Dr. Mayim Bialik played Amy on The Big Bang Theory and was TV’s Blossom. On a recent episode of her podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, she made one of the easiest podcasting mistakes to fix: the double intro.

Her guest was Chuck Lorre, the producer behind The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Young Sheldon, and Dharma & Greg. The episode opens with a teaser that covers his career, his time in Scientology, his struggle with alcoholism, and his very public fight with Charlie Sheen. It’s a solid tease. Then, after a quick branding slide, Mayim introduces Chuck again, and about 70% of it is information she already gave us. I ring a bell every time she repeats something so you can hear how often it happens.

In this episode, I explain:

• Why the double intro is so easy to create (you introduce your guest during the recording, then add a better tease in editing and forget the first one is still there)
• Why the second intro usually feels slightly self-serving, and how it delays your audience from the good stuff
• How to think about it like a Walmart greeter who won’t let you get to the eggs and milk

The fix: when you edit, listen to your first few minutes as a listener would. If you’ve already told them who the guest is and why they matter, cut the repeat and get to the interview.

Need help with your podcast? Head over to schoolofpodcasting.com, click Join, and use the coupon code listener for a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription. I’ve also added a new plan that bundles the School of Podcasting with private coaching, including a weekly meeting with me. If you want your show ready for 2027, aim to have it done by the beginning of December