Starting a solo podcast has been sitting at the top of my 2026 goals list, and I’m finally taking the leap, despite having absolutely zero experience in podcasting, no existing audience in this space, and honestly, no clue what I’m doing. But that’s what makes this whole thing so thrilling.
The Mess of Starting From Zero
I could spend the next six months researching, planning, and overthinking every detail until I’ve convinced myself I’m “ready.” But I’ve learned that the best way to figure something out like this, is just not giving a fuck, and just start doing it, even if you’re going to hit your head a few times against the wall.
So yes, this could be a complete bust. It might also turn into something mediocre. But I’m giving myself at least a full year before I even think about drawing conclusions. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a podcast that actually connects with people.
After several sessions with my microphone, adjusting noise reduction, testing clarity, and eliminating most of those annoying desk creaks and chair squeaks, I’ve found a setup that actually sounds decent.
What Should I Even Talk About?
But now comes the hardest part: What kind of content should I actually produce?
I’m someone who can ramble about nearly anything. Give me a topic, and I’ll find fifteen different angles to explore it.
But rambling doesn’t automatically equal entertaining or valuable content. There’s a difference between having things to say and having things worth listening to.
Here’s where I’m currently wrestling with this: I have ambitions for what this podcast could become, but I’m realizing I might be trying to serve too many purposes at once.
The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I’ll eventually need to create separate podcast channels to do justice to different audiences.
Right now, I see two distinct groups I want to reach:
First, there are the English learners. Through Tandem, I connect with dozens of people every week who are working hard to improve their English. Many of them already read my blog, and I keep hearing the same request: “Could you make this available as audio?”
Even though I’m a non-native speaker myself, my English is solid enough to help others who are on their own learning journey. There’s something powerful about that. Learning from someone who’s walked the same path, accent and all.
Read also: The Problem With Tandem When “Learning English”
Then there’s the second group.
People interested in deeper, more nuanced conversations about topics like digital minimalism, intentional living, career pivots, and the messy reality of building something entrepreneurial.
These discussions would be aimed at advanced English speakers who can handle my non-native accent and are more interested in the ideas than perfect pronunciation.
When you’re trying to serve two different audiences with distinctly different needs, it makes sense to give each their own space. That way, I can promote the right content to the right people without diluting either message.
Starting With What I Know
I’ve decided to start with the English learner audience first. It’s the clearest path forward, and honestly, the one I feel most confident about right now.
Here’s where things get interesting: this podcast pairs perfectly with the note-taking app I’m building specifically for language learners.
You’ve got learners who are already using a tool designed to help them capture, organize, and review new vocabulary and concepts.
Now imagine complementing that with audio content they can listen to while commuting, exercising, or doing dishes. It’s the same ecosystem, just accessed through different channels depending on what fits their life in that moment.
The app gives them a place to actively engage and take notes; the podcast gives them a way to passively absorb and reinforce.
My plan (for now) is to take my existing blog posts and turn them into audio versions. But not just straight readings. I want to add context, expand on thoughts, maybe throw in some real-time reactions or additional insights that didn’t make it into the written version.
The goal is to enhance the experience without losing the essence of what made the blog post work in the first place.
The beauty of this approach is that blog posts are naturally bite-sized. I can record several episodes ahead of schedule without burning out, which gives me breathing room to experiment and find my rhythm.
And I’m not limiting myself to just blog content. If I have thoughts on a topic that don’t warrant a full blog post but would work well in audio format, I’ll run with those too.
As for the second type of content, I’m still working through how to approach it. Should they be structured or free-flowing? Tightly focused or meandering?
Honestly, I don’t know yet, and that’s okay. I’ll figure it out as I go. But what I am certain about is this: I’m starting with one focused podcast before I even think about expanding into other niches. Better to do one thing well than spread myself too thin from day one.
What’s Next?
So here’s where I stand: I’ve got the name (StreetPoint Zero). I’m about halfway through mapping out the concept. My recording setup is ready to go. And now, it’s time to actually do the thing.
I was initially torn about whether to launch the podcast under my existing blog brand or create a separate one.
What if I want to pivot? What if the podcast takes on a life of its own that doesn’t quite fit with the blog anymore?
I’m under no illusions that I’ll nail this on the first try. There will be episodes that fall flat. There will be moments where I cringe listening back to my own recordings. There will be technical hiccups and awkward transitions and probably a few episodes I’ll want to bury forever.
But that’s all part of the process, and I’m still debating the exact categories and niches I want to dive into. StreetPoint Zero is happening. Let’s see where this road leads.