300: The Grand Finale with Jared Easley

Speaker A: Welcome, everyone. This is it, Jared. This truly is it. This is the 300th episode of, um, the Business Infrastructure podcast. The grand finale, not a season finale. This is it. This is the end. And for those of you that don't know who Jared is, the co founder of Podcast Movement. If you are unfamiliar with Podcast Movement, they boast the largest community of podcasters in the world. Jared has celebrated the 100th, 200th, and now the 300th episode of this show with me. A lot has happened, Jared, over the past six years. A lot has changed. Yes, we have become friends over that time. I consider you to be one of my trusted advisors and I. I really only have two questions for you to keep things kind of short, sweet and simple and to the point.

Speaker B: Hold on, Nellie. So I have to say this. I have to speak by heart. First of all, 300 episodes is nothing that's easy about 300 episodes. So congratulations to you. This podcast has had a significant impact on a lot of people, and it has been a labor of love. It has been awesome. But I'm sure there's been times when it has not always been the most fun thing. But for you to be consistent, it just speaks to your diligence, your resilience, and that is part of Business Infrastructure. Even though this is the last episode, I hope that folks that find us in the future will still be able to go back through this catalog and clean all the great things that have come up and that you've learned along the way. And so congratulations on, uh, this process. I'm really proud of you.

Speaker A: Thank you so much. Don't make me cry, Jared.

Speaker B: Listen, that's not going to make you cry. We've had other conversations where that may have been the case for my bad jokes or something like that.

Speaker A: But as you and I both know, just because the show is ending does not mean that it will be wiped from the Internet. Right? It still will live on because people will discover it now in the future, as they should.

Speaker B: Yes.

Speaker A: Yes. So my first question for you, as you and I both know, a lot has happened since you've co founded Podcast Movement, but particularly since the pandemic, there's been a lot of change. There are a lot more celebrities now in this space. There's more big fish involved, more corporate entities that are involved. And so for those who are independent creators, what advice do you have for them where that can be incredibly discouraging, starting in this space at this time?

Speaker B: Oh, sure, yeah. There's always going to be something that's discouraging it rained today. So how could I possibly record a podcast? You know, I mean, there's always going to be something. And so my humble opinion is that you must put blinders on the best you can. You cannot compare yourself to the countless other things that are available out there. Just celebrate the fact that podcasts listing has no gatekeepers, that it does give you the opportunity to share your voice, to share your idea without having anyone filter that. And what, uh, a wonderful time that we live in where that opportunity is available and continuing to become easier by the day. Uh, just, uh, new things that are arriving constantly that just make this opportunity in podcasting and in new media something that is available to anyone. And you could simply just record on a mobile device. If you're concerned about, oh, I have to spend all this money on equipment. Maybe you're concerned about, okay, how do I structure this? Well, there's plenty of advice out there, but I think be yourself, be your true self. Share what's on your heart. Share what you feel compelled to share. Learn a, uh, new skill. Invite guests on your show. Maybe you're not going to get the biggest guests in the beginning, but, you know, get the people that are kind of rising up the mountain a little bit and talk to people and share their stories and just be generous. And podcasting is a fantastic way to network. It's a fantastic way to generate business. It depends on what your goal is, but at a bare minimum, you can share your voice, you can be heard, and you should, if that's what you want and that's what you feel compelled to do. Podcasting is so great opportunity to do that. And for those that are creative, those that are willing to put in that little bit of extra attention to detail and have fun with this and not be so rigid and worried about everything else, I think those are the people that can see, uh, wonderful things develop from this. But it, it is a slow burn, Alicia. It doesn't happen overnight. You know this, I mean, you've been doing this podcast 300 episodes and you've had wonderful opportunities created from it and it served its purpose. And now you're ready to go through some of these other open doors and, and as you should, that's what this podcast prepared you for. So I love it, I love that story. And I've heard so many other stories like that where a, uh, podcast is constantly playing a role in someone's self improvement, uh, their business growth, uh, their professional development, their relationships, all the things that I know you and I put value on. So yes, Podcasting is a great thing. It doesn't mean that everyone should do it, but it is a good thing if you want to do it. Put the blinders on. Don't let the noise and the other people around you deter you from doing what you feel compelled to do.

Speaker A: That is brilliant. And it reminds me of, um, something I've been following, and forgive me, I cannot remember his name right now, but there is the man who authored the book the Legend of Bagger Vance.

Speaker B: Yes, uh, yes, continue. I'm looking it up as we speak because I know who you're talking about. And that book is by Steven Pressville.

Speaker A: Yes, yes, him. So I've been watching him being interviewed on other people's podcasts on YouTube, and he also wrote a book called the War of Art. Not the Art of War, but the War of Art. And something he's been talking about that's consistent across every interview I've watched of him is this one fact. Resistance is part of the process, and we have to show up. The more resistance we encounter, the greater the prize probably is on the other side of the resistance. So I just wanted to mention that also, because as I was listening to you just now, Jared, that's what it reminded me of. I feel encouraged listening to what you just said. I've also been encouraged by listening to Steven on these different podcasts, interviews that he's done. And you're right, a lot has changed for me personally over the past two years. And you're. You're absolutely right when you say, you know, sometimes this is not easy. And you. I. There have been many days where I'm, um. I have a sore throat, but I know I have to do these voiceovers or I have to get up and do that interview. And it's tough to keep going when you don't always know who's listening.

