography Access

00:18:04 First Time Watching Porn & Vintage Erotic Film Discussion

00:22:09 Interviewing Her 90-Year-Old Grandma About Sex

00:29:22 Value of Elders, Cross-Cultural Perspectives & Grandparents' Wisdom

00:35:27 Naked Attraction, Jason's Experience on the Show & Behind the Scenes

00:49:43 Dating After Four Years Single & Anxious Attachment Style

00:57:57 Body Confidence, Rejection & Naked Attraction Reflections

01:01:24 Red Flags vs Green Flags in Dating

01:07:33 Shared Values in Relationships & Compatibility Tests

01:14:11 Optimal Time to Wait Before Sex in a New Relationship

01:19:57 Music Production, Music & Sex Connections

01:24:42 Personal Music Journey & Song writing Struggles

01:27:17 Sexual Innuendos in Everyday Life

01:35:41 Travelling for Three Years While Running a Podcast

01:40:10 Podcasting Nerves, Batching Episodes & Interview Preparation

01:48:49 The Art of Listening & Interviewing Techniques

01:56:24 Learning from Early Podcast Episodes & Embracing Growth

02:02:22 Upcoming Projects & Teaching Sex Education

02:04:48 Daily Habits, Calendars & Routines for Success

02:09:29 Closing Remarks & Where to Find Tatiana

***LINKS***

https://www.tatianaashborn.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/tatianaashborn_

https://www.tiktok.com/@tatianaashborn_

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MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

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Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj