How I Became a Podcast Launch Consultant
Well, hey there. I’m Sarah Mikutel, founder of Podcast Launch Academy, and host of the award-winning shows Podcasting Step by Step and Part of Something Greater. My super power: translating confusing and/or complex ideas into easy-to-understand language people can take action on (like podcasting!).
While I’ve been writing creative copy for brands like Apple for years, these days creating quality audio is what makes my heart sing, and I love teaching others the craft.
I’ve lived in various corners of Europe since 2010, when, at the advice of a stranger, I moved to Italy to acquire dual citizenship. Within a few months, I became an E.U. citizen and received a literal passport to freedom. The best decision of my life.
In addition to helping other global citizens find ways to travel more and live abroad, I’m madly in love with podcasts and have been since my grad school days.
But, in my early 20s, I did not have the confidence to develop and host a show myself.
1) I was afraid of the tech and
2) I was afraid of putting myself out there.
So instead of getting in front of the mic, I put my journalism and creative writing degrees to work behind the scenes while traveling the world and living the expat life.
In 2016, I learned the technical and production side of podcasting as part of my marketing role at a London startup. Despite the crazy working hours, I still wanted to make the most of my time in Europe, but I had zero time to plan travel.
I just wanted to get on the plane, sit back in my tiny seat, and listen to a podcast to learn what I should see and where I should eat when I landed in Berlin or Istanbul or whichever city. I couldn't find what I was looking for and knew others must be searching for the same thing.
Then it hit me, “Ah, I know what podcast I was meant to do!”
I wanted to combine my two passions – podcasts and travel – and feature other expat women sharing their best insider food and culture tips on their adopted cities.
But…I still didn’t launch my show. I was too scared of what people might think. That I’d look dumb. Imposter syndrome to the extreme.
Then, I walked through a photo competition in London’s National Portrait Gallery. All the usual suspects hung on the wall; the people society deems beautiful or interesting: young couple in trailer; African tribe. Then I saw a photo of a woman in her 50s or 60s. She sat on a couch, neither happy nor sad, long skirt hanging over her lap. Everyone walked right by her. I questioned what this photo was doing there.
Then it hit me
I’d heard how society looks past women ‘of a certain age,’ and I’d just done the same. I felt ashamed and, as a 30-something staring at that portrait, suddenly afraid the world would stop seeing me before I’d even found my voice. I knew then that I wanted to speak up, and to help other women of every age share their stories and become more visible. I do this through podcasting.
This experience gave me the courage to start the Part of Something Greater podcast (previously called the Postcard Academy). I then launched the show Podcasting Step by Step to help other aspiring podcasters and the online course Podcast Launch Academy for those seeking a no-fluff, step-by-step roadmap for creating, launching, and growing their first podcast. My favorite way to work with podcasters-to-be is via my 1-on-1 podcast VIP days.
Subscribe to Podcasting Step by Step for free (click a button below)
Are you about to launch your podcast and are looking for a media host? Buzzsprout is my top recommendation. As a listener to Podcasting Step by Step, you can try it for free and get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan using my partner link.
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