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It’s easily the most frequent question I’m asked the second a podcast recording ends. It’s nearly always followed by a similar sentiment: "I hope you got what you needed out of it."
No matter how relaxed a conversation feels, an interview is inherently a performance. It demands presence, adaptability, and emotional energy from both sides of the microphone.
Over time, I’ve realized this post-recording question carries far more weight than it first seems. What makes it so illuminating is its honesty.
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IN THIS EDITION 👇🏼
- Article: How Do You Think That Went.
- Podcast: What Makes An Effective Communicator
- Lesson: How To Scale Content Marketing (B2B)
- Subscribers: Email Challenge: Build The Habits To Share Your Expertise
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Mutual Self-Doubt
In that beat after hitting "stop," my brain naturally turns inward with self-doubt:
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Could my questioning have been sharper?
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Did I probe deep enough?
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Was my prep thorough enough?
On their end, the exact same loop is running:
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Did I sound clear?
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Did I answer well?
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How did I come across?
The beauty of that moment is that neither of us is passing judgment on the other. Instead, convinced we’ve each fallen short of some imaginary ideal, we are both simply seeking validation.
Expectations vs Reality
Having now completed more than 23 episodes exploring everyday creativity, I know better. That this moment of doubt is superficial; because every conversation routinely turns out better than expected.
So why the discrepancy?
I think it’s because of our humanity. Immediately after finishing anything we’ve poured effort into, we all instinctively measure ourselves against pre-planned expectations. The truth is—regardless of status or experience—nobody is ever entirely sure how things will turn out.
Surrendering Control
In a way, that friction is the very essence of creativity.
Creativity isn't about perfect execution or total control. It’s about putting yourself out there, remaining present, and surrendering expectations. The most resonant episodes are never the ones that went strictly according to plan; they are the ones where we strayed off the path and allowed the conversation to become whatever it needed to be.
You can do your best to build an environment primed for success. But ultimately, you have to give yourself the freedom to be led to the outcome.
