Episode 070 – Five Reasons My Podcast Went Viral

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Note: This blog post serves as an accompaniment to the corresponding podcast episode of A Changed Mind, where we’ll distill down the core ideas of this week’s theme, along with additional distinctions and insights. If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, you can go here to do so.  Enjoy.

It’s wild to see how things have changed in just a year. A little over twelve months ago, I had around 15,000 subscribers, and honestly, I’d been hovering there for years. Then, something happened—something that I think can help you achieve any goal you’re reaching for, whether it’s in business, relationships, finances, or life in general. Today, I’m going to share the five core principles that transformed my journey. They’re universal, and when you apply them, they can open doors to the kind of growth and success you’re dreaming of.

Principle #1: The Finding Nemo Principle – “Just Keep Swimming”

This principle is simple but powerful. If you’ve ever watched Finding Nemo, you’ll know the phrase: “Just keep swimming.” It’s Dory’s go-to line, and honestly, it’s become one of mine too. When I first started recording, it took a lot of time and energy. I was dealing with all kinds of tech issues, doing multiple takes, and nitpicking every little detail because I wasn’t comfortable with how things were coming out. I was in my own way, thinking, “Is anyone even watching this?”

But I kept going. I promised myself that I’d record one episode a week, no matter what. And every week, no matter how I felt, how busy I was, or how much I liked or didn’t like the episode, I hit publish. I kept swimming, and I stuck with it. Now, here’s the thing: Most people give up after just a few attempts. They expect instant results, and if those results don’t come, they think they’re doing something wrong or it’s not meant to be. Did you know that the average podcaster never makes it to episode 21? Think about that. All the people you see out there achieving what you want to achieve, whether it’s notoriety, thought leadership, financial freedom, or success in any field—they just kept swimming. They just kept doing the thing.

I’m convinced that this is 90% of success: pick a thing and keep doing it. That’s how you get healthy, that’s how you build wealth, that’s how you build relationships. Just like that bamboo plant, you keep working on your craft, even if it feels like nothing’s happening. It’s about showing up, even when the results aren’t there yet. Eventually, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.

Principle #2: The Bamboo Principle – Trust in the Hidden Growth

The second principle is what I call “The Bamboo Principle.” Have you heard about the bamboo tree? When you plant it, nothing happens for months. You don’t see anything above the ground, but under the surface, it’s growing roots, building a foundation. Then, almost overnight, it shoots out of the ground, reaching new heights faster than you’d ever imagine.

I launched my podcast back in July 2023. For about ten months, things were slow; we were getting around 5,000 listens a month. I kept recording, kept publishing, but it didn’t feel like much was changing. Then, in May, June, and July, everything took off. We shot from 5,000 listens a month to over a million views a month.

The way I see it, success often follows the same pattern. Just because you don’t see the growth doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Just like with the bamboo, a foundation is being built below the surface. For ten months, I was creating a backlog of episodes, pouring my heart into each one. And then, like clockwork, everything shot up, and it felt like it happened overnight. But that “overnight success” was ten months in the making. So, keep doing the work, even if you’re not seeing results immediately. Trust that your roots are growing.

Principle #3: Do It for You – Why Passion Matters

The third principle is about doing things for yourself, not for anyone else. This might sound simple, but it’s huge. I love recording these episodes. I sit in my studio, get to organize my thoughts, and then have these real, heart-to-heart conversations with you. If it were up to me, we’d grab coffee every morning and chat about how the universe works, how thoughts become things, how we can make life better. That’s what keeps me going, and I’m doing this because I truly love it.

But here’s a trap a lot of us fall into: we start doing things for the wrong reasons. We think if we achieve this goal, or hit that milestone, we’ll finally be happy or fulfilled. We start chasing numbers, metrics, or outside approval. When I saw our first million listener month, I thought, “Amazing, this is just going to keep growing and growing.” But then there was a dip, and it was easy to feel down about it. I caught myself and thought, “Why am I doing this in the first place?” The answer was simple: because I love it. I’m not doing it for the numbers; I’m doing it for you, and for myself. When you’re in love with the journey, when you’re doing it for you, that’s when you’ll keep going no matter what.

This is important because anything meaningful will have challenges. If you’re doing it for yourself, you’ll find a way through. If you’re only doing it for results, it’s easy to get discouraged. So ask yourself: are you doing this because you truly love it?

Principle #4: Lead with Love – Creating Hope in a World Full of Fear

There’s a lot of fear out there, and it’s everywhere you look. If you’re scrolling through social media or YouTube, you’ve probably noticed a pattern in thumbnails and titles—they’re designed to grab you by tapping into fear. You see shock, fear, and outrage because that gets attention. But here’s the problem: it’s not sustainable. People get burnt out from fear. They start looking for something that feels good, something that makes them hopeful.

When I started sharing my content, I had this idea: people want to feel certain about the future. They want to believe that good things are possible. That’s why, before every episode, I say, “Welcome to A Changed Mind, a sanctuary for your spirit.” This is a place where I remind you of the goodness of the future. And I think that’s why people keep coming back—they feel better after they engage with this content.

When we lead with love, when we create hope and positivity, people notice. I’m convinced that you can build a movement or accomplish any goal if you lead with love. People are binge-watching my content, and they’re saying things like, “I can’t stop watching; it’s making me feel so hopeful.” Lead with love, bring people up, and leave them feeling better than when you found them. That’s how you build something meaningful and lasting.

Principle #5: The Authenticity Factor – Showing Up as Your Real Self

Finally, we have the Authenticity Factor. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, of trying to appear perfect. But here’s what I’ve learned: authenticity is magnetic. People don’t connect with perfection; they connect with realness. My mentor once told me, “Throw your scars, not your stars.” It’s a reminder to show up with all of yourself—the good, the bad, the real.

I talk openly about my struggles with addiction, my business failures, my health challenges, and my relationship ups and downs. I don’t pretend to have it all together, and that’s been one of the most powerful parts of this journey. People want to relate, to connect, and when you’re real with them, they feel safe to be real with you too.

If you’re putting yourself out there, if you’re building something meaningful, show up as your true self. Don’t worry about being perfect; worry about being real. When you’re authentic, people notice, and they connect on a much deeper level. And you know what? Just by being real, you start attracting the right opportunities, people, and resources into your life.

Keep These Principles Close

Looking back on this journey, I’m grateful for each of these principles. They’ve been my compass, guiding me through moments of doubt, celebration, and everything in between. So, if you’re working toward something big, keep these principles close. Just keep swimming. Trust the process, even when you don’t see the growth right away. Follow your passion, do it for yourself, lead with love, and be authentic.

These aren’t just strategies for growing an audience or achieving a specific goal; they’re principles for living a life you love. And as you walk this path, know that each step is building toward something bigger than you can imagine. When you look back, you’ll see just how powerful these guiding values truly are. Keep going, keep growing, and remember, it’s only a matter of time before the results start showing up.