Content Inc. - The Podcast

Knowing When a Chapter Is Ending (Pausing this Podcast)

How do you know when it's time to move on, even when nothing looks broken? In this final episode of Content Inc. (for now), Joe reflects on how chapters in our lives and careers often end quietly, without a clear signal. He explores why so many capable people stay in roles that no longer fit, how loyalty can turn into a trap, and why understanding the system and chapter you're in is critical to knowing what comes next. Joe also shares why he's choosing to pause the Content Inc. podcast and what he's thinking about as he enters what he's calling his "third chapter." This episode is about awareness, agency, and giving yourself permission to pause without burning everything down. In This Episode, Joe Covers: Why most people don't struggle because they're in the wrong chapter, but because they don't realize a chapter has ended The difference between external endings and quiet internal shifts Why successful people often stay too long in roles that no longer fit How loyalty to past identities and expectations can hold us back What we can learn from Michael Jordan about closing chapters and starting new ones Why chapters later in life require different rules than earlier ones The importance of understanding the system and stage you're currently in Why a pause is not quitting, but a way to regain clarity and agency Joe's decision to pause the Content Inc. podcast and what that means going forward Key Takeaway You don't need a dramatic ending to begin a new chapter. Often, the most important step is simply recognizing where you are in the story and whether the role you're playing still fits. A Question to Sit With What are you continuing right now because it still works, even though it no longer fits? Final Note This is the final episode of Content Inc. for now. Thank you for listening, and for trusting Joe with your time over the years.   If this episode resonates, share it with one creator who is doing too many things out of habit instead of intention. If you want more insights every Friday morning, subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Tilt newsletter at https://www.thetilt.com/. Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

Two Storytelling Lessons from My Grandfather (527)

In this special year-end episode, Joe revisits one of the earliest Content Inc. podcasts, originally recorded in December 2014. It's a deeply personal reflection on growing up around his grandfather's funeral home in Sandusky, Ohio, and the unexpected business and storytelling lessons that came from those years. At the heart of the episode is a simple truth. Great storytelling is not about performance or persuasion. It's about service, empathy, and meaning. Through one powerful story from the Great Depression and a set of foundational content marketing principles, Joe reminds us why helping first and communicating well still matter more than ever. This is a no-video episode, shared intentionally as a reminder of how far the podcast has come and what has remained constant. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why helping others is the foundation of meaningful business How a single story can communicate values better than any strategy deck What great storytelling actually does for trust and connection Why usefulness always beats interruption in marketing The core Content Inc. beliefs that still hold true more than a decade later Key Takeaways Helping people is not separate from business. It is the business. Storytelling works best when it is grounded in empathy and service. Content is more important than the offer. Trust is built over time through consistency, usefulness, and direct communication. Brands can be copied. The way you communicate cannot. Content Inc. Principles Mentioned The content is more important than the offer Customer relationships do not end with the transaction Being the content is more important than surrounding the content Focus on what the customer wants, not just what you have to sell Build your content on owned platforms, not rented land Culture comes before strategy Customers want inspiration, not sales messages About This Episode This episode originally aired on December 16, 2014. It is being reshared to mark the anniversary of Joe's grandfather's passing and to close out the year with a reminder of why Content Inc. exists in the first place. There will be no new episode next week. Content Inc. returns with all-new episodes on the first Monday of 2026. If this episode resonates, share it with one creator who is doing too many things out of habit instead of intention. If you want more insights every Friday morning, subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Tilt newsletter at https://www.thetilt.com/. Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

Creators: Time to Say No (526)

In this episode, Joe digs into a hard truth most creators avoid: we keep doing things we no longer enjoy, not because we have to, but because stopping feels harder than continuing. After a personal conversation with his wife about the commitments and routines they no longer want in their lives, Joe realized something uncomfortable. Most of what fills our calendars is self-chosen… even the stuff we complain about. And the longer we avoid questioning it, the more permanent it becomes. This episode will help you get honest about what no longer fits, and give you a simple framework for letting a few things go. What You'll Learn Why creators keep doing things they don't enjoy The uncomfortable truth that nobody is forcing you to continue How "defaults" become invisible commitments in your business Why change feels hard even when the decision is simple A practical method to assess what still belongs in your life and business How to pause something for 30 days to get clarity Why your language ("have to" vs. "choosing to") shapes your choices A quarterly habit that keeps your work aligned with your goals Key Ideas From the Episode Most creators are not trapped. They are simply continuing things they never reevaluated. Relief is powerful data. If stopping something feels good, pay attention. If you wouldn't start it again today, it may not belong in your business anymore. Nothing has to be broken for something to be finished. The hardest part of change is admitting that nobody was making you stay. Try This Week's Exercise Create a Still-Doing List of anything you no longer enjoy. Ask: Would I start this again today? Pause one thing for 30 days and track how you feel. Shift your language to: "I'm choosing to continue." "I'm not ready to stop yet." Revisit all of it every quarter. If this episode resonates, share it with one creator who is doing too many things out of habit instead of intention. If you want more insights every Friday morning, subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Tilt newsletter at https://www.thetilt.com/. Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

Gratitude As Competitive Advantage (525)

In this episode, Joe shares a personal story about his father, two very different types of people he observed over Thanksgiving, and why gratitude may be one of the most overlooked advantages creators can build right now. Joe explains how a well-known research study divided people into three groups: one that listed things they were grateful for, one that listed their hassles, and one that listed neutral events. The gratitude group ended up healthier, more optimistic, more energetic, and made more progress toward their goals. The complainers did worse across the board. Gratitude, Joe argues, is not soft or optional. It is a strategic mindset that fuels clearer thinking, better decisions, and more resilience. Complaining drains energy and momentum. Gratitude restores both. He closes with a simple, practical gratitude checklist you can use daily, weekly, and during tough moments to shift your mindset and strengthen your creator journey. Gratitude Checklist from the Episode Daily • List three things that went right today. • Reframe one complaint into something that is still working. • Thank one person out loud for something specific. • Use a small routine as a gratitude trigger. Weekly • Send one short note to someone who made a difference for you. • Celebrate one tiny win you would normally overlook. • Write down one lesson you learned from something hard. When life gets tough • Ask yourself, "What can I still control?" • Find one part of the situation that can make you better. • Notice one physical ability you still have and appreciate it. If you want to take the next step, try one or two items from the checklist this week. Small habits compound quickly. ------ If you want more insights every Friday morning, subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Tilt newsletter at https://www.thetilt.com/. Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

The Misogi Quarter (524)

In this episode, Joe breaks down the idea he shared during his MarketingProfs keynote — why creators don't need another tactic or another tool, but a focused ninety-day challenge that forces clarity, momentum, and real progress. It's called the Misogi Quarter. Joe explains where the idea came from, why creators desperately need it right now, and the simple system for choosing and completing a Misogi that actually changes your identity as a builder. What Joe Covers in This Episode 1. The MarketingProfs Moment Joe reflects on his recent keynote in Boston — a talk unlike anything he's given before — and how the concept of the Misogi resonated deeply with marketers and creators who are feeling scattered and overwhelmed. 2. What a Misogi Really Is A Misogi is traditionally the one "almost impossible" challenge you choose each year. Joe explains why creators don't need annual heroics…they need a concentrated season of focus. 3. Why a Misogi Quarter Works Creators today are overloaded with choices and distractions. A ninety-day Misogi cuts through the noise: One clear goal One finish line One season of intense focus One accountability partner 4. How to Pick the Right Misogi Joe shares examples of goals that work — and ones that don't. The key is specificity, measurable outcomes, and meaningful discomfort. 5. The Weekly Rhythm Success comes from a simple cadence: plan, execute, measure, and adjust. Joe explains how to structure your week so the Misogi gets your best energy. 6. Why Identity Is the Real Reward Completing a Misogi Quarter isn't about checking a box. It's about becoming the kind of creator who finishes. The confidence and momentum you build shape everything that comes next. Key Takeaways Big breakthroughs come from focused quarters, not scattered years. A Misogi must be specific, uncomfortable, and measurable. Guard your time. Make the Misogi the appointment you never reschedule. Accountability is essential. Tell one person. The identity you create in ninety days matters more than the project itself. Links Misogi Guide download If you want more insights every Friday morning, subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Tilt newsletter at https://www.thetilt.com/. Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/