S5E1 | From Maternity Leave to 20,000 Listeners - Reflections on 5 Years of Decision Making Podcasting
In this special episode, Michelle Florendo reflects on five years of hosting "Ask a Decision Engineer." Joined by her friend Shanice Webb, Michelle shares insights about the podcast's evolution from a maternity leave project to an international resource for decision-making advice. They discuss overcoming fears, measuring impact, and the journey of adapting content to fit a global audience. Michelle also shares a preview of what’s to come in Season 5, including new frameworks, listener questions, and stories from her own decision-making experiences.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the determination that something else is more important." – Ambrose Redmoon
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the determination that something else is more important.”
Table of Contents
Introduction and Origins [00:00:00]
Unexpected Reach and Impact [00:02:30]
Pushing Through Fear [00:04:30]
Measuring Impact [00:09:00]
Seasons and Structure [00:12:00]
Evolution and Growth [00:13:30]
How to Engage with the Podcast [00:16:00]
Looking Ahead to Season 5 [00:19:00]
Introduction and Origins [00:00:00]
Michelle begins by setting the stage for this reflective episode, inviting Shanice Webb to help unpack the podcast’s journey. She recounts how it all started as a test during a podcasting workshop, when she was expecting her second child. A wise friend suggested podcasting over writing a book, given the looming sleep deprivation. Michelle recorded five prototype episodes, queued them up, and went on maternity leave. To her surprise, the episodes resonated with listeners, motivating her to continue producing more content.
“I come across a lot of people who may feel stressed out, whether it’s about decision-making in general or about a particular decision that they need to make. Maybe it’s keeping them up at night. Maybe they’re feeling really stuck, maybe they’re feeling overwhelmed, and my hope is that this podcast can provide a way that they can feel more equipped to deal with whatever decision they have in front of them,”
Reflecting on the early days, Michelle describes the chaos of balancing a newborn and a toddler while the pandemic unfolded. Despite the challenges, she felt inspired to keep going because of the positive feedback. The organic growth of the podcast reaffirmed that even simple prototypes could lead to something impactful. “People enjoyed it and wanted more,” she shares, underscoring the unexpected success that made her realize how significant her content had become.
Unexpected Reach and Impact [00:02:30]
Michelle shares how reviewing the podcast's stats revealed a global reach she hadn’t anticipated. Listeners from countries like Brazil, India, Australia, and various parts of Europe regularly tuned in. This unexpected international audience helped Michelle broaden her perspective and realize that decision-making issues are universal, transcending cultural and professional boundaries. She notes, “Seeing that heat map with listeners from all over the world was kind of fun and humbling.”
Her global impact also prompted a shift in how she presented content. As someone with a U.S. tech background, she had to adjust her lens to ensure the podcast was accessible and relevant worldwide. This awareness challenged her to avoid U.S.-centric perspectives and think inclusively. Michelle emphasizes the importance of reaching people beyond one-on-one coaching, recognizing that her podcast could democratize decision-making knowledge.
"I measure success in terms of like, how many people can I reach? How many people can I reach and provide with even like one little gem or one little nugget that helps start to shift how they approach decision making," she adds.
Pushing Through Fear [00:04:30]
A major turning point in Michelle’s journey came when a respected professor and former president of the Decision Analysis Society reached out with an unexpected email. He expressed admiration for the podcast, noting how her emphasis on the emotional components of decision-making enriched the field. Michelle recalls, “I remember reading that email and crying because it dispelled the fear I had: Who am I to be doing this?” This validation was profound, showing her that her contributions mattered.
Despite her expertise, Michelle has often battled imposter syndrome, questioning whether she was qualified to lead conversations about decision-making. However, the professor’s encouragement changed everything. He even connected her with professional organizations, leading to her involvement with the Society of Decision Professionals, where she now chairs the decision education interest group. This journey illustrates how external validation and community can play crucial roles in pushing through self-doubt.
