I used to refresh my podcast stats like it was my job.

Every hour.

Sometimes more.

I’d wake up in the morning and before even brushing my teeth, I’d check to see if anyone had downloaded my latest episode overnight.

It was exhausting.

And completely pointless.

For 8 long months, I was obsessed with those numbers.

I thought they validated my work. My worth. My message.

But here’s what I finally realized after nearly quitting my show altogether:

The download numbers were never going to fill the void I was feeling. Because I was looking at the wrong metric entirely.

The real metric? It was staring me in the face the whole time.

It was me.
My growth.
My evolution as a host,
as a thinker,
as a communicator.

Every episode I recorded, I got a little sharper.
Every interview I conducted, my questions got a little deeper.
Every solo show I delivered, my message became a little clearer.

And that’s when everything changed.

When I stopped obsessing over external validation and started focusing on my internal transformation.

Here’s what I’ve learned from watching hundreds of podcasters over the years:

The ones who quit?
They’re glued to their download stats.

The ones who succeed?
They’re glued to their craft.

So here’s my challenge to you:

For the next 90 days, delete your podcast stats app.

Stop checking your numbers.

Instead, focus on these four things:

1. Teach something valuable in every single episode
2. Stick religiously to your publishing schedule
3. Give your listeners a clear next step every time
4. Design each conversation with intention

The beautiful irony?

When you stop chasing the downloads,
that’s precisely when they start to come.

But by then, you won’t care as much.

Because you’ll be too busy becoming the expert you set out to be.
Too busy transforming into the thought leader you always knew you could be.
Too busy creating content that matters.

So stop waiting for proof that your podcast is working.
Start creating it.

One episode at a time.

With gratitude,

Harry ‘Delete Your Stats App’ Duran

When you’re ready to focus on the podcaster you’re becoming instead of the numbers you’re chasing, I’m here to help.