Speaker B: Yep.

Speaker A: Uh, trust me, I've had so many moments where I'm wondering, why am I even doing this? In the past six years, I've learned so much. And that is why we're going to take all of those lessons learned and pour that energy into a new podcast called Scale Tales. We've used this particular show to experiment with different things. Things like sound design and video and having a product, building a team around it, using it as a tool for business development, taking all of the things that we have learned that actually work, uh, considering the subject matter that we focus on, and breathing life into a new podcast. So this leads me to my second and final question for you, being that you are again One of my trusted advisors. Any advice for me as we sunset this show and embark upon a new one?

Speaker B: Well, I love the fact that you're not hanging up the podcast hat. I love that while, uh, this show is, is, uh, has seen its full potential now, uh, you will come, you know, that will now open up this whole new opportunity to do a new podcast. So I love that and I love that you have six years of lessons that you can now tap into, better prepare yourself and launch this new show. So the advice that I would have shared with you six years ago, you already know this won't be easy, and you already know this will be moments of, of challenge and uh, maybe even a little bit of frustration. But that said, I think you feel compelled to do this and you see some opportunity that can open up from this and, and so just remember that and embrace that and go have fun. Alicia, that's when you are at your best, is when you are having a good time and when you're sharing your experiences with others because you're a natural educator. That's just part of who you are, one of the many facets of who you are. And so I think just tap into those strengths that you have, those God given abilities and unique abilities, and continue to leverage those as you develop this show and start it out and have a good time. And I can't wait to see what happens in six years where we look back over this coming show. I'm not saying that one will be ending in six years, but um, what we will look back on and be like, man, I wouldn't have guessed that this would have happened or I would have had this conversation that led to this relationship that opened this door and, and I, uh, would imagine that there's going to be a lot of really exciting things that come from this, just like we saw with the show. So yeah, lessons learned, lots of fun, probably open doors. So you're continuing to progress and I'm proud of you.

Speaker A: Thank you so much, Jared. That means so much coming from you because you are fully immersed in the podcasting world. So to hear you say that, it really does mean a lot. I continue to be top of mind for you and that, that means a lot to me. And I just want to officially be on record to thank you for again, all of your support over the years. It all started remember when I accidentally kept calling you Jason and you were like, yeah, Allison. Mhm, sure, no problem. And I'm like, no, my name is Alicia. And you were like, yeah, and my name is Jared.

Speaker B: Well, I didn't know that you're going to bring that up on this show, but, um, there are many ways to connect and many ways to meet. And if that's what it took to get the jokes going and get the relationship kind of more on a, you know, firm foundation, I'm thankful that that played out. So, uh. But, yeah, I think one of the reasons we do get along so well is because we can have fun and we can kind of be silly and joke around with each other and still be a source of encouragement and kind that, uh, iron sharpens, iron mentality with each other and. But that all totally started because of something goofy like that. And I love that story. That's a great one. It's true. Yeah, it's fun.

Speaker A: Well, I know you will continue to be there along this new journey, and if there's anything I can do to advance podcast movement, please let me know.

Speaker B: Absolutely. I, and anybody that's listening that. That is interested in the podcast space, obviously, uh, be listening to Alicia's new. So maybe consider checking out one of the podcast movement events. It is a big community, and even if you never come to event, consider being a part of the free community because there's wonderful people in that. That space that are very synergistic minded and collaborative in spirit and willing to give suggestions, willing to hear some of the things that you might be coming up against that you need some advice on. So, uh, yeah, there's a lot of really good things about it, and it's. It's definitely worth looking into. But, yeah, Alisa, you've been super generous and a big supporter and I appreciate that. Thank.

Speaker A: Thank you, Jared, for all that you've done and we'll continue to do.

Speaker B: Look forward to it. Yeah, uh, this is just the beginning, for sure.

Speaker A: And just like that, this show is officially closed. But just because the show is closed, it does not mean that it will be wiped from the Internet. No, not at all. Uh, you can always come back here or at BusinessInfrastructure TV to listen to and learn from this catalog of 300 episodes. That means you can also still leave reviews and comments, too. This isn't goodbye, and it certainly isn't farewell. It's more like, I'll see you the next time. That's what leads to a favor I'd like to ask of you. Will you come check us out on our new show? It's called Scale Tales and it will premiere on September 1, 2024. It's a business storytelling podcast that I'm positive you will love you can find it wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts online as well as atscale tales podcast.com you've heard me say this since this show began. Stay focused and be encouraged. This entrepreneurial journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Thank you again to Jared Easley for joining me on this and the other milestone episodes. Thank you to the 236 guests that appeared and contributed valuable resources on this show. And thank you for listening. The audio editing for this episode is by Olanwaju Adeyemo, sound design by Sabor Music Enterprises. A special thank you to the team here at Equilibria Incorporated. I'm host and producer Alicia Butler Pierre signing out for this 300th episode. It's been an honor to create this show for you. This is the last episode of the Business Infrastructure Curing Back Office Blues podcast.