Welcome to 2026 (and Hello, YouTube Friends)

2 min

•Jan 1, 20265 months ago

Summary

The hosts announce they are discontinuing their YouTube video presence and returning exclusively to audio podcast format after discovering they feel more authentic and vulnerable without the distraction of physical appearance. They reflect on the value of experimenting with new platforms and pivoting when something doesn't align with their vision, setting the tone for 2026 with a commitment to doing hard things together with their audience.

Insights

Authenticity and vulnerability are enhanced when creators remove the pressure of physical self-presentation and focus on ideas and spirit
Successful creators should experiment with new platforms but be willing to pivot quickly when the format doesn't serve their core mission
Building community around shared values and emotional connection creates stronger listener loyalty than platform expansion alone
The podcast medium itself can be more intimate and embodied than video, contrary to common industry assumptions about video's superiority

Trends

Podcasters reconsidering video expansion as creators recognize audio's unique intimacy advantagesShift toward platform consolidation rather than omnichannel presence when it conflicts with creator authenticityEmphasis on creator wellness and psychological comfort as a business decision, not just a personal preferenceIndependent podcast producers maintaining editorial control and format integrity over growth metrics

Topics

Podcast format vs. video format comparisonCreator authenticity and vulnerabilityPlatform experimentation and pivoting strategyAudience retention and community buildingIndependent podcast productionContent creator wellnessNew year planning and goal-setting

Companies

Treat Media

Production company that produces We Can Do Hard Things podcast and creates art for people wanting to stay human

Quotes

"I have discovered that I actually feel most embodied when I am not considering how I'm being perceived in my physical form."

Host•Early in episode

"I feel most vulnerable and most strong when I am sending you my spirit and my ideas without my body being involved."

Host•Early in episode

"We're going to try new things and when it doesn't feel good, we're rerouting."

Host•Mid-episode

"Whatever beautiful, brutal things the year brings, we won't do them alone."

Host•Closing remarks

Full Transcript

Hi Pod Squad, if you are joining us here after finding us on YouTube, welcome. If you've always been here with us in audio, thank you for staying, thank you for listening, thank you for doing life with us here. Before we jump into this year, we just wanted to let you guys know we did try video, we tried the YouTube, didn't love it. I have discovered that I actually feel most embodied when I am not considering how I'm being perceived in my physical form. I feel most vulnerable and most strong when I am sending you my spirit and my ideas without my body being involved. So we want the vibe of we're going to try new things and when it doesn't feel good, we're rerouting. That's what we're doing from here on out. We can do hard things, we'll live right here once again, just in your podcast feed. So please be sure you have clicked the follow button for We Can Do Hard Things so you don't miss our new episodes and we return with our new show on January 6th. To those who found us on YouTube, thanks and we're so glad you're here. We hope that you had a peaceful restful holiday. We will be doing 2026 together like we always have and whatever beautiful, brutal things the year brings, we won't do them alone. We love you. We are so grateful for you and we will meet you back here next Tuesday right here in your audio feed, Where We Belong. Love you, Pod Squad. We Can Do Hard Things is an independent production podcast brought to you by Treat Media. Treat Media makes art for humans who want to stay human and you can follow us at We Can Do Hard Things on Instagram and at We Can Do Hard Things show on TikTok.