The Power of Just Asking

Speaker 1: [Music] I'm Melanie Bar. Welcome back to the Sheila Tip podcast, your go-to place to empower you to live the life and business that you crave. I'm here to talk about everything from having the courage to make life and career leaps to the details of how to lead effectively, create successful teams, implement strategies for growth, and infuse tech innovation. I'm here to celebrate your wins and navigate through your challenges. I live in the city now, but I grew up in a town of a thousand people. I've navigated major life leaps, a senior level corporate career, worked in professional sports, and now as a successful entrepreneur who loves business, technology, family, and making meaningful connections with you and the She Built It Community. I also love a good workout and dose of self-care. Magic happens when we focus on the part of ourselves and our business that brings us joy. So, turn up the audio, open your favorite notes app, grab your favorite drink, and here we go. Sometimes all it takes is one sentence, one idea that lands at the right time and changes everything. That's what podcast can do. In the next few minutes, I'll share a story along with five daily ways to get more from the podcast you already listen to and simple steps to make your own show stronger if you're a host. Early on in the Sheila podcast, I got a message from a listener who was a lawyer at a large firm. She'd been passed over for partner more than once, and every time she stayed quiet, hoping the next year would be different. She was frustrated. She knew she was bringing in the clients and doing the work, but she didn't have the confidence to ask for what she wanted. She told me she was driving to the office one morning listening to the Sheila podcast, and I said, "What's the worst they can say? The worst they can say is no, so why not give it a try?" She told me she replayed that three times before she got out of the car. That reminder that silence almost always guarantees a no, but asking at least gives you a chance gave her the courage to walk into her managing partner's office that week and say, "I'd like to be considered for partner." And here's the part that changed everything. They said yes. She told me that one sentence gave me the motivation, the thought process, and the confidence I needed. I had the track record. I had the results. I just needed to find my voice. The Sheila podcast gave me the push in one 20-minute listen, one story, one decision, and her life completely changed. That's the power of podcasting. Moments like this aren't rare. Podcasts have a way of meeting you exactly where you are and nudging you forward. Whether you're on your daily commute to work, driving to a practice, walking in your neighborhood, or making morning meals, as a listener, you can keep learning while life keeps moving. You feel seen and encouraged, especially on the days when you need it most. I know I do. And sometimes you pick up that one sentence that gives you the words you need for the tough conversations or for a big meeting. And if you're a host, podcast sharpen what you do. You ask better questions. You listen more closely. You share your voice with more confidence. You build credibility because you show up consistently. And you build community. When someone says, "I thought I was the only one until I heard your guest." That kind of belonging changes the way you lead. So, how do you make podcast part of your daily life? Try this. Cue one episode on a single skill before your next meeting. Give yourself a 10-minute learn. The Sheila podcast is great for this. After listening, write down one sentence you'll use today. Share a twoline takeaway on LinkedIn and invite someone to reply or tag the guest. Record a 60-second memo for yourself. If you're a host, use it as a warm-up. If you're a listener, use it to capture your thoughts and then go back and listen later. I also like to create a tiny podcast library, a short list of episodes that you can pull from when you need that boost. motivation before a big meeting, clarity before a tough decision, or fresh ideas before taking a big life leap. Keep them organized so you can hit play and walk in with confidence. And if you're a host, here are a few ways to upgrade your show. Know who you're speaking to, what problems are you solving, and what change are you promising? Keep it simple. Make it a repeatable format. Short solo episodes, steady interviews, a rhythm you can stick with and build a small system. Outline, record, clip, polish on the same day each week. Consistency always wins. Podcast can shift careers, restore confidence, and spark ideas. Sometimes it's just one sentence landing at the right moment. And that's the magic here. So whether you're pressing play as a listener or pressing record as a host, don't underestimate what podcasts can do. You can widen your world, sharpen your voice, and steady your next step. At Sheila Media, we help leaders like you launch and grow podcasts. You already have the ideas, the business, and the stories. We guide the process, handled the editing and publishing, and help your voice reach the people who need it. Hosting changed my life. It's made me a better leader, given me a front row seat to resilience and courage, and let me carry those lessons into my family, my team, and episodes for you. And when I hear from a listener who took a leap because of an episode, that will never stop inspiring me. It isn't just content, it's transformation, one conversation at a time. Thank you for joining me on the Sheila podcast. Thank you for joining us today. I'd love to hear from you. Reach out to me at hello@shbiltit.com on our shebuilt website or at shebiltit on social. Thank you to my editor Rich Duffalino who always makes us sound good. Until next time, let nothing stop you from experiencing the life and business that you crave. [Music]