Episode 496 - Leaving Instructions - How Podcasters Can Prepare A Dead Man Switch for the Unexpected
A podcaster should proactively create systems and documentation to ensure their podcast, digital assets, and obligations are properly handled if they unexpectedly pass away. Just like a train’s dead man switch—which automatically stops the train if the operator becomes incapacitated—a podcast “dead man switch” can help safeguard a creator’s legacy and make things far easier for their family and business partners to manage in the event of an emergency.
On a train, the dead man switch ensures safety by bringing the train to a halt when the operator is no longer present or able to act. For podcasters, this metaphor means setting up clear “emergency brakes”—instructions, access, and protocols—that activate if the original creator is no longer there to run the show. Without such a “switch,” everything can stop suddenly, leaving collaborators, sponsors, and family in chaos.
Key Steps for a Podcast Dead Man Switch
Document All Access
List all necessary passwords, account logins, and two-factor authentication instructions for podcast hosting platforms, website dashboards, email, social media, content libraries, and banking services in a secure, encrypted document. Store it in a password manager with a plan for emergency access by a trusted person.Prepare Instructions for Continuity
Write a step-by-step guide explaining core podcast operations: how to access and edit episodes, RSS feeds, analytics, sponsorships, and any paid services. Specify who should be contacted in the industry, the status of ongoing partnerships, and routine publishing duties.Name a Digital Executor
Designate a “digital executor” or trusted contact in legal documents, giving them permission and knowledge to manage your podcast after death. This person should understand your wishes and have both the legal and digital rights to act.Create a Content Release Policy
Leave guidance on what to do with unpublished episodes, show archives, and intellectual property—whether to retire the show, transition it, or make past content available permanently.Communicate with Stakeholders
Let sponsors, partners, or co-hosts know your plan in advance. If applicable, regularly update your family or your legal team about your intentions, giving them a clear point of contact for emergencies.
Include Podcast in Your Will
Treat your podcast as an asset, and specify its fate in your estate planning. Clearly outline rights, royalties, and revenue sharing if the podcast survives you.Stay Updated
Update access lists and instructions regularly as platforms and passwords change, and periodically reconfirm with your digital executor.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Include Podcast in Your Will
Treat your podcast as an asset, and specify its fate in your estate planning. Clearly outline rights, royalties, and revenue sharing if the podcast survives you.Stay Updated
Update access lists and instructions regularly as platforms and passwords change, and periodically reconfirm with your digital executor.
Final Thoughts
Taking these steps acts as the “dead man switch” for a podcast, minimizing the emotional burden and confusion for loved ones and ensuring professional obligations and creative work are respected and preserved.
As mentioned - Dave's Great Grandfather was an Engineer on this train now on display in Englehart, Ontario Canada
https://www.englehart.ca/p/no-701-steam-engine
Book: What to Do When I am Dead: A Checklist for my Family - A Journal to help your Near & Dear ones navigate Life's Landscape once you are gone
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