Episode Overview

Title: Returning After a Long Hiatus
Host: Dave Jackson
Date: July 3, 2025
Main Theme:
Dave Jackson answers a key question from a Reddit user about the best approach to returning to podcasting after a long hiatus. He discusses how to reconnect with your audience, whether to restart your existing feed or create a new one, and how to relaunch your show with clarity and purpose—drawing on his extensive podcasting experience while offering actionable, no-nonsense advice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Audience Question: Restarting After a Podcast Hiatus

[00:36]

• Dave references a Reddit post from "classy cat dad" asking if, after years away from podcasting, they should continue with the existing feed or start afresh for a “clean slate.”
• Dave empathizes, confirming this is a relatable situation for many podcasters.

2. Why Taking a Break Is Risky

[01:28]

• “I always say if you can avoid [taking a break], definitely do that because you become part of their routine.”
• Dave explains listeners are creatures of habit: if you disappear, they replace you with another show, potentially better, making the return harder.

3. Communication During Hiatus

[01:50]

• Best practice is to keep your audience informed about your absence and planned return: “Just say, ‘Hey, I’m taking a break. I’ll be back on this date,’ and then on that date, come back.”
• If plans change, communicate again rather than disappear.

4. Analogy: The Car Ride

[02:37]

• Dave uses an analogy:

  “If I want to go to Cleveland, Ohio, it is north. So let’s say I get in the car…and I drive for 40 minutes, but instead of going north, I go northeast…Do I go back to Akron, Ohio and start again? No, that would be silly…You have gone somewhere, and now it’s a matter of like, oh, wait, I went northeast, not just north. So now I need to steer a little west to get back on track while I continue to go north.”

• Moral: Don’t start over entirely—adjust and keep moving forward.

5. Key Questions to Ask Before Relaunch

[03:30]

• “Figure out why you quit your show two years ago.”
• Consider format and workload: Was the original publishing schedule sustainable? Should you do fewer episodes or shorter shows?
• “Figure out who it’s for, figure out why you’re doing it, figure out how you’re going to measure your success.”
• Success does not have to equal money: “I get paid in fun, by the way. Completely acceptable.”

6. Don’t Lead with an Apology

[04:10]

• Caution against beginning your comeback episode with a long apology:

  “Because what happens is, six months from now and you’ve been putting out episodes, somebody finds your show…and they get to this episode, and…it’s 10 minutes of you explaining how Grandma died again and you’re really sorry…and to them, that makes no sense.”

• If you feel you must apologize, do it at the end of the episode, not at the beginning: “Remember, always come out with your best stuff.”

7. There’s No Shame in Returning

[05:04]

• “There’s no shame in this...Nobody’s going to punch you in the face. If you think about it, when bands...come back around, people still buy tickets because they love that band.”
• Example: The “Ask a Ninja” video podcast, which left for years and then returned to positive fanfare.

8. Relaunch Strategy

[06:16]

• Focus on content:

  “Just get organized, figure out who your audience is, figure out what they want, and then deliver it in a way that’s going to be entertaining and educational with a little bit of energy and a smile on your face because you’re happy to be back.”

9. Support and Resources

[07:01]

• Dave plugs his site, schoolofpodcasting.com, offering resources, courses, and discounts for podcasters restarting or growing their shows.
• Notably, he’s launched a new quarterly payment option for those not ready for a yearly commitment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you disappear, they’re like, I don’t know, maybe you got hit by a bus.” (01:50)
• “Don’t start off the show with a giant apology.” (04:10)
• “You do not have to make money with your show.” (03:55)
• “Nobody’s going to punch you in the face.” (05:04)
• “Always come out with your best stuff.” (04:29)
• “The people that like your content are going to be happy that you’re back.” (05:12)
• “Video podcasts have been around since 2005.” (05:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:36] — Introduction of listener question about relaunching after hiatus
• [01:28] — Risks of taking podcast breaks
• [02:37] — Car ride analogy: adjust course vs. start over
• [03:30] — Steps to relaunch: self-evaluation and format
• [04:10] — Why not to begin with an apology
• [05:04] — No shame in coming back; music/band analogy; Ask a Ninja example
• [06:16] — Keys to a successful return: know your audience and deliver
• [07:01] — Resources for podcasters and new School of Podcasting options

Summary Flow & Tone

Dave Jackson’s style is friendly, direct, and a bit humorous—with a focus on practical, no-guilt advice. He reminds returning podcasters to focus on the future, not the past, and to avoid getting bogged down in apologies or fresh starts unless absolutely necessary. The show delivers a reassuring message: it’s never too late to come back, and your audience will welcome you if you deliver value and show enthusiasm.

If you’re thinking about restarting your show after a long pause, stick with your existing feed, retool your approach, communicate briefly and clearly, and dive back in with energy and confidence.