You know that pitch you *almost* sent? Or that big guest or sponsor you’re telling yourself you’ll reach out to “once you’re ready”? That idea you keep researching but haven’t acted on yet? This episode is about that moment—when you're stuck between wanting more for your podcast and actually going after it.
HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper has helped clients land guest spots on 500+ podcasts, including WorkLife with Adam Grant and UnF*ck Your Brain. She joins me to unpack the psychology behind rejection, why your brain sees “no” as a survival threat, and how this fear keeps you from the visibility, credibility, and growth you deserve.
So if you’re tired of watching other people land the guests, sponsors, and traction you want—and you're ready to start pitching bigger names and getting your show into the rooms it deserves to be in (even if it scares you a little)—hit play and let’s dive in.
1:36 – The Real Fear Behind “My Show Isn’t Big Enough Yet”
6:15 – How Visibility Triggers Imposter Syndrome (and What to Do About It)
9:09 – “They’ll Probably Say No Anyway”—And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves
15:46 – Why You Don’t Need More Downloads to Pitch Big Guests or Sponsors
17:58 – The One Thing You’re Not Doing That Could Actually Grow Your Show
Episode Links:
- Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.
- Check Out Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection Story
- Learn More from Alice: hustlingwriters.com
Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:
- How to Train for Rejection and Use It to Grow Your Podcast Faster
→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U
Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster!
Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.
Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025
Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney.
Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business.
Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ
©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!