You're faced with a guest speaker cancellation. How do you salvage your scheduled podcast episode?

Stay adaptable. If you face technical issues or content gaps, pivot by discussing related topics, personal experiences, or audience questions. Simplify complex ideas, maintain energy, and keep the episode concise. Leverage post-production editing to refine and ensure a polished final product.

Going solo can be an intimidating prospect, but it's also a chance to showcase your expertise and personality. Use this unexpected solo time to delve deeper into topics you're passionate about or that align with your podcast's theme. Share personal stories, insights, or opinions that you might not have the chance to when interviewing guests. Additionally, consider addressing listener questions or discussing recent industry news to keep the content relevant and engaging. Your audience tunes in for you as much as your guests, so give them more of what they love – your unique perspective.

In addition to a listener Q&A, consider using the opportunity to dive deeper into a topic you’re passionate about or share personal insights and experiences. You can also revisit popular episodes or expand on previous discussions, giving your audience more in-depth content. If you're pressed for time, consider repurposing unused content from past episodes, such as extended interviews or bonus material. These approaches allow you to maintain consistency in your episode schedule while delivering valuable content, even without a guest speaker.

Review your previous episodes for content that can be repurposed. Identify topics that were briefly covered and expand them into full episodes. Alternatively, compile highlights from past interviews to create a thematic episode. This strategy not only fills your schedule but also gives new listeners a taste of the best moments from your podcast, keeping your content fresh and engaging.

Consider inviting co-hosts or team members to join in for a roundtable discussion on a trending topic or a recent event related to your podcast niche. This impromptu format can bring fresh perspectives and create engaging dialogue, while still offering valuable content to your audience. Collaborative efforts can also diversify your podcast’s content and introduce your listeners to new voices, potentially growing both your network and audience.

Having a Plan B for your podcast episodes is crucial. From my experience, always keep a list of backup topics that require minimal prep. These could be evergreen subjects or personal stories that resonate with your audience. This way, if a guest cancels, you’re ready to deliver valuable content without scrambling. It's about staying flexible and prepared so you can maintain consistency and quality, even under pressure.

Experimenting with variety is always a good way to stretch ourselves. But doing it to a deadline is stressful. Play for fun but be willing to hold it for the right release time. Like when a guest doesn't show up. Ever wanted to do a more narrative episode - almost documentary style? What about adding more sound design? You should definitely have a go - but not as part of your normal publishing schedule. Unless you like that kind of adrenalin.

There is no reason you can’t plan ahead and not live hand to mouth. If the missing guest is today's episode, you are running without a buffer. I know, we have all done it and some of us live that way all the time. To avoid the problem of "What do I do now they cancelled?", have several episodes recorded, edited and scheduled. Or at least a number edited, or bottom line a number recorded, which you could edit immediately to get the episode out on time. Booking guests is a challenge we all face but keep feeding the workflow and you shouldn't get caught out. Except on that rare occasion, when you can use the ideas from sections 1-6 of this discussion. Find what works for you and create a repeatable process.