What I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Catholic Podcast (7+ million downloads later)

Nine years ago, I sat down with a microphone and an idea: to create a space for Catholic women to connect, grow, and find encouragement in their vocations. That’s how Girlfriends was born.

Since then, I’ve published 460 episodes and reached over 7 million downloads. It’s been a gift, a ministry, and—let’s be honest—a steep learning curve.

Looking back, here are some things I wish I knew before I hit “record” on that first episode. I hope they’re helpful to you, wherever you are in your journey as a faith-based creator.

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1. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Start

I used to think I needed the very best equipment, the perfect format, and exact clarity on my brand before launching. In reality, what you need most is a willingness to show up and serve. My early episodes were far from polished, but they were real—and that’s what people connected with. Often the best way to shape our content is in real time as we figure out what works best for us and our audience.

🎧 Start with what you have. Show up with what you know. God will do the rest.

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2. Consistency Matters More Than Buzz

It’s easy to get caught up in metrics—downloads, followers, reviews. But what builds trust and lasting community is consistency. I used to worry a lot about numbers and check my stats all the time. Over time, though, I found that the idea of serving my audience became more important to me, and I stopped paying much attention to numbers. (I had to remind myself of how to check the stats in order to share the downloads for this post!) Week after week, episode after episode, I kept showing up, even when life was busy or messy. And that’s what helped Girlfriends grow over time.

🎧 Faithfulness > Flashiness.

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3. Your Voice is Needed, Even if It’s Not the Loudest

In the early years, I often wondered if I had anything new to say. Why would someone listen to me when there were already so many other voices out there? But I learned that lived experience—motherhood, marriage, and a unique faith journey—is the ministry. Don’t try to be somebody else. Be YOU. That’s the greatest gift.

🎧 God doesn’t need you to be the loudest. Just faithful.

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4. Boundaries Make Better Creators

I’ve learned the hard way: You can’t pour out if you’re running on empty. There were times when I was burning out trying to do it all—recording, editing, promoting, replying to every email. Eventually, I learned to outsource what I could, take breaks when needed, and protect my prayer life and family time.

🎧 Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re essential.

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5. Your Ministry Will Change With You

What I talked about in year one isn’t typically what I talk about now. That’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to be! Your content will evolve, just like you do. I’ve moved through seasons of talking about babies and toddlers, different stages of marriage, to now guiding other women in their ministries. God has a plan. Trust that growth.

🎧 God’s not done with your story—or your message.

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6. You Don’t Have to Be on Every Platform

In the early days, I felt pressure to be everywhere—YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Twitter, Pinterest (remember Pinterest?). But over time, I realized that I didn’t need to master every platform to be effective. I needed to show up well in the few places where I could connect most meaningfully. For me, that meant podcasting and email.

🎧 Don’t stretch yourself thin trying to “keep up.” Go deep, not wide.

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7. The Fruit Isn’t Always Immediate (But It’s Always Worth It)

There were times when I wondered if my efforts were making any real difference—when the numbers were slow or I wasn’t hearing much feedback. But again and again, God would send a note from a listener, a conversation at a conference, or a quiet confirmation in prayer: keep going. That’s when I began to understand that fruitfulness doesn’t always show up as metrics—it often shows up as grace.

🎧 Stay rooted in your “why,” and trust God to handle the “how.”

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If you’re a faith-based creator with a message to share, don’t wait for the perfect time to start. The world needs your voice. And if you’ve already started and are wondering if it’s “working”—know this: every act of faithfulness plants seeds. Keep going.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. What do you wish you knew before you started creating?

With grace,

PS: If you’re feeling called to share your faith through podcasting, writing, or any kind of creative content—but you’re not sure where to begin—I’d love to help.

Check out my free webinar, From Stuck to Started, where I walk you through the exact mindset shifts and practical steps you need to take your idea and finally bring it to life.

From Stuck to Started, April 23 at 7:30 PM ET

Whether you’re dreaming of a podcast, a Substack, or something uniquely your own, this is your invitation to stop overthinking and start creating—with purpose and confidence.