After nearly 20 years in podcasting, I’ve learned that not every opportunity is the right opportunity.
Over the past few weeks, many of you have supported me in the Top Host competition, which offers a $25,000 grant, an appearance on Ryan Seacrest’s On Air radio show, and the opportunity to host a six-episode podcast series on iHeartRadio. When I first came across the competition, I thought it sounded like a fantastic opportunity. That’s why I entered.
However, after taking a closer look at how the competition operates and thinking about what I ultimately want for The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio, I’ve made the decision to no longer participate.
I want to explain why.
One of the things that initially caught my attention was how the competition was structured. Contestants are placed into groups, and each round determines who advances based on votes. Participants can receive free votes from supporters, but there is also an option to purchase additional votes.
That was one of my biggest sticking points.
For example, I was competing in one group while my friend Christopher David was competing in another. If someone wanted to support both of us on the same day, they couldn’t cast a free vote for each of us. Once that daily free vote was used, supporting another contestant that day would require purchasing votes.
I understand that competitions have different methods of determining winners, but this particular structure wasn’t something I wanted to continue asking my supporters to participate in.
Another concern I had was the entry process itself. When I entered, I provided basic information and a profile photo. There wasn’t an audition or a submission of my podcast work as part of that initial process. From my experience, advancement appeared to be driven primarily by voting rather than an evaluation of someone’s hosting abilities.
That raised questions for me about what this competition was ultimately measuring. And those questions became more important as I considered what winning would actually mean for my career.
Let’s be clear: $25,000 is a significant amount of money. I could certainly put that toward improving my podcasting operation, investing in equipment, and expanding what I’m able to accomplish independently.
The opportunity to host a six-episode series on iHeartRadio is also appealing. But then I started asking myself some questions.
What happens after those six episodes? Would there be an opportunity to continue? Would this help me grow the show I’ve already spent nearly two decades building? And, most importantly, would this opportunity take me in the direction I actually want to go?
I don’t have all those answers, but I know what I want for my future.
If The Buzz ever finds a home with a network such as iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, Vox Media, or another media organization, I want that opportunity to come because someone within the industry listened to my show, watched my interviews, recognized the work, and believed it deserved a place on their platform.
I want my work to speak for itself. That’s what matters to me.
When I started podcasting in 2006, I couldn’t have imagined where this journey would take me. There were opportunities I would have jumped at years ago simply because they offered exposure or the possibility of financial support.
Today, I look at things differently.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing incredible people, covering major television and entertainment events, developing relationships throughout the industry, and seeing my work recognized by organizations I once could only dream of being associated with.
Recently, The Buzz earned its second consecutive nomination for Best Television Podcast at the Astra Podcast Awards, following last year’s win. To be nominated alongside podcasts such as Pod Meets World, That’s Really Messed Up, and The Greatest Generation is something I don’t take lightly.
And as I await the results of this year’s Signal Awards Listener’s Choice voting, I’m reminded of just how much support this show has received.
These experiences have helped me understand the value of what I’ve built. That doesn’t mean I’ve accomplished everything I want to accomplish. Far from it. There is still so much more I want to do. But it does mean I’ve reached a point where I’m more selective about which opportunities align with my vision.
I want to make something very clear: My decision to step away is mine, and mine alone.
To everyone who entered Top Host and is continuing in the competition, I genuinely support you. I hope you advance, I hope you succeed, and I hope this opportunity brings you everything you’re looking for.
If this competition aligns with your goals, then I absolutely encourage you to continue pursuing them. We’re all on different journeys, and what may not be right for me could be exactly what someone else needs.
I wish every contestant the very best.
To everyone who has taken the time to vote for me over these past few weeks, thank you. I genuinely appreciate the effort, encouragement, and support.
But I have a different request moving forward: Instead of voting for me in Top Host, support the show itself.
Listen to an episode. Watch an interview. Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a comment or rating. Share an episode with a friend, family member, coworker, or someone who might enjoy the conversations I’m having.
That’s the kind of support that helps The Buzz continue growing.
After nearly 20 years, I’m still here, still learning, still evolving, and still finding new reasons to love what I do. I don’t know exactly what the next chapter will look like, but I know the direction I want to take.
And sometimes, knowing when to walk away from an opportunity is just as important as knowing when to pursue one.
Thank you for continuing to be part of this journey.
Visit The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio to watch, listen, and support the show.
