A few years ago, if you had told me I’d be sitting here writing about wrapping up the fourth season of my own podcast, I probably would have laughed.
Not because I didn’t believe in myself.
I just never imagined how much this little project would come to mean to me.
When I started The Corey Podcast back in 2023, I didn’t have some grand master plan. I wasn’t trying to build an empire. I simply wanted a place where real conversations could happen. A place where we could talk about life, relationships, culture, personal growth, and all the messy things in between.
Somewhere along the way, it became much bigger than that.
It became a community.
And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
Seventeen Episodes Later
Season Four has been one of my favorite seasons we’ve ever done.
This year we talked about confidence, resilience, faith, friendship, identity, fashion, family, truth, and what it means to keep showing up when life asks difficult things of us.
We laughed a lot.
We learned a lot.
And if I’m being honest, there were moments when some of these conversations challenged me just as much as they challenged you.
One of the things I love most about creating this podcast is that I never pretend to have all the answers. I’m figuring life out too.
Every guest, every conversation, every story leaves me with something new to think about.
I hope they’ve done the same for you.
Why I’m Taking Some Time Away
So let’s talk about the thing everyone always asks me when I mention a break.
“Corey, are you quitting?”
Absolutely not.
In fact, if you know me at all, you know I’ll probably be itching to get back behind the microphone within a few weeks.
But I’ve learned something over the years.
Rest is not quitting.
Taking care of yourself is not quitting.
Being present for your family is not quitting.
This summer, I need a little time to focus on some important things happening in my personal life.
One of those things is a very special graduation in my family.
And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized something important: there are moments in life that deserve our full attention.
Not half our attention.
Not whatever energy is left over after we’ve answered emails, recorded podcasts, written blog posts, and checked social media.
Our full attention.
That’s what I want to give to the people I love this summer.
Because at the end of the day, achievements are wonderful, but relationships are what matter most.
The Subscription Conversation
I also wanted to address something that a few listeners have noticed.
Some of the older archive episodes are now available through subscriptions on Apple Podcasts.
Trust me, I didn’t make that decision overnight.
I’ve gone back and forth on it for months.
Since day one, everything I’ve created has been free.
Every interview.
Every solo episode.
Every hour of research.
Every late night spent editing.
Every idea.
I never asked anyone for anything.
And honestly, I was proud of that.
But as the podcast has grown, I’ve also had to acknowledge the reality that creating content takes time, effort, and resources.
What finally changed my perspective was realizing that longtime listeners have already been part of building this community.
The archive isn’t disappearing.
It’s simply becoming part of a subscription model for people who are discovering the show later and want access to years of conversations and content.
I kept the cost low because accessibility matters to me.
I never wanted this podcast to become something exclusive.
I just wanted to find a sustainable way to continue creating.
And I hope you understand that.
More Than Just a Podcast
One thing that’s funny about me is that I always seem to have a dozen projects happening at once.
The podcast.
The blog.
Social media.
Writing.
New creative ideas that pop into my head at two in the morning.
It’s just who I am.
While the podcast takes a brief pause, I’ll still be around.
You’ll see me writing more.
Sharing more stories.
Posting more on the blog.
Spending more time connecting with all of you in different ways.
In many ways, this break isn’t about disappearing.
It’s about creating space.
Space to think.
Space to recharge.
Space to come back with fresh ideas.
What I Hope for You This Summer
Before I go, I want to leave you with the same message I try to remind myself of.
Slow down when you need to.
Protect your boundaries.
Tell the truth when it matters.
Spend time with people who make your life better.
And please, find something that makes you smile from the inside out.
I mean that.
Life can get so serious.
There is always another goal to chase, another task to complete, another problem to solve.
But joy matters too.
Maybe it’s a bike ride.
Maybe it’s a good book.
Maybe it’s a long conversation with someone you love.
Maybe it’s sitting on your porch doing absolutely nothing.
Whatever it is, don’t feel guilty for enjoying it.
You’ve earned that.
We all have.
Until Season Five
As I sit here writing this, I’m feeling grateful.
Grateful for every listener.
Every email.
Every comment.
Every message from someone who said an episode helped them see something differently.
Thank you for giving me your time.
Thank you for trusting me with your attention.
Thank you for allowing this podcast to become part of your lives.
I’m going to take a little time, enjoy the summer, celebrate my family, and recharge.
But don’t worry.
You know me.
I won’t stay quiet for long.
Season Five is already waiting.
Until then, be good to yourselves.
Be good to one another.
And remember, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is simply pause and enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to build.
See you soon.
All my best,
Corey
Photo by Mateo Giraud on Unsplash.
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