How People Pleasing Is Killing Your Podcast
If you’re a people pleaser, your podcast might be suffering.
I know you’re a nice person. You want to be generous, welcoming, and supportive. You want your guests to feel comfortable, your team to feel empowered, and your listeners to enjoy the show. That’s great.
But here’s the cold truth: people pleasing has no place in smart podcasting, especially if you’re trying to grow your audience, build your authority, and market your business.
There are three major places where people pleasing shows up in podcasting, and none of them serve your listener.
1. On-Air: You’re Too Nice to Your Guests
If your guest is the star of your show, your listener might be tuning out.
Here’s how this looks:
- You let guests ramble and repeat themselves.
- You avoid tough or clarifying questions that could lead to real insight.
- You let the conversation drift off-course, and worse, you leave it all in the episode.
Suddenly, what should’ve been a punchy, valuable episode becomes 48 minutes of fluff and a thinly veiled commercial for your guest’s business.
Remember: it’s your show. Your guest is there to serve your audience, not the other way around.
Your job is to host the conversation with your audience in mind. If you’re letting your guest run wild because you don’t want to seem rude, your listener ends up feeling disrespected, bored, or confused. That’s not good.
2. Behind the Scenes: You’re Not Running the Show (Literally)
People pleasing doesn’t just sabotage your on-air presence; it messes with your systems too.
Here’s what it looks like:
- You don’t set deadlines with your editor because you don’t want to seem pushy.
- You’re constantly adjusting your schedule to suit guests or team members, even when it throws you off.
- You’re recording late at night or on weekends because you didn’t set boundaries (and it shows in the audio).
If your podcast is running you instead of the other way around, it’s time to draw a line.
This is your show. You have every right to establish timelines, systems, and standards. When you do, your podcast becomes smoother, more consistent, and (surprise!) more enjoyable for everyone involved.
3. In Your Business: You’re Afraid to Sell
This is the big one. If you’re podcasting for your business and not making any offers, you’re not just playing small; you’re doing your audience a disservice.
Too many podcasters fall into this trap:
- You don’t mention your services or programs.
- You never invite your listener to book a call or take the next step.
- You hold back from sharing how you help because you’re scared of being “salesy.”
Here’s what I tell clients all the time:
You are not being helpful if your listener has no idea how to work with you.
If someone is nodding along, loving every insight you drop, and thinking “I need this person’s help,” but you never tell them how to reach you, that’s not being generous. That’s being fearful.
Marketing your business through your podcast is not selfish. It’s service. Want more on this? Listen to episode 102: How To Help Your Listener Take The Next Step.
BONUS: You’re Too Scared to Niche Down
Here’s the biggest people-pleasing pitfall of all: refusing to pick a niche.
You’re afraid to leave people out. You don’t want to offend anyone. So, you stay broad, general, and… boring.
In trying to speak to everyone, you speak to no one.
If you want your podcast to actually resonate, you have to commit to someone. That’s how you create magnetic content that builds trust and authority — the kind of content that converts.
If you need help narrowing your niche, check out my past episodes on the topic (search “niche” or “nitch” at
I’ve done it for you: Just click here:
https://podcastperformancecoach.com/?s=niche
Stop Pleasing Everyone — Start Leading
This might feel like tough love, but it’s coming from a place of support. You don’t need to become a jerk — you just need to set boundaries, take ownership, and lead your show with confidence.
When you stop worrying about how everyone feels, you can finally focus on what really matters: creating content that serves your listener and grows your business.
And I hope… that’s just the tip you need.
Want help making your podcast a smart, strategic business tool?
Book a free private coaching call with me at
https://calendly.com/timwohlberg
Let’s turn your show into something you — and your audience — are proud of.
Suggested Episodes:
092 Why Niche Podcasts are Killing it Right Now
093 How to Niche Down Your Podcast Like a Pro
216 How to Overcome the Fear of Niching Down Your Podcast
233 How Repelling Listeners Can Actually Boost Your Podcast ROI
