I Left Teaching for Podcast Management—Here’s Why

There was a time when I thought I’d be a teacher for life.

I had the whole “lifer” mentality, the dream classroom, the color-coordinated supply bins, and a deep passion for helping kids learn. I spent years preparing for it, and when I finally got my own classroom, I thought I’d made it.

But here’s the truth: I wasn’t happy.

So here’s the story of how I left teaching to build Paradigm Podcasting…

The Moment I Knew I Had to Leave Teaching

It wasn’t one single, dramatic moment that made me realize I needed out. It was a slow unraveling—a mix of stress, exhaustion, and that nagging voice in my head saying, this isn’t sustainable.

Teaching is a beautiful profession, but let’s be real: the system isn’t set up to support teachers the way it should. I was working late nights, spending my own money on supplies, and carrying the emotional weight of my students’ struggles home with me every single day.

And don’t even get me started on trying to fit bathroom breaks into my schedule (spoiler: you can’t).

I still remember the day I called in sick—not because I was physically sick, but because I just couldn’t do it anymore. I sat on my couch, staring at the wall, and it hit me like a ton of bricks: I don’t have to do this anymore.

That moment changed everything.

Enter Podcasting: My Unexpected Career Shift

So how does a teacher go from lesson plans to podcast production?

It started with a simple love for podcasts. I’ve always been a podcast junkie. I listened to them during my runs, while cleaning, even while cooking dinner. Podcasts had been a source of knowledge, comfort, and inspiration for me—so much so that when I was transitioning out of teaching, I turned to them for guidance.

I found a podcast about teachers leaving the profession, and it opened my eyes to freelancing and online business. I had no background in business, no fancy degree in marketing, but I had one thing: a determination to build a life I actually loved.

I enrolled in a course on freelancing, dove headfirst into the online space, and started offering virtual assistant services. One of the first clients I worked with had a podcast for her business, and let me in on the behind the scenes of her podcast production.

And then, it clicked—podcast management. It was the perfect combination of my skills, my passion, and my new mission to help other entrepreneurs get their message out into the world.

That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of that world—not just as a listener, but as a support system for the entrepreneurs out there changing lives.

Why Podcast Management?

You know when you try on an outfit and it just fits?

That’s how podcast management felt for me. It blended my love for storytelling, my Type A organization skills, and my deep appreciation for the power of voice.

Podcasting is more than just hitting record and talking—it’s a way for entrepreneurs to build trust, share their expertise, and connect with their audience in a real, authentic way. And I knew that if I could take the backend work off their plates, they could focus on what they do best—showing up and sharing their message.

So that’s exactly what I did. I started taking on clients, learning everything I could about editing, marketing, and podcast growth strategies. And before I knew it, my side hustle had replaced my teaching salary. I was working fewer hours, making more money, and—most importantly—doing something I really loved.

My Life Now: A Day in the Life of a Podcast Manager

Compared to my days in the classroom, my life now feels like a dream.

I wake up when I want, take my dog on a long morning walk, and ease into my workday with a cup of coffee. No more 6 AM alarms, no more grading papers until midnight. Instead, my days are filled with editing amazing conversations, strategizing with my clients, and helping them amplify their voices.

And let’s talk about the freedom—I can take a day off without needing a substitute, I can travel without worrying about lesson plans, and I can actually go to the bathroom whenever I want. (If you know, you know.)

But the best part? The people. I get to work with badass entrepreneurs who are changing lives through their podcasts. Coaches, course creators, service providers—women who are driven, passionate, and out here making an impact.

It’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.

Why Podcasting? Because Your Voice Matters

I didn’t just stumble into podcast management—I fell in love with it.

Podcasting is the most intimate, powerful way to connect with your audience. It builds trust in a way that social media posts never could. It turns listeners into clients, into raving fans, into loyal customers who feel like they know you before they ever work with you.

I believe so deeply in the power of podcasting because I’ve seen it work. Not just for my clients, but in my own journey. It’s how I found my way out of burnout and into a career that allows me to serve, support, and empower women like you.

Where You Are Now—and How I Can Help

You already have the expertise. You already have the stories. You already know that podcasting can be a game-changer for your business. What you don’t have? The time or bandwidth to handle all the moving pieces behind the mic.

That’s where I come in.

I handle the production, editing, marketing assets, and strategy so you can stay in your zone of genius. Imagine just showing up, having powerful conversations, and knowing that everything else is taken care of.

No late-night editing. No stressing over show notes. Just impact.

Ready to Start Your Podcast?

If you’re an entrepreneur and you’ve been thinking about launching a podcast (or you have one but feel overwhelmed by all the moving pieces), I’m here to help.

My full-service podcast management packages are designed to make podcasting easy, stress-free, and strategic. I handle the details—you focus on showing up and sharing your genius.

Check out my services here!

When I reflect on the biggest lesson I learned from leaving the classroom it’s this:

You have one life. Don’t waste it doing something that makes you miserable.

Whether it’s teaching, nursing, corporate life or podcast production—if it’s not for you, there’s something better waiting on the other side.

And if that “something better” includes launching a podcast or getting help with your current podcast, I’d love to help you make it happen.

---

To hear me tell this story with my amazing client Katy Ripp, listen to my conversation with her on her podcast, #ActuallyICan: How Chanlie Leavitt Left Teaching to Build Her Dream Business