<p>If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your podcast real and meaningful, you’ll want to hear this honest conversation with Neena Perez, host of Straight Talk, No Sugar Added. In this episode, we talk about why being your authentic self—even when it’s uncomfortable—makes all the difference in podcasting. Neena shares how her journey from personal pain to podcasting purpose keeps her focused, even when the numbers are small or growth is slow.</p><p>One big takeaway: you’ll learn why showing up consistently and telling the truth, no matter how messy or imperfect, can be your podcast’s greatest strength. We also dig into handling criticism, keeping your old episodes online (even the ones you might cringe at now), and building real relationships with your guests and listeners—not just chasing the next big number.</p><p>If you’re a podcaster feeling unsure about your impact or your growth, this episode will remind you why your story and your truth are worth sharing.</p><p><strong>Connect with Neena Perez</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/neenaperez" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/neenaperez</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenaperez/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenaperez/</a></p><p>If <em>My Podcast Story</em> speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.</p><p>There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the <em>My Podcast Story</em> newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.</p><p>Sign up here: <a href="https://mypodcaststory.com/join" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mypodcaststory.com/join</a></p><p>If the stories you hear on <em>My Podcast Story</em> bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq</a></p><p>Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: <a href="https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introducing Neena Perez’s Story<br />01:08 Who Is Neena Perez?<br />01:28 What Straight Talk No Sugar Added Means<br />02:16 Naming the Podcast: No Sugar Added<br />03:19 Podcast Origins and “Memoirs of a Fat Girl”<br />04:11 Revisiting Old Projects and Evolving<br />07:21 Neena’s Deep Why for Podcasting<br />08:38 Healing, Accountability, and Early Listeners<br />10:02 Podcasting as a Faith Journey<br />10:40 Podcasting for Personal Growth<br />12:00 Embracing Change and Evolving Episodes<br />13:42 Audience of One: Letting Go of Numbers<br />16:14 Focusing on Real Impact<br />17:24 Listeners as Real People, Not Just Numbers<br />18:05 Chasing Illusions vs. Staying Authentic<br />20:04 Authentic Stories vs. AI Content<br />22:31 The Value of Real Experience<br />24:49 Dealing With Trolls and Criticism<br />25:45 Tools and Tech Behind Neena’s Podcast<br />29:00 AppSumo Finds and Podcast Workflows<br />32:42 Automating Guest Booking and Management<br />35:26 Repurposing Evergreen Content<br />36:23 Shorts and Bringing Episodes Back<br />37:47 Roundups and Episode Revivals<br />38:02 Blogging to Extend Reach<br />39:17 Relationship Building and Guest Follow-Up<br />41:46 Missed Opportunities and Keeping Track<br />43:46 Top-Chain vs. Bottom-Chain Networking<br />45:14 Building Community and Helping Other Women<br />46:25 Forgetting the Numbers and Focusing on Skills<br />47:28 Social Media Myths and Realities<br />49:32 Neena’s Podcast Makes Some Money<br />51:01 Final Reflections and Advice to Beginners<br />52:27 Where to Find Neena Online<br />52:59 Closing the Episode and Next Steps</p><p></p>

My Podcast Story

Wisdom

Podcast Behind the Scenes: The Real Story of Healing, Faith, and Unfiltered Truth — Neena Perez | Ep 106

OCT 20, 202553 MIN
My Podcast Story

Podcast Behind the Scenes: The Real Story of Healing, Faith, and Unfiltered Truth — Neena Perez | Ep 106

OCT 20, 202553 MIN

Description

<p>If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your podcast real and meaningful, you’ll want to hear this honest conversation with Neena Perez, host of Straight Talk, No Sugar Added. In this episode, we talk about why being your authentic self—even when it’s uncomfortable—makes all the difference in podcasting. Neena shares how her journey from personal pain to podcasting purpose keeps her focused, even when the numbers are small or growth is slow.</p><p>One big takeaway: you’ll learn why showing up consistently and telling the truth, no matter how messy or imperfect, can be your podcast’s greatest strength. We also dig into handling criticism, keeping your old episodes online (even the ones you might cringe at now), and building real relationships with your guests and listeners—not just chasing the next big number.</p><p>If you’re a podcaster feeling unsure about your impact or your growth, this episode will remind you why your story and your truth are worth sharing.</p><p><strong>Connect with Neena Perez</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/neenaperez" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/neenaperez</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenaperez/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenaperez/</a></p><p>If <em>My Podcast Story</em> speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.</p><p>There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the <em>My Podcast Story</em> newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.</p><p>Sign up here: <a href="https://mypodcaststory.com/join" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mypodcaststory.com/join</a></p><p>If the stories you hear on <em>My Podcast Story</em> bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq</a></p><p>Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: <a href="https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introducing Neena Perez’s Story<br />01:08 Who Is Neena Perez?<br />01:28 What Straight Talk No Sugar Added Means<br />02:16 Naming the Podcast: No Sugar Added<br />03:19 Podcast Origins and “Memoirs of a Fat Girl”<br />04:11 Revisiting Old Projects and Evolving<br />07:21 Neena’s Deep Why for Podcasting<br />08:38 Healing, Accountability, and Early Listeners<br />10:02 Podcasting as a Faith Journey<br />10:40 Podcasting for Personal Growth<br />12:00 Embracing Change and Evolving Episodes<br />13:42 Audience of One: Letting Go of Numbers<br />16:14 Focusing on Real Impact<br />17:24 Listeners as Real People, Not Just Numbers<br />18:05 Chasing Illusions vs. Staying Authentic<br />20:04 Authentic Stories vs. AI Content<br />22:31 The Value of Real Experience<br />24:49 Dealing With Trolls and Criticism<br />25:45 Tools and Tech Behind Neena’s Podcast<br />29:00 AppSumo Finds and Podcast Workflows<br />32:42 Automating Guest Booking and Management<br />35:26 Repurposing Evergreen Content<br />36:23 Shorts and Bringing Episodes Back<br />37:47 Roundups and Episode Revivals<br />38:02 Blogging to Extend Reach<br />39:17 Relationship Building and Guest Follow-Up<br />41:46 Missed Opportunities and Keeping Track<br />43:46 Top-Chain vs. Bottom-Chain Networking<br />45:14 Building Community and Helping Other Women<br />46:25 Forgetting the Numbers and Focusing on Skills<br />47:28 Social Media Myths and Realities<br />49:32 Neena’s Podcast Makes Some Money<br />51:01 Final Reflections and Advice to Beginners<br />52:27 Where to Find Neena Online<br />52:59 Closing the Episode and Next Steps</p><p></p>