Leo has done 30+ episodes with next to no prep. Not because he is cutting corners — because he learned early that most of the research new podcasters do is a distraction from actually doing the thing.

"A lot of people get into analysis paralysis. They're like, I should research, I should check my 16 followers to see how I could segment them. No. Do what resonates with you. What would you find interesting? Just start with that."

The skills come from repetition, not planning. Like building a physical muscle, you do not get good at podcasting by studying podcasting. You get good by doing it, over and over, until something clicks.

Leo made an observation partway through the conversation that stopped the interview in its tracks: you are the niche.

Not your topic. Not your industry. Not your sub-category. You.

The social media landscape has shifted from a connection platform to an entertainment platform, and the algorithms have gotten extraordinarily good at matching content to the right person. But they can only do that if you are actually being yourself. The moment you start performing someone else's version of you, you lose the signal.

"You attract your tribe the most by being your most authentic self."

Leo does not track downloads. He does not obsess over likes or view counts — partly because he knows a large portion of those numbers are inflated by bots, and partly because the metric that matters cannot be measured on a dashboard.

What matters is whether someone listened and was moved enough to reach out. To follow along. Eventually, to work with you.

"What matters is that you're putting out good enough content that a transaction happens. Not a sale — a transaction. A listener compelled enough to want to get to know you."

Whether you are planning your first episode or stuck somewhere in the middle of a season you have not finished: stop optimizing and start showing up. You already have everything you need to begin.

Listen to the full episode of Loving the Journey wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with Leo at cornellcommunities.com.