The Goal Digger Podcast – Episode 921: How to Build Anything When Your Calendar Is Already Full

Host: Jenna Kutcher
Guest: Stacy Smith, teacher, entrepreneur, and host of the Biking Wellness Podcast
Air Date: October 13, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Jenna Kutcher welcomes Stacy Smith to the show for a transparent and tactical coaching conversation on launching and growing a business or podcast when your life is already full. Stacy, a full-time high school teacher, mother, and entrepreneur, shares her journey of building the Biking Wellness Podcast and Sassy Cycling brand. Together, they dig into balancing creation with a packed schedule, staying true to your values while marketing, and practical strategies for sustainable growth—even without a team.

Jenna offers actionable insights for creators who want to make a difference, earn income, and maintain wellbeing, especially when time and energy are tight. The episode is filled with encouraging advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and detailed answers to burning questions many aspiring entrepreneurs face in 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stacy’s Business & Podcasting Journey

[05:36 – 07:47]

• Stacy explains her journey: a five-year business devoted to helping women shift focus from diet culture to celebrating what their bodies can do, leading to sustainable, joyful wellness.
• She balances her business, full-time teaching, and motherhood.
• Motivation for starting her podcast: “I’ve wanted to start a podcast ever since Serial came out... I had a radio show in college... I just needed the roadmap.”
• The Podcast Lab (Jenna's course) was key to simplifying her process.
• Key learning: Commit to continuous, fun creation, even when life is busy.

2. Marketing with Integrity in Sensitive Niches

[07:47 – 15:29]

• Stacy shares the emotional roots behind her business and asks, “How do I market this without feeling sleazy?”
• Jenna’s framework: Balance 'painting possibility' vs. ‘running from pain’ in messaging.
• Quote: “Sell them what they think they want, but give them what they actually need…” (Jenna, 09:20)
• Advice: Experiment with both pain-point and aspirational content/titles, and use data to see what resonates.
• “You are selling a deeper transformation than weight loss…a life that is more energized and vibrant and an identity that feels like it fits.” (Jenna, 11:29)
• Acknowledge the triggering nature of weight discussions and consciously decide which lines to walk in your messaging.

3. Podcasting in 2025 – Must Do’s for New Starters

[17:37 – 24:09]

• Despite increased competition, listenership is also rising: “Podcasting is so exciting right now because there are no other mediums that are growing like podcasts.” (Jenna, 18:03)
• Must-haves:
  • Nail your audience and transformation promise—clarity is non-negotiable in today’s oversaturated space.
  • Good audio matters: “2025 is a different ballgame... You don’t have to have fancy production—just a good microphone.”
  • Consistency beats frequency: “Most podcasts stop after episode seven.”
  • Record video even if you don’t plan to use it immediately; it creates future content opportunities, e.g., short reels or micro-content.

4. Content Management Without a Team

[25:29 – 31:36]

• Stacy describes the struggle of juggling podcasting, blogs, show notes, and an outdated website alongside a demanding life.
• Jenna suggests leveraging AI as an automatic assistant:
  • Export podcast transcripts and feed them to AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for quick show notes, descriptions, titles, captions (“Done is better than perfect”).
  • Develop an efficient workflow that batches recording, editing, and AI-assisted content creation to maximize the window of creative energy.
• Quote: "If you can build that into the energy exchange of recording, you can rest easy and be like, that whole thing is done.” (Jenna, 28:31)

5. Finding and Growing Your Niche Audience

[36:10 – 44:02]

• Stacy expresses concern about being “too niche” and struggling to reach potential listeners.
• Jenna reframes: “You have to have clarity. If you are missing this one piece…you will ultimately be the podcast for no one.”
• Key strategies:
  • Use keywords strategically—think of podcast platforms as search engines.
  • Explicitly encourage listeners to share each episode.
  • Pitch yourself to other podcasts (especially niche/micro-shows), since podcast listeners tend to subscribe to multiple shows.
  • Prioritize value and consistency over chasing big-name features.
• Quote: “You think that the people with the biggest shows move the needle the most—when in reality…I would argue that it is the micro-influencers…it’s the niche creators that have true movements.” (Jenna, 42:24)

6. Maximizing the Business Impact of Your Podcast

[44:06 – 50:04]

• Where does podcasting fit? As a trust builder and authority platform, a podcast both nurtures existing and attracts new audiences.
• Focus on leveraging the podcast to move people into assets you control (like an email list), not just chasing download numbers or sponsors.
• “Your podcast is essentially the content engine that can fuel everything else…It is the thing that you can become known for. It is the library that exists long after you stop publishing.” (Jenna, 46:17)
• Measure real results by tracking how many listeners move deeper into your ecosystem.

7. Video Podcasting and YouTube – Must or Myth?

[50:11 – 54:15]

• Stacy asks if YouTube is now essential for podcasters.
• Jenna’s stance: While YouTube can offer discoverability, don’t let it kill your momentum or authenticity.
• “I went into podcasting to not have to care what I looked like…The approachability, the ability to just sit down and hit record—if [video] is going to hinder your delivery, screw it.” (Jenna, 51:34)
• Record video if you love it and it adds value, otherwise prioritize the fulfillment and sustainability of your creative routine.
• Use video for micro-clips or social posts, but don’t let pressure dilute your main format.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sensitive marketing:
  “You are selling a deeper transformation than weight loss…an identity that actually feels like it fits.” — Jenna ([11:29])

• On niching down:
  “You have to have clarity…If you are trying to be the podcast for everyone, you will ultimately be the podcast for no one.” — Jenna ([18:03])

• On leveraging AI:
  “Done is better than perfect…getting in that rhythm of creation will make it so much easier for you.” — Jenna ([28:31])

• On persistence and consistency:
  “Most podcasts stop after episode seven.” — Jenna ([18:51])

• On video podcasting:
  “If it [video] is going to hinder your delivery, your ability to show up, your ability to get things published…screw it.” — Jenna ([51:34])

• On finding your people:
  “I would argue that it is the micro-influencers…it’s the niche creators that have true movements.” — Jenna ([42:24])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:36] Stacy’s background & why she launched her podcast
• [07:47] Marketing in the weight loss/wellness niche ethically
• [17:37] Jenna’s essentials for starting a podcast in 2025
• [25:29] Juggling content creation with a full calendar—automation and AI
• [36:10] Growing your listenership as a niche show—keywords, pitching, collaborations
• [44:06] The role of podcasting in a business ecosystem
• [50:11] The necessity (or not) of video & YouTube for podcasters
• [54:09] Final affirmations on creative fulfillment vs. keeping up with trends

Tone & Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Jenna is equal parts candid and strategic, blending honest encouragement with real-world tools. The dialogue is upbeat, practical, and packed with hard-won wisdom—ideal for listeners feeling overwhelmed but eager to move forward.

Listeners are encouraged to:

• Embrace imperfection and focus on showing up.
• Trust in the slow, steady growth of long-game content.
• Use today’s AI and automation tools to stay consistent.
• Lean into their uniqueness—niche deeply to attract the right audience.
• Ignore hype and trends (like mandatory video) if they contradict personal fulfillment and sustainable creation.

Closing advice:
"There’s never been a better time to launch your podcast...keep on digging your biggest goals. The world needs what you’re building." — Jenna ([56:28])

Guest Links

• Biking Wellness Podcast
• Instagram: @sasscycling

For detailed show notes and resources: goaldiggerpodcast.com