What 99 Downloads Taught Me About Starting Again

I’ll be honest with you. Hitting 'publish' on a new podcast episode after nearly a 1.5-year hiatus was nerve-wracking, especially after putting on my instructor hat and setting my podcast aside to focus on teaching and growing my coaching business.

What if no one listened? What if I lost my audience? What if I wasn’t the same podcaster anymore?

But last week, I did it anyway. I released Episode 67 of the Sistahs Connect Podcast, and seven days later, I had 99 downloads.

If you’re someone who obsesses over download numbers, like I used to, you might be tempted to see 99 as small. But let me tell you, those 99 downloads mean everything.

They represent resilience. A community still listening. A host who dared to return.

I chose to relaunch with a powerful interview. Yvonne Thevenot, founder of STEM Kids NYC, is a woman whose story is rooted in purpose and driven by passion. She went from a successful Wall Street career to breast cancer survivor to nonprofit founder, all while building a path for Black and Brown kids in STEM spaces where they’re often left out.

This episode wasn’t just another podcast conversation. It was confirmation. Yvonne’s journey mirrored my own in many ways—the pivots, the reinvention, the desire to lead with meaning. Her story helped me find the clarity I needed to start again.

Many of you know me not just as a podcaster, but as a podcast coach through Podcast To Inspire. I work with new and growing podcasters who often ask me, “What happens if I stop podcasting? Is it okay, and will I ever be ready to come back?”

The answer is yes. You can come back. You can evolve. You can reconnect. But you have to do it intentionally.

I didn’t try to pick up where I left off. I acknowledged the break. I chose a guest who aligned with the direction I wanted to go. I didn’t obsess over the numbers. I focused on the people who pressed play.

And those 99 people? They matter. According to Buzzsprout’s data, an episode with more than 86 downloads in the first seven days puts you in the top 50% of all podcasts. That’s not a failure. That’s a milestone.

I always tell my students this. Don’t think of your downloads as digits on a screen. Think of them as real people in a room, giving you their time, their ears, their attention. That’s powerful. That’s impact.

If you’ve been holding onto an idea or sitting on your next episode, wondering if it’s too late or if anyone will still care, I want to remind you that your voice still matters. Your message still matters. And it’s never too late to create again.

Listen to Episode 67 of the Sistahs Connect Podcast when you get a moment. Yvonne’s story might be the inspiration you didn’t know you needed. And if you’re ready to return to your own mic or launch something brand new, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Let this be your sign. The world is still listening.