In this episode of The Publisher's Desk, Robyn Levin (Finding Your Edge) and I discuss why podcasting is one of the easiest ways for writers to expand their reach without constantly creating something new.

We explore how your existing articles, Substack Lives, and conversations can become podcast episodes, why your own voice creates a stronger connection than AI narration, and how Substack makes it easier to distribute your work across major podcast platforms.

If you've been putting off starting a podcast because it feels overwhelming, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

Why podcasting is another publishing format—not another job

Turning articles and Substack Lives into podcast episodes

Why I record my own articles instead of relying on AI voices

Do you really need a microphone?

Repurposing content instead of constantly creating more

How Substack distributes your podcast across major platforms

Why your episode titles, descriptions, and artwork still matter

Simple ways to get your first podcast published

Resources Mentioned

📚 Unstuck to Published

Helping creators launch, grow, and monetize their Substack with practical frameworks, tutorials, and weekly publishing strategies.

https://www.unstucktopublished.com

🌟 Finding Your Edge

Robyn Levin shares branding, visibility, and marketing strategies to help entrepreneurs and creators stand out online.

https://robynlevin.substack.com

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Publisher's Desk for more conversations about publishing, writing, and building a sustainable creator business on Substack.

In this episode, I sit down with Robyn Levin of Rare Finds - Luxury Travel for another virtual trip through Croatia. This time, Robyn takes us beyond the country's most familiar destinations and into Istria, a quieter region filled with coastal towns, vineyards, historic streets, and luxury experiences many American travelers have yet to discover.

We explore Poreč and two completely different ways to experience the same town: a sprawling five-star coastal resort with pools, restaurants, family activities, and adults-only suites, and an intimate 13-room heritage hotel where every room has a name and hospitality is built around the smallest details.

Robyn also shares stories from Zagreb at Christmas, a nearly four-hour tasting menu, and her conversation over Merlot with chef Ana Roš.

But the biggest takeaway from our conversation goes beyond Croatia:

One trip gives you an introduction. It doesn't always give you the full story.

Sometimes returning to a destination in a different season, exploring a new region, or simply meeting different people can make a familiar country feel completely new.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Why Robyn keeps returning to Croatia

Croatia beyond Dubrovnik and Split

Zagreb during the Christmas season

Why Istria is a region luxury travelers should know

Exploring the coastal town of Poreč

Two completely different luxury hotel experiences in the same town

The hospitality details Robyn notices while traveling

A 12-course tasting menu with nine wine pairings

Robyn's conversation with chef Ana Roš

Why the people you meet often become the best part of a trip

The value of returning to destinations you've already visited

If you've ever said, “I've already been there,” this episode might make you reconsider.

Maybe you have.

But there may still be an entirely different version of that place waiting for you.

Listen to the full episode and come explore Croatia with us.

Ready to discover more rare finds? Continue exploring with Robyn at Rare Finds - Luxury Travel, where she shares personally vetted destinations, standout stays, and the stories behind the places worth knowing before the crowds arrive.

It sometimes feels like every creator is expected to turn on a camera.

* Record a video.

* Go live.

* Post reels.

* Show their face.

For a while, it seemed like if you wanted to grow an audience online, video wasn’t just an option—it was the expectation.

However, what if that’s not how you communicate best and what if your ideas come alive through your voice instead?

If the thought of being on camera has been the one thing holding you back from podcasting, I want you to know something.

You don’t have to be.

I know this from my own experience. I’ve had my NP Fellow Collective podcast on Spotify for almost a year now.

I have an entire library of recorded episodes of me reading my NP Fellow Become The CEO of Your Health articles.

There’s no intro with a jingle, no special guests, no cameras, no crazy podcast room, no microphones, and definitely no fancy equipment or lighting.

I use my phone to read the article out loud and I use my laptop to record. That’s it.

My podcast is literally just my voice. If I can do it, you certainly can too. 🙌

The Real Reason I Wrote This

After publishing my guide on How To Start A Podcast On Substack, I expected questions about microphones, recording software, and podcast hosting.

