Episode 318 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Court Elmer

Featured Guest: Janine Mix

How to Make Your Podcast the One Listeners Can’t Ignore

One bad review.

That’s all it took to silence Janine Mix’s podcast for a year.

At the time, Janine—bestselling author, investor, and financial literacy expert—had just launched her podcast. She had a clear vision, an audience that was starting to grow, and momentum on her side.

Then, one critical comment made her question everything.

“I think I recorded maybe two or three more episodes after that… and then I let it go dormant for a year,” she recalled. Not because she ran out of ideas, but because that review confirmed her deepest fear: What if I’m not cut out for this?

Looking back, she sees it differently. That one review? It came from someone who wasn’t even her ideal listener. And yet, she let it dictate whether she kept going.

“I let that person and my insecurity and my fear get the best of me,” she admitted. “And that was the biggest mistake I ever made with my show.”

But Janine didn’t let that mistake define her. Instead, she used it as a turning point—rebuilding her podcast into a show that speaks directly to her audience in a way that keeps them coming back.

Here’s how you can do the same.

Why Negative Feedback Isn’t a Sign to Stop

The fear of rejection doesn’t always show up as outright quitting. More often, it disguises itself as playing it safe.

Ever done any of these?

• Recorded an episode with a strong opinion… then deleted it?
• Obsessed over editing—cutting every single ‘um’ and ‘uh’—only to feel like it’s still not good enough?
• Scrolled through Instagram instead of sharing your latest episode, because suddenly everyone else’s podcast seems more successful?
• Tweaked your cover art, name, or format—convincing yourself you’ll launch next month when it’s “just right”?

You’re not alone. But let’s be clear: The problem isn’t the bad review you might get.

It’s what that review might confirm for you.

• Maybe I’m not good enough.
• Maybe no one actually wants to hear what I have to say.
• Maybe I should stop now before embarrassing myself.

Janine believed those same things. But later she realized her mistake was letting fear of rejection shape her decisions.

If you never get a negative reaction, it’s because you’re not saying anything bold enough to be remembered. Silence is worse than criticism. If no one is reacting, it’s because they don’t care enough to engage.

When Janine finally came back to podcasting, she re-read the review that had stopped her. “It wasn’t even as bad as I remembered,” she said. “I had let it hold me back for so long—and for what?”

Not everyone will love your podcast. That’s a good thing. Because trying to be for everyone is the fastest way to make sure no one connects with your message.

How to Tell if You’re Playing It Safe With Your Podcast

The fear of negative feedback often leads podcasters to play it safe. But the safer you try to be, the less impact your podcast will have.

Most podcasters who struggle to grow aren’t struggling because their content isn’t good. They’re struggling because they’re trying to be for everyone. Too many podcasters make the same mistake Janine did: they stay broad, vague, and cautious, hoping to appeal to as many people as possible. “The biggest shift for me was getting hyper-relevant,” Janine shared. The more universal you try to be, the more forgettable you become.

How do you know if you’re playing it too safe? Ask yourself:

• Does your podcast name and description make it immediately clear who it’s for, why it matters, and how it's different from other similar shows? If your podcast messaging doesn't answer Why this? Why now? Why you? you’ll have a hard time convincing listeners to hit play
  
• Are you avoiding strong opinions because you don’t want to push anyone away? Bold opinions don’t repel the right listeners—they make them lean in. Think about the podcasts you love most. Chances are, they take a clear stance and aren’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking.
  
• Would your ideal listener instantly recognize their problem in your episode titles, or would they have to guess? When a listener sees your episode, they should immediately think, This is exactly what I need. If they have to decode your title, they’ll keep scrolling.

Once Janine honed in on her audience’s specific struggles and got rid of generic marketing language like ‘making an impact’ and ‘increasing income’— she began to create a show that felt deeply relevant. And that’s what made it resonate.

How to Handle Negative Feedback

If you’re afraid of receiving bad feedback (or if one review has already shaken your confidence), try this:

Step 1: Read it out loud and separate fact from feeling.

• Are they criticizing your audio quality? That’s fixable.
• Are they saying they don’t like your perspective? That’s subjective—and often a sign you do have a strong voice.

Step 2: Ask, ‘Is this from my ideal listener?’

• If it’s not, their opinion isn’t relevant. You’re not making your podcast for them.
• If it is, what can you learn from it without letting it discourage you?

Step 3: Decide how (or if) to adjust based on constructive feedback, not fear.

• Some feedback is helpful. Some isn’t. The key is knowing which is which.

Janine spent a year letting one comment define her. But once she saw it for what it really was, she realized she had given a stranger way too much power over her voice.

How to Keep Showing Up When Doubt Creeps In

Fear convinces you that showing up doesn’t matter. But your audience can’t connect with a podcast that doesn’t exist. For Janine, podcasting isn’t just about consistency—it’s about commitment. Once she stopped worrying about being “ready” and focused on creating a show her audience needed, podcasting became easier.

Here’s what helped her push past hesitation:

• She set an episodes-published goal, not a downloads-reached goal. Instead of obsessing over audience size, she focused on the number of episodes she committed to putting out.
• She planned ahead. With a clear content plan, she never had to scramble for ideas.
• She tracked momentum in conversations, not numbers. If people were messaging her about her show, that was proof it was working—even if her download count wasn’t skyrocketing yet.

That one bad review could have ended Janine’s podcast for good. Instead, it made her show stronger than ever. So if you’re hesitating on your next episode, remember: One review doesn’t define your podcast—your decision to keep going does. 

So if you’re struggling with doubt, let this be your permission slip:

• Publish the episode. Even if it’s not perfect.
• Talk to your ideal listener. Not everyone. Just them.
• Expect pushback. It’s a sign you’re doing something worth noticing.

So if you’ve been holding back, waiting for the “right time” or the perfect message… this your sign. Go hit publish. 

Want even more? Hit "Follow" on Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast in your favorite app, and you'll get weekly strategies on creating a bingeworthy show listeners can't ignore.

Or if you’re ready to finally see predictable results from your podcast (and want expert help building the podcast systems that drive them),  book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch®—it might be the most strategic conversation you have about your podcast all year.

Up Next:

Better gear won’t magically make you a better podcaster. But you can create a professional-looking and great-sounding home studio using what you already have. In the next episode, my guest—who has over 20 years of experience in audio and video design—is breaking down exactly what you need to design a home studio that commands authority and earns your audience’s trust—on any budget.

So if you’re worried your setup is holding you back (or that your audience won’t take you seriously), the next episode is for you.