Podcast Permission Slip | Powered by PodAssist – Details, episodes & analysis

Thinking about starting a podcast but something keeps holding you back? In this first episode of Podcast Permission Slip, I break down 10 of the most common excuses I hear from aspiring podcasters, and the few of them that almost stopped me in my tracks from hitting record on this show.

You'll hear me tackle things like smashing the myth that you NEED a $1,000 setup and fancy equipment to get started, why waiting for the "perfect topic" is just fear in disguise, and the real numbers behind podcast downloads that might surprise you (spoiler alert: Just 29 downloads in the first 7 days after releasing an episode puts you in the top 50% of all podcasts). 

I also share an inspiring story about a long-time client of ours who started her top-rated podcast recording in a closet and has hit 125 million downloads since then, and more.

If you've been on the fence about podcasting, this episode is your permission slip to stop making excuses and just start. 

Remember - it's YOUR show and there are NO RULES!

Coming up in Episode 2: Think you need everything perfect before you launch? I'm breaking down why nothing about your podcast is set in stone, and I'm going to tell you about someone who woke up one morning, decided she wanted a podcast, and had her show live that very same day! 

Ready to launch your podcast? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com.

I'm Matt Mawhinney, and after more than a decade behind the scenes at PodAssist, I'm stepping out from the edit suite to help you cut through the noise. No more "guru" rules, no more tech-overwhelm, and no more imposter syndrome.

In this trailer episode, you'll hear:

• Why I'm finally granting myself permission to host after 10+ years

• The two groups of people this show is for...

• My 15-minute max promise: Short, actionable insights with a "permission slip" you can use immediately

Stop overcomplicating your message. It's YOUR show, and there are NO RULES.

Hit follow/subscribe now and let's get to work! 

• Work with us: www.podassist.com 

• Let's Connect on LinkedIn

Perfectionism might be the single biggest thing holding you back from starting your podcast. In this episode, I reveal one simple mindset shift that'll help you beat it, and I share the story of someone who woke up one morning, decided she wanted a podcast, and had her show live that very same day.

(Spoiler: it's my wife, Gen).

You'll hear how she launched The Lymph Lounge in a single day without overthinking the name, the cover art, the music, or any of the things that trip people up for months (or years). Plus, I break down all the things people obsess over that can actually be changed anytime, such as your show name, cover art, intro music, episode format, and even your hosting style.

The big takeaway? Nothing about your podcast is set in stone. You can rebrand, refresh, and pivot whenever you want. So stop waiting for 'perfect' and start with "good enough" (this podcast was live 6 days after I decided to create it, plus it was the week of Christmas - you can do it too)!

If you've been stuck trying to get every detail just right before you launch, this episode is your permission slip to let that go and hit record.

Remember - it's YOUR podcast and there are NO RULES! 

Coming up in Episode 3: Permission to grab the mic solo. Why going guest-free might actually build MORE authority (and make your life easier) if that format feels better for YOU. 

Ready to launch your podcast? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com. 

If you've been told you need to launch with 8 episodes, publish weekly no matter what, and power through even when you're exhausted, this episode might just save your podcast - and your sanity.

In this episode, I'm talking all about pacing yourself and sustainable podcasting for the long term. If you've missed the first four episodes, I encourage you to go back and listen as they provide a framework that leads directly into this one.

I share a real post from a podcaster who's hit 50 weekly episodes and is wondering if she should decrease the frequency of her episodes or try to "power through", plus I reveal what the data has shown when our clients change their frequency.

I also get vulnerable about how I even used to recommend the hustle approach and why I evolved my entire thinking around podcasting years ago, plus the launch myth that's still being passed around to this day.

This episode is your permission slip to pace yourself: go bi-weekly, produce shorter episodes, launch with just a trailer, or switch to a seasonal schedule. 

It's a marathon, not a sprint…

Remember - it's YOUR show and there are NO RULES!

Ready to launch your podcast? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com.

You're probably hearing that if you have a podcast you NEED to be on video right now, that YouTube is king, and if you're not showing your face, you're missing out. But what if the data tells a completely different story?

In this episode, I dive into a report from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights that reveals how people actually consumed podcasts in 2025 . The findings might surprise you, and influence how you approach podcasting moving forward this year.

I also share our own experience offering video editing services for nine months in 2023, and why we ultimately decided to focus on audio-only podcast work.

If you DO want some video presence without the full commitment, I give three practical options that can give you the benefits of discoverability using video, but won't overwhelm you. 

If video pressure has been holding you back, this episode is your permission slip to start with audio and add video later (or not at all).

Remember - it's YOUR show and there are NO RULES!

Coming up in Episode 5: I'm talking all about pacing yourself and why slow and steady wins the race when it comes to podcasting for the long-term.

Ready to launch your podcast? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com. 

Links & Resources Mentioned: 

Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights Release Podcast Download – Spring 2025 Report

Riverside, Descript & Opus Clip 

Justin Hazouri (Cinematic Video Trailers)

Here's an additional study with more data on this topic: 

Audio Still Beats Video For Many Podcast Agencies, New Survey Finds. (Inside Audio Marketing)

Think you need to interview guests to have a successful podcast? This may be a bit of a controversial take (and I'm not anti-guest at all), but I say absolutely not, and I'm going to tell you why.

In this episode, I'm tackling the dangerous advice I've seen floating around on social media around this topic, and I break down how this type of thinking is actually stopping many people from ever launching their show.

You'll hear here about the social media post that made me want to close the app (and why I wish I'd spoken up when I saw it)...

Here's the truth: You don't build authority just by interviewing people. You build it by having a point of view.

If someone's told you that you can't launch with solo episodes, or that you need to "earn your stripes" with guest interviews first, this episode is your permission slip to ignore that advice and fly solo!  🚀

Remember - it's YOUR show and there are NO RULES!

Coming up in Episode 4: I tackle the topic of video podcasts and how to get some of the benefits of video without diving off the deep end into full YouTube production, channel management and the editing chaos.

Ready to launch your podcast? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com. 

Links & Resources: 

PodMatch: If you decide to add guesting to your strategy, this is the industry standard tool I recommend --> joinpodmatch.com/podassist

Disclosure: I am an affiliate for PodMatch and may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Picking the right name is often one of the toughest parts of getting started for new podcasters. If you've been stuck trying to find the "perfect" podcast name, this episode will help you stop overthinking and just get started.

In this episode, I'm sharing 5 quick strategies to help you land on a name that works for your show. I walk through real examples from podcast clients we work with to show you how different naming approaches can work.

I also reveal the exact thought process I used when naming this podcast, including the (yes, cringey!) alternate names I considered before landing on Podcast Permission Slip | Powered by Podassist.

Plus, I'm answering the common question: "Can I use my own name for my podcast?" (Spoiler: Yes, and here's why it might actually be the smartest move.)

This episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking the name game. Grab a piece of paper, brainstorm using these 5 strategies, say them out loud, and pick one. You can always change it later.

It's a name, not a life sentence…

Remember - it's YOUR show and there are NO RULES!

Ready to launch your podcast or need help with your current show? Book a no-obligation call now at www.podassist.com.

LINKS: 

PodAssist's Client Page

Demystifying College Admissions (Julie Kim) 

Literacy Untangled 

Building Great Leaders (APi Group)

Welcome Home to the Suburbs (Jill Kalman) 

How To Be a Terrible Daughter (Megan & Elizabeth) 

We're In One (Jenn Morgan)  

The Kate Taylor Show

Natural Born Coaches (Marc Mawhinney)