Episode Summary:

Failure isn’t the enemy of success—it’s the foundation of it. In this episode of The Podcaster’s Journey, I share my personal experiences with failure, perfectionism, and learning to let go of unrealistic expectations. From my journey in music to launching Podcast Builders, I’ve struggled with the fear of public failure, getting stuck in analysis paralysis, and defining success purely by metrics.

But what if failure isn’t something to avoid, but rather a crucial step toward growth? I break down five major obstacles that might be holding you back and how embracing failure can propel your podcast—and your creative career—forward.

If you’ve ever hesitated to hit publish, worried about how others perceive your work, or felt discouraged by slow growth, this episode is for you. Join me as we discuss how to shift our mindset, stay consistent, and redefine what success truly means.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Revisiting a childhood dream of becoming a musician

02:20 - The trap of perfectionism and how it held me back

05:35 - Why failure is essential to learning and growth

06:30 - Fear of public failure and the reality of how people perceive us

09:11 - Perfectionism vs. progress: The Pareto Principle in podcasting

12:16 - Why defining success by metrics alone can be misleading

15:28 - Comparison is the thief of joy: Why your journey is unique

18:23 - Failure is not your identity—how to separate temporary setbacks from self-worth

19:33 - The takeaway: Failure is the foundation of success

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Resources Mentioned:

Join the conversation in our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepodcastersjourney

Connect with Me:

Website: https://www.podcastbuilders.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleb.stock/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalebstock/

Podcast Video Version: https://youtu.be/5RUKC9ciCEg

Leave me a voicemail about the episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/The_Podcasters_Journey