Last week, I hosted my first ever live podcast event; recording two episodes in front of a real audience.

In this solo episode and debrief, I'm breaking down everything that went into it: from finding the right guest and venue, to selling tickets, securing sponsors, managing logistics, and handling the emotional pressure of hosting something entirely on my own.

I share the real numbers, the fears I had (including "what if no one shows up?"), the lessons I learned about marketing, and why I'm already planning the next one; this time in London.

If you're building a brand and wondering what your "next level" looks like, this might just spark something.

Key Takeaways

• Your next level will feel uncomfortable;that's the point.
  Growth often looks like responsibility. Hosting the event wasn't scary because of the interview; it was scary because it rested fully on you.
• Give yourself more time than you think you need.
  Pushing the event back meant it wasn't rushed; and that made all the difference.
• You probably need to market 10% more than feels comfortable.
  Consistent promotion works; but you can almost always talk about it more.
• Don't rush past your wins.
  Big milestones deserve to be absorbed. Pride isn't arrogance; it's acknowledgement.

Episode Highlights

• 00:10 – Why I hosted my first live podcast event (and how it felt)
• 02:27 – Planning timeline, choosing the guest & pushing the date back
• 05:15 – Ticket sales, pricing, attendance numbers & marketing
• 08:22 – Behind the scenes: team, venue, tech & goodie bags
• 11:07 – Guest impact, sponsors (including Adobe Express) & what's next (London event)

Mentioned in the episode:

• Adobe MAX
• Gavin Strange Episode
• Aardman Animations
• Hannah Isted
• Kingsbane Studios Cardiff

Event Sponsors

• Ma