The Real Reason You’re Still Sitting on That Guest or Sponsor Pitch | Alice Draper

You know that pitch you *almost* sent? Or that big guest or sponsor you’re telling yourself you’ll reach out to “once you’re ready”? That idea you keep researching but haven’t acted on yet? This episode is about that moment—when you're stuck between wanting more for your podcast and actually going after it.

HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper has helped clients land guest spots on 500+ podcasts, including WorkLife with Adam Grant and UnF*ck Your Brain. She joins me to unpack the psychology behind rejection, why your brain sees “no” as a survival threat, and how this fear keeps you from the visibility, credibility, and growth you deserve.

So if you’re tired of watching other people land the guests, sponsors, and traction you want—and you're ready to start pitching bigger names and getting your show into the rooms it deserves to be in (even if it scares you a little)—hit play and let’s dive in.

1:36 – The Real Fear Behind “My Show Isn’t Big Enough Yet”

6:15 – How Visibility Triggers Imposter Syndrome (and What to Do About It)

9:09 – “They’ll Probably Say No Anyway”—And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

15:46 – Why You Don’t Need More Downloads to Pitch Big Guests or Sponsors

17:58 – The One Thing You’re Not Doing That Could Actually Grow Your Show

 Episode Links:

• Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.
• Check Out Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection Story
• Learn More from Alice: hustlingwriters.com

 Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

• How to Train for Rejection and Use It to Grow Your Podcast Faster 

 
 →This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

...

Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so that it gets found 24/7.

Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your Q in an upcoming episode.

Or, apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from Courtney.

...

Special thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings, our exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, book a free strategy call to find out what’s not working and how to fix it.

Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. A...