Measuring Impact [00:09:00]
Michelle admits that the success of the podcast has taken on a deeper meaning than just numbers. Initially, she was surprised by the over 20,000 listens the podcast accumulated, an achievement that would have been impossible through one-on-one coaching, especially with her parenting responsibilities. Yet, she highlights that true success lies in the impact—whether she provides even “one little gem or nugget” that shifts someone’s decision-making approach.
For Michelle, impact stories have been far more rewarding than metrics. She shares, “I still get emails about people binge-listening, devouring it like that professor did. It tells me to keep going, that there’s something here.” Her dedication to reaching people during a period when she couldn’t travel for speaking engagements exemplifies how accessible content can create lasting influence.
Seasons and Structure [00:12:00]
Balancing podcasting with family life, especially during the pandemic, required strategic thinking. Michelle’s solution was to adopt a seasonal structure, allowing her to manage her capacity and give her best. “Sometimes I have to say no to be able to say yes later,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of prioritization. This approach helped her maintain energy and creativity, even amidst the demands of raising two young children.
Michelle also shares that 2023 was a year when she had to pause podcasting due to overwhelming responsibilities. Recognizing limitations and giving herself grace became essential. Her story resonates with anyone juggling multiple roles and emphasizes that it’s okay to step back to recharge. She hopes that her transparency about these challenges empowers others to be kinder to themselves.
Evolution and Growth [00:13:30]
Reflecting on the podcast’s evolution, Michelle acknowledges the growth in both her content and herself. Early episodes often make her cringe, but she chooses to keep them available as a testament to her ongoing learning journey. She explains, “I’m still learning, and that’s okay. I don’t know everything about decision-making, and that’s part of why I bring other experts onto the podcast.” Her approach mirrors the core tenet of self-compassion in decision-making.
Michelle’s seasons reflect her audience’s needs: Season 2 offered practical “painkiller” tips for urgent decisions, Season 3 explored emotional complexities, and Season 4 featured guest experts. This season-based structure allowed her to adapt and experiment, demonstrating how even decision engineers evolve. She invites listeners to witness her growth, emphasizing that every decision-maker is on a lifelong journey of improvement.
How to Engage with the Podcast [00:16:00]
Michelle offers listeners guidance on how to engage with her content based on their needs. For those experiencing decision-related stress or needing immediate solutions, she recommends Season 2, where she shares practical, step-by-step advice. “If you need a painkiller, Season 2 is for you,” she says. This season provides concrete tools to navigate pressing decisions effectively.
For a broader perspective on decision-making, Season 4 showcases best practices and expert interviews, while Season 3 dives into the emotional aspects that often complicate choices. Michelle encourages listeners to start where they feel most drawn, offering flexibility in engagement. She concludes with a coaching mindset, “Meet yourself where you are and choose what serves you best.”
Season 2: For immediate decision-making help ("painkiller")
Season 3: For understanding the emotional side of decision-making
Season 4: For broader perspectives and best practicesCurrent Season: Start here for the latest insights
Looking Ahead [00:19:00]
Season 5 promises to be an exciting blend of new content and reflective insights. Michelle will answer listener questions collected over the years and share how she’s applied decision-making frameworks in her own life. She teases the introduction of new models developed in response to listener feedback and hints at guest appearances that will expand on different decision-making angles. “I’ve learned so much from listeners’ questions, and this season is about giving back,” she says.
Listeners can look forward to a season that explores real-world applications of decision theories and frameworks, with practical examples from Michelle’s experiences. By featuring guest experts and discussing emerging topics, she aims to keep the content fresh and engaging. Season 5 is set to be a rich resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of decision-making.
Season 5 will feature:
Answers to questions received over the years
Personal applications of frameworks
New frameworks developed from listener questions
Guest conversations on various aspects of decision-making
Key Takeaways
Sometimes the desire to help others has to be bigger than our fears - as Michelle discovered when her imposter syndrome met with a professor's unexpected validation
Life happens (like having two kids under four during a pandemic!) and it's okay to structure your work around it rather than the other way around
Whether you need immediate help with a decision, want to understand the emotional side, or are looking to learn from experts, there's a season designed for you
Just like decision-making itself, creating content about decisions is a journey of constant learning - Michelle still cringes at some old episodes, and that's perfectly okay
