Grief doesn’t send a calendar invite. In this episode, I’m coming to you raw and vulnerable, sharing a deeply personal journey through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Over the past four months, I lost two of my grandparents—one just a week ago. Through these losses, I learned the real power of building a business and a podcast that supports your life when life asks you to pause.
I’m not here today with a polished plan or the perfect message. I’m here as a reminder that being prepared doesn’t mean being perfect—it means creating space for life to happen.
Here’s what I want you to take away:
- Why every creator and entrepreneur needs an episode bank—and how to start yours.
- How to prepare your content strategy for unexpected life events.
- What it really means to build a business (and podcast) that honors life, not just hustle.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.
Find on Your Favorite Podcast Player
When Life Hits Hard, Will Your Podcast Hold Up?
Over the past six months, I’ve experienced a level of personal loss that has completely shifted the way I think about business. I lost both my Papaw and Mamaw—two important people in my life—just four months apart.
This isn’t a post about grief. Not exactly. It’s about what happens to your business—and especially to your content—when life knocks the wind out of you.
Because here’s what I know for sure: the business I built gave me the space to grieve. But the systems I didn’t set up? They nearly broke me.
Why I Built This Business in the First Place
When my Papaw was hospitalized in November, I dropped everything. I was with him nearly every day for three months. That wouldn’t have been possible if I were still working a traditional 9–5. That was my moment of clarity: this is why I became an entrepreneur.
I wasn’t operating at full capacity—I cut my marketing, scaled back on client work, and leaned hard on my team. But the business kept moving. It held me, in a way.
That, to me, is the definition of a business that works for you—not one that demands you show up no matter what.
The Podcast? That Was a Different Story.
After my Papaw passed in February, I began to slowly rebuild. More content. More client-facing work. Momentum again.
But just as I found my footing, my Mamaw’s health quickly declined. I got the call at the beginning of my retreat that it was time to say goodbye. Just a few days later, she passed.
So here I was—again—in the middle of a personal storm. And the morning this episode was due to air… I had nothing ready. Despite all the advice I give, I didn’t have an episode bank. I had one prepped for July—but not for this week.
That’s when it hit me: I’d built a business to support my life. But my content? It wasn’t built the same way.
What Is an Episode Bank—and Why Do You Need One?
An episode bank is exactly what it sounds like: a stash of 2–5 prerecorded, evergreen podcast episodes that can go live at any time.
These episodes are not tied to a launch, promotion, or specific season. They’re helpful, relevant, and valuable no matter when you publish them. They’re your backup plan—for sick days, grief, burnout, last-minute travel, or just plain exhaustion.
Most importantly, they buy you time. Time to breathe. Time to grieve. Time to deal with life without your audience wondering where you went.
How to Start Building Your Backup Content Plan
If you don’t yet have an episode bank, here’s how to begin:
1. Pick Topics That Are Always Relevant
Think about those questions you get asked all the time. The ones you could answer in your sleep. These make perfect evergreen content.
2. Record When You Have Extra Capacity
You don’t need to go into full batching mode. Just start with one extra episode next time you’re in the flow.
3. Store It, Tag It, and Set It Aside
Don’t publish it yet. This isn’t filler—it’s your lifeline. Keep it saved and ready to go for when you need it.
Are You Working In Your Business… Or Building One That Works For You?
This question applies to your podcast too.
Are you batching ahead or barely keeping up?
Do you have systems—or are you relying on last-minute energy?
Have you built something that supports you when you need to step away?
You don’t need to be perfect. I certainly wasn’t. But you do need to prepare.
Because consistency isn’t about never missing an episode. It’s about building safety nets that give you space to miss a few and come back stronger.
Podcast Resources:
