Ever wish your podcast felt less like a presentation and more like swapping stories with friends over dinner? That’s the beauty of conversational podcasts, and today, Steph dives deep into why this format might be the secret sauce for your show.

• Not a solo show.

• Not an interview show.

• Instead, it’s the same 2-4 hosts chatting every week - no guests required.

Listeners become flies on the wall, soaking up genuine banter, inside jokes, and the warmth of real friendships. It’s like hanging out with friends you’ve never met and that’s not just Steph’s opinion. Podcast critic Nicholas Quah has noted that podcasts make us feel like we’re hanging out with friends we’ve never met.

• Parasocial friendships: Fans feel connected to hosts and invested in their lives.

• Inside jokes: Listeners love feeling “in the know.”

• Consistency: Familiar voices become part of your daily routine the commute, the walk, errands.

• Authenticity: Real stories, awkward moments, and funny tangents keep it relatable.

• Easy production: No guests to schedule, no fancy setup required just press record and chat.

  
  

If you’re the person everyone gathers around to hear a story, conversational podcasts might be your perfect format.

Ever feel like you’re the only podcaster still making mistakes? Think again.

In this episode your Pod Savvy Guide, Steph Shoell is getting real about the blunders, hiccups, and downright cringe moments she’s experienced as a podcaster in 2025. From dropping the ball on a huge challenge to losing an entire guest’s audio, Steph shares her behind-the-scenes chaos and how she’s turning every misstep into a lesson.

If you’re worried that making mistakes means you’re “not cut out for podcasting,” this episode will be the breath of fresh air you need. Even pros who’ve been podcasting since 2017 mess up. And that’s okay.

Steph opens up about the embarrassment of canceling an interview for her sister’s wedding dress shopping, only to accidentally show up 30 minutes late to the rescheduled time. Despite heartfelt apologies, she felt unprofessional and deeply disappointed that she’d let a guest down after they’d generously given their time.

Steph reflects on her journey from the early podcasting days in 2017, when losing SD cards and forgetting to hit record were weekly occurrences. While the mistakes have gotten less frequent, they haven’t disappeared entirely and she’s learned that no podcaster, no matter how experienced, is immune.

The episode is full of candid reminders that perfection isn’t the goal. Steph encourages podcasters to find systems that work for their style whether that’s simplifying guest intros, reducing editing stress, or leaning on automation to keep projects on track.

Most importantly, Steph wants listeners to remember that mistakes shouldn’t stop them from podcasting. Your audience still needs your voice, your insights, and your unique perspective. Keep creating, even if you’re still figuring it out.

Curious to follow Steph’s podcasting journey, get tips, or reach out for help with your own show? Connect with her here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephshoell

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• Thanks for tuning in to Pod Savvy Guide. Keep recording mistakes and all and Steph will see you next Saturday!

Have you ever felt trapped in endless email chains just trying to schedule one simple meeting? What if you could reclaim those hours-and your sanity-with just one powerful tool?

We’re diving into how to streamline your scheduling process using Calendly. We start with a full demo of Calendly’s interface, walking you through how to set up events, customize availability, and integrate your calendar.

Next, we discuss workflow strategies, showing you how to automate reminders, follow-ups, and even payments through Calendly. You’ll hear tips on embedding Calendly on your website, using it with Zoom, and how to leverage team scheduling features.

Finally, we share real-life examples of businesses saving hours each week thanks to better scheduling workflows. If you’ve been looking for ways to save time and reduce back-and-forth emails, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

Links Mentioned:

Calendly https://www.calendly.com

Connect with Steph:

Follow Steph Shoell on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephshoell/