The Mark Cherrington Podcast Episode 6 – Making Changes To My Podcast

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I share my work—how I talk about the people I help, their struggles, and how others can step in. Over the years, I’ve told many stories, but I’ve realized that the way I’ve been doing it might not be the most effective.

Why the Long Episodes Weren’t Working

I record these episodes with one of my volunteers, Kevin (who runs KevinTheTechGuy.ca). When we put out a long podcast episode packed with multiple stories, it’s a lot to take in. Even though people care, it can be overwhelming. I want people to really hear these stories, not just skim through them before moving on. That’s why we’re changing things up.

A New Format: One Story at a Time

Instead of cramming everything into one big episode, we’re going to focus on one story at a time—shorter, more direct, and easier to digest. A 15-to-20-minute deep dive into a specific situation, a person’s experience, or an issue that needs attention. This way, each story gets the space it deserves, along with my insights. Hopefully, this will make it easier for people to connect, understand, and take action. We aim to release these videos weekly, but we’ll record a few at a time—roughly the same amount of time it used to take to record one long episode.

Finding a Better Way to Ask for Support

Another thing I’ve been thinking about is how I ask for donations, which I solely rely on to do my work. I don’t want to constantly push donation requests. I know what it’s like to be bombarded by organizations asking for money every time you turn around—it gets exhausting, and people become numb to it. I want to strike a balance.

The Reality: Donations Keep This Going

Yes, the need is always there, and yes, donations make an immediate difference. But instead of constantly putting out urgent appeals, I want to make it clear how people can help—without making every post feel like a sales pitch.

A Simple, Reusable Approach

One way I’m tackling that is by creating a simple, reusable appeal—a quick 30-second clip explaining how donations support real people in real time. That way, I don’t have to ask every time I share a story, but the option is always there for those who want to help.

Making It Easier to Follow Along

Not everyone listens to full podcast episodes, and not everyone catches every social media post. In fact, most people only see what appears in their main feed at the moment they’re scrolling.

I want to make sure these stories reach as many people as possible, so I’ll be sharing them in different ways—short clips, blog posts, and videos. No matter how someone comes across this information, they’ll have a way to engage.

Change Is Uncomfortable, But Necessary

I know change is uncomfortable, even for me. I’m used to doing things a certain way, and shifting gears feels like starting fresh. But the goal is to help people in the most effective way possible, so I need to be willing to adapt.

What’s Next?

More focus on individual stories. More clarity on how to help and where donations are going. A better way to connect and make these stories resonate.

I want to make sure the voices of the people I’m helping are heard.

I Want to Hear from You

Let me know what you think! If you subscribe to my FREE newsletter, you can reply to that. You can also reach out via social media, or in the YouTube comments. Let’s figure this out together.