As we close out the year, today we slow down and reflect together. This final Morning Chat of 2025 is not about tactics, growth hacks, or chasing trends. It is a community pause. We look back on the wins that reminded us why we podcast, share one word we want to carry into 2026, and talk about how we want to show up for our listeners in the year ahead. You will hear honest reflections about creative fatigue, motivation, consistency, boundaries, and the seasons that come with making content over time. We talk about reconnecting with purpose, letting go of pressure, and giving ourselves permission to rest without guilt. This is an invitation to notice what you built this year, even if it feels messy or unfinished. To name what mattered. To ask yourself what you want more of, and what you are ready to release.

Episode Highlights:

[02:24] Reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026

[04:02] Choosing guiding words for 2026

[04:46] Sharing personal words and intentions

[12:21] Overcoming creative slumps

[22:44] Focusing on goals for 2026

[30:24] A thoughtful discussion on the overuse of authenticity

[35:42] Promises to listeners for 2026

[41:21] Podcasting wins and end-of-year reflections

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

Does every podcast need a lesson, or can a good story be enough? In today’s evaluation, we examine Shared Delights, a short-form storytelling podcast designed to offer warmth, humor, and a brief escape. Instead of aiming for transformation or instruction, the show focuses on how a story feels in the moment and what it gives the listener emotionally. Using Shared Delights as a case study, we take a close look at how pacing, pauses, and delivery shape clarity and attention. We explore sound design choices and how music and effects can either support the story or pull focus away from it. We also talk about the balance between structure and spontaneity, and why alignment between intention, sound, and presentation matters more than polish alone. Just a reminder: entertainment and escapism are valid podcast goals. This episode invites podcasters to listen to their work the way their audience does and consider how each choice shapes the experience

Episode Highlights:

[02:18] Empowered Podcasting Conference announcement

[04:38] Evaluation of the Shared Delights podcast

[06:32] Listener feedback and early suggestions

[14:00] Cover art and branding discussion

[30:42] Crafting an enticing show title

[32:47] The importance of pacing and clarity

[36:58] Enhancing the experience with sound design

[49:31] Discoverability and growth strategies

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Shared Delights (Wedding Crasher): https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pfvQbyTC2J4j7f07RlgTb?si=DAciGVe4TRqSeyq5Glnb3w

Shared Delights Naked Eureka:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gIMkfSyZDCZb07Jzzlx5p

Podpage:

https://www.podpage.com/?via=ironickmedia

Matthew Bliss’ Cover Art Revision #1:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wwqru8i9ovo0dzc69pba8/SharedDelights_CoverArt.jpg?rlkey=q0da5tpxr6sufk9fhqp3lu14j&st=xniphsrv&dl=0

Cover Art Revision #2:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/djp3p40uzi6bl1xm8sxlc/SharedDelights_CoverArt2.jpg?rlkey=3kjin994w8ci4qckkulql4ewb&st=ez35nof5&dl=0

To Have Your Podcast Considered For Evaluation, Please Complete This Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

What if we told you Instagram is testing a way for users to control their own algorithm and decide what they see? That experiment alone has big implications for podcast discovery and creator visibility. For today’s news day, we’re walking through several updates, such as Apple Podcasts adding automatic chapters and timed links. We also dig into recent AI updates that are making image editing easier and opening the door for new collaborative workflows, especially for creators working in teams. We also highlight several upcoming virtual and in-person events that podcasters may want to keep on their radar.

Episode Highlights:

[02:04] Preview of an upcoming evaluation episode

[04:16] Podcast statistics and top charts

[11:13] Upcoming events for podcasters

[25:51] Exploring new AI features

[26:28] ChatGPT’s image generator

[31:20] Group chat feature in ChatGPT

[36:24] Empowered Podcasting Conference video library

[39:04] Instagram’s algorithm customization tools

[43:38] Instagram’s move into a TV app

[45:00] Apple’s podcast interaction updates

Links & Resources:

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Our upcoming podcast evaluation, Shared Delights (Wedding Crasher): https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pfvQbyTC2J4j7f07RlgTb?si=DAciGVe4TRqSeyq5Glnb3w

Shared Delights Naked Eureka:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gIMkfSyZDCZb07Jzzlx5p

MeetUp & MatchUp use discount code PMC for free entry:

https://podnews.net/event/meetup-matchup-with-podcasters-speakers-and-authors-20

Podfest Expo: (use coupon code MARC for 10% off)

https://podfestexpo.com

NYC Podcast Awards:

www.silver-nyc.com/nycpodcastawards

PRX Training:

https://trainingteam.cmail20.com/t/i-e-zavil-iihydjihuh-h/

PodNews:

www.podnews.net

Podcast Creator Summit:

https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/711FAA94F8F3A173

Apple’s Next Move for Podcast Interaction:

https://bit.ly/4iZtr2t

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠

Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:

⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