Instead, something else happened.

People started telling me why they hadn’t started a podcast in the first place.

One reader shared:

“I don’t like being on lives or doing videos, so a podcast will allow me to share what I want to without sharing my face.”

That comment stuck with me because it wasn’t really about podcasting.

It was about finally finding a publishing format that felt natural.

Sometimes we assume podcasting means interviews, video, expensive equipment, or a professional studio.

It doesn’t.

Sometimes it’s simply your voice. Just you, your recording device, and your piece of writing you’re reading out loud. That’s it.

Presence Without Performance

One of the biggest misconceptions about podcasting is that it has to feel like performing.

It doesn’t.

Podcasting gives you the chance to connect with people in a different way.

* You don’t have to think about lighting.

* You don’t have to worry about your background.

* You don’t have to spend time editing videos.

* You simply press record and share your ideas.

For many creators, that’s a much more comfortable way to communicate.

Your audience isn’t looking at your camera.

They’re listening to your thoughts and your perspective.

Your Voice Is Enough

One of my favorite things about podcasting is how flexible it can be.

You don’t have to interview guests, you don’t have to create elaborate productions, and you don’t even have to invent brand-new content.

If you’ve already been publishing articles on Substack, your next podcast episode could simply be you reading one of them aloud.

→ You’ve already done the hard part and you’ve already written the words.

→ Now you’re giving your readers another way to experience them.

Sometimes that’s exactly what they want.

Build The Podcast That Fits You

I think creators get into trouble when they try to copy someone else’s podcast.

* They see polished interviews.

* Multi-camera setups.

* Professional intros.

* Weekly guests.

And they assume that’s the standard.

It isn’t.

Your podcast should reflect the way you naturally communicate.

* Maybe that’s reading your articles.

* Maybe it’s sharing a five-minute lesson.

* Maybe it’s having thoughtful conversations with other creators.

* Maybe it’s a mix of all three.

There isn’t one right way to build a podcast.

There’s only the way you’ll still enjoy recording six months from now.

Start With Your Strengths

The goal isn’t to become a podcaster.

The goal is to become someone who publishes consistently.

→ If podcasting helps you do that, it’s worth exploring.

Not because everyone else has a podcast, but because it might be the publishing format you’ve been looking for all along.

Final Thoughts: If You’re Stuck Right Now

For a long time, it felt like creators only had one path.

* Write.

* Film.

* Edit.

* Repeat.

Today, we have more ways than ever to share our ideas.

If being on camera has kept you from starting a podcast, it doesn’t mean podcasting isn’t for you.

It might simply mean you’ve been imagining a version of podcasting that doesn’t fit the way you naturally create.

The best podcast isn’t the one with the most expensive equipment, the biggest audience, or the most polished production.

It’s the one you’ll actually keep publishing because consistency has never come from choosing the most popular format.

It comes from choosing the one that feels like home.

Thank you so much for being here. I truly appreciate you.

— Jessica

Move first. Refine second. Publish with structure.

ICYMI, Previous Articles & Live Episodes →

Scan the QR code below to subscribe to Unstuck to Published →

📓 Field Note

Writing Comes First. Publishing Comes Second.

When Odel Asseille and I sat down for the very first Conversation at The Publisher’s Desk, I thought we were going to spend our time talking about burnout.

Instead, we spent nearly five hours talking about writing.

Somewhere in the middle of our conversation, Odel said something that completely changed the way I think about publishing.

→ “When I write, I don’t think about posting. I just write.”

That sentence stayed with me long after we ended the conversation because I realized something.

Writing and publishing aren’t the same thing.

For a long time, I’ve treated them like they are.

I’ll spend hours researching an article.

* Then formatting it.

* Designing a thumbnail.

* Adding images.

* Creating a downloadable resource.

* Tweaking the layout.

* Checking every heading.

By the time I hit publish, I’ll tell myself I just spent eight hours writing an article; however, I didn’t.

→ I spent part of that time writing.

The rest?

→ I was publishing.

Those are two completely different creative acts.

Writing asks:

“What do I want to say?”

