The Messy Middle is Holy Ground

There’s something sacred about realizing that your voice holds weight—not just in what it can say, but in how it can shift rooms, shape decisions, and stir something awake in others.

But most people never experience that power because they’re waiting for clarity to arrive before they move.

I used to think the same way. I told myself I needed to be more polished, more prepared, more professional. I spent hours adjusting lighting, rewriting outlines, and re-recording intros—all under the guise of getting it “right.”

But what I was really doing… was stalling.

Not because I didn’t have something to say, but because I hadn’t yet learned to trust myself in the process. I thought clarity was something I had to have before I showed up. I know now that’s not how it works.

Clarity emerges in the doing—and becomes the catalyst for your impact.

It’s born in the messy middle. The awkward take. The shaky first post. The behind-the-scenes voice memo no one hears but you.

And once it surfaces? That clarity fuels everything—your voice, your vision, and your visibility.

So if you’ve been waiting to feel “ready,” I want you to know this: you’re not behind. You’re just standing at the edge of the moment that could change everything. Not because it’s perfect—but because it’s yours.

Years ago, I had a message that wouldn’t let me sleep. I knew I was called to more—more impact, more voice, more visibility. But when it came time to show up, fear disguised itself as strategy. I spent weeks tweaking graphics, re-recording intros, adjusting my lighting—telling myself it was all necessary.

But deep down? I was hiding.

Not because I didn’t care—but because I cared too much.
Because being visible felt vulnerable. And vulnerability without direction? That’s terrifying.

It took me months (and several soul-check moments) to admit that I wasn’t playing small because I lacked tools—I was playing small because I hadn’t yet trusted myself to be seen in the process.

That’s when everything shifted.

The moment I gave myself permission to show up in progress, not perfect…
The moment I stopped waiting to “have it all together”…
That’s when the downloads came. The clients followed. The speaking invites rolled in. The impact grew—because I did.

So if you’re sitting on a message, a movement, or even just a hunch that your story matters—this is your moment.
Not to get it all right.
But to get started.

And here’s the good news: you’re not doing this alone.
You’ve got a roadmap. You’ve got a community.
And you’ve got permission to show up as you are.

Because you’re not behind.
You’re just at the beginning of your breakthrough.

If you’re ready to shake off the hesitation and move with purpose, here’s your next step:

1. Name the hesitation.
Ask yourself: What’s the story I’m telling myself about why I can’t be visible yet? Write it down. Speak it aloud. Truth breaks the cycle.

2. Do it small—but do it anyway.
Record a 60-second video sharing a tip, a thought, or a win. Don’t post it yet. Just record. The act of doing starts to dissolve the fear.

3. Book your podcast clarity call.
If you're sitting on a message, let’s turn it into a movement. I’ll help you map out your path to visibility:

And if you’re ready to stop doing this all yourself?
Explore our Remote Podcast Production Services to simplify your workflow and amplify your voice—without the burnout.

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start.
But you do need to start to figure it out.

Clarity isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a product of movement.
Of showing up.
Of making room for your voice to catch up to your vision.

Your audience doesn’t need a perfect performance—
They need a real connection.

This week’s challenge:
Pick one story, tip, or idea you’ve been sitting on.
Don’t edit it. Don’t perfect it.
Share it in a voice memo, a private recording, or a journal entry.
Then ask yourself: What truth just came out of me?

1. This movement isn’t just about my voice—it’s about ours.

   If this newsletter spoke to you, forward it to a fellow visionary. Let’s grow together.

2. And if you haven’t grabbed the Time-Saving Podcast Playbook yet, it’s my free gift to help you reclaim your time, simplify your strategy, and finally show up with confidence.

You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer.
And clarity is waiting—not on the sidelines, but in the doing.

Let’s get visible.
— Shani Fay