Reflections on One Year of Podcasting: How It Altered My Outlook and Journey

As I sit down to reflect on a year of podcasting, I'm struck by the profound impact this journey has had on both my career path and my relationships with other teachers, students, and the art of teaching itself. Born out of a necessity for deep rest, fewer commitments, and recovery from burnout and illness, The Funny Thing About Yoga has become a transformative experience, reshaping my perspective on the yoga world and illuminating new paths forward for personal and professional growth.

Starting with the modest intention of infusing humor into discussions surrounding yoga and the industry, I never envisioned the vast potential it held for growth. I also never imagined how long we would stick with It. From casual dialogues with my co-host Bradshaw on everything from the intricacies of teaching, to engaging with a diverse group of guests, to exploring deeper mental and emotional themes, this platform has evolved into a source of inspiration, vulnerability, and realism. Reflecting on the highlights of the past year, I'm eager to share some of the most impactful moments with you.

I've rediscovered my passion for sharing educational elements of the physical practice of yoga. Due to the nuances of alignment, sequencing, and cueing, which are topics that can be challenging to convey effectively in a group class setting, episodes focused on related topics have become a space for me to "nerd out" about yoga in a way that I can’t in a 60-minute group class. I knew I held a passion for hosting workshops and trainings, but through the podcasting platform, I’ve been able to make information more accessible and reach a wider audience base. I look forward to amplifying this aspect of the podcast even further and I aim to help teachers further develop their voice, confidence, and careers. So far, it has been incredibly fulfilling to witness the impact these episodes have on our audience.

Another highlight emphasizes the podcast’s ability to serve as a bridge between myself and other yoga teachers. It has created a sense of camaraderie and a point of connection that I've missed in my yoga career up until now. I believed that there was a lonely side to teaching yoga due to the solitary nature of the job, depending on the environment you work in, and at times It left me longing for connections with fellow teachers who share similar experiences. Through interviews and casual chats with guests, I've been able to cultivate a supportive network of like-minded individuals around the country, and It has helped to build mutual encouragement and empowerment. Moreover, I hope that listeners also feel this connection—whether It be through empathizing and relating to our stories, connecting through Instagram, or being part of this Substack community, I intend to continue growing and expanding our reach and connecting with fellow yoga teachers needing a “water-cooler” moment.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I've learned from this journey is the importance of letting go of perfectionism and embracing spontaneity. Initially, I had meticulously planned each episode, only to realize that true magic often arises from unplanned moments of genuine interactions. This has also allowed me to embrace Bradshaw completely and let go of the idea around how a podcast “should” sound. Learning to trust in the process and show up wholeheartedly as our truest selves, has been a lesson in relinquishing control and embracing authenticity—a lesson that has enriched both the podcast and my own growth. It has also made each episode more relatable and down-to-earth.

A personal byproduct of this lesson is that It showed me how to infuse more of my personality into my teaching. By embracing authenticity and vulnerability, I've broken down the barriers or “facade” of having It all together in front of my students. I was once so focused on creating the “perfect” class that I was overthinking rather than being completely present myself. Now, if I mix up my lefts and rights or forget to do something on one side, I can laugh at It more easily or make a relatable quip about imperfection. The podcast truly showed me how to embrace the messy, imperfect aspects of life, creating an atmosphere of acceptance and authenticity in both my classes and personal interactions.

As we celebrate our first anniversary, I'm filled with gratitude for the growth, connection, and inspiration that this journey has brought into my life and I am excited to explore new topics, meet inspiring individuals, and share our collective wisdom and unique humor with the world.

To commemorate this special occasion, we are delighted to have Andrea Ferretti on our podcast. With over two decades of experience working with Yoga Journal and hosting Yogaland, Andrea brings a wealth of insights and inspiration. This episode features hilarious banter and enlightening conversation around Andrea's journey with podcasting, navigating partnerships, and discussions around neurodivergence. Plus, we share entertaining anecdotes, like Bradshaw's reliance on Giana and Jason's family's endearing obliviousness to his yoga fame.

As we continue this path forward, invite you to join us in celebrating our anniversary by tuning into our latest episode! We encourage you to share your thoughts and reflections with us and to keep engaging with our content. Your support means the world to us, and we truly value your time and attention. If you haven't already, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share a review.

Here's to another year of growth, connection, and authenticity—thank you for being a part of The Funny Thing About Yoga family.

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