What Matt Gilhooly Learned from 100 Episodes of The Life Shift
Lessons about podcasting and life
Hi Besties!
I hope you’re in the midst of a happy holiday season. And if you’re not, I’m right there with you. 2023 was a great year for me… until the end when I had a couple of painful losses in quick succession.
First, my favorite uncle passed away in early December. Then, while I was out of town for my uncle’s funeral, my beloved 14-year-old dog had a health emergency, and I had to rush home to say goodbye to her for the last time. Georgia was my best friend, fur baby, chief cuddler, court jester, and constant companion for 13 fantastic years. She would normally be curled up at my feet as I write this. My fiancé and I miss her acutely.
Wading through this under-discussed form of grief and adjusting to my new post-Georgia world has definitely been a life shift — precisely the type of stories
creates space for with his tender interview show, The Life Shift. This podcast is so special because when you’re going through a significant trauma or heartache, as we all do at some point, it’s reassuring to know you’re not alone, and hearing how others got through their difficult times gives you hope for the future.The Life Shift started as a school project in the spring of 2022, and Matt’s been plugging away ever since. In May, he first graced the Podcast Bestie newsletter for a Q&A about his video editing process. This month, not only did The Life Shift celebrate its 100th episode, but it was also named one of Tink’s Audio Delicacies of 2023, as well as Frank Racioppi’s top pick for Ear Worthy’s ten best indie podcasts of 2023. I know sometimes the indie podcasting journey can feel slow, but I’m so impressed by all Matt’s accomplished in under two years.
Today, Matt shares the lessons he’s learned along the way to his 100-episode milestone. Enjoy.
Remind us how and why you started The Life Shift podcast.
MG: The Life Shift started as a pandemic grad school project and continued because I loved it so much. The idea of centering the conversations around the pivotal moments that have changed lives forever comes from my childhood experience. When I was eight, my mother was killed in a motorcycle accident. When my father relayed the information to me, my life was kicked around and shuffled into a different path. Failing through the grief process, I always felt alone in the experience and wondered if other people had such specific moments that changed everything. It turns out that many people out there do.
What’s been your most popular episode?
MG: This probably sounds a bit pretentious, but the most popular episode is the episode where I share my story. About ten episodes into the show, I was hearing from people behind the scenes asking when I was going to tell my story. So, I asked my episode one guest to host and help me share my story. I think it also makes sense that this is the most popular episode because it truly gives the backstory to WHY The Life Shift Podcast exists.
What’s been your biggest growth milestone to date, and what did you learn from that?
MG: Gosh. Being an indie podcaster has so many rewarding aspects, and at the same time, it can sometimes feel disheartening. When people think of podcasts, many think of huge studio-backed shows and believe that all podcasters are hitting tens of thousands (or millions) of weekly listens. When I look back on this 20-month journey to 100 episodes, the most significant milestone was truly when I stopped having to look for guests for the show (in an active, obsessive way).
Around October 2022, I found that I got multiple weekly pitches from listeners, friends of former guests, and agencies. Once those pitches started to be more than 50 percent focused and specific, I knew the show had found its special place, and people were listening for the reasons I hoped. Beyond download numbers or listeners or reach, this helped solidify that I had something good going on, making me want to get better with each conversation.
What's been one of your personal favorite episodes? (I know it’s hard to pick just one.)
MG: One of my favorite episodes is coincidentally the second most popular episode. However, I don’t think it’s the most popular for the same reason why it was one of my favorites. When I started this show, my goal was that each episode would find the ears that needed to hear it the most, validating the listeners’ experiences and helping them feel less alone. When talking to Beth Booker about the grief journey after losing her father and dealing with other family complications, the way she shared how she felt was the first time doing the podcast that I felt validated in my own experience. It was the first time where I personally knew that my goal for the show was indeed possible.
Navigating Tragedy: Finding Strength in Life's Challenges | Beth Booker
What are ten things you’ve learned about podcasting and life in general from putting out 100 episodes of The Life Shift?
MG:
There is an element of everyone’s story that will resonate with listeners. Stories are important.
There is no ONE RIGHT way to create a podcast. Each journey should be unique and feel right for the podcaster. We must remember that it is our show, and we don’t have to do what everyone else says.
Life is hard. But it is also beautiful. There is power in reflection and sharing our stories. It further seats the experiences, and others can learn from them.
Podcasting is not easy. Creating a show you love takes a ton of time and work to produce and release. (I wish more people understood this).
As humans, we have WAY more in common than we are different. Even if we have not faced similar challenges or life experiences, our feelings and reflections on moments often align with others.
Podcasting is a collaborative sport. I do not think I’ve experienced such a collaborative group of people in the past. The podcasting community will share their knowledge, tools, and advice and generally want to talk about experiences with you. You just have to ask.
At some point in the past, society presented many of us with a checklist of expectations — a list of items we should accomplish to find success or happiness. I’m happy to see that in so many of these conversations, we’ve finally opted to abandon that checklist life and find happiness on our terms.
On the flip side, there are so many “podcast promoters” and “gurus” that it can be pretty overwhelming that we indie podcasters might not be doing “enough” to succeed. See #2.
The younger, broken version of Matt was so much stronger than I ever gave him credit for. I’m learning more about that version of me as I walk with him through each of these important episodes on the show.
Most importantly, I’ve learned how to REALLY listen to people. To hear them. To ask them questions that matter to me and to them. For so long, I used to listen for the next silence, and podcasting has taught me to listen for understanding and compassion. For that, I am most grateful to the 100+ guests who have allowed me to build those skills.
What are your goals for the next 100 episodes?
MG: As of the 100th episode release, I’ve already recorded episode 115. So, I guess there is no stopping me. I want to continue to grow and help share others’ stories in my own “The Life Shift” way. Maybe the next 100 episodes will bring sponsorships and more financial support, but I know that isn’t my goal.
Selfishly, this journey has helped to heal parts of the eight-year-old Matt, who had just lost his mom, to heal in ways I really didn’t know that I needed. I’m humbled to do this with strangers each week who trust me enough to share deeply personal stories in a dialogue.
Anything else you’d like to add?
MG: I’m grateful for you, Courtney, and for what you do for the indie podcasting community. More established podcasters can seem intimidating for people just starting out or like we are not worthy of their time until we pay our dues. I’ve learned that it’s simply not true — we’re all just trying to get better at the things we love to do and want to see others succeed. So, thank you for allowing me into your orbit on this most fulfilling journey.
Thanks so much, Matt! Congrats on all your successes. I’m a big fan of you and what you do.
➡️ Check out Matt’s podcast, The Life Shift, on your favorite podcast player.
➡️ Don’t miss the 100th episode with Justin Moore of Creator Wizard!
➡️ Follow The Life Shift and connect with Matt on Twitter and Instagram.
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣
Have YOU hit 100 episodes with your podcast? If so, what’s your biggest lesson?
Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com.