✌️ Built on joy, paid in podcasts

Presented by Cozy Critters

⏳ Work Fills the Time You Give It

Parkinson’s Law says it best: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion. And if you’ve ever spent a full day editing a podcast segment that could’ve been done in an hour, you know exactly how true that is.

In podcasting—and creative work in general—time can be a black hole. The more you give, the more it takes. But constraints are creative fuel.

A tighter window can spark sharper thinking. It forces decisions. It gets you out of your head and into the work.

So next time you sit down to write, edit, or record, set a timer. You’ll be amazed at what happens when the clock is your creative partner, not your enemy.

🎙️ Signal Flow: Emily Shaw

Industry game changers and valiant minds share their wisdom, adversities, and paths to innovation.

Emily Shaw is an award-winning podcast executive producer and audio artist. She specializes in producing podcasts for brands and organizations, and has worked with Google, YouTube, Headspace, The World Peace Foundation, and more. Emily's personal podcast, Candy Ears, celebrates play through audio sketches, stories, and experiments.

My rule of thumb: Assume you’ll only be paid for 50% of your working hours. The other 50% is the reality of running a business: emails, development, invoices, vacation, pitching, professional growth. Factor that in. It’s not a side hustle if it’s your living. You have to treat it with that same seriousness.

Most of my work comes from referrals, not cold outreach. That’s why I treat every project like a gateway. How I show up—with generosity, clarity, and follow-through—matters. I want every job to be an invitation for more. That mindset has helped me build a business that’s sustainable, not just flashy.

The things I’ve made for myself have opened more doors than any résumé. Want someone to hire you? Make something. Show them. The work is the pitch.

With Candy Ears, I'm constantly breaking the rules. Because why not? A podcast doesn't have to have a consistent length, genre, or even a host. It doesn’t need a studio or professional mic. It can be a sketchbook, a business card, an excuse to collaborate.

Sometimes I make episodes in a couple of hours. Sometimes they're 30 seconds long. Some are interviews. Some are ASMR bike sounds. I share them like a visual artist might share a sketch. Quick, raw, and real.

There’s freedom in that kind of imperfection. It invites curiosity and lowers the stakes enough that I actually want to create.

I think it’s important to question the “shoulds” of podcasting: that you need a certain format, that you need polished production, that it has to be at least 15 minutes, or that it must include a host intro. These assumptions can sneak into the creative process and smother it.

I try to tune in to what actually feels good to make. What feels fun? What sparks curiosity? That’s the energy I follow. When I make from that place, I’m not worrying about downloads. I’m just making something honest.

Sometimes that energy leads to unexpected collaborations. At On Air Fest, I met Charlie Harding from Switched on Pop and invited him to react to bizarre AI-generated theme songs I created.

He remixed one live on the podcast. It was random, weird, and so much fun. I’ve learned I’m at my most creative when I don’t know what’s going to happen. Those surprise moments, where it’s not entirely in your control, are often the best part.

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☀️ Sleepy Critter Adventures Await!

Cozy Critters, a Mom’s Choice Award winner and proudly featured by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, turns bedtime (and summertime) into a cozy animal adventure.

Join Dougie Pickles and his curious kitten co-host, Miss Meow Meow, as they journey across the globe, meeting animals and learning wowzeriffic facts about their lives.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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I’m also a big believer in podcasting as a tool for connection. My show has let me experiment with artists and producers I admire, including composer Martin Austwick. We’ve submitted pieces to AudioFlux that we made virtually across time zones. It’s a powerful way to meet, make, and learn. That connection matters more to me than virality or scale. Even a small audience can be a meaningful one.

Networking isn’t just about events. It’s a habit. I keep a spreadsheet of people I want to connect with or reconnect with. Every month, I aim to reach out to 15 of them. Staying visible, sharing my work, and following up are part of the job. It’s not transactional. It’s relational. It’s about keeping doors open, even if you’re not sure what’s on the other side yet.

Creativity, for me, is a long game. It’s not always fast. Not always profitable. But if you’re in it for the right reasons, it’s always worth it. Whether you’re freelancing or just starting out, protect your creative spark. Make something that reminds you why you love this work in the first place.

And keep making. Even when it’s weird. Even when it’s small. That’s how your voice gets louder.

🎙️ Podcast of the Week: Triple Click

If video games are your love language, Triple Click is your happy place. Hosts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier bring smart, funny, no-BS conversations about the games industry and what it's like to actually play. Deep dives, hot takes, and zero gatekeeping. Just pure, joyful nerdery.

🥾 Further Exploration: Top 60+ Podcasting Stats for 2025

Want to know where podcasting is headed and how your show fits in? This fresh stats roundup from Exploding Topics offers a data-driven snapshot of the medium’s current moment. From listener growth and monetization trends to the rise of video podcasts, it's a fast, fascinating read for anyone serious about their craft.

ICYMI:

🙌 She started a podcast with $5K and a mission

🎙️ Creative Advice from an Award-Winning Podcast Showrunner

💰 Families Love This Money Podcast