When I started posting online, my confidence was in the crapp—wait, no, it was lower than that.

I honestly didn’t think anyone would care what I had to say.

I wanted to talk about real career freedom—where people in my industry could create something they actually loved. But I didn’t feel credible enough to lead that conversation.

Why? Because I was still stuck in the mainstream career path I wanted to leave.

It felt weird. I had all this expertise… but in the old way of doing things. And I wanted to talk about the new way.

The version I hadn’t created for myself yet. 😐

The turning point: what I realized about expertise

At first, I felt like a fraud. But then it hit me:

I did have credibility—just not in the way I expected.

I knew the industry inside and out. I knew exactly what wasn’t working. I knew why people like me felt stuck.

And that was enough.

So instead of trying to be the example, I did something different: I created a platform for all of the examples.

This was the hack: I created the conversation I wanted to be in.

I started talking to people who had built the careers I admired.
I interviewed them.
I asked them the questions I wanted answers to.
And then I put a spotlight on the ideas I thought were powerful.

That changed everything.

Because with each conversation, I built something bigger than just an audience—I built authority. Not because I had all the answers, but because I was the one leading the conversation.

I’ll never forget one guest—this brilliant bass player who had built a thriving, unconventional career.

I told him, “I would love to do what you do. Teach a class, speak in schools, impact the next generation.”

And he said, “Keep doing what you’re doing, and it will happen.”

He was right.

A year or two later, I was invited to speak in college classrooms, at conferences, inside online programs. And by that point, I knew what I was talking about—because I had built my own library of expertise through those conversations.

I had created myself as an expert.

So if you’re waiting until you “earn” your spot in a new niche… stop.

You don’t have to wait. You don’t have to be the case study.

You just have to create the conversation you want to have—and invite people to it.

And then? Keep inviting. Keep leading. Keep showing up.

Before you know it, you’ll have a body of work.
A podcast. A YouTube channel. A social presence. A name that people recognize.
And new opportunities will start finding you.

AND... my Podcast Idea Clarity Workbook is almost ready!

I know some of you on this list are waiting for my Podcast Idea Clarity Workbook—and it’s ALMOST READY.

The workbook itself is done, but I’m adding something extra: the first episodes of my private podcast, where I’ll walk you through the process in a deeper way.

I’m planning to have it finished next week—so stay tuned, and you’ll get it hot off the presses.

Ever held back from talking about something because you didn’t feel ‘credible’ yet?

Hit reply and tell me!

Tracy