[ANNOTATIONS 200] Why I Cut 20 Minutes From Every 60 Minute Episode

The edits and insights that got cut from episode 200 of EDIT HISTORY

🧠 Key Takeaway: Editing isn’t about what you cut. It’s about how you sharpen the story.

On episode 200 of EDIT HISTORY, I share one of the biggest shifts I’ve made as a podcaster: I now record 60-minute guest interviews… and cut them down to 40.

✨ Cheryl commentary

Why I Cut 20 Minutes From Every “Good” Conversation

I didn’t make this decision because the content was weak, or because I needed to meet a specific time limit, or because I was dissatisfied with my guests.

The shift started with one uncomfortable question: “What are the better, bigger podcasters doing that I’m not?”

I wasn’t asking this out of insecurity. I wanted to understand what made certain shows feel so compelling (i.e. why their episodes felt tight, focused, and binge-worthy, while mine occasionally dragged).

That’s when I started paying closer attention… not just as a podcaster, but as a listener.

I noticed that on the shows I admired most, every segment seemed intentional. The pacing had a certain pacing. The stories built toward something. Even long interviews felt like they had been sculpted, not just recorded on the fly.

In contrast, I had been leaving nearly every word in the final cut of my own episodes. If the guest made a good point and spoke clearly, I assumed it belonged.

But what I saw from top-tier podcasts made me realize: It’s not about how much value you include. It’s about how well you direct the listener’s attention.

The old approach: Keep everything that felt valuable

For years, my editing approach was simple: “If the guest speaks clearly, confidently, and insightfully, I keep it in.”

Most of my guests do speak clearly and confidently. They often offer great insight. So I kept almost everything. My episodes were long, relatively unfiltered, and theoretically packed with value.

But over time, I noticed something. I was no longer finishing episodes… not just my own, but many others too. I would start strong, then quietly disengage. I would rewind out of guilt, only to realize I hadn’t missed anything crucial.

This became my wake-up call. If I, someone who genuinely loves podcasting, was zoning out by minute 42 of a long, unedited episode… then my listeners probably were too.

The hard truth: “Valuable” isn’t the same as relevant

As podcasters, we often believe that everything our guest says is inherently valuable. But there’s a difference between something being true and something being essential to this episode, this listener, and this moment.

A guest might share something that feels deeply meaningful to them, but is it aligned with the episode’s throughline?

They might offer a widely applicable tip, but have they already shared it on five other podcasts?

They might say something polished and quotable, but does it bring a fresh dimension to their story?

Editing isn’t just about improving sound quality. It’s about shaping an intentional experience. 

Editing elevates the episode and listener experience 

There is a fear that editing tightly might dilute a guest’s voice. In my experience, the opposite is true.

Tight editing amplifies a guest’s message. It allows their most compelling insights to rise to the surface. It presents their ideas with clarity and purpose, rather than letting them get buried under tangents or repetition.

Because let’s be honest: Listeners today are overwhelmed. They don’t need more content, and not everything said needs to be heard.

Behind the scenes: How I’m editing now

Here’s what my new workflow looks like:

1. I record for approximately 60 minutes.
2. I review the full conversation and trim it down to 40> minutes.
3. I keep only what supports the central theme or emotional core of the episode.

When editing, I ask myself:

• What is the guest saying that they haven’t shared elsewhere?
• Which stories deepen the listener’s understanding, rather than repeating the obvious?
• Where is the quiet tension that’s worth drawing out?

I no longer treat every interesting insight as indispensable. Instead, I try to shape a deliberate story arc. This might require rearranging sections or cutting content that felt good in the moment but doesn’t serve the episode’s integrity.

One of the most overlooked truths in podcasting…

The truth is: Every time you include something that isn’t essential, you risk losing your listener’s trust.

You see… When the energy dips, they start checking out. 

They hit pause. 

They think, “I’ll come back to this later.” 

And often, they don’t.

Thoughtful editing sends a different message:

• “I respect your time.”
  “I’ve made deliberate decisions for your benefit.”
• “You can trust that everything here was chosen with care.”

When you earn that trust, you create a different kind of listener – one who stays, recommends, and returns.

Your audience doesn’t need everything. They need what matters most.

Sounds good? Awesome. Let’s get to work.