During this episode, we talk about a Super Bowl halftime show, a childhood football season, and what that means for podcasters investing in themselves.


Discover why putting in the work before a win makes a difference


Hear about the lessons learned from losses, not just the victories


Find out what it really means to make a bold bet on your own show

Key Takeaways

1. Self-Investment and Betting on Yourself


Takeaway: True growth and progress come from investing in your own work long before any external validation arrives. Freddy compares this to The Weeknd spending $7 million of his own money to create a memorable Super Bowl halftime show, emphasizing that you need to take bold risks and believe in your vision even when outcomes are uncertain.

2. The Journey Over the Trophy


Takeaway: Results and recognition aren’t guaranteed, even if you work harder than everyone else. It's the process, effort, and learning that matter most—failure shapes you more than easy wins ever do.

3. Endurance and Consistency in Content Creation


Takeaway: Showing up regularly, putting in the hours, and staying committed are the true markers of eventual success. Every episode, bit of research, and ounce of effort compounds, regardless of audience size in the beginning.

4. Learning from Loss and Adversity


Takeaway: Facing setbacks, whether in sports or podcasting, is invaluable. You grow as a creator—and as a person—by learning from flops and challenges, not just from the highlights.

5. The Value of Being in the Arena


Takeaway: Borrowing from Teddy Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, true respect goes to those who participate, risk failure, and keep trying. Real glory is in the courage to try and persist, not in passive criticism from the sidelines.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Podcasting's True Value"

05:22 "Spectators vs. Participants: NFL Insight"

07:53 "Your Bold Bet"

Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com.

During this episode, we talk about a Super Bowl halftime show, a childhood football season, and what that means for podcasters investing in themselves.
<ul>
<li>
Discover why putting in the work before a win makes a difference
</li>
<li>
Hear about the lessons learned from losses, not just the victories
</li>
<li>
Find out what it really means to make a bold bet on your own show
</li>
</ul>
Key Takeaways
1. Self-Investment and Betting on Yourself
<ul>
<li>
Takeaway: True growth and progress come from investing in your own work long before any external validation arrives. Freddy compares this to The Weeknd spending $7 million of his own money to create a memorable Super Bowl halftime show, emphasizing that you need to take bold risks and believe in your vision even when outcomes are uncertain.
</li>
</ul>
2. The Journey Over the Trophy
<ul>
<li>
Takeaway: Results and recognition aren&rsquo;t guaranteed, even if you work harder than everyone else. It's the process, effort, and learning that matter most&mdash;failure shapes you more than easy wins ever do.
</li>
</ul>
3. Endurance and Consistency in Content Creation
<ul>
<li>
Takeaway: Showing up regularly, putting in the hours, and staying committed are the true markers of eventual success. Every episode, bit of research, and ounce of effort compounds, regardless of audience size in the beginning.
</li>
</ul>
4. Learning from Loss and Adversity
<ul>
<li>
Takeaway: Facing setbacks, whether in sports or podcasting, is invaluable. You grow as a creator&mdash;and as a person&mdash;by learning from flops and challenges, not just from the highlights.
</li>
</ul>
5. The Value of Being in the Arena
<ul>
<li>
Takeaway: Borrowing from Teddy Roosevelt&rsquo;s &ldquo;Man in the Arena&rdquo; speech, true respect goes to those who participate, risk failure, and keep trying. Real glory is in the courage to try and persist, not in passive criticism from the sidelines.
</li>
</ul>
Timestamped Overview
00:00 "Podcasting's True Value"
05:22 "Spectators vs. Participants: NFL Insight"
07:53 "Your Bold Bet"
Subscribe to&nbsp;Your Mic on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl">Spotify</a> or wherever you get your <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/spekepodcasting/playlists/your-mic">podcasts</a>.
Shoot Freddy an email: <a href="mailto:freddy@spekepodcasting.com">freddy@spekepodcasting.com</a>.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.
Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX

Twenty-six year radio veteran Freddy Cruz has gone indie.


From former special forces operators and CEOs to authors and journalists, join
Freddy as he seeks to learn from some of the highest achieving individuals in the
world. These are stories of grit and blasting through the crucible of life. Stories of
standing up to powerful corporations and defying the odds. Not all of his guests
are authors, but they all have epic stories to share.