Publishing asks:

“How do I want people to experience it?”

Both matter, but they’re not the same job.

That realization helped me understand something else.

Maybe burnout doesn’t always come from writing too much and maybe sometimes it comes from expecting ourselves to write and publish as if they’re one continuous task.

They’re not.

→ Writing requires curiosity.

→ Publishing requires craftsmanship.

→ Writing creates the work.

→ Publishing shapes the experience.

Neither is more important than the other; however, recognizing the difference changes how I think about both.

That’s what I’m taking away from Conversation 001.

Not a new productivity system and not a better publishing schedule.

Just a quieter reminder that writing deserves its own space before we start thinking about headlines, formatting, thumbnails, and everything else that comes after.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply write.

We can worry about publishing tomorrow.

Conversation 001 Takeaway

→ Writing creates the work. Publishing shapes the experience.

Don’t confuse the two.

Continue The Conversation

Thank you for pulling up a chair at The Publisher’s Desk.

If today's conversation sparked a new idea or perspective, I'd love for you to continue the conversation by sharing your biggest takeaway in the comments.

↑ Listen to Conversation 001 of The Publisher’s Desk:

Write What You Can Sustain

One of my favorite parts of The Publisher's Desk is introducing you to thoughtful people whose work I genuinely admire.

I'm grateful that Odel’s the first person to pull up a chair at The Publisher's Desk.

About Odel Assellie

Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!

Odel Assellie is the author of The Mirror Room.

Through thoughtful essays, reflections, and poetry, Odel explores identity, relationships, and human behavior, helping readers better understand themselves and the lives they're living.

If today's conversation resonated with you, I think you'll really enjoy Odel's work in The Mirror Room.

Scan the QR code below to subscribe to The Mirror Room →

Scan the QR code below to subscribe to Unstuck to Published →

Thank You

Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!

-Jess, The Creator & Odel Asseille

This week we explored Substack Notes—what they are, how to use them strategically, and why the creators who grow the fastest aren’t necessarily the ones posting the most. They’re the ones building relationships.

If you’ve spent any time on Substack, you’ve probably asked one of these questions.

* “How many Notes should I post?”

* “What’s the best time to post?”

* “How do I beat the algorithm?”

They’re reasonable questions; however, after this week’s conversation with Robyn Levin, I realized they’re not the questions that matter most.

The biggest mistake people make with Substack Notes is thinking they’re another social media platform.

They’re not.

Notes aren’t about posting more. They’re about building relationships.

Once you understand that, everything else starts to make more sense.

Stop Promoting. Start Contributing.

One of the easiest traps to fall into is treating every Note like an advertisement.

* “My article is live.”

* “Read my newest post.”

* “Don’t miss this week’s newsletter.”

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your latest work.

However, if that’s all you ever post, you’re asking people to give before you’ve given them a reason to care.

Instead, take one insight from your article.

* One sentence.

* One lesson.

* One question that made you think differently.

Give readers value inside the Note itself.

If they want more, they’ll naturally click through to the full article.

Conversations Are Content.

One of my favorite strategies we discussed during the live was asking simple questions.

* What are you building?

* What are you struggling with?

* What’s one decision you’re overthinking right now?

These aren’t engagement hacks.

They’re conversation starters.

More importantly, they’re research.

Every response teaches you something about your readers.

You’ll discover the language they use, the problems they’re trying to solve, and the questions they’re already asking.

That’s some of the best material you’ll ever have for future articles.

Let People Watch You Build.

Another overlooked type of Note is the milestone post.

Many creators avoid sharing milestones because they worry it sounds like bragging.

I see it differently.

You’re not saying,

“Look what I did.”

You’re saying,

“Look what we built together.”

* Your first subscriber.

* Your first paid member.

* One hundred subscribers.

* Your first Bestseller badge.

* Your hundredth article.

These moments invite your community into the journey.

People enjoy celebrating progress because it reminds them that progress is possible for them too.

Don’t Overthink Every Note.

One of my favorite moments from our conversation had nothing to do with strategy.

Robyn shared one of her best-performing Notes.

It was simply a beautiful travel photo with the caption:

“No edit needed.”

That’s it.

No elaborate hook, no marketing funnel, and no perfectly optimized caption.

Sometimes the things that feel too simple are exactly what people want to see.

* Photos from your workspace.

* Your favorite notebook.

* The coffee you’re drinking while writing.

* The book sitting on your desk.

* Your dog walking across your keyboard.

These little moments remind readers there’s a real person behind the publication.

You Don’t Need to Reinvent Yourself Every Day.

One of the biggest mindset shifts from our conversation was realizing that Notes don’t require constant new ideas.

You don’t need to reinvent yourself every day.

One article can become multiple Notes.

* A teaser before publication.

* An announcement when it goes live.

* A favorite quote.

* A key takeaway.

* A lesson you learned while writing it.

* An “In case you missed it (ICYMI)” reminder a few days later.

Instead of creating more work, Notes help you get more value from the work you’ve already done.

Stop Chasing The Algorithm.

Toward the end of our conversation, we started laughing about the Substack algorithm.

How many Notes should you post?

* Three?

* Six?

* Thirty?

The truth is...nobody actually knows.

→ You can spend hours trying to reverse-engineer an algorithm you’ll never fully understand.

→ Or you can spend those same hours writing something helpful or meaningful, building relationships, and serving your readers.

One of those things is completely within your control. The other isn’t.

Community Compounds

The biggest takeaway from this week’s live wasn’t really about Notes.

It was about relationships.

* People discover you through Notes.

* They begin conversations through Notes.

* They decide whether they trust you through Notes.

Eventually, many of them subscribe because of those interactions.

→ Articles tell people what you know.

→ Notes help people get to know you.

Great publications need both.

The goal of Notes isn’t simply to be discovered.

It’s to become memorable and recognizable.

If you’re constantly asking,

“How do I beat the algorithm?”

Try asking a different question instead.

“How can I help one person today?”

That’s a question you’ll always be able to answer and ironically, it’s probably the one that helps your publication grow the most.

In This Episode

Robyn and I discuss:

* What Substack Notes actually are and why they matter.

* Different types of Notes you can post.

* How to turn one article into multiple Notes.

* Why asking questions builds community.

* Milestone Notes and bringing readers along your journey.

* Photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content.

* Restacks, recommendations, and building relationships.

* Why you shouldn’t obsess over the algorithm.

* Practical strategies for staying consistent without creating more work.

Whether you’re brand new to Substack or looking to get more from the platform, I hope this conversation helps you think about Notes a little differently.

Every great publication is built one relationship at a time.

→ Articles may introduce people to your ideas.

→ Notes give people a reason to keep coming back.

That’s why Notes matter.

Not because they’re another content format, but because they’re where community begins.

↑ Replay Above

Resources From This Conversation

The Substack Notes Formats I would use if I were new to Substack today →

Follow Jess at Unstuck to Published →

Follow Jess at Nurse in The Market →

Follow Jess at NP Fellow Become The CEO of Your Health→

Follow Robyn at Finding Your Edge →

Follow Robyn at Rare Finds - Luxury Travel →

Scan Robyn’s QR code to access her Youtube channel →

Thank You

Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!

See you next Friday at 12pm ET for our weekly show, stay tuned!

-Jess, The Creator & Robyn Levin

One of the biggest mistakes I see creators make on Substack is trying to do everything themselves.

→ They write alone.

→ Publish alone.

→ Promote alone.

→ Grow alone.

And then wonder why growth feels slow.

In this week’s live, Robyn Levin from Finding Your Edge and I discussed something I believe is one of the most overlooked growth strategies on the platform:

Collaboration.

Not because it’s trendy and not because everyone else is doing it, but because it works.

Collaboration Creates Leverage

One of the biggest benefits of collaboration is that you’re no longer relying only on your own audience.

When you collaborate with another creator:

* You’re introduced to a new audience.

* You borrow trust.

* You increase visibility.

* You create more opportunities.

As I shared during the live, you can try to grow alone or you can grow together and often much faster.

The key is making it easy for someone to say yes.

Don’t just send a message saying:

“Want to collaborate?”

→ Show them the idea.

→ Show them the overlap.

→ Show them the benefit.

Have a plan.

One Piece of Content Can Become Many

Another topic we discussed was repurposing content.

Most creators spend hours creating something and then promote it once.

Then move on.

However every article.

→ Every live.

→ Every interview.

→ Every collaboration.

Is an asset.

One live can become:

* An article

* Several Notes

* Multiple clips

* A cross-post

* Future collaborations

* Content for weeks

The goal isn’t creating more content.

The goal is getting more value from the content you’ve already created.

Why I Love Cross-Posting

Cross-posting might be one of the most underrated features on Substack.

→ Instead of duplicating content, one creator publishes the original piece while the other creator cross-posts it to their audience with additional context.

This creates:

* More reach

* More visibility

* Less duplicated work

* Stronger partnerships

And most importantly:

It helps readers discover creators they may never have found otherwise.

Community Matters

We also talked about a feature I recently launched inside Unstuck to Published:

→ The Community Chat.

I created it because I wanted paid subscribers to have a central place to:

* Ask questions

* Get support

* Share their work

* Connect with other likeminded creators and writers

The reality is that building a publication can feel lonely.

Community changes that.

→ Sometimes the fastest answer doesn’t come from me.

→ Sometimes another creator in the room already knows the answer.

That’s the power of community.

The Real Lesson

The more time I spend on Substack, the more convinced I become of one thing:

Growth isn’t just about publishing.

It’s about relationships.

* The people you meet.

* The conversations you have.

* The collaborations you create.

* The communities you build.

Every collaboration is a seed.

* Some grow into subscribers.

* Some grow into partnerships.

* Some grow into friendships.

* And some grow into opportunities you never saw coming. ←

Watch the replay above as Robyn and I discuss collaboration, cross-posting, Notes, community building, and some of the strategies we’re actively using to grow on Substack.

In This Replay

Robyn Levin from Finding Your Edge and I discuss:

✓ How to find collaboration partners on Substack.

✓ Why collaborations help creators grow faster.

✓ The difference between restacking, quoting, and cross-posting.

✓ How to turn one article or live into multiple pieces of content.

✓ Why Notes are one of the most powerful discovery tools on Substack.

✓ How I recently launched the Unstuck to Published community chat.

✓ The role community plays in long-term publication growth.

✓ Practical ways to increase visibility without publishing more articles.

Whether you’re brand new to Substack or trying to grow an existing publication, you’ll walk away with several ideas you can implement immediately.

Resources From This Conversation

If today’s conversation sparked ideas about visibility, storytelling, collaboration, community, or promoting your own work, here are a few resources worth exploring:

Follow Robyn Levin at Finding Your Edge →

If you’re interested in building your brand story, using PR strategically, or learning how to position yourself as an expert in your field, I highly recommend following Robyn Levin’s publication.

Book a 1:1 Session with Jess to build your publication together →

Join Jess’s From Unstuck to Published live workshop tomorrow, Saturday June 13th at 10am ET →

The Ultimate Playbook for Going Live on Substack →

Cross-Posting Article →

If You’re Getting Ready to Open Your Paid Tier →

Thank You

Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!

See you next Friday at 12pm ET for our weekly show, stay tuned!

-Jess, The Creator & Robyn Levin

This time from a fabulous floating houseboat hotel, called Oasis Meu Amor in Split, Croatia.

What started as a casual travel update quickly turned into a conversation about travel, storytelling, audience-building, and the unexpected moments that create unforgettable experiences.

Robyn shared behind-the-scenes stories from her trip, including navigating a tiny gangplank to reach her floating hotel, surviving a stormy night on the water, dealing with lost luggage for eight days, and discovering hidden local experiences most tourists never see.

She also talked about working with a local Croatian storyteller who showed her a deeper side of Split beyond the traditional tourist routes.

Along the way, our conversation shifted into something I love discussing: audience clarity and building a publication with intention.

