TheUPside Podcast

Episode: "Lessons From Behind the Mic: What I've Learned Since Starting a Podcast"

Host: Teresa Flood
Guests: Rick Davis (producer), Skylar Williamson
Date: May 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of TheUPside Podcast is a reflective look at the lessons learned by host Teresa Flood after launching and running her podcast for about six months. Joined by her producer Rick Davis and contributor Skylar Williamson, Teresa offers candid insights into the practical, emotional, and strategic aspects of starting something new—specifically podcasting—with takeaways that apply to personal growth, leadership, and business. The conversation is dynamic, warm, and jam-packed with actionable wisdom, making it valuable for anyone looking to begin a creative or ambitious endeavor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Action Brings Clarity: Just Start

Timestamp: 01:58 – 04:43

• Teresa describes the anxiety and relief she felt ahead of launching the podcast, emphasizing that getting started is the hardest part, but it's the essential step.
  • "The biggest difference between me and anybody who doesn't have a podcast: the biggest difference is just that I started. Not necessarily better, not necessarily more talented—the biggest difference is that I started." (11:30 - Teresa Flood)
• She admits she deliberately didn't rewatch her early recordings to avoid overthinking or self-sabotage.
• Rick, as a seasoned producer, highlights the unpredictability of talent on camera and applauds Teresa’s natural performance and minimal need for editing.

2. Perfection Comes with Reps, Not Before

Timestamp: 06:32 – 08:59

• Teresa attributes her “one-take” abilities to years of practice speaking in front of groups, noting that she had five years of daily reps from leading team huddles.
  • "Perfection doesn’t exist without the reps... Everything you do is preparation for your next." (06:32 - Teresa Flood)
• Rick adds:
  • "My motto with everybody in my crew is: done supersedes perfect." (07:23 - Rick Davis)
• The group discusses imposter syndrome, reframing it as simply being new at something rather than a permanent deficiency.
  • “I don’t love the phrase imposter syndrome...a lot of times we’re just new. There’s nothing wrong with being new.” (12:42 - Teresa Flood)

3. Skill Stacking and Muscle Memory

Timestamp: 08:59 – 13:37

• The importance of previous experience leading to future competence is underlined.
• The conversation turns to how most people only see finished products online, not the many attempts and revisions it took to get there.
  • “The sausage requires making.” (13:58 - Rick Davis)

4. Consistency Is Key: Commitment Outweighs Motivation

Timestamp: 15:36 – 16:41

• Teresa highlights her non-negotiable attitude toward consistency, setting up systems and accountability to ensure the podcast continues week after week.
  • “If I say I’m going to do something, I put it on the calendar, I’m going to show up….If we take a seasonal break, it’ll be pre-planned on purpose.” (15:36 - Teresa Flood)
• Rick affirms Teresa's approach, referencing his own 71-week live streak.

5. Fans and Influence: You’ll Be Surprised Who Connects

Timestamp: 19:43 – 22:54

• Teresa shares memorable fan stories, like a realtor's son (in middle school) listening weekly and messages from a friend undergoing chemo who finds encouragement in her content.
  • "I am just blown away that she is encouraging me from the chemo chair to keep going." (21:07 - Teresa Flood)
• She notes that encouragement from unexpected sources is deeply motivating and a reminder to offer encouragement to others.

6. Systematize and Stay Ahead: Batch and Organize

Timestamp: 28:33 – 36:34

• Teresa and Rick discuss the logistical side of sustaining a long-term podcast: batching episodes, organizing files, and preparing content ahead. Teresa recounts the relief of discovering she had already prepped episode notes during a busy week.
  • “I’m learning not just to have the episodes filmed ahead of time, but to do as much ahead as possible...you're planning to fail. Meaning you might get sick, you might get super busy...but the commitment is there.” (35:08 - Teresa Flood)
• Rick delves into systematizing episodes and file organization, emphasizing that such systems evolve from past mistakes.

7. Be Clear on Your Why: Process Over Outcome

Timestamp: 30:28 – 32:05

• Teresa’s final core lesson is that clarity of purpose is essential—otherwise, you’ll lose motivation or be disappointed by slow growth.
  • “You have to be committed to the process, not committed to the outcome.” (30:52 - Teresa Flood)
• Rick reinforces:
  • “If you’re doing it just for the likes...you will be disappointed a hundred percent.” (30:26 - Rick Davis)

8. Keep the Promises You Make to Yourself

Timestamp: 38:15 – 39:07

• Teresa and Rick close with how personal integrity and trust are built through consistency.
  • “What builds confidence is when we keep the promises we make to ourselves.” (38:15 - Teresa Flood)
  • “Now you are somebody you can trust, because you did what you said you were gonna do.” (38:40 - Rick Davis)

9. Start Messy, Embrace Growth and Uncertainty

Timestamp: 39:34 – End

• Teresa urges listeners: start small, be consistent, embrace imperfection, and focus on service and impact rather than recognition.
  • “Start messy. Stay consistent, and do it for the impact. If you do it to be of service...you just won’t be disappointed.” (40:02 - Teresa Flood)
• The importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and giving yourself permission to try something new is emphasized.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Just Starting:
  • “Action brings clarity. You just have to start.” (01:58 - Teresa Flood)
• On Letting Go of Perfection:
  • “Done supersedes perfect.” (07:23 - Rick Davis)
• On Unexpected Encouragement:
  • “I have a friend...going through chemo...and I’m just blown away that she is encouraging me from the chemo chair to keep going.” (21:07 - Teresa Flood)
• On Confidence:
  • “What builds confidence is when we keep the promises we make to ourselves.” (38:15 - Teresa Flood)
• On Consistency:
  • “I can’t think of anything that I ever started, stuck with, and got worse.” (24:15 - Rick Davis)
• On Support vs. Critique:
  • “The people that judge and are harsh...are the ones who are afraid to step out and do it. The people that have, have started on day one...Those are not the people you get judged from.” (42:02 - Teresa Flood)
• On the Importance of Why:
  • “You need to really understand why you're doing what you're doing and be committed to the process, not just the outcome.” (30:42 - Teresa Flood)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:58 – Just Start: Overcoming Anticipation and Excuses
• 06:32 – Reps Over Perfection: Building Skill Through Practice
• 13:27 – What People Really See vs. The Real Work
• 15:36 – Consistency and Accountability
• 19:43 – The Surprise of Who Listens: Impactful Fan Interactions
• 28:33 – Staying Ahead: Batching and Systems
• 30:28 – Knowing Your Why & Avoiding Burnout
• 38:15 – Building Confidence Through Self-Trust
• 39:34 – Start Messy, Serve Others, and Embrace Growth

Tone and Takeaway

Teresa, Rick, and Skylar speak with humor, authenticity, and practical wisdom. They openly share “behind-the-scenes” moments, acknowledge the unglamorous parts of the creative process, and encourage listeners to embrace discomfort, value consistency, and seek impact over applause. The overall message: start, stay consistent, focus on growth and service—and the rest will follow.

For more resources, guides, and podcast content, visit teresaflood.com and subscribe for weekly updates and teaching guides.