Lessons Learned from Starting a Podcast
Starting a podcast is a huge leap, especially when your primary career is something entirely different! For me, transitioning from solely being a custom home builder with Mark D. Williams Custom Homes to hosting a weekly podcast was a journey full of surprises, growth, and more insights than I ever imagined!
Why a Podcast?
During a rebranding phase for MDW, I got the chance to be a guest on Brad Levitt’s podcast, then called the AFT Construction Podcast, and fell in love with the medium. Up until that point, I hadn’t even listened to podcasts—I was more of an audiobook and reading kind of guy. But the experience of connecting, sharing stories, and exchanging ideas with someone in the same industry was transformative and catalyzed my own podcasting journey. I walked away from that interview thinking, "This is fun. This is impactful. Why haven’t I done this sooner?" Within months, I had a producer, a plan, and the foundation of what would become The Curious Builder Podcast!
Early Challenges and Milestones
Starting out was anything but easy. I quickly learned that producing a high-quality, successful podcast requires more than just great conversations—it’s an investment of time, energy, and money. Year one was full of learning curves, from understanding the technical aspects of audio quality and production to finding sponsors who believed in the vision. Thankfully, I had the early support of Pella and Adaptive, two sponsors who saw the value in promoting meaningful conversations within our industry. Their partnership was instrumental in the podcast’s rapid growth.
Launching the Curious Collectives in 2024 was a game-changer, allowing us to create local connections and bring sponsors deeper into the fold. In 2025, we’re planning to expand these events to cities like Atlanta, Phoenix, and Denver, further extending the podcast’s impact.
One major milestone was transitioning from bi-weekly to weekly episodes. While doubling the podcast recording output increased costs significantly, it also led to a spike in listenership. Now, with episodes airing on both Mondays and Thursdays, the podcast has grown to 104 episodes a year, featuring in-depth interviews and shorter Q&A sessions!
Want to hear more? check out this summary of podcasting in 2024!
Memorable Conversations
The heart of podcasting lies in the stories you share and the people you meet. Some podcast episodes have left an undeniable mark on me. One of these was my first live event with Jackson Shorts, which showed me the power of bringing podcasting to a public setting and taking it out of the quiet space of the podcast studio. Other episodes, like my conversations with Morgan Moliter and Steve Yoch, offered really fun insights into wellness, business strategies, and the importance of having a strong team.
What makes the conversations so rewarding is not just hearing about other people’s journeys, but applying their lessons to my own life and business. For instance, Jackson’s advice about shutting down the company during key holidays inspired me to prioritize work-life balance in a way I hadn’t before!
Growth Through Hosting
Hosting a podcast has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect. It’s taught me to be a better listener—though I’m still learning—and to embrace the awkward pauses that often lead to deeper insights.
This process has also shown me the power of curiosity. My natural inclination to always have a list of questions and dig into someone’s story has been the cornerstone of the podcast’s success. By creating a platform where guests feel heard and valued, I’ve been able to build connections and foster meaningful conversations.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, I have podcasting goals to continue growing our podcast listeners beyond Minnesota and connecting with entrepreneurs nationwide. I’m also passionate about exploring new themes and podcast topics, particularly in wellness and health. Events like Sauna Camp and the Zion National Park Bootcamp reflect my commitment to creating unique, community-focused experiences that challenge and inspire!
Ultimately, starting this podcast has been one of the most rewarding ventures of my career. It’s a platform for storytelling, a tool for personal and professional growth, and a way to connect with incredible people across industries. For anyone considering launching a podcast, my advice is simple: take the leap! You never know where curiosity might lead you.