We talked about attracting the right people—not everyone—and why successful brands and publications are built around specific people and specific experiences.

This live became more than a travel update.

It became a reminder that the best stories, content, and communities often come from simply documenting experiences as they happen in the present moment.

By savoring the present moment you have experiences to be grateful for that you can document in the form of stories!

You can follow Robyn’s work here →

Thank You

Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!

-Jess, The Creator & Robyn Levin

Join me for my next live video in the app.

This is an amazing Subtack live featuring the one and only Robyn Levin!

You won’t to miss today’s show, as this was a very important and relevant topic for all growing entrepreneurs, creators, writers, and artists.

You get a quick taste of Robyn’s signature course about building brand visibility online with Public Relations and strategic storytelling!

Robyn loves human interest stories and getting to the story behind the story!

Everyone who tunes in today gets a special price on Robyn’s signature course!! Normally $297, her course is $97 for today’s show members, listeners, and readers with coupon code ALEC!!

Purchase Robyn’s Amplify & Boost Your Brand Visibility & Income Course here below:

Remember to use coupon code “ALEC” for the $97 price!

Thank you to everyone who came through the live and is reading, listening to, and supporting our work!

We truly appreciate you and look forward to seeing you again!

Jessica & Robyn from Unstuck to Finding Your Edge

P.S!

If you want to find more out about Ecamm, a very powerful Live Streaming platform built just for Mac, click below to experience StreamYard on steroids completely risk free for 14 days!!

Connect with Robyn Here

Robyn currently has 2 Substack publications:

Finding Your Edge:

Rare Finds Luxury Travel:

Join me for my next live video in the app next Friday, April 18th with the only and only Robyn Levin.

You won’t want to miss next week’s live show, which will be about how to increase invisibility online so that you can get on Forbes, WSJ, TIME, The Today Show, etc.!!

We’re going to dive deeper in strategies to how to get on Forbes, specifically the Forbes 40 Under 40 list and the Forbes 70 Under 70 list.

Unstuck to Finding Your Edge may become our signature live show on Substack every Friday afternoon at 12pm ET.🫶

Thank you to everyone who came through the live and is reading, listening to, and supporting our work!

We truly appreciate you and look forward to seeing you again!

Jessica & Robyn from Unstuck to Finding Your Edge

Connect with Robyn Here

Robyn currently has 2 Substack publications:

Finding Your Edge:

Rare Finds Luxury Travel:

Connect with Jess, The Creator Here

Unstuck to Published:

👩🏻‍💻Join Jess, The Creator’s From Unstuck to Published Workshop

Bring your laptop open and ready to build your Substack publication from scratch the right way from day one with me!

* Date: Saturday April 18th, 2026

* Time: 10am ET

* Duration: 90 minutes live intensive

* Format: 60 minutes workshop, 20 minutes Q&A

* Where: on Zoom

* Price: $147

* Who is this workshop for:

* Creators who want to launch their Substack, but keep delaying.

* Professionals who want to turn expertise into a publication.

* Writers who want structure, not fluff.

* Builders who prefer action over endless planning.

* Anyone ready to move from thinking to publishing without overwhelm.

Reserve your seat here:

🤘Book a 1:1 Substack Publication Strategy Call with Jess, The Creator

* Duration: 60-90 minutes

* Price: $147

* Format: 1:1 call on Zoom

* Strategy: Build your publication step-by-step with Jess and discuss anything that you would like to work on regarding your publication and anything Substack.

* Schedule a 1:1 call with Jess: After you pay for the 1:1, Jess will reach out to you to choose a date and time for our call.

💅Join The Unstuck to Published Paid Tier and Inner Circle

For creators who are serious about building with structure and moving decisively.

Paid members receive:

* One paid weekly article every Thursday.

* A 1:1 Zoom Call with me to build your publication from scratch together. ($147 Value)

* Templates, checklists, and publication blueprints.

* In-depth execution guides beyond public articles.

* Founder case studies and behind-the-scenes launch breakdowns.

* Structured publication audits and review opportunities.

* Price: $197 / year

Testimonials