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.

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.

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.

Connect with Neena Perez

Website: https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/neenaperez

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenaperez/

If My Podcast Story 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.

There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story 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.

Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/join

If the stories you hear on My Podcast Story 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: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq

Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory

Chapters

00:00 Introducing Neena Perez’s Story
01:08 Who Is Neena Perez?
01:28 What Straight Talk No Sugar Added Means
02:16 Naming the Podcast: No Sugar Added
03:19 Podcast Origins and “Memoirs of a Fat Girl”
04:11 Revisiting Old Projects and Evolving
07:21 Neena’s Deep Why for Podcasting
08:38 Healing, Accountability, and Early Listeners
10:02 Podcasting as a Faith Journey
10:40 Podcasting for Personal Growth
12:00 Embracing Change and Evolving Episodes
13:42 Audience of One: Letting Go of Numbers
16:14 Focusing on Real Impact
17:24 Listeners as Real People, Not Just Numbers
18:05 Chasing Illusions vs. Staying Authentic
20:04 Authentic Stories vs. AI Content
22:31 The Value of Real Experience
24:49 Dealing With Trolls and Criticism
25:45 Tools and Tech Behind Neena’s Podcast
29:00 AppSumo Finds and Podcast Workflows
32:42 Automating Guest Booking and Management
35:26 Repurposing Evergreen Content
36:23 Shorts and Bringing Episodes Back
37:47 Roundups and Episode Revivals
38:02 Blogging to Extend Reach
39:17 Relationship Building and Guest Follow-Up
41:46 Missed Opportunities and Keeping Track
43:46 Top-Chain vs. Bottom-Chain Networking
45:14 Building Community and Helping Other Women
46:25 Forgetting the Numbers and Focusing on Skills
47:28 Social Media Myths and Realities
49:32 Neena’s Podcast Makes Some Money
51:01 Final Reflections and Advice to Beginners
52:27 Where to Find Neena Online
52:59 Closing the Episode and Next Steps