It Started with Just One – An Addiction to Podcasts

It started with just one.  And one led to another.  Pretty soon I couldn’t stop.  You could even call me an addict.  A podcast addict.  I knew something needed to change when I turned on a podcast to listen to while I brushed my teeth.  And even when my Sonicare beeped after two minutes, I would keep brushing, just so I could keep listening.  I listened on the treadmill, while washing dishes, folding clothes, and in the car.  I couldn’t get enough.  How does someone get to this point?  It’s simple.  When you have a hunger for knowledge, and it’s being offered to you through a fire hose, you don’t know when to quit.

My addiction started with Christy Wright’s Business Boutique podcast.  It is excellent, to put it modestly.  I have listened to every single episode, some of them more than once.  Her expertise on starting and managing a business, coupled with an outpouring of love and motivation, is incredibly encouraging.  And Christy is so fun to listen to!  Well, one thing led to another, and pretty soon I was listening to Christy Wright’s podcast guests.  Donald Miller has become another all-time favorite.  I have listened to every single episode of the Storybrand podcast.  I found myself listening, stopping the treadmill to make some notes in my phone, and restarting.  There was so much to learn.  There were so many directions to go.  There were so many podcasts I was following.  I was so motivated. 

But then, something happened.  Burn out.  My creative juices had run dry.  I was exhausted, I mean, really exhausted.  My level of overwhelm had reached a new high.  I felt like the more I learned, the more I didn’t know.  I became paralyzed with decision making. 

And then I realized that I needed to change something.  I realized that podcasts had taken over my creative space.  They had invaded the gym, they invaded my trail runs, they stole my meditation time.  Running is where I gain inspiration.  Constantly gorging my brain with valuable knowledge had masked my inspiration. 
I made two simple changes.  First, I turned off the podcasts at the gym and during my runs.  Instead, I turned on a Top Dance station, and I let myself get lost in the beat.  I let my mind wander where it wanted.  Now I run as hard as I can, letting those endorphins pump thoughts into my brain.  And sure enough, it has come back.  My creativity and motivation is back.  I’m back. 

The second simple change?  I’ve limited myself to only two podcasts (thank you, Christy Wright and Donald Miller).  It’s the right balance for me at this point in my life.  It’s enough to keep me motivated and to feed my hunger for knowledge.  But what’s most important is that I have created space.  I’ve created space for reflection and introspection.  I’ve created space to breathe. 

My name is Erin Lyman.  And I am a recovering podcast